Advent and Christmas Season 2023/24 Masses and Programs:
— Nativity Figurine Blessing —
Laetare Sunday (Third Sunday of Advent), December 16-17 | All Masses | In the church
Bring a Nativity figurine from your home creche to Mass for a special blessing.
— Christmas Eve —
Sunday, December 24
4 p.m. | Children’s Christmas Program at 3:15 p.m.
6 p.m. | 8 p.m.
Mass During the Night | 11 p.m. | Music at 10:30 p.m.
— Christmas Day —
Monday, December 25 | 7:30 a.m. | 9 a.m. | 10:30 a.m. | Noon
— Historical Society Christmas Period Tour —
Tuesday, December 26 | 3 p.m. | In the church
— Daily Mass & Confessions | December 27-29 —
12:10 p.m. Mass | 11:30 a.m. Confessions
No 7 a.m. Mass during this week
No Mass or Confessions on 12/26
— The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God —
New Year’s Day | Monday, January 1, 2024 | 7 a.m.
Not a Holy Day of Obligation this year.
— The Epiphany of The Lord —
Sunday, January 7, 2023 | 7:30 a.m. | 9 a.m. |10:30 a.m. | Noon | 5:30 pm
Sing Out Epiphany | Special Choral Event | 3 p.m.
*Parishioners and visitors are advised to arrive 30 minutes prior to the start of any event or Mass on Christmas Eve.
Parish Office and Daily Mass Schedule During the Christmas Season
Closures | Please note that our parish office will be closed on Friday, December 22,
– The office will also be closed on Tuesday, December 26. No Masses will be celebrated, and confessions will not be held.
– During the week between Christmas and the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, December 27-29, Masses will be celebrated at 12:10 p.m. only, with Confessions available at 11:30 a.m. There will be no 7 a.m. Mass during this week.
– The office will be closed Monday, January 1, with the celebration of the 7 a.m. Mass only, and no 12:10 p.m. Mass or confessions on this day.
Christmas Eve and Day Parking Update
Madison Building Garage: Parking in the adjacent Madison Building Garage will be free during all Mass times on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Parishioners and visitors are asked to NOT take a parking ticket when entering the garage, contrary to our normal procedures for weekend Masses. We would like to thank our friends at the Madison Building for their gift of convenience and accessibility for our parishioners and visitors this Christmas. *Be advised that attendants will charge any vehicle remaining in the garage after 1:45 p.m. on Christmas Day.
On Street Parking (Christmas Day Only): During Mass times on Sunday, parishioners are invited to park in The City of Tampa’s Church Zone free of charge. The City recently made an adjustment to the hours of operation for on-street parking throughout downtown. Spaces are now enforced from the hours of 8 a.m. to midnight, Monday-Saturday, and Sunday’s from 2 p.m.-midnight. These spaces are enforced on nights, weekends, and holidays.
For general parking information, click here.
Live Streaming
Whether you are unable to be with us in person, or you don’t want to miss our Christmas pageant and night-time musical offerings, three Masses will be streamed live this Christmas.
Click Here for the 2023 Christmas Live Stream Page
Both the 4 p.m. Family – and – 11 p.m. Night Mass will be streamed on Christmas Eve. These broadcasts will begin early to include festive offerings from our children, musicians, and choirs. On Christmas Day, our 10:30 a.m. Mass will be streamed.
If you can’t join at these specific times, the livestream videos will be available to view 15-30 minutes following the conclusion of each Mass.
Christmas Poinsettias | Online Memorial
Remember a loved one during the Christmas season with a poinsettia used to decorate our sanctuary. A long-standing Sacred Heart tradition, each plant that you see has been given in remembrance or honor of loved ones whose names will be memorialized online.
Request forms will available soon, both in the back of the church, or at a link that will follow. All forms, along with the suggested donation of $15 per plant, must be received by Thursday, December 14.
2023 Upcoming Events
A Day of Christmas Shopping | Friday, November 17 | 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Join us for our annual day of Christmas shopping at the Sacred Heart Gift & Book Store on Friday, November 17, from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
In addition to having deals on amazing gifts for the Christmas season, our team at the gift store will serve spirits and snacks, and give away door prizes throughout the day.
What a great time to get your Christmas shopping done, pick up a little something for yourself, and enjoy Christmas cheer with fellow parishioners and the gift store team.
Blessing of the Creche | Friday, December 1 | 5:30 p.m.
Join the Friars of Sacred Heart at The Franciscan Center (3010 N. Perry Ave. Tampa, 33603) on Friday, December 1, from 6-7 p.m. for a very special tradition, the annual Blessing of The Creche.
This blessing is a yearly tradition at the Franciscan Center, and holds deep roots within the Franciscan order. Guests are invited to bring a figurine from their own Nativity scenes to be blessed. Christmas caroling, baked goods, and refreshments will be provided by the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany.
Baby and early childcare donations benefitting Mary’s Shower, who provide baby showers for local families in need, will be collected prior to the blessing. For more information, contact Lily Houghson via email or 813-229-2695.
Cookies with St. Nicholas | Sunday, December 3 | 11 a.m.
Sacred Heart is hosting its annual Cookies with St. Nicholas event on Sunday, December 3, from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. in the North Campus Auditorium.
Children can decorate cookies, play games, make crafts, and take pictures with jolly old St. Nicholas himself. Mark your calendars and make plans to join us!
If you’re interested in volunteering, baking cookies or helping in general, contact us via email.
Historic Christmas Tour of Sacred Heart Church | Tuesday, December 26 | 3 p.m.
Join the Docents of Sacred Heart on Tuesday, December 26 at 3pm for an historic Christmas tour of our Church. Decorated splendidly for the Christmas season, including the historic “creche”, the tour of the church will include multiple stations featuring our docents, in period dress, and special guests explaining extraordinary features of the church including:
— the motivation behind the significant donation of the altar and altar rail
— unique architecture and design elements
— original relics that were obtained for the dedication of the church in 1905
— memorial stained glass windows
— renovations to improve and sustain our church
Learn about these and so many more interesting aspects of this ecclesiastical jewel of downtown Tampa. As always, docent-led lecture and tours are free, and open to the public.
A reception with light refreshments will follow the tour in St. Francis Hall.
Donations are gratefully accepted and used to continue the renovation and restoration of the church.
Sing Out Epiphany | Sunday, January 7 | 3 p.m.
On Sunday, January 7 at 3 p.m., you’re invited to gather in the church for a festival of carols to celebrate the close of the Christmas season.
We all love to sing Christmas carols, but it may be that your particular favorites will not find a place in the liturgies of the Christmas season. Alongside a few of those liturgical standards, we will sing seasonal favorites that may have been missed. Our director of music, Philip Jakob, may also introduce some carols with amusing alternative lyrics! Festive costumes and attire are encouraged, with the most festive ensemble receiving a funny prize! All are welcome!
