January 6, 2025

Just as the holidays bring friends and family together around the world, so too do they create togetherness and celebration for our young people and coworkers at Mercy Home. 

And thanks to so many generous donors, volunteers, and coworkers, our young people enjoyed Christmas parties, gifts, and a visit from Dreezy Claus, aka, “Chicago’s Black Santa.” 

Amid the festive music and decorations, many of our young people were outfitted in matching pajamas and enjoyed snacks and games. And when the big man in red walked in, flanked by Fr. Scott and his merry band of coworkers, the air filled with joyous shrieks, howls and applause. 

Then one by one, Fr. Scott and Dreezy Claus handed each young person a gift and posed for a photo by the tree. After every present was handed out, Fr. Scott led a count to three before each young person shredded the brightly colored wrapping to uncover a Christmas wish come true. 

The festivities at both our boys and girls homes also included sumptuous dinners and desserts prepared by our dedicated and talented kitchen coworkers. And as they do every year, the meals were preceded by Christmas spiritual celebrations led by Fr. Scott and Marc Velasquez. This year, the spiritual celebration focused on the theme of light. Holding candles, some of our young people were chosen to describe their personal strengths and how they shared them with others. 

“We also, as part of this, are going to demonstrate what it means to make the world a brighter place through our strengths,” said Velasquez, who then instructed the rest of those gathered to name one strength before lighting the candles being held by two of their peers. In the exercise, our young people saw how they could pass light to others and how that light grew in brilliance as they did. 

“Spreading our whole light in the darkness,” Velasquez noted how they put this into practice through their service projects, which were summarized and presented earlier in the month in the Book of Service. 

Fr. Scott reflected on the significance of light in scripture and in our holiday traditions. 

“This is the season of light,” Fr. Scott said, noting the celebration of light in both Jewish and Christian Traditions. “Everywhere you look, light comes into the darkness.” 

As proof, Fr. Scott also cited the acts of compassion and empathy seen in our young people’s service projects and in the countless acts of kindness our coworkers show to our youth and to one another.

“We are the light bearers of Christ in the world,” Fr. Scott said. “So, Marc, what you brought to us tonight and our young people sharing our light, that’s what the meaning of life is all about.” 

Fr. Scott concluded, “God has given us His son, the Light of the world that we celebrate every day, but in a particular way at Christmas. And we’re called to be followers, disciples. To carry that light, the light that’s been given to all of us, and make better a world that desperately needs you to enhance life.”  

Fr. Scott said that being light bearers is not only an obligation, but a privilege. 

In addition to his reflection on the meanings of life and light, Fr. Scott offered words of gratitude to those who help make these joyous celebrations possible, including our special events team, Marc Velasquez, our kitchen crew, and all of our coworkers. “For the gifts you share, the light that you bring to our young people—thank you,” Fr. Scott said. 

Mercy Home is grateful to everyone near and far who helped make the season and our celebrations brighter, and those who help our young people discover and share their gifts to others throughout the year.