By Mary Flynn, Archivist
As the year winds down and the days get shorter, I’m looking forward to celebrating Christmas at the end of the month. For the final From the Archives column of 2022, I’m sharing some photos and traditions of Christmas crèches, or cribs.
In this excerpt from the January 1959 Motherhouse Chronicle, a new tradition has been introduced to the Sisters to remind them of the importance of loving sacrifice during the Advent season.
The next photograph is from the “old” Mount Saint Vincent Motherhouse, which burned down in 1951.
SC-0272 Outdoor crèche at Mount Saint Vincent Motherhouse, Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1948.
Former Sister Ernestine Marie O’Connell had a love for crèches and collected them in her travels around the world. In 1987, Ernestine donated the collection of more than 100 crèches to Mount Saint Vincent Wellesley.
EM-201 Outdoor Christmas crib at Seton Hall in Patchogue, New York in 1961. Photograph is by Sister Ernestine Marie O’Connell.
SC-0331 Grades 1-4 Christmas Crib Procession at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Ladysmith, British Columbia in 1961.
Crèche and festive decorations at St. Veronica’s Convent in Dorval, Quebec. The photo is undated but likely from the late 1950s when the convent opened or early 1960s. Photo is from album #54.
The pioneer Sisters to Bishop Reilly High School thoroughly documented the first few years of their ministry, especially their Christmas traditions such as decorating their chapel altar, midnight mass, and Christmas concerts.
SC-16 95 First Christmas crib at Bishop Reilly High School, Fresh Meadows, Queens, NY in December 1962.
Crib and Christmas tree in Cenacle Community in Marillac Residence, Wellesley Hills, MA. Photo is from album #455.
Finally, a photo of one of the cribs in Caritas Residence in Halifax. The crèche was donated to Seton Academy in Vancouver, BC by the family of Sister Ann Cornelia Crowley.
Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a happy 2023!
More Charity Alive – December 2022
Bringing light into darkness
The soft darkness of winter night helps us to recall our communal gatherings, our contemplative prayer, our care for each other.
Renewal of Vows and Commitment
On December 7, 2022, the eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception we joined together (via zoom) as members and associates in a prayer service to renew our vows and commitment.
Christmas Cards
As the Christmas season approaches, we are filled with gratitude for the many benefactors who have joined us in giving Joyful Witness through gifts in 2022.
From the Archives — Christmas Crèches
Photos and traditions of Christmas crèches, or cribs
Charity Alive – November 2022
What an Accomplishment! St. John’s Bread and Life: 1982 – 2022
Since the early 2000’s, 12 of us have been present at Bread and Life. Its mission and ours resonate.
Centro Corazón de María [Heart of Mary Center] Celebrates 20 Years
A spectacular balloon sculpture, music, two artisanal cakes, but most important of all, about 150 friends old and new marked the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Centro Corazón de María, the ministry to the Latino community in Hampton Bays, New York.
Ebony Etchings
I invite each of you to join me in my exploration of my home space, my heart space, my God space where I live my truth as an African Nova Scotian woman and a member of the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent DePaul, Halifax.
Associate Retreat May 2022
A sense of peace and serenity welcomed fellow Long Island/Queens Associates Betty Erdos, Helen Ogden, Mickey Madden, Ann Masters and me when we arrived at the tranquil and cozy house on the eastern bay for the weekend of May 20–22, 2022.
Book Review: White Privilege, Black Struggle in U.S. Religious Congregations
“Subversive Habits” is a clever title, but the subtitle that scholar Shannen Dee Williams chooses for her superb book states her theme much more cogently: ‘Black Catholic Nuns in the Long African American Freedom Struggle.”
From the Archives — What’s in a name?
The inspiration for this article came from a recent delve into the history of one of the most inquired about teachers in the community, Sister Marie Clotilde Douglas.
Charity Alive – August 2022
What an Accomplishment! St. John’s Bread and Life: 1982 – 2022
Since the early 2000’s, 12 of us have been present at Bread and Life. Its mission and ours resonate.
Centro Corazón de María [Heart of Mary Center] Celebrates 20 Years
A spectacular balloon sculpture, music, two artisanal cakes, but most important of all, about 150 friends old and new marked the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Centro Corazón de María, the ministry to the Latino community in Hampton Bays, New York.
Ebony Etchings
I invite each of you to join me in my exploration of my home space, my heart space, my God space where I live my truth as an African Nova Scotian woman and a member of the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent DePaul, Halifax.
Associate Retreat May 2022
A sense of peace and serenity welcomed fellow Long Island/Queens Associates Betty Erdos, Helen Ogden, Mickey Madden, Ann Masters and me when we arrived at the tranquil and cozy house on the eastern bay for the weekend of May 20–22, 2022.
Book Review: White Privilege, Black Struggle in U.S. Religious Congregations
“Subversive Habits” is a clever title, but the subtitle that scholar Shannen Dee Williams chooses for her superb book states her theme much more cogently: ‘Black Catholic Nuns in the Long African American Freedom Struggle.”
From the Archives — What’s in a name?
The inspiration for this article came from a recent delve into the history of one of the most inquired about teachers in the community, Sister Marie Clotilde Douglas.
