Originally from the UK, I arrived in Canada almost 10 years ago. For the first few years I felt dreadfully homesick in the lead up to Christmas. I can remember hearing the song, “I’ll be home for Christmas” on the radio and feeling close to tears knowing that I wouldn’t in fact be going “home” for Christmas. In the end though, every Christmas I was lovingly welcomed into other people’s homes here in Montreal and treated with great generosity and care. Although I didn’t get to spend Christmas with my British family, I was in many ways “home for Christmas”.
Our residents may wish that they could be in their own home this Christmas, but it is our job at the shelter to ensure they feel that they are “home for Christmas”. We can do this thanks to the efforts and generosity of many individuals and organisations. Our staff work with energy and enthusiasm to ensure the atmosphere in the house remains positive, that the Christmas decorations are up and that the residents get to participate in festive activities. Several groups collect toys, gifts and food baskets for our residents. We’re also grateful to volunteers who come in to play the piano, dress up as Santa and to prepare and serve food at our Christmas party and on Christmas and New Year’s Day. Finally we are grateful for the organizations that provide funding for our Christmas events and donations of turkeys and other festive goods.
On Christmas Eve as many attend Midnight Mass, our Night Worker will be quietly placing carefully wrapped gifts around the Christmas tree. And on Christmas morning as Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, light of the world, here at Logifem this will be our prayer for the residents:
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace”
Sally Richmond, Executive Director