Christmas Open House
I’ll be home for Christmas;
You can count on me.
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents on the tree.
…And lots of smiling faces. On Sunday, December 9 many family, old and new friends, and neighbors came together at St. Joseph’s Home for our Christmas Open House. Resident Bob Yarborough, along with Sr. Christina and Sr. Mary Gerard, greeted our guests outside the front door with freshly toasted s’mores.
Inside Mother Margaret welcomed each visitor. We were delighted to have State Representative Tom Morrison stop to say hello.
Our dear friend, Marge Schugt and her team of decorators arrived from California and Nevada on Thursday to decorate each of the dozen trees spread throughout our home. Handing each guest a map of every tree’s location, Mother sent them on their way to tour the beautifully decorated (and themed) Christmas trees throughout the house. Along the Christmas tree trail, familiar songs filled the halls and the chapel as pianists and an organist in the chapel played Christmas carols.
After the tour, and some shopping in our exquisite gift shop (filled with Christmas treasures), our hungry guests were treated to hot chocolate and homemade cookies in the dining room. The fruits of our Residents’ hard work baking and decorating last week were met with unanimous praise and empty plates! Sr. Rose and her cookie committee also sold containers of the delicious cookies for our guests to take home. The money raised will be used for wireless headphones. These headphones enable our Residents to hear more clearly, especially in group situations where there is a lot of background noise.
Jolly Old St. Nicholas (our own Resident Bob Guretz) arrived straight from the North Pole, to squeals and applause from children – both young and old.
We try to count our blessings every day, but this time of year filled with the spirit of Christmas, it seems a little easier to do.
I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.
-Charles Dickens
Christmas Open House 2018