CHRISTMAS PREPARATIONS AT SAINT JEROME PARISH
by Richard Ruel
The Christmas Spirit, i.e. putting others ahead and above oneself, is alive and well at St. Jerome Parish. We can pretty much assume that this spirit of giving starts in the home with family. A parish is as good as its parishioners, and at Saint Jerome, we are fortunate enough to have so many thoughtful and generous individuals and families.
Recently, I noticed poinsettia plants in the rectory hallway. I wondered why they had delivered our Christmas flowers for the altar two weeks ahead of time. I was informed that the flowers were for survivors of parishioners who had died since Easter of 2003. For those families who lost a loved one between January 1 and Easter, they received a potted Easter lily. Flowers were also to be delivered to parish members who are too physically ill or frail to come to church. It occurred to me that this was a nice gesture made possible by the generosity of our parishioners. The funds for this come from the special flower collections at Easter and Christmas to decorate the altar and from another Catholic charity, St. Vincent de Paul. You should also know that no one else but our dedicated parishioners deliver these flowers. Leo Crowley and Bill Begley are two of the drivers who made the deliveries.
And it would not be Christmas in these parts without St. Jerome 5th grade teacher Mrs. Kathy Puleo. Once again, Mrs. Puleo organized two after-school craft work shops for the St. Jerome School students. On Wednesday, December 17, the students made gum ball Christmas trees. On December 11, she had students design and make star-studded ornaments to adorn their Christmas trees. St. Jerome School parent Laurie Perry along with other parent helpers conducted a Christmas craft program for the younger students.
ving the same Jesus who was born on that first Christmas in Bethlehem. The St. Jerome Choir under the direction of Ginny Marsh and accompanist Marie Johnson at the organ and piano, performed beautifully. Prior to Mass, the choir sang "The First Noel" and other carols and concluded with "O Holy Night". Jane Cleary was outstanding as the soloist, and the congregation applauded in appreciation. Other familiar carols sung at the Mass included "O Come all Ye Faithful", "Hark the Herald", "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear", and "Joy to the World". The choir also performed a couple of new carols from their repertoire.
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