• Items should be typed and must be submitted at least two weeks in advance of the publication date to Religion Notes, in care of Suburban Life Newspapers, 1101 W. 31st St., Suite 100, Downers Grove, IL 60515. Religion Notes also can be faxed at least two weeks in advance of the publication date to Religion Notes at (630) 969-0228, or e-mailed to religion@mysuburbanlife.com.

• Everyone is invited to join two area Catholic churches when they celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe as patroness of the Americas on her feast day next month. The celebration will include a re-enactment of the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe to Juan Diego, a peasant, in the 16th century near present-day Mexico City, and a dance performed in native Aztec dress. St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville, and St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 308 High St., Aurora, will begin the celebration with Mass at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, at St. Thomas Church. Mass, in both English and Spanish, will include the re-enactment of Mary’s appearances. For more information, call (630) 355-8980, Ext. 121.

• Christ Lutheran Church will be making the Clarendon Hills Christmas Walk even more special this year. Stop by the Clarendon Hills Bank at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, to hear holiday music performed by the Christ Lutheran Church choirs and band. Pick up your special holiday gift and enjoy some refreshments. For more information, call (630) 325-2220 or visit www.clcch.org.

• First Presbyterian Church in Downers Grove will host The Women’s Christmas Tea and Baby Jesus Shower at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. Women of the church and community, along with their daughters, granddaughters and friends are invited to attend and enjoy an afternoon of music and refreshments. Please bring gifts to benefit 76 pre-school children and babies at Two Rivers Head Start School in Aurora. For more information or to RSVP, call (630) 968-5432.

• The Young At Heart Group for senior adults of First United Methodist Church of Downers Grove has planned a special Christmas celebration to go to the White Fence Farm Restaurant for lunch and a Christmas Musical by Bob  and Lori Mesta and their son, Elliot. Anyone wishing to join in this celebration can meet in the church parking lot, 1032 Maple Ave. at 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10. Cost is $34 per person. For more information or to make reservations, call (630) 968-7120.

• Start a new Christmas tradition by hanging a special ornament on the Christ Lutheran Church Memory Tree. The Memory Tree is a live tree in the front courtyard of the church. To be a part of the tradition, simply stop by at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, and bring your treasured ornament. Christ Lutheran Church is located in Clarendon Hills. For more information, call (630) 325-2220 or visit www.clcch.org.

• The Craft and Bake Sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 6 at Downers Grove Community Church, 6600 Fairview. Fifteen crafters will display and sell jewelry, table decorations, candles, wood working items, bows and much  more. For more information, call (630) 969-3320 or visit www.dgcc.org.

• The Chapel Choir of First United Methodist Church in Downers Grove, under the direction of Belford Hernandez, will present two performances of Can You Feel the Spirit at 4 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, in the church sanctuary, 1032 Maple Ave. Tickets are $7 per person. For more information, call (630) 968-7120, Ext. 123.