Christmas Greetings, dear Friends,
A few weeks ago I sent you a letter about the new wood flooring we installed in a Marist Brothers’ Chapel. It’s the Chapel adjacent to our largest retirement facility – and where so many elderly and disabled Brothers go to thank God for friends like you. Do you recall that letter?
I wrote about how the Chapel’s 40-year old, frayed, and buckled carpeting was a dangerous stumbling hazard for our elderly and disabled Brothers, so we laid a smooth, safe hardwood floor and sang out “Merry Christmas!”
Take a look at this photograph. Now imagine how safely a disabled Brother’s wheelchair glides across the level wood floor. And no more walkers get tangled in frayed carpeting seams. Despite the fact that the floor’s $7,500 price tag far surpassed our usually frugal gift-buying budget, it was a magnificently successful and wonderfully appreciated early Christmas gift!
Many of our friends responded to my first letter with a generous gift – to help cover the wood floor’s cost. And I am eternally grateful for their kindness.
However, my initial plea fell short of our goal, and I still need $3,350.
I realize this is a busy time of the year for everyone – with so much shopping to do and so many festive activities vying for your attention. That’s why we would be doubly grateful if you could take just a moment to tuck a gift inside the enclosed envelope. Whatever amount you can afford to help cover the final cost of our Chapel’s new wood floor will be so appreciated!
Our most important reason for replacing the hazardous carpeting was to protect the Brothers’ safety. However, there is another reason for the new wood floor. The new, smooth flooring gives our elderly and disabled Brothers greater independence to visit their Chapel whenever they seek God’s solace.
Those in a wheelchair no longer need a healthcare aid or younger Brother to push them over buckled carpeting that once stopped the wheels cold. Men with a walker need never worry again about tripping over a frayed carpet seam.
Now that you understand how much this wood flooring truly means, I hope you’ll send a gift today – and help me cover the cost of this gift that keeps on giving.
In my last letter I sent you one nickel, hoping you would match it with as many of your own “nickels” as possible. With this letter, I send two nickels. It’s my way of saying that I’m praying twice as hard for the money needed to cover our Brothers’ Christmas gift.
Before tucking your gift and response slip in the envelope provided, remember to write your prayer intentions on the slip. Just as you are here for our elderly and disabled Brothers, we are here for you, too. If your gift arrives in time, the Brothers and I would like very much to include your intentions in our special Christmas Mass.
In closing, I want to thank you for your kind generosity. I can’t wait to hear from you! Until then, I pray that you are looking forward to a joyous Christmas season with family and loved ones. May God bless you for caring so deeply about our Marist Brothers.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Br. Hugh P. Turley, F.M.S.
Director of Development
