Catholic Holy Days
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Lisa Lesseg’s family observes the Catholic Holy Days, including Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8), Feast of Our Lady Guadalupe (Dec. 12), Feast of the Holy Family (Dec. 30) and Christmas. While the celebration of the holy days this year might look different, her family will find a way to be together. “Usually, our large family gathering starts on Christmas Eve around 10:30 a.m.,” said Lesseg. “We celebrate together with games like Dirty Santa, then attend Midnight Mass.” The Lesseg family invites close friends and family members to celebrate with a come- and-go meal, which they plan to continue this year. Each year, popular menu items include roast tenderloin, Brownrigg bread (named
after a neighbor they used to celebrate with), mashed potatoes and gravy and different kinds of drinks contributed by guests. “One of my passions is cooking,” admits Lesseg, “But it’s really just about everyone being together; it’s all very lively and informal.” While many churches are offering limited- capacity in-person services, or even virtual services, Lesseg said, “Our family will focus on what we can do! We will focus on what is important, let go of what we can’t change and hold tight to the things that really matter: our family being together.”
THE LESSEG FAMILY CELEBRATES THE CATHOLIC HOLY DAYS TOGETHER.
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Dec. 16-24 Family law attorney Robyn Hopkins and her family actively work to keep her Latina roots alive within her busy household of five children under 5: three biological children and two foster children. Robyn and her wife Courtney celebrate Las Posadas, literally translated to mean “The Inn,” a celebratory festival commemorating the journey that Joseph and Mary made from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of a safe refuge where Mary could give birth to baby Jesus. This Catholic and Hispanic tradition typically includes live nativity scenes, folklórico dance and lots of buñuelos, which are sopapillas made like a donut. Hopkins is hoping this year her church will hold virtual celebrations in light of the pandemic, but either way, she plans to host Las Posadas within her home. “Everybody has their own traditions, but I’ve made it a point to celebrate these traditions to La Posadas
THE HOPKINS FAMILY CELEBRATES LAS POSADAS.
honor my Hispanic heritage,” said Hopkins. “It doesn’t matter what is going on, we’re a family and we are celebrating the birth of Christ together. This season is not about all the gifts ... It’s about togetherness and memories created.” Due to CDC recommendations against large group gatherings, Hopkins and her family
will feel a little less of the typical hustle and bustle of this season. “We are not going to be running house to house like we normally do,” said Hopkins. “We are going to stay home and do activities and games together as a family — and that’s what it’s all about.”
METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 9
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