On December 17, 2004, St. Joseph School held our annual Gerard House Mass. Father Dawson and the candle bearers led us from school over to the Church as we sang " Mary Had a Baby." Then at the Offertory, everyone placed their baby gifts in the crib and Father Dawson blessed the crib and its contents. The eighth grade and Mr. McAdam loaded everything into Mr. McAdam's truck and delivered them to Gerard House. Father Dawson and Paul O'Brien accompanied them.

This is the message we sent to parents prior to the Mass:

The last two years, the students and staff at St. Joseph Catholic School have had a baby shower for Baby Jesus. Instead of gift exchanges in the classrooms, or gifts to faculty and staff, students are encouraged to provide a baby gift to be donated to the Gerard House. Gerard House is named for St. Gerard Majella, the Redemptorist patron saint of pregnant women. Gerard House provides a safe environment for unwed mothers and their babies. This year we continue the tradition at the December 17th Mass. The teachers have purchased a baby crib that will be donated in the name of our priests, and students will place their gifts in the crib during the Offertory.

Collecting the Gifts