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Christmas Crafts Sale brings together sisters & old friends

November 28, 2009 by Sarah 

Shoppers crowd the guest dining room at the Nazareth Motherhouse Saturday morning for the annual Christmas Crafts Sale.

Shoppers crowd the guest dining room at the Nazareth Motherhouse Saturday morning for the annual Christmas Crafts Sale.


The angel bow ties were created by Sister Leah Smith.

The angel bow ties were created by Sister Leah Smith.

The Annual Christmas Crafts Sale at the Motherhouse today (Saturday) brought out lots of shoppers to enjoy great prices on all manner of arts and craft items, and provided many of those shoppers a chance to become reacquainted with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia.


This year the Motherhouse Relay for Life team held a bake sale in conjunction with the crafts sale, and the Motherhouse Gift Shop was open for anyone seeking a wider variety of purchases.


The crafts sale, which has been an annual event for more than 15 years, was scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. Sisters Leah Smith, Jackie Kircher and Susan Stoeber work on crafts all year long for the event. They knit and crochet blankets, shawls and baby clothes, create beaded jewelry and rosaries, and invent all kinds of special Christmas decorations — and make and sell some very popular fudge. They are joined in the annual effort by Sister Cecelia Green, who creates a wide variety of woodwork decorations every year.

Sister Jackie Kircher begins work Saturday morning on items for next years crafts sale.

Sister Jackie Kircher begins work Saturday morning on items for next year's crafts sale.

But it’s not just the sisters who look forward to the annual sale. Many shoppers took the time to chat with individual sisters and to introduce friends and family members accompanying them. Citing previous sales they’ve attended, many noted new items this year, or items they had purchased in past years.


The proceeds from the craft sale, like those from the Motherhouse Gift Shop, all benefit the Sisters of St. Joseph in their ministries throughout Kansas and in 10 other states and Brazil.

The proceeds from today’s bake sale will go to the Motherhouse team for Relay for Life, the annual cancer prevention fundraiser.

Sister Susan Stoeber, second from right, and a friend chat as a shopper continues to check out items for sale Saturday morning.

Sister Susan Stoeber, second from right, and a friend chat as a shopper continues to check out items for sale Saturday morning.


One of Saturdays youngest shoppers tries to decide between a Santa that stands up and a Santa that hangs on the Christmas tree.

One of Saturday's youngest shoppers tries to decide between a Santa that stands up and a Santa that hangs on the Christmas tree.


Sister Esther Pineda staffs the cash register for the bake sale to benefit Relay for Life Saturday morning.

Sister Esther Pineda staffs the "cash register" for the bake sale to benefit Relay for Life Saturday morning.


There were many hand-crocheted and hand-knitted baby items available when the crafts sale opened, but most were gone by noon Saturday.

There were many hand-crocheted and hand-knitted baby items available when the crafts sale opened, but most were gone by noon Saturday.


Shoppers also had a chance Saturday to browse the Motherhouse Gift Shop. It is usually open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Shoppers also had a chance Saturday to browse the Motherhouse Gift Shop. It is usually open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.


Sisters Jackie Kircher, left, and Beth Stover have a chance to catch up Saturday during the crafts sale.

Sisters Jackie Kircher, left, and Beth Stover have a chance to catch up Saturday during the crafts sale.

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