Anne Asbury, Dee Caleeca, Carolyn Bethmann and Millie Stina, l-r, were ready to satisfy every sweet tooth with their baked goods at the Gourmet Table at 2024’s bazaar. Photo provided
The 2025 Christmas Bazaar sponsored by the Ascension Council of Catholic Women takes place 4-7 p.m. Nov. 7 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 8 in the Ascension Catholic Church Family Center at 7250 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton. The event includes more than 25 vendors, raffle baskets, jewelry and fashion, new clothing, Christmas items, a gourmet table and a cafe with food. The proceeds benefit the parish and local charities. 561-997-5486; ascensionboca.org
Wycliffe Gordon’s Jazz Christmas at St. Gregory’s
Celebrate the magic of a New Orleans Jazz Christmas with an evening of world-class jazz, gourmet dining and festive fellowship at 5 p.m. Dec. 6 at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, 100 NE Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton.
The gala begins with a champagne reception followed by a three-course dinner, plus dancing and silent and live auctions. But the highlight is the legendary trombonist Wycliffe Gordon in his only South Florida concert this season. The virtuoso will be accompanied by the jazz trio La Lucha.
Tickets are $75 for the concert, $75 for the dinner and silent auction, and $135 to attend both the concert and the dinner. Seats at Wycliffe’s dinner table are $500. Call 561-395-8285.
Boca Symphonia to feature music of Mozart, Poulenc
The Boca Symphonia, South Florida’s premier chamber orchestra, returns to St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church under the baton of Alastair Willis for its opening concert of the season, featuring the music of Mozart and Poulenc, at 3 p.m. Nov. 23. The church’s Tim Brumfield will join the Symphonia to perform the Organ Concerto in G minor by French composer Francis Poulenc. St. Gregory’s is at 100 NE Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton. Tickets start at $58, or $10 for students at the box office only. Get tickets at thesymphonia.org/attend/calendar/mozart-and-tim.
St. Paul’s Episcopal hosting Delray String Quartet
The Delray String Quartet, St. Paul’s Artists in Residence, will perform at 3 p.m. Nov. 23 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 188 S. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach. Concerts are also planned for Jan. 4, Feb. 4, May 3 and May 24. Tickets are available at delraystringquartet.com/concerts.
Advent Choral Evensong to be led by the choir
St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church will feature an Advent Choral Evensong led by the choir at 6 p.m. Nov. 30. This musical version of evening prayer in the Anglican tradition is free. St. Gregory’s is at 100 NE Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton. 561-395-8285; stgregorysepiscopal.org
St. Lucy Catholic Church to host Mass of Remembrance
St. Lucy Catholic Church will hold a Mass of Remembrance at 6 p.m. Nov. 3 at the church, 3510 S. Ocean Blvd., Highland Beach. The Mass will feature a candle lighting for the deceased. All are welcome to submit a photo or two for a memory board that will be displayed at the entrance of the church for the Mass and for the month of November. Bring your photos to the parish office to be included. Call 561-278-1280 for more information.
Knights of Columbus event to honor all who served
The Knights of Columbus Assembly 3092 hosts a Veterans Appreciation Dinner and Dance at 6 p.m. Nov. 8 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, O’Shea Hall, 22094 Lyons Road, Boca Raton. A Mass precedes the dinner at 4 p.m. Cocktails will be served 5:30 to 6 followed by dinner, music and dancing. Tickets are $35. Veterans are admitted free with reservations. Sponsor a Veterans Table for $350. Call 718-200-3836 or email Sir-Joseph@outlook.com or register online at bocaratonassembly3092.com/event/veterans-dinner-dance-2.
St. Lucy’s Horgan to lead flag retirement ceremony
Father Brian Horgan will lead an official “Flag Retirement Service and Ceremony” at 11 a.m. Nov. 9 at St. Lucy Catholic Church, 3510 S. Ocean Blvd., Highland Beach. Sometimes called a Ceremony for Disposal of Unserviceable Flags or Ceremony of Final Tribute, this solemn event includes refreshments after the service. Anyone with an old/worn/used flag is asked to bring it to the event. If you can’t attend you can drop your flag off at the rectory office from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Questions? Call the church at 561-278-1280.
B’nai Torah Congregation set to host Mitzvah Day
B’nai Torah Congregation hosts Mitzvah Day from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 16 at 6261 SW 18th St., Boca Raton. This powerful morning of service offers activities for all ages.
Tasks such as blood drives, making sandwiches and assembling care packages are designed to support underserved youth, veterans, people who are hungry or homeless, and those with special needs. For more info or to sign up, contact Summer Faerman at summer.faerman@bnai-torah.org or call 561-392-8566.
Blessing Tree to be held at Spanish River Church
Spanish River Church, 2400 Yamato Road, Boca Raton, is hosting The Blessing Tree again this year from Nov. 16 to Nov. 30. The Blessing Tree is designed to give hope and joy this Christmas to people who might otherwise miss out.
The three ways to participate are: Choose an ornament from the tree in person in the Worship Center Lobby on Nov. 16 and 23; choose your ornament online then shop and drop off, or purchase gifts and have them shipped directly through Amazon by Nov. 25.
Gift drop-off dates are Nov. 23 and 30 in the Worship Center Lobby, or Nov. 17 to Nov. 28 (except Nov. 27, Thanksgiving Day) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the church office. For more information, call 561-994-5000 or visit spanishriver.com/blessing-tree.
Noted rabbi and author to speak at B’nai Torah
Angela Buchdahl, senior rabbi of the Central Synagogue in New York City and author of the new book, Heart of a Stranger, speaks at Shabbat services at 5:45 p.m. Nov. 22 at B’nai Torah Congregation, 6261 SW 18th St., Boca Raton. The Scholar-in-Residence shares her journey from outsider to senior rabbi of one of the world’s largest congregations.
Born in Korea to a Jewish American father and a Korean Buddhist mother, she is the first Asian American to be ordained as a rabbi in North America. Her book is available to purchase for $20.
The program is part of B’nai Torah’s 2025-2026 author series. Registration is required online at btcboca.org/event/author-series-rabbi-angela-buchdahl, or call 561-392-8566.
Interfaith vigil held in solidarity with immigrants
More than 175 clergy representing Jewish, Muslim, Christian and other faith communities, as well as lay leaders and community members, stood together in solidarity for the fair and humane treatment of immigrants at the Interfaith Vigil — Supporting the Immigrants Among Us, held Sept. 10 at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church in Boca Raton.
Hosted by the Boca Raton Interfaith Clergy Association, the event featured prayer, reflection and public witness capped by the group leaders’ message: “As leaders of faith, we stand together in witness of the challenging, sometimes heart-wrenching realities that immigrants and refugees in our communities are facing. Each of our spiritual traditions teach the moral obligation that we have towards those whose lives have prompted them to sojourn from the land of their birth to seek out opportunities for safety, security and prosperity. … We come together to express our collective concern.”
For the past 20 years, led by Father Andrew Sherman of St. Gregory’s and Rabbi Emeritus David Steinhardt of Congregation B’nai Torah, the BRICA has brought Boca Raton’s religious leaders together to deepen relationships and understanding among the traditions and to find ways to work together to serve the community.
— Janis Fontaine
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