by Sr. Jo Anne Kelly MMM                                   Ireland                 18.12.2024

For weeks we had been hearing about the Christmas Craft Fair which would take place in the auditorium in November.  In our own house preparations had been going on all year but ramped up in the last few weeks with crochet and knitted articles being completed, inspirational cards made and candles decorated.

Storm Bert was expected for the weekend but that didn’t seem to interfere with anything. Luckily the worst had passed by Saturday morning but it did start off very wet and windy. Tables were already in place and I watched many cars and vans arrive as local crafters came with their own treasures for sale. There was a buzz of excitement .There was such a variety of crafts and what was so tangible was the wonderful spirit of camaraderie and joy among them all.  That uplifting spirit continued throughout the day.

After the official opening I walked around to greet people and to see the displays.  There was a raffle with great Christmas hampers as prizes.  I bought tickets but didn’t win anything.  There was a new book for sale, a recently written children’s book about Mother Mary Martin, our Foundress.  I was present when a lady from our parish bought beautifully decorated tall red Christmas candles, one for each of the tall window of our local church.  I bought a few small things.  I was particularly attracted by some small Bookmarks.  They were made of a delicate thin wood, with a bright shiny tassel.  Written on the wood in fine print was “This is where you fell asleep.”  I bought two for friends of mine! – could have bought one for myself as well!  There were also beautiful cribs, figures of reindeers and other reminders of Christmas done in a heavier wood and so much else.

During the morning a young group of musicians and singers came. I found a chair at the back and sat down to enjoy the entertainment.  A woman came to me and asked “Are you Sr. Jo Anne?”  When I said ‘yes’ she told me, “I’m a cousin of yours” and there were two of them.
I have a very big extended family and, since I was many years out of Ireland on mission, I did not get much chance to know the younger generations.  The grandmother of these two women was my father’s sister.  Both living in the North, they had seen the notice for the Fair on Facebook and thought it might be a chance to meet me.  And what a meeting!

A local small bakery and café were providing refreshments at the Fair, so after listening to the children sing for a while, we three went for coffee and buns and they were delicious buns!  We had so much to talk about, so much to catch up on.  They know lots of relatives I don’t know but I knew lots of family they only heard of.  We could have talked all day.  They enjoyed meeting the MMM sisters and all our friends and were so impressed with the welcome they received from everyone around.  We will meet again soon. Thanks to the Fair we met at all!

The maker of the lovely buns won one of the big Christmas hampers and everyone was delighted.

It was great to meet many of our staff in a different setting and meet some of their children. There was so much chatting and good humour throughout the day. It was a very special day and good to know that some poor and needy people somewhere in the world will have a better Christmas because of this Craft Fair.

I thank God for all in the communications department who organized the Fair and all who helped to give people such an enjoyable and fruitful day.

At this Christmas time may all know in their own hearts the special love and peace that only God can give.