Christmas Grove lights signify memories of loved ones at Saint Benedict Monastery

Intermountain Catholic

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The Christmas Grove at Mount Benedict Monastery. IC photo/Christine Young

OGDEN — The Sisters of Saint Benedict, Saint Benedict Foundation board members, friends and guests gathered for the 27th annual lighting of the Christmas Grove to recall cherished memories of loved ones this Advent season. The Weber State Chamber Choir led the group in Christmas carols. When the lights were turned on, they sang "Silent Night" in English and German, and then everyone was treated to hot cocoa, coffee and cookies.

Between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31, contributions to the Christmas Grove fundraiser will purchase lights dedicated to those being honored. The proceeds assist 8,000 women, children and families of northern Utah through 21 non-profit programs supported by the St. Benedict’s Foundation.

"This is a wonderful community event," said Benedictine Sister Danile Knight, spokeswoman for the monastery. "The sisters enjoy visiting with the community and this is a way for us to carry on our mission. In this economy, it amazes me how quickly the donations started to come in. I think the reason is people have come to know their money goes to support the programs we say it will."

"The need in northern Utah is so tremendous this year," said Yvonne Ulloa Coiner, St. Benedict’s Foundation executive director. "All of the organizations we support are experiencing an urgency of people being out of work without adequate health care, an inability to pay utilities, rent and mortgages and the loss of their housing. There is also an increase of families with children living in shelters. We are asking everyone to do whatever they can to help monetarily or through donations of food, clothing or time.

"Through our grant program the foundation helps in the areas of education, health care, families in crises, youth at risk or child abuse prevention and intervention," Coiner said. "Within those programs, for example, children learn to cope with and grieve the loss of a loved one, receive therapy due to abuse or neglect, or children of working parents who are unable to afford after-school childcare are welcomed in an after-school program where they are kept safe in a learning environment."

This year, The Road Home in Salt Lake City was added as a beneficiary because it has a program specifically for children in their shelter, Coiner said.

St. Benedict’s Foundation also is the primary supporter of the Saint Martha’s Layette Baby Project, said Marcie Valdez, director of the Catholic Community Services Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank. "Without that grant, we wouldn’t be able to provide the beautiful layettes to new mothers. They also support our adult transition program, which helps us train young disabled adults who work in our food pantry. Their support means so much to us in so many ways."

"The St. Benedict’s board is grateful for the generosity of the community and for the Sisters of St. Benedict in Ogden and in Minnesota, who are committed to continue to have a presence in Ogden and to make sure that the funding raised in this community continues to be used to serve the needs of the people in this community," Coiner said. "Now that the sisters are a part of the sisters in Minnesota, our board has been working with them to make the necessary arrangements so the sisters’ mission and legacy can continue in Utah. After the sale of the hospital, it was the sisters’ wish to stay in Ogden to continue to provide love, care and financial resources to those in need, and that will continue."