After ringing in the new year, things settled down a little. In January we marked the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity with a prayer service, led by our chaplain, Father James Sullivan, and Reverend Clarence Tucker, our housekeeping supervisor. Residents, Sisters, and staff gathered to pray and sing together.
Things then got rock and rolling as the Association Jeanne Jugan (AJJ) members hosted an “American Bandstand” themed event for the Residents. Our driver, Doug, spun lively 50s music. AJJ members came dressed in poodle skirts, scarves, saddle shoes, and even a world famous West Catholic uniform! Residents judged a jitterbug contest and snacked on homemade baked goods. Everyone enjoyed watching dance performances by Kathi’s Dance Studio students. A great time was had by all!
Things quieted down a bit for awhile. On the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes we had Mass with anointing of the sick.
Then during Lent, the Residents had a retreat day, led by Father Kenneth Brabazon, who spoke on Our Lady of Fatima, who appeared to three shepherd children 100 years ago on May 13.
We welcomed Sr. Mary Gerard, a Little Sister of the Poor novice, who spent her six-week apostolate at Holy Family Home. She is an accomplished musician, and we enjoyed her violin pieces and her organ playing at Mass. Please pray for her as she finishes her novitiate year and prepares for her first profession. Please also pray for more vocations to the Little Sisters of the Poor.
One of our favorite fundraisers came thundering in on April 1 – our Spring Concert at Villanova University! This year we had two great Irish bands, with RUNA opening with its lush harmonic Irish and Scottish folk music, and then Scythian, our featured group, energetically fiddling away its Celtic, Eastern European and Appalachian roots music, and later joined onstage by the McDade Irish Dancers. A crowd of over 400 was on their feet, swaying, jumping, and tapping to the music. The evening included beautiful silent auction baskets, a raffle, delicious food donated by our market friends and prepared by our kitchen staff, and drinks cheerfully served by our friends from Glenside Pub. We also honored Patty and Jimmy Shaughnessy, benefactors of the Little Sisters of the Poor, who have donated numerous vehicles to Holy Family Home, as well as to our Home in Queens, NY. Thank you all for making this such a fun and successful event!
Finally, we settled down for Holy Week, with beautiful Holy Thursday and Good Friday liturgies.
And finally, we joyously welcomed the Risen Lord! Our Chapel was decorated with beautiful, brightly colored flowers, donated by various nurseries and benefactors. We wish you all a blessed Easter and are remembering you and your loved ones in our prayers. Alleluia!
