Just Among Friends
The opening night of Ingleside Baptist’s Christmas presentation in Macon, Ga., had a great audience. Among those in attendance were Mac and Sherry Alford and Gary and Barbara Griffin Walker whose granddaughter, Emily Walker, participated. Their two other grandchildren, Joseph and Grace Walker, were also in the audience along with their parents, Glen and Jennifer Alford Walker.
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Members of Holy Cross Catholic Church decorated a huge Christmas tree near the altar last Wednesday evening. It was another opportunity for everyone to gather together united by the name of Jesus to celebrate the birth of Jesus our Savior and spread love and joy to one another. Thank you, Father Jofin George!
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One of the most cherished rites in the Ordination of a Catholic priest is the selection of his Chalice. It takes time to choose exactly the one that seems to fit him. He will use this Chalice from the day of his ordination throughout his life as a Catholic priest in every mass he offers.
Tristan Stovall who will be ordained in the near future chose his Chalice from a special shop which sells only chalices to those who have the privilege of selecting the one that speaks to their heart.
Tristan was accompanied by his mother, Ginger Stovall, on this very solemn occasion. It was also an emotional time for both of them. He will reveal his choice for the first time during his ordination. God bless you, Tristan and thank you for answering His call.
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Rather than a gift exchange, Leake Academy Elementary students chose to collect donations for The Refuge of Philadelphia. The gifts were delivered by several teachers and their students who visited with some of the participants after the delivery.
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Congratulations to Anna Kate Blair who graduated from Mississippi State University in the fall graduation ceremony. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree. Anna Kate is the daughter of Scott and Kristen Blair of Philadelphia.
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NO MO CHEMO was spelled out in giant lighted letters in the Philadelphia Country Club last weekend to announce the end of Mary Moseley Pickering’s final chemo treatment earlier in the month. She had been battling childhood leukemia for 2.5 years and finally won her battle.
It was a cause for a great celebration in her honor. It was also her 7th birthday which added more fuel to the celebration. Plans had been in motion for many months within the community to honor her.
When asked what kind of party she would like, she replied a "Winter Wonderland", so the plans were set in motion. The Country Club looked amazing with all of the detailed decorations to transform it into a winter wonderland. There were balloon structures, Santa and Mrs. Claus, winter scenes, Elsa, a beautiful cake iced in Elsa blue frosting with NO MO CHEMO as a topper, blue cupcakes, refreshment tables in white cloths, and many other beautiful decorations.
Mary Mo and some of her little friends had a spa day given by Meg Martin in her salon and arrived at the party in a pink party limo. Mary Mo wore a lovely princess costume complete with a crown and wide silver bracelets with NO MO CHEMO engraved on them. Her mother, Jessica Long Pickering, wore a costume as the mother of a hero warrior and looked charming. It was a fabulous party for this child warrior!
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On Dec. 8, Cambre Willis Mayo graduated from Meridian Community College with an Associate Degree in Nursing. She went through the pinning ceremony where she was pinned as a Registered Nurse which had been her goal.
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Wishing each and everyone a Joyous and Blessed Christmas! For those of you who are feeling lonely and sad, I pray that your sorrow will turn to gladness over time. Christmas brings back many happy and cherished memories of those I will not see again on this earth, but wait in joyful hope of seeing them again someday. God bless you all!