We have ended a beautiful Christmas season here at Mullen Home, made possible by the kindness and generosity of so many friends of the Home. On December 16, the Little Sisters and two volunteers treated the apartment Residents to a Christmas dinner. The dining area was decorated with a beautiful Christmas village which had been donated to the Home for the Residents to enjoy.
Each year the Residents enjoy the Knights of Columbus Christmas party, which took place this year on December 20. The Fr. Joseph Hearty, FSSP of Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish in Littleton, the Knights and their families hosted the Residents to a Christmas show in the auditorium. The grand finale was the appearance of Santa Claus. With the help of the children, Santa gave Christmas gifts to each Resident. Earlier in the month, the Knights had asked the Residents what they would like for Christmas and then made sure to find the perfect gift for each one. The parishes of St. Joan of Arc, Light of the World and St. Marc also generously gave personalized gifts for the Residents.
At our Kris Kringle party on December 22, Residents were at last introduced to their Kris Kringle (Secret Santa). At the beginning of December, Little Sisters and staff drew the name of a Resident to be a Kris Kringle to, leaving him or her notes, gifts, or taking the time for a quick visit. After dinner everyone was invited to the auditorium for a Kris Kringle party. There we were entertained by the Mullenettes, our new Mullen Home dance group made up of Residents and staff, who performed dances to O Holy Night and Blue Christmas. The Secret Santas then brought to their Resident a small stocking stuffed with a $10 bill (a gift of a benefactor).
One of our Residents suggested that this year we have a Las Posadas, and she planned it with a Little Sister. At 7pm Christmas Eve everyone gathered in the coffee shop and followed the Las Posadas procession to the chapel for a beautiful Midnight Mass (at 7:30 pm!). Along the way, two Residents as Joseph and Mary knocked on the doors of several Residents’ room. There they were turned away either abruptly or with regret until they were at last welcomed in the chapel. A friend of the Home who is a gifted tenor began the Christmas services by singing O Holy Night.
The Christmas celebrations came to an end at the New Year’s Eve Party, where midnight this time was 7 pm! The Residents enjoyed the live musical entertainment of our dietary manager, Paul Bongionvanni, as together we welcomed the gift of a New Year.
CHRISTMAS DELIGHTS – EACH AND EVERYONE!