ADVENT 2009 

Maddie shows the gingerbread men the kids made with Miss Sheila.

Hannah read the Christmas story to the community.

Rosie was on hand to help blow out the candle on Jesus's birthday cake.

ADVENT/CHRISTMAS SEASON 2008

The children at Little Portion Hermitage and visiting grandchildren of the
Shepler family worked together to create our 2008 Advent calendar.

Marisol Lloveras, Rachel, Therese and Hannah help make
tortillas for our annual Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration.

After our dinner the children gathered to play Build the Snowman.

Afterwards the children played a combination of games
involving the roll of dice and ending with a scavenger hunt.

Sr. Mary Rose and the children after the prize has
been found - a bag of candy for each child.

At our Posada, Mary and Joseph were able to get some
soup but alas, there was no room at the inn.

Fr. Bob wore a new chasuble for Gaudete Sunday made
for him by our domestic sister, Denise Bernt.

We were "iced in" on the evening we planned to carol in Berryville
but were able to go to the convalescent center in Eureka Springs.

We sang carols in the residents' dining room then down the halls for
those unable to attend.  At the end of the evening, Fr. Brian Christi
played a Scottish song on the violin while the children danced.

Due to size constraints we celebrated Christmas Eve up at the Little Portion Retreat and Training
Center.  As usual, JMT and Viola attract children like magnets!

After dinner we gathered to sing Christmas carols.

In no time Viola had the children up and dancing to the high spirited carols.

The children acted out "Away In A Manger"

Beth Lloveras read the Christmas Story to the community.  After the
reading the community exchanged gifts, then celebrated midnight mass at 10 PM.