BELMONT — The residents of Holy Angels put on a performance filled with song, praise, and “Mercy Moments” Tuesday morning during their annual Nativity Mass at Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont.
Holy Angels, a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Mercy that provides care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, celebrates its 70th anniversary Saturday.
Many of the 80 Holy Angels residents put their hearts into the Christmas celebration with their reenactment of the Nativity, Christmas Choral bell choir, choreographed dance routine, and singing numbers.
Father Dennis Kuhn, emeritus Chief Operations Officer and chaplain, and current board member was the celebrant of the Nativity Mass.
The Holy Angels handbell choir chimed the start of the morning with their rendition of “Peace on Earth.” The clinging of the bells spoke their message of Christmas joy loud and clear.
Keeping a longstanding holiday tradition, Father Kuhn narrated the Nativity story.
“The main characters are the Holy Angels, and each one reflects a child-like innocence,” Father Kuhn explained.
Residents walked or were wheeled into the sanctuary decked in costumes, embodying the Biblical characters. First on the scene was tax collector Mike, who demanded money from the people of Bethlehem, while Josh, the innkeeper, kept everyone smiling from his wheelchair with his contagious laughter and infectious smile.
“Josh loves music,” Father Kuhn shared.
Mary, played by resident Elise, truly took on the role of motherhood, picking Jesus up from his cradle and showing off her new bundle of joy.
Between the narration, the congregation of about 150 friends and family members sang Christmas carols led by Salisbury singers John Brincefield and Kent Bernhardt.
Little angels dressed in white sheets with gold garland around their heads joined the praise, followed by the shepherds, sheep and wise men.
Together, laughing and crying, everyone adored the non-traditional Nativity scene, which was just as heartwarming, loving, and authentic as the Holy Angels themselves.
Father Kuhn’s homily was interactive and creative. He had five helpers assisting him with five posters, each highlighting one of the gifts of Christmas—joy, gifts, love, peace and faith.
“These five words tell us all we need to know about Christmas,” Father Kuhn said.
“Joy” rhymes with “toy,” and while there are many of them, there is only one important “boy” the holiday is all about, he said.
“Which gift is better—a giant Lego building of Bethlehem or the infant Jesus in his manger?” he asked.
“Love is the center of it all. The gift of Christmas, the gift of Jesus, is the gift of love… Faith is the reason for the season,” said Father Kuhn. “God will provide all that we need.”
Faith is also the foundation of Holy Angels, he said.
As Father Kuhn noted, there are five key words, but the greatest of all is "the Word becomes flesh.”
The morning would not be complete without “Mercy Moments,” which Father Kuhn described as special moments when “heaven comes down to Earth.”
“It is a supernatural thing happens all the time at Holy Angels, where the Spirit of God just breaks through in the moment,” he said.
Residents readily raised their hands to share. Some shared funny moments, like Mike, who thanked his friend for letting him watch SpongeBob, while others, like Katie, melted hearts as she expressed her love for some of the Angel Life Choices Support staff who have grown into her best friends.
“I truly and deeply love you with my whole heart. Each one of you all means the world to me,” she said.
People in the pews started opening up with their personal “Mercy Moments,” many of them involving a Holy Angel.
Emeritus Medical Director Dr. Ellis Fisher shared the large amount of joy expressed by resident Josh.
One man shared how fortunate he felt that first his brother and now his sister have found friendship, family and love at Holy Angels.
After Mass there were surprise performances – the Holy Angels Dance Troupe, dazzling in white glittered blazers, danced to a choreographed “Light of the World.” Brincefield, who has sung at these Masses for 30 years, composed a song for the organization's 70-year anniversary. The tribute to his late singing partner, Don Leonard, was entitled “Heaven Here at Holy Angels.” For the closing song, Lorraine, a Holy Angel resident, sang her favorite tune – “The Little Drummer Boy” – as tears flowed down her face.
President and Chief Executive of Holy Angels Kerri Massey said that among the many holiday events they do, this Mass is her favorite.
“It is just such a special time for Holy Angels and also for every person who attends,” she said. “For me, it makes my Christmas. It really starts the true meaning of the season and gives us a minute to exhale.”
Here are two events to support Holy Angels during their 70th Anniversary weekend:
- The Seminarians vs. Priest Basketball game at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21 at Charlotte Catholic High School, 7702 Pineville-Matthews Rd, Charlotte. Admission is free. All food and drink proceeds benefit Holy Angels.
- The Holy Angels Share the Light Luminary Drive-thru Event from 6-9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20 located on the Belmont Abbey Campus.
Also, the Charlotte skyline will turn red for Holy Angels Dec. 20 as many of the downtown skyscrapers change their lights to honor their 70th anniversary.
- Lisa M. Geraci
