While the weather outside was frightful – overcast and windy, with rain and an occasional snow flurry – inside St. Anselm Church the feeling was one of warmth and joy, as parishioners gathered on Friday afternoon, December 23rd, to decorate the church for Christmas.
The Christmas trees in the sanctuary were decked with strings of lights and topped with their beautiful gold stars, the Nativity crèche in the St. Anselm Chapel was set up, awaiting the arrival of the infant Jesus, banners were hung on the front of the pulpit and by the St. Joseph shrine, lighted garland fronted the sanctuary railing and the crèche and wreathes hung throughout the church – all thanks to the efforts of our sacristan, Cono D’Alora.
Now, to complete the decorating, a small army of volunteers had gathered to arrange the dozens, upon dozens of beautiful red and white poinsettias, the gift of our generous parishioners, around the altar, throughout the sanctuary and throughout the church at the principal shrines. And so, the interior would now reflect the joy of the Nativity, as our Advent Trees, outside the church, had for weeks expressed our joyous anticipation of the approaching Solemnity.
Our thanks to all those who came out on a cold, windy afternoon to beautify our church for Christmas: Fr. John, Fr. Ray, Anne, Barbara, Bernadette, Bob, Cono, Danielle, Eileen, Florence, Geraldine, John, Josephine, Linda, Liz, Margo, Mary, Mary Jane, Maurita, Nancy, Ossie, Patrick, and Thomas.
And, “Thank you” to all our parishioners, whose volunteering throughout the year, contributes so much to St. Anselm Parish.
All the Merry Best,
The St. Anselm Publicity Committee