Creating one small sign of Advent

Under the leadership of Sister Julia Mary Werner, RSM, pastoral associate for administration, 70 parishioners are making wreath pins that serve as a reminder of the Advent season.

"My primary goal is to help people take back Advent," said Sister Jule (as she is known to parishioners).

Door, then more

The following year, when Sister Jule was preparing for the parish's Christmas boutique, "I thought if you can put a wreath on a door, you can wear them." It was then that she made the first pin.

The next year, she and two parishioners made 300 wreaths to sell at the parish's Christmas boutique and after Mass. They found they couldn't keep up with the orders.

More galore

In March, parishioners began meeting to make the wreaths to sell this Advent. More than 70 parishioners have been involved. Groups of people have met each week to make the wreaths that now come in two styles -- the original with hand-stitched bows, and one that has small purple and pink flowers.

Parishioners have surpassed Sister Jule's dream of 20,000 wreaths and have already turned out 23,880 wreath pins. Orders have been steady, with calls coming from as far away as downstate. St. Peter's Hospital has ordered more than 1,000, a total also purchased by another parish. Sister Jule reports that 5,000-plus pins have already been sold.

What for?

The parish held its last Bingo on New Year's Eve 1997. The parish had budgeted $30,000 a year from the game, but in recent years, it became increasingly difficult to raise that amount from Bingo.

Pin-makers said they have been attracted to the project both for the opportunity it provides to reclaim Advent and for the opportunity to assist the school.

Corps

Dan Lioi and John Cavanaugh said they became part of the wreath-making efforts because of the personal invitation of Sister Jule and because they wanted to help the school.

"We did away with Bingo, so we have to raise funds," Mr. Lioi said. "It's important to keep the school going." Mr. Cavanaugh agreed to the importance of helping the school. "There are some good kids around," he said.

Lore

"It feels really good," Phillip said. "It's good that a lot of people are trying to raise money." Elizabeth added, "It shows you should give back."

The students said that they have learned about Advent as well. "Christmas isn't just 'gimme-gimme-gimme,'" Phillip said. "It's the day Christ was born."

Encore

The supply fund also receives a mysterious donation. "We have a box [marked] `Pennies for a Purpose.' Every week, we get a $10 bill shaped like a heart," she said.

Some parishioners have taken to the wreath-making wholeheartedly. For example, Iona McDade has affixed 10,000 pins onto the back of wreaths and makes them at home as well. Sister Jule told about a family that meets each Friday night to make wreaths. It consists of a grandmother, her three adult children and two adult grandchildren. Sister Jule estimates they have made 12,000 pins.

(Sister Jule hopes that the wreath pins help remind people of the importance of Advent. In addition to wearing the pin, she suggested, those wanting to celebrate Advent could find out what their home parish is doing, attend daily Mass when possible, spend an extra 10 minutes in prayer and do some Advent reading. The Advent wreath pins, which are copyrighted, can be purchased only through St. Joseph's. To place an order, call Sister Julia Mary Werner at 463-4401.)

(11-19-98) [[In-content Ad]]