December 23, 2016

Readers share their favorite Christmas memories

Memories of grandmothers, and a Ritter holiday tradition

By Mark Hummer

My dad used to tell me “you are your Grandma Hummer’s favorite,” and one year when I was in Cub Scouts, I made her a candle holder for a Christmas candle. A few years later, I made her a pheasant in shop class. She kept both of those on her display case for everyone to see right up until she passed away in 1987. Everyone who came into contact with her quickly agreed that she had the patience of a saint.

My mother’s mother—my grandmother Aubell—used to like to say “that birds of a feather flock together, and we need to count our blessings.” She also said, “It is indeed true that what goes around comes around, and blessed are the pure of heart.”

For our family, the Christmas and holiday season kicks off with the Cardinal Ritter annual Thanksgiving feast where we help out. It is a huge event where volunteers feed staff, students and clergy, and a full-course lunch is enjoyed by all. It is a truly joyous event.
 

(Mark Hummer is a member of St. Christopher Parish in Indianapolis.) †

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