The Little Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi aren’t letting the destruction of their long-term care facility ruin their Christmas spirit.
Nearly two months ago, the facility on Jolly Pond Road was destroyed after a fire started during the early morning hours on Oct. 10. It displaced 11 people who were staying at the facility for severe physical and mental disorder care.
But even after the struggle to get the residents rehoused and settled, Sis. Agnes Narocho and the other nuns of St. Francis of Assisi are determined to throw a great Christmas celebration.
“This is a time for us to thank God that no one died in that fire,” Narocho said. “We will sing, we will laugh, and of course—we will eat.”
Narocho said six of the residents were placed in a staff house while the other four were taken in by local families until a new permanent location can be found. But the sisters plan to bring together all 33 residents from their facilities in Williamsburg, New Kent and Charles City at Saint Michael and All Angels Church in Williamsburg.
The Little Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi is an international Catholic missionary organization that reaches out to serve poor and marginalized members of society, according to their website. The organization draws caregivers from 40 different groups from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
The group has been lucky in receiving donations after the fire to give their patients plenty of Christmas presents, said Sis. Immaculate Matini. But for them, it’s not about the presents under the tree or even the amount of food on the table. This holiday is about celebrating a different kind of family.
“We are a family, we are each other’s home,” Matini said. “These are people we’ve spent all day, everyday with for a very long time and we just want to see each other smile and thank God.”
Matini said past residents and family members come and join them for Christmas celebrations each year, helping to make the gathering full of familiar faces and love, and this year will be no different.
The home’s 45 caregivers care for residents in various conditions of mental and physical illness. Narocho said there has to be more caregivers than residents because there are those who need total care, meaning they need to be bathed, tube-fed or assisted through physical exercises.
But even for these residents, the caregivers ensure there will be a happy holiday. If a resident is bed-bound for their condition, Narocho said that they will gather in their room to celebrate or bring them to Christmas dinner in a wheelchair.
For those wanting to donate to the organization, Matini said they are always in need of cleaning supplies such as paper towels and laundry detergent. Donations can be dropped off at 6422 Centerville Road in Williamsburg.
At the moment, the sisters are still searching for a new location to house their residents. Narocho said they hope to find a place soon.
“The way we celebrate Christmas, it’s a party,” Narocho said. “It really is a big celebration to thank God.”
