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‘It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…’

December 6, 2009 by

Dr. John Fischer Jr., left, and Garrett Brummett work on the lights on the Christmas tree at the bottom of the main stairway in the Nazareth Motherhouse Sunday afternoon.

Dr. John Fischer Jr., left, and Garrett Brummett work on the lights on the Christmas tree at the bottom of the main stairway in the Nazareth Motherhouse Sunday afternoon.


CYO member Taylor Chrisco strings lights along a second-floot banister at the Motherhouse Sunday afternoon.

CYO member Taylor Chrisco strings lights along a second-floot banister at the Motherhouse Sunday afternoon.

As winter swept through Concordia with the first real snow of the season, elves arrived in force at the Motherhouse Sunday afternoon to decorate throughout the 107-year-old building.


The elves in this case were nearly a dozen members of the local Catholic Youth Organization and their sponsors, as well as members of the Sisters of St. Joseph and other helpers.


The Motherhouse needed to be dressed for the season before next Sunday’s Christmas Open House. Friends, neighbors and supporters are invited to the open house from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13. Those who plan to attend are asked to RSVP to Sister Carmel Garcia, at 785-243-2113, ext. 1225, or at cgarcia@csjkansas.org.


The CYO members and their sponsors attended 11 a.m. Mass first, and their shared dinner with the Sisters of St. Joseph who live at the Motherhouse. Then they fanned out throughout the public areas on the first and second floors to deck the halls with Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands, lights and other decorations.


Sister Julie Christensen decorates the top of a display case in the Founders Room as Sister Anna Marie Broxterman assists.

Sister Julie Christensen decorates the top of a display case in the Founders Room as Sister Anna Marie Broxterman assists.

One featured tree — just outside the second-floor Sacred Heart Chapel — is decorated with cards bearing prayer requests and other messages, sent in by friends and supporters of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Today only about the top third of the tree was decorated, but it will be covered with colorful “Joy” cards by the end of the season.


Several sisters who live and work at Manna House of Prayer in Concordia also came to help, as did at least one sister from Topeka.


Meanwhile, outside the building, snow that began mid morning became heavier as the afternoon progressed. By the time the CYO members and sisters had finished with the decorations, at least an inch covered the grounds of the Motherhouse and the rest of Concordia.


Scattered snowfall is expected to continue at least through Tuesday, but there are no solid predictions yet on the likelihood of a white Christmas.

Sister Carmel Garcia places the first Joy ornaments on the Christmas tree just outside the Sacred Heart Chapel. Each card carried a prayer request or a message from a friend of the Sisters of St. Joseph.

Sister Carmel Garcia places the first 'Joy' ornaments on the Christmas tree just outside the Sacred Heart Chapel. Each card carried a prayer request or a message from a friend of the Sisters of St. Joseph.


Three CYO members struggle with the bane of every Christmas tree decorator: The first string of lights works; the second string has a bad bulb somewhere.

Three CYO members struggle with the bane of every Christmas tree decorator: The first string of lights works; the second string has a bad bulb somewhere.


Sister Joan Ice, a Dominican sister who lives and works at Manna House of Prayer in Concordia, helps with an elegant nativity scene in the second-floor foyer.

Sister Joan Ice, a Dominican sister who lives and works at Manna House of Prayer in Concordia, helps with an elegant nativity scene in the second-floor foyer.


Sister Rosemary Foreman of Topeka came to help with the decorating, and was assigned the task of placing garlands on all the artwork gracing the halls of the historic building in Concordia.

Sister Rosemary Foreman of Topeka came to help with the decorating, and was assigned the task of placing garlands on all the artwork gracing the halls of the historic building in Concordia.


Sister Pat McLennon carefully places vintage figurines in a display in the second-floor foyer, to create an elegant nativity scene.

Sister Pat McLennon carefully places vintage figurines in a display in the second-floor foyer, to create an elegant nativity scene.

Comments

4 Responses to “‘It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…’”

  1. Anne M. Reinert on December 8th, 2009 4:38 pm

    What a gift of decoration, that you are sharing with us. S.Susan Kongs

  2. Jodi Creten, CSJ on December 7th, 2009 12:02 pm

    Wow! The anticipated festivities begin with all of the helping hands! We do miss seeing all of the beauty at the motherhouse, especially at this time of the year, but are grateful for all of the pictures.
    We are decorating our tiny house today!

  3. Loretta Jasper, csj on December 7th, 2009 6:41 am

    I am eager to feast my spirit and eyes upon the decor this coming weekend and weeks to follow as I return to Concordia on the weekends.
    I love the CSJ/Concordia community partnership with events such as this.

  4. Missy Ljungdahl on December 6th, 2009 7:27 pm

    What a magnificent event! Thanks everyone for decorating and Sarah for the quick coverage. I love being able to see all that is happening.
    Missy

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