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Fa LA LA: Rambler Parents Celebrate the Season at the Annual St. Nick's Mass & Christmas Party
The Christmas spirit shone brightly at this year's St. Nick's Mass & Christmas Party, hosted by the Rambler Parent Organization (RPO) on Thursday, December 4. Guests arrived at the Loyola Chapel, where they were greeted warmly by Campus Ministry Department Chair Kay Gregg, who set the tone for a joyful evening celebrating faith and community. Campus Minister Rev. Stanislaw Czarnecki, SJ, presided over the Mass, offering a prayerful start to the night and inviting all in attendance to enter more fully into the Advent season.
We extend heartfelt gratitude to the many members of our community who contributed to the liturgy. RPO Chairs Nancy Detlefsen LdM '93, P '24, '28, and Andrea Macina P '22, '24, '27, '27 shared the first reading and the Prayers of the Faithful, respectively. MaryAnne O'Keefe P '29, P '29 and Mary Trehan P '25 served reverently as gift bearers, and Patricia Hyland Bowman P '18, '28 assisted Fr. Stan exceptionally as a Minister of Holy Communion. The congregation was also treated to beautiful music by vocalist Jacqueline Willer '26 and guitarist Bleu Strnad '26, accompanied by Campus Minister Mike Gregg.
Following Mass, more than 250 attendees made their way to the East Gym, which had been transformed into a lively holiday marketplace. Guests browsed an array of unique Rambler gifts—from LoyolaWear favorites to this year's RPO pop-up offerings and select items offered by Loyola's Annual Giving team—all while visiting with friends and checking off items on their Christmas shopping list.
Festive refreshments added to the merriment, with guests enjoying appetizers, beverages, seasonal mocktails, and a specialty vodka bar provided by Alek Szczupak '19 of Broda Beverage Company. Loyola-branded shopping bags quickly filled to the brim with limited-edition sweatshirts and flannel pants, LA pickleball paddles, golf accessories, belts, acrylic trays, 14 K gold and fashion bracelets, ornaments, candles, and countless other giftable items.
We are deeply grateful to this year's event chairs—Patricia Hyland Bowman P '18, '28; Carrie Merritt P '27, '29; Sammi Renken P '27; and Heather Shaffer P '28, '28—along with their dedicated committee and the many parent, faculty, and staff volunteers who gave their time and talent. Special thanks to the LoyolaWear team, Loyola's maintenance and security staff, and the athletics department for their support and use of the gymnasium. We also extend our appreciation to the generous Ruby and Emerald sponsors whose contributions helped make the evening such a success.
If you were unable to join us, there is still time to pick up some of the wonderful items featured at the event. Visit the RPO online store to find distinctive LA-themed Christmas gifts, or stop by the LoyolaWear store during regular hours—Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. (on school days). A limited selection of LoyolaWear is also available for purchase online. Please note that the final day to ship orders is Monday, December 15.
The Rambler Parent Organization is a volunteer organization that serves the spiritual, educational, and social needs of the Loyola Academy community. Become an active member and enjoy opportunities to meet other Loyola parents, deepen your Faith, and partner with us in support of Loyola's time-honored tradition of Jesuit education. Visit the RPO web page for more information and upcoming events.
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Following Mass, more than 250 attendees made their way to the East Gym, which had been transformed into a lively holiday marketplace. Guests browsed an array of unique Rambler gifts—from LoyolaWear favorites to this year's RPO pop-up offerings and select items offered by Loyola's Annual Giving team—all while visiting with friends and checking off items on their Christmas shopping list.
Festive refreshments added to the merriment, with guests enjoying appetizers, beverages, seasonal mocktails, and a specialty vodka bar provided by Alek Szczupak '19 of Broda Beverage Company. Loyola-branded shopping bags quickly filled to the brim with limited-edition sweatshirts and flannel pants, LA pickleball paddles, golf accessories, belts, acrylic trays, 14 K gold and fashion bracelets, ornaments, candles, and countless other giftable items.
We are deeply grateful to this year's event chairs—Patricia Hyland Bowman P '18, '28; Carrie Merritt P '27, '29; Sammi Renken P '27; and Heather Shaffer P '28, '28—along with their dedicated committee and the many parent, faculty, and staff volunteers who gave their time and talent. Special thanks to the LoyolaWear team, Loyola's maintenance and security staff, and the athletics department for their support and use of the gymnasium. We also extend our appreciation to the generous Ruby and Emerald sponsors whose contributions helped make the evening such a success.
If you were unable to join us, there is still time to pick up some of the wonderful items featured at the event. Visit the RPO online store to find distinctive LA-themed Christmas gifts, or stop by the LoyolaWear store during regular hours—Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. (on school days). A limited selection of LoyolaWear is also available for purchase online. Please note that the final day to ship orders is Monday, December 15.
The Rambler Parent Organization is a volunteer organization that serves the spiritual, educational, and social needs of the Loyola Academy community. Become an active member and enjoy opportunities to meet other Loyola parents, deepen your Faith, and partner with us in support of Loyola's time-honored tradition of Jesuit education. Visit the RPO web page for more information and upcoming events.
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