Saint Anselm Youth Activities returned, in person, to the Academy building on Sunday, December 5th. The much-loved event was back after being held last year as a “pick up” / socially distanced event in the schoolyard, which provided individuals the materials needed to make their decorations at home. This year’s Workshop offered participants the opportunity to pick up materials and work at home – if they wished, or to create their holiday decorations in McMahon Auditorium and Meletia Hall.
A Nativity Set at the door, reminding visitors of the reason for the season, greeted scores of happy adults and children who entered the Academy building for the opportunity to once again create beautiful wreaths, centerpieces, and miniature trees while enjoying the company of family and friends. Participants were able to purchase bows, ribbons, and ornaments to decorate their creations, and to take their chances on a 50/50 raffle in support of Youth Activities. St. Anselm Christmas Workshop aprons, Santa hats, elf hats (just which way are those ears supposed to point?), Christmas tree ornament earrings, Christmas tree light earrings, lighting necklaces, elf leggings, and an endless assortment of holiday sweaters and sweatshirts added to the joyous air of the festive occasion. Several of the participants commented on how happy they were to be back – as they had been coming to the Workshop for well over forty years (apparently some had started coming to the Christmas Workshop as very young children).
Organizing the Christmas Workshop is always a monumental task and so a special “thank you” to the 2021 Chairs: Michele Soto and Anne Texeira, as well as to an army of volunteers: Cono, John Cafiero, Seamus Lavin, Frankelly, Barbara Thomas, Elizabeth Texeira, Gabi Soto, Sami Soto, Christina Dempsey & Harry D’Onofrio and his Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts who made this wonderful, joyous event possible.
All the best,
The St. Anselm Publicity Committee