At Sisters Hospitallers we want to share a series of articles that some members of the Hospital Community have written, from different countries, in which they tell us about how they are going to celebrate Christmas 2020-2021, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Pierangela Shaw Sherman
Family member of a user of Sisters Hospitallers in Uruguay.
“It fills me with peace and joy knowing that my mother is well cared for”
My mother, Berta Sherman, has resided in the Fr. Benito Menni Geriatric Home of Sisters Hospitallers in Montevideo (Uruguay) since July 2017. Prior to his admission, his confusion increased and he suffered a serious episode of disorientation, for which it was necessary to seek professional assistance. After visiting various centers for the elderly, we arrived at the Sisters Hospitallers; his home offered us the necessary medical attention, as well as a pleasant environment in accordance with his good customs.
Joan Bertran Muñoz
Doctor of Medicine, Coordinator of Internal Medicine and Bioethics, of the Hospital San Rafael of Sisters Hospitallers in Barcelona, Spain.
“The Hospital Community we work to fulfill the mission entrusted by our founders”
This year we prepare for Christmas in a different way, although the epidemiological indicators of the SARS-CoV-2 virus improve, since it will be characterized by having to maintain the basic epidemiological norms: social distance, hand washing and masks.
Corinne Barennes
Volunteer at the Maison Sainte Germaine, of Sisters Hospitallers in Paris, France.
“The Covid-19 pandemic makes my volunteering more limited”
In previous years, preparing for Christmas with the users of the center consists of helping them write their Christmas postcards and participating in the Christmas market, organized by the center, for the entire Hospital Community. We also celebrate Christmas and the New Year, with different activities: reading stories, songs … This year, due to the current health crisis, we will celebrate Christmas in a different way.
Fausta Tremanti
User of the mental health area at the Casa di Cura Villa San Giuseppe, of Sisters Hospitallers in Ascoli Piceno, Italy.
“We live the expectation of the arrival of the Child Jesus in a very simple way”
Christmas is always a beautiful celebration that has a special flavor for us here at the “Casa di Cura Villa San Giuseppe, of the Sisters Hospitallers in Ascoli Piceno (Italy). We live the expectation of the arrival of the Child Jesus in a very simple way, that is, sharing with joy and serenity the preparations that we all know: the manger and the Christmas tree in each pavilion in the center.
Rute Rodrigues Asseiceiro
Occupational Therapist, at the Casa de Saúde da Idanha, of Sisters Hospitallers, in Belas, Portugal.
“We try to minimize the impact, of the impossibility, that most of our users are at home at Christmas”
This year is very different from the others, due to the impact of the pandemic on the life of the institution and, more specifically, on the routines of our users in the Casa de Saúde da Idanha, of Sisters Hospitallers, in Belas (Portugal) where I have been working for 20 years.
Anastasia Gifty Acquaye
Sister Hospitaller
“Our goal is to bring Christmas to African homes”
It is very sad how this pandemic has come and has disorganized our lives, in every possible way. With Christmas so close, it seems clear that this year the activities that we normally carry out during the Christmas period will be affected on a greater or lesser scale depending on the country.
Godfrey Dasmariñas
Nursing coordinator of the Maria Josefa Recio Therapeutic Center, of Sisters Hospitallers in Cebu, Philippines.
“We live in situations that are beyond our control”
Christmas is fast approaching and it is a very important time here in the Philippines, most families are excited to prepare and live this time of grace.
Teresa Mai Thị Thúy Hồngv
Sister Hospitaller
“Christmas is a time of joy that we want to live in communion, it is a very special and significant moment for us Catholics”
Christmas is a time of joy that we want to live in communion, it is a very special and significant moment for us Catholics. Particularly for the Vietnamese sisters it is an opportunity to relive and celebrate the salvation of God that comes to the world through incarnate love.
