Three Roman Catholic parishes in Northeastern Pennsylvania are continuing an annual tradition of collaborating to present two special services during the upcoming Advent season.

Open Our Hearts, an Advent service of word and song, will be presented in locations in Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties on the second and third Sundays of Advent, Dec. 6 and 13. Both services are free and open to the public.

The first will be held on Sunday, Dec. 6, at Holy Family Parish Church, 574 Bennett St., Luzerne, and the second is set for Sunday, Dec.13, at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 208 Smith St., Dunmore. The services begin at 7 p.m. each evening and are open to the public at no charge.

This year marks the seventh year of this remarkable collaboration among three parishes in two counties. The music for the service features the combined choir of more  than 60 voices from Holy Family Parish, Luzerne (Rev. Joseph Pisaneschi, Administrator); SS. Anthony and Rocco Parish, Dunmore (Rev. David Cappelloni, Pastor); and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Dunmore (Rev. John Doris, Pastor), as well as several soloists and an instrumental ensemble.  Directors of Music at the parishes are, respectively, Linda Houck, Joseph Moffitt, and Geri Seitzinger.

Open Our Hearts offers those who participate an opportunity to embrace the season of Advent and its spirit of preparation for Christmas. Through Scripture readings and musical selections, the program will focus on how God’s people have opened their hearts to welcome Him throughout salvation history.

For more information about these events, please contact the parish office at Holy Family Parish, Luzerne (570-287-6600), Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Dunmore (570-346-7429), or Saints Anthony and Rocco Parish, Dunmore (570-344-1209).