Celebrating together Christmas 2024 in the USA

By Maribah, Shaista and Saima

One of the most significant aspects of Christmas is the emphasis on charity and helping those in need. This holy day brings people together in a spirit of love and generosity. A focus on generosity reflects the teaching of Jesus who preached compassion care and love for everyone. We participated in many activities where the spirit of love and generosity was evident. This short account will give you a small glimpse of our Christmas vacation and the many things we did that made our first Christmas in the USA so special.

Saima and Shaista began the vacation in El Paso, staying four days with the Loretto Community and visiting Villa Maria, Loretto Academy and Casa Papa Francisco Shelter, which ministers to immigrants. Spectacular trips included a visit to the Scenic Drive Overlook to view the exquisite display of lights. The El Paso Loretto Community treated us with warmth, genuine hospitality and marvelous, tasty food!

In St. Louis, Donna Day, Claudia Calzetta and Kathy Sullivan made it special for the three of us. We saw many decorated homes. Some were decorated with Christmas lights — some multi-colored ones, some white, some even twinkled! The beauty of these lights overwhelmed us. And this amazement at lights was duplicated when we marveled at the lovely tall decorated tree in Claudia and Kathy’s home. There we were treated to delicious treats and unique and handmade winter scarves.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were both special. On Christmas Eve we attended a beautiful Christmas Mass at St. Cronan’s parish. This is a strong faith-filled congregation, and the parishioners sincerely welcomed us. Christmas day was a whirlwind of activities! We visited Donna’s relatives and each one showed us kindness and love as they shared delicious food and lovely gifts. We were touched once again by hospitality and love of during this unique opportunity to talk with Donna’s family.

During Christmas week Donna invited everyone in the St. Louis Loretto Community to her home so we could connect with them. We had a great time laughing and chatting with each other as well as eating many different kinds of snacks. We are so grateful that we had these opportunities to learn more about the St. Louis Community and Loretto.

So, although we were away from our families, visits to El Paso and St. Louis showed us love in action. This truly helped us live and accept the reality that we were not with our families. We did miss them but many incredible people filled this void for us with their hospitality and kindness. We three know that our happiness is the direct result of so many reaching out to us. We saw this a hundred times during our first Christmas in the USA. This is what Christmas and life is all about — kindness, love and generosity. Let us all be united in 2025 to have this commitment to be for others as others have been for us.

Peace and love to all.

Maribah, Saima and Shaista