Holiday Season Begins!
With the arrival of the beautiful fall season, the many holidays were just around the corner! The month of October started off with a visit from the St. Mary Magdalen School’s (Media) CYO soccer team members, who brought donations of lotion, soap and other personal items. They also visited with some of the Residents, some of whom reminisced about their days playing soccer!
The Home then went into full decorating mode for Halloween. This year there was a pumpkin decorating contest. Residents enjoyed voting on the creative pumpkins made by different departments and staff members. Maureen, our physical therapist, made the winning entry (below left, black cat)!
On October 29, La Locanda Restaurant (lalocandapa.com) in Edgemont sponsored a fundraiser for the Little Sisters of the Poor. 20% of the proceeds that day went to the Home for the needs of the elderly Residents. It was a packed affair, with over 340 supporters attending. The Sisters were so touched and warmed by the goodwill, generosity, and love expressed by all those present. We are grateful to owners Franco Stefanatto and Mario Palumbi for generously holding this event and for the wonderful work of their staff.
We then started off the month of November by remembering the reposed souls of the Residents who went to their eternal rest in the last year. November 9 marked our annual Memorial Mass for the deceased Residents of 2013-2014. Sixteen Residents returned the Father’s House during the last year.
Families of these Residents were invited to attend the Mass. During the liturgy, the names of the deceased Residents were announced and family members or someone from the Home placed a rose in a vase near the altar. Pictures of these Residents were displayed for the month.
In his meditation on the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed, Pope Francis reflected:
Remembering the dead, caring for their graves and prayers of suffrage, are the testimony of confident hope, rooted in the certainty that death does not have the last word on human existence, for man is destined to a life without limits, which has its roots and its fulfillment in God.
Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in Peace!
Our Chaplain, Father Sullivan, decided to treat the fourth floor Residents and staff to a sherbet party. Coincidentally, the date he chose was the coldest day of the year – 20 degrees! However, this did not deter anyone from coming and having a good time!
Thanks to all who helped us with our front area enhancement by purchasing a Tribute Brick in memory or honor of a relative or friend. If you would like to participate, please click here, where there is a Tribute Brick Project tab. Or call Catherine at (215) 729-5153 for more information and an order form.
Finally, we closed out the month of November with our Thanksgiving dinner. We were so fortunate this year to receive many donations of turkeys from various benefactors! The Residents enjoyed the delicious dishes, of which many of the vegetables and pies were donated.
You were all remembered at Mass, during which we gave thanks for you, our benefactors, and for all you do throughout the year to help ease the lives of our elderly Residents. May God bless you for your goodness and thoughtfulness!
