Despite the frigid cold – the first real taste of winter – inside St. Anselm Church the feeling was one of warmth and joy as parishioners came to decorate the church for Christmas.
Before the group had gathered – garland had been hung along the front of the sanctuary, Christmas trees, decked with strings of lights, were set-up, wreaths were positioned and the crèche in the St. Anselm Chapel had been placed, awaiting the arrival of the infant Jesus – all thanks to the hard work of a few dedicated parishioners.
Now, to complete the decorating, parishioners, many of them moms from Bay Ridge Catholic, stripped off the protective wrap from dozens of poinsettias, the gifts of our generous parishioners, and brought them out from the Rosary Chapel to place in the sanctuary and around the shrines throughout the church while banners were hung in the front of the pulpit and by the St. Joseph shrine; all so that the church would express the joy of the Nativity.
Our thanks to all those who came out on a cold, COLD afternoon to beautify our church for Christmas: Fr. John, Fr. Ray, Frankelly Adames and Ignacio, Monika Arciszewski, Ossie Diaz, Noelle Gohar, Rubi Hernandez-Silva, Bob Kassenbrock, Peter Loughlin, Linda Naradovy, Jennifer Pain, Rosemarie Pedone, Josephine Volpe; and the munchkins – Aria, Connor, Jordan, Kaia, and Patrick who carried poinsettias and water trays and swept, and added a happy, fun feel to the gathering, – and a special “thank you” to our wonderful Christmas Decorating Chairs: Florence Diaz, Danielle Long, and Eileen Loughlin.
We also thank all our parishioners, whose volunteering throughout the year, contributes so much to St. Anselm Parish.
All the Merry Best,
The St. Anselm Publicity Committee