New Traditions

Photo by Susan Freitag, OSB

The answer to the question, Where did we put the large Christmas tree in chapel this year? is, we didn't. It was replaced by two average size trees right at the entrance...and that worked out just fine. The manger scene that used to be in front of the glass doors was placed in one of the alcoves in the back of chapel and was just perfect. Everything about the Christmas Eve "Midnight mass," held at 9:00 p.m., and the Christmas Morning liturgy at 9:30 a.m. went beautifully...and again, the acoustics in the chapel just "blew people away."

Personally, Marilyn's annual rendition of O Holy Night was Number 1 for me. Every note just soared through the space and when she hit that note at the end...what is it, upper G? A flat?! I think the congregation almost swooned...it was so beautiful.

The weather, too, cooperated---with just a light covering of snow that presented no problem for drivers---so everyone was able to get around to visit family and friends.

One somber note...after 22 years, Brother Thomas's annual Christmas gift of pottery wasn't in the community room's glass display cases. Many of his pieces were brought out and placed around the house however and in that way it did seem as if he was present with us again.