This photo is the first taken of the entire Kuzma family together with all 11 children, including Sister Roselyn (lower right) and the late Sister Anna Mae (in habit).
A Christmas Tree Tradition
SISTER ROSELYN KUZMA RECALLS CHERISHED TRIPS
TO THE TREE FARM AND THE TRADITIONS THAT FOLLOWED
During the spring, my whole family helped plant tiny little Christmas trees and, in the summer, we would would help trim them. Then in December, in the deep snow, Dad would drive us to the farm. He would cut down the larger trees, and we would drag them to the truck on the road.
We sold the trees in our backyard and gave some to Holy Family Church in Erie, Pa., and to our Sisters in the convent there. We would take one in the house and help decorate it, while setting up the Christmas Crib.
My dad wanted us to open our gifts together so, on Christmas Eve, we had our big Christmas dinner. Then Dad would open the front bedroom door and say, “Wow!” All the little kids came running, and there were all our gifts! We opened them and sang Christmas carols before the little ones went off to bed. The boys served the midnight Mass, and we all went to Mass together in the morning.
Little Marilyn was born when our oldest, Sister Anna Mae, was already a professed Sister. The photo above is the first picture that we have of all 11 children together.
My dad even brought one of our special Christmas trees with roots to Mt. Assisi Convent. The tree is still growing outside the laundry room of what is now Mt. Assisi Place! I hug it when I pass by.
Sister Roselyn Kuzma