SFDS Trees & Angels Light Up for Year 10

Story and Photos
By Katie McFadden

St. Francis de Sales Church, from the rectory to the prayer garden, is all aglow for Christmas. After Mass on Saturday, December 13, the 10th annual ceremony was held to light the Belle Harbor church’s memorial angels and trees.

After Mass let out, altar servers volunteered to hand out festive hats, candy canes, rings and more to the crowd. Meanwhile, Mohammed Kadim and his crew from Beach Bagel handed out hot chocolate to warm everyone up on the chilly evening. Michael Fontana and the SFDS choir kept spirits bright by singing carols like “Twelve Days of Christmas” and “Jingle Bell Rock,” before Father Jim Cunningham, appropriately dressed as a Christmas tree for the occasion, kicked off the ceremony.

Fr. Jim thanked all who made the event possible since its inception. Monsignor John Bracken, donning a Santa beard, was thanked for having the idea to decorate the church with trees and angels as a fundraiser, a decade ago. “This is our 10th year of trees and angels and this all started because Monsignor Bracken had the idea, so let’s thank Monsignor Bracken,” Fr. Jim said to applause. Maimonides Hospital was given credit for helping with the inception of the event with a $1,000 donation.

Year after year, the Graybeards help set up the angels and trees and nativity, this year, under the leadership of “Christmas coordinator” Mike Lee. Brian Long and Greg DeBoer were given a special shoutout for making sure the angels and tree lit up without a hitch. Fr. Jim thanked Dorothy Brenna and Susan Gavigan at the rectory for helping to collect donations and create the signs that don the many angels and trees. He also thanked the NYPD for being there to help keep parishioners safe during the event. And lastly, he thanked everyone who do­nated for an angel or tree with their loved ones’ names. “Thanks to all of those who have supported this effort every year,” Fr. Jim said. “These donations help support St. Francis de Sales Parish and we’re very grateful for that.”

Father Bill Sweeney led a prayer, reminding everyone of the reason for the season, the birth of Jesus Christ, before blessing the crowd, angels and trees with holy water. Fr. Jim then led a countdown from 25 before the trees and angels were illuminated. With that, a special guest arrived—Santa Claus, of course, who stopped for pictures with the kids in the crowd.