Wednesday, December 29, 2004

Three Shepherd Children Brave Snowstorm and More

On Christmas Eve, the Holy Mass at Immaculate Conception Church was scheduled for 9:00 p.m. (rather than midnight) to accommodate the CCD children Kinder - 5th grade who had rehearsed a special program to present after Communion. At about 6:30 p.m. that evening a bountiful snowfall started which gave Skidmore the first and very beautiful White Christmas in history, reportedly 10 - 12 inches of snow.

The first 3 pews were reserved for the anticipated 16 to 20 students, but it was soon realized the snow had kept all "Shepherd Children" home except for 3 (among the smallest of the students) who arrived in full costume:

Adam Gonzales, Zachary Mortensen, and Eddie Salas, Jr.

They looked so small sitting close together in what seemed like acres of reserved space acound them. And they soon knew it was up to them to present the program alone.

When the time came, they looked at each other, then bravely headed to the back of the Church where their program started. With the organ playing softly, they processed down the aisle "in search of the Infant Jesus" towards the creche, where they knelt, hands held in prayer, and sang/prayed a very soft "Silent Night." A loving and supportive congregation sang softly as backup and encouragement to the 3 lonely Shepherd Children, then responded with generous applause. The 3 managed to smile and appeared relieved but happy with themselves. They had done the work of 20!

Congratulations, admiration, kudos, way-to-go to these 3 students!
-- Submitted by Reeys Falcon

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