Dear Friends of St. Anne Home,

We recently concluded our celebration of our mission and heritage week which began on October 4th the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, who’s rule the Felician Sister’s follow, and ends on October 10th the feast day of Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska, the Foundress of the Felician Sisters.   This was a great time to celebrate, learn about and embrace the rich heritage that serves as our foundation for the care and services we offer today at St. Anne Home.

As the Advent Season is upon, it is an appropriate time to recall with reverence what St. Francis did three years prior to his death, at the town of Greccio, on the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Exhausted and ill, St. Francis traveled to this small Italian village perched on a hilltop in the Rieti Valley.  There he reenacted the Christmas story.  Men and woman from many different places prepared candles and torches to light up that night.  The manger was prepared, the hay carried in, and the ox and the ass were led to the spot.  Here simplicity was given a place of honor, poverty was exalted, and humility was commended, and out of Greccio was made a new Bethlehem.

It was from this event, back in December 24-25, 1223, that the tradition of the Christmas crèche developed.  The reenactment of the Bethlehem event some 788 years ago was calculated to rouse the hearts of those weak of faith.  In 2011 this reenactment is just as important to have and continue as it was during the time of St. Francis.  Today, near this same spot where St. Francis’s reenactment took place are countless creative and beautiful examples of the crèches on display for the visitor’s enjoyment. 

May you find a special place of honor in your home to display the Christmas crèche for all to see!  Thank you for your continued support of our Felician Franciscan ministry, St. Anne Home and have a very Merry Christmas and Happy, Healthy New Year!

Jeffrey S. Long

President and CEO