Preparing Christ’s Coming this Christmas at Holy Family Home
Advent is a season of joyful expectation. Preparing Christ’s Coming this Christmas at Holy Family Home included all these Advent Specials and more…
Annual Christmas Giving: On Friday, December 3, eight members of the Board of Saint Francis joined us for a Mass at St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Media Pa, celebrated by Monsignor Ralph Chieffo, then filled our van with beautifully wrapped Christmas presents offered by its 30-40 active members. Our Residents’ wish-list had been carefully double-checked to be sure that each one’s gift was there – and even a few extras! Many thanks to the board’s president, Colleen Robinson and this year’s Christmas gift organizer, Marie Courter. We are so grateful to the Board of Saint Francis for their Annual Christmas Giving, as well as for the way they have kept our Residents’ spirits up throughout the year, remembering them with cards and treats on several special occasions! The Board of Saint Francis also supports Holy Family Home through yearly fundraisers, sponsorship of our Gift Shop, and has hosted luncheons for our Residents.
Handy Christmas Shopping: Another Advent Happening–For the first time in 18 months, Holy Family Gift Shop, sponsored by the Board of St. Francis opened its doors. It was just in time for the Residents to do some Christmas shopping!
Vows of Chastity, Poverty, Obedience, and Hospitality Renewed: On December 8 each year, Little Sisters of the Poor reaffirm their consecration with a “Devotional Renewal of Vows” during Holy Mass. This is a tradition in the Congregation since the time of St. Jeanne Jugan and the first Little Sisters that marks the Feast of Mary’s Immaculate Conception and highlights the Advent Season.
The Magic of Winter Waiting came in two special ways this Advent season:
- Families marveled at the magic of digital photos bearing Christmas greetings via the world wide web.
- A real live magician performed one-on-one tricks for Residents in their rooms.
Spirituality of Decorations: Decking the halls with boughs of holly is full of spiritual significance. Our Chaplain, Father James Sullivan, blessed the Christmas Tree before the Residents joined in the joy of decorating it.
“Lord God, let your blessing come upon us as we illumine this tree. May the light and cheer it gives be a sign of the joy that fills our hearts. May all who delight in this tree come to the knowledge and joy of salvation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. All: Amen.
May this tree, arrayed in splendor, remind us of the life-giving cross of Christ, that we may always rejoice in the new life that shines in our hearts. We ask this through Christ our Lord. All: Amen.” (Book of Blessings, Prepared by ICEL)
