Knights treat nuns to dinner, dancing, and dose of gratitude
RIDLEY TOWNSHIP » Santa and Mrs. Claus made an early stop on Haverford Road in the Crum Lynne section of Ridley Township Wednesday night. The Knights of Columbus Peace Council 4518 ushered in the holiday season with jolly old St. Nick, music, food and gifts at their 55th annual party for religious sisters living within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
The knights honored, fed and entertained over 60 guests this year, who attended in response to invitations that were sent out to Sisters of the Poor, Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Sisters of St. Francis, Bernadine Sisters of St. Francis, Sisters of Mercy, Sisters of The Blessed Sacrament, Sisters of Immaculate Heart of Mary and isters of St. Joseph.
“When you’re in a school, as many of us are, you will see many ups, but you’ll also see many downs. Coming to this dinner is a real highlight of our year for us because our vocation and ministry are celebrated and that is just so nice,” commented Sister Mary McNulty, IHM, principal of St. Frances deSales School in West Philadelphia.
About twenty men and women from the peace council were responsible for the planning, set-up and clean-up, and hosting of the party, as well as insuring that every sister had an enjoyable and memorable night. The dinner is always held on the Wednesday preceding Thanksgiving.
“Our tradition continues for yet another year,” smiled Grand Knight Ken Harper of Ridley Park as he watched the nuns enjoying a full turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Harper was installed as grand knight in October. “This is such a special night for all of us and we hope this tradition continues for another 55 years and beyond. We really want the sisters to know how grateful we are for their vocation.”
In the kitchen, brothers Fran, John and Brian O’Hara washed dishes and utensils and scrubbed pots and pans.
“We really like doing this. The nuns are a lot of fun,” Brian said, as he dried pots and wiped counters.
The O’Hara brothers have been volunteering their services for about 15 years, since they were boys. Their dad, Fran O’Hara, a longtime Knight at the peace council, got them involved. Out in the main dining area, Dad Fran drew a gale of laughter from the room, as he donned the Mrs. Claus outfit this year to present the sisters with gifts, alongside of Chuck Sarnoski, AKA Santa Claus.
Santa and Mrs. Claus called out each sister’s door-prize number, inviting them up to the front of the room to choose from a long table of gifts that included toiletries, cookies, candy, gift certificates and other holiday treats.
Other male and female volun-
teers decorated, shopped, trimmed the tree, made the centerpieces, served the food, danced, mingled, bussed the tables, cut the sheet cake, served dessert, and pitched in to accomplish a host of other jobs to keep the party in gear. D.J. John Scibello donated his services for the occasion, as he has done more years than he could remember, playing crowd-pleasing songs for listening and dancing, as well as taking requests. Each nun was given a beautiful red carnation corsage upon entering, thanks to the generous donation by Kevin M. Lyons Funeral Services.
The full food spread was prepared by Capozzoli’s Catering. The traditional Thanksgiving menu included roasted turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, gravy, pumpkin pies and a sheet cake.
“This night is 100 blessings,” said knight Ron Liberatore, who returns to volunteer with his wife Debbie, year after year. “That’s really what it’s all about. We all feel really blessed to be able to do this each year.”
Before the music was pumped up for dancing, each nun was called to the microphone to receive a gift from Santa. She was asked to state her name, where she lived, and, if she wanted, she could say a few words. Mostly everyone who came up to the mic, offered their gratitude to the knights, along with a few other thoughts.
“I was part of this wonderful gathering back in the 1960s when I was stationed at St. Joe’s in Aston,” remarked Sister Helene Thomas, IHM, of Saints Simon and Jude in West Chester. “This is my first time back since then and I have to say that it is great to be back!”
“When I walked in, the grand knight, Ken Harper, looked at me and said that he remembered me from when he was a kid growing up in Ridley Park,” said a surprised and happy Sister Mary Hickey of St. Francis de Sales in Philadelphia. “Even though many years have gone by, he said he remembered me from when I taught at St. Madeline’s.”
Sister Rose Mulligan, IHM, teaches chemistry at Immaculata University. She drew laughter and applause when she took the mic and commented, “With all the things that we concoct in the chemistry lab, we could never come up with a dinner this good even if we tried!”
After catching up with many of their friends who they don’t get to see as often as they’d like throughout the year, and ringing in the holidays with this enjoyable Knights’ tradition, many of the sisters said that they hated to leave when the party was drawing to an end.
“It’s such a privilege and honor to be here tonight,” remarked Sister Barbara Montague, IHM, the principal of St. Cyril of Alexandria mission school in East Lansdowne. ”I am absolutely humbled by the generosity and kindness of the men and ladies here tonight and all they have done for us. We are all so grateful.”