It is that time of the year when we hear firecrackers going off at night; we see a pool of red, white, and blue, and tons of children waving our American flag. We go to parades and have picnics, and if you live in Palatine, you attend the annual Palatine Hometown Fest of carnival rides, entertainment, and long food lines!
Every year we participate in the annual Palatine Hometown Fest 4th of July Parade, with our decorated bus. The Residents and Sisters sit in the bus and wave to all the on-lookers. A few of the Sisters and staff walk in the parade and pass out candy to the appreciative children and adults. As the Sisters walk along the parade route, many on-lookers show their support. This year a woman stopped in the bus just to thank the Sisters for their ministry to the elderly!
Prior to the parade this year, a couple of the Sisters walked around to look at the other parade entries. Everyone was so friendly. One married couple let the Sisters take a picture in their Cadillac convertible! Sister Diane got her picture taken with Chip (from Disney’s Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers) and a local fireman. And last, but not least, Mother Marguerite got her picture taken with one of her canine friends! The Sisters gave a great witness to our faith and self- sacrifice to the people of Palatine.
While the parade was going on, back at Home the kitchen staff was preparing for our picnic! The weather was picture perfect: temperature was 80 degrees and sunny! Most of the Residents were able to enjoy their hotdogs and hamburgers with all the extras on the patio that was filled with food, decorations, and music.
Celebrating our Independence