THE ART OF THE SEASON
Archdiocese of Phila. sponsors Christmas Card Design Contest for seniors
NORRISTOWN » “Peace of the Christmas Season.”
That was the timely theme on the minds of seniors in the Philadelphia Archdiocese as they took their brushes and pens in hand to create works of art for a Christmas Card Design Contest.
Catholic Housing and Community Services, which provides a continuity of care to the region’s older adults through activity centers, in-home support and affordable housing, sponsored the contest, noted Heather Huot, CHCS director.
“Every year as an organization we send out Christmas cards, and one of the things with this pandemic is that we really feel disconnected from everyone. So, this year we decided, wouldn’t
it be wonderful if we turned to our senior, who have such talent, and ask them for designs for the Christmas card and make it a contest,” Huot said. “With all of the uncertainty that we experienced in 2020, the theme ‘Peace of the Christmas Season’ seemed appropriate. “We got some beautiful designs. We were so excited to receive so many thoughtful pieces of art work from our seniors.”
CHCS’ senior housing residents, senior center program participants, and parish eldercare program participants were invited to create an original design depicting the “Peace of the Christmas Season,” to be judged by the staff and reproduced for the official 2020 CHCS Christmas Card.
“There are so many talented people out there and giving them
a way to express that talent was such a wonderful thing this year,” Huot said. “In a year when we have all been struggling with isolation and uncertainty, CHCS wanted to send a message of hope and peace this Christmas. We are delighted to be able to share that message through the artwork of our very creative and talented older adults.”
The winning design was submitted by Lorraine K., a resident of CHCS’s St. Francis Villa senior housing residence in Philadelphia’s Kensington section.
Her card featuring a pen-and-ink drawing of a Christmas tree, topped with a star and a white dove is now featured on the Archdiocese’s official Christmas card.
Anne C. of Holy Saviour Parish Eldercare Program in Norristown, which was established in 2015, was also a contributing artist.
“The woman from Norristown is in our parish Eldercare program, which is not a residential program,” Huot explained. “It’s a community-based program where we help seniors stay in their homes with any kind of services they need so they can remain independent in their homes as long as possible, which is what they really want. Parishes are a place where seniors feel comfortable and at home, and having a social worker available in that setting is a phenomenal aspect. We have services throughout the region, in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware, and Chester counties.”
Additional seniors were recognized for their creative designs: Jacqueline S., Saint John Neumann Place (South Philadelphia); Jewel H., Saint Edmond Senior Community Center (South Philadelphia) and Kay B., Saint Edmond Senior Community Center (South Philadelphia)
Huot noted that Care Manager Jennifer Rose had assisted 72 seniors since Jan. 1 through the Holy Saviour Eldercare Program, with 77 percent of her current caseload and active clients being age 80 plus. The most common services she has provided since January have been: supportive counseling, government benefits referrals, and food/meal assistance.
“We hope that everyone that receives one of our Christmas cards this year is uplifted by the beautiful artwork and reminded of the spirit of Christmas,” Huot said.
For more information about the Holy Saviour Parish Eldercare Program visit, holysaviour.org/eldercare