ENEWS 295 January 5, 2026

Chestnut Hill Holiday Parade

December 6, 2025

By Sister Margie Lawless SSJ

The Chestnut Hill community association hosted its annual Holiday Parade on Saturday, December 6, 2025. 

Fire engines, marching bands, choirs, antique cars, horses, local schools, the Phillie Phanatic, and Santa Claus were ready to march down Germantown Avenue.

Twelve sisters at the Villa were very excited about their inaugural ride in an antique car at the Chestnut Hill Holiday parade. When the snow came on Saturday morning, all the antique cars could not run in the parade (no snow tires and no traction!). Instead, all the drivers still came to the Villa in their ‘present-day’ car, just so the sisters could still be in the parade. Although It was disappointing the sisters still enjoyed their time on Germantown Avenue.

Office of Development

2025 Chance Drive Winners 

Danielle Santacroce, Assistant Director

Office of Development

We raised over $85,000 in this year’s Chance Drive!

We sold over 25,000 tickets from 2,500 donors.

Thank you to everyone for your help, prayers and support!

Grand Prize $10,000

Kathleen J. Goodman, Voorhees, NJ

$500 Prize Winners

Sharon Adnams – Neptune City, NJ

Kevin Flood – Trevose, PA

Amy Swercheck – Bethlehem, PA

James Taylor – Wilmington, DE

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Donovan – Douglassville, PA

Saint Joseph Villa

Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Seminarians Bring Joy 

December 17, 2025

Sister Joyce Ballerino SSJ

Sister Marganne Drago SSJ

What a grand time we had as 70+ seminarians visited the Villa and entertained us with Christmas carols and other fun songs. Many of the Sisters came down to experience the program while others watched it on their televisions, clapping and singing along. Of course, special guests appeared: Frosty, Rudolph, ELVIS! and Santa! 

The men are all from our Archdiocese which thrilled the Sisters and they promised their prayers for them. In the midst of our Advent, we did get a brief invitation to excite us about the coming of Jesus at Christmas. 

They were joined by Father Christopher Redcay, the Rector of the Seminary and several Priest Faculty members. They certainly helped to put and keep us in the joy of the season. 

 Photos courtesy Claudia Carter

Saint Joseph Villa

Villa Sisters’ Choir

December 25, 2025

Sister Marganne Drago SSJ

On Christmas morning, the Villa Sisters’ Choir (SSJ and MM) sang a lovely selection of Christmas music prior to the 10:30 Mass. They did beautifully and the photos reflect how happy they are from their great effort. Every week they are so faithful about coming to rehearsal.

Blessings for the New Year!

Bethlehem Retirement Village

Christmas Celebration

December 22, 2025

Sister Sharon McCarthy SSJ

Social Concerns Director

Our Annual Christmas Party, held on December 22nd, was a joyful celebration of the season, filled with laughter, music, and the warmth of community. Residents gathered to share delicious food offered from one another’s kitchen, enjoy festive decorations, and celebrate the true spirit of Christmas together. The room was alive with smiles, familiar carols, and heartfelt conversations, reminding us that the greatest gift of the season is the joy we find in one another.

Editor, Sister Carole Pollock SSJ | 215.248.7269 | cpollock@ssjphila.org | https://ssjphila.org/