Saturday, January 22, 2011

Parishioners visit Sisters of Charity for Russian Christmas


On January 7, Russian Orthodox Christmas, a group of 12 parishioners and friends made a holiday visit to the Sisters of Charity and the 14 children and young adults whom they care for. Using Advent offerings from parishioners the visitors purchased bed covers and blankets, as well as sweets and other small gifts. 
We also brought food items for the home's needs.

Music and excitement were in the air all afternoon. Everyone sang and danced together, then parishioners played Santa and distributed the shiny gift bags!  

Our group was then invited by the Sisters to meet their neighbors! The Sisters had invited about 15 elderly women and several other neighbors for a concert and luncheon party. The Sisters make visits to these women and have become very friendly. For some it was the first visit to the Sisters' home. They were pleasantly surprised to have Ded Moroz and his snow maiden granddaughter distributing gifts and singing and dancing with the group!    

The highlight of the visit however was the Nativity play, performed by the children and young adults of the home. Dressed in lovely costumes, they acted out the story, beginning with the angel speaking to Mary and Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph's arrival and search for a place to stay in Bethlehem and the arrival of the Christ child. 

It was a great day of music and sharing! We felt we gained more than we gave! Our Lady of Hope parishioners who were able to join in agreed that we won't wait until next Christmas to visit again.  And we hope other parishioners will be able to come too!

Here are the names of the people who came:

Stella, Joy, Chalula, Anthony, Mary, Emily, Dan, Lena, Brice, Freddy, Leah and Annie!