12 days of Christmas: Pacelli Christmas Tree Pick Up Jan. 11
Published 6:26 am Saturday, January 4, 2020
- William Kahle loads a tree during last year’s annual Pacelli Christmas Tree pick-up. Photos provided
While many of us may think of the 12 days of Christmas in relation to the popular carol about 10 lords-a-leaping and seven swans-a-swimming, there is Christian theology that marks the 12 days of Christmas as well.
The 12 days of Christmas is the period that in Christian theology marks the span between the birth of Christ and the coming of the magi, the three wise men. It begins on Dec. 25, Christmas, and runs through Jan. 6, the Feast of the Epiphany, sometimes also called Three Kings’ Day.
The 12 days of Christmas is also the reason why Christmas tree pick-up by Pacelli students and their families takes place the Saturday after the Feast of the Epiphany. Many Catholic and Christian homes keep their decorations up throughout the 12 days of the Christmas season. Christmas decorations are not taken down and returned to storage until after the Feast of the Epiphany.
Sam King unloads a tree during last year’s annual Pacelli Christmas Tree pick-up.
The Pacelli tradition of picking up Christmas trees started in 2001. This is the 20th year that this service project has taken place. Started by a number of parishioners including Keith Leif, Jerry Morfield along with others and armed with large vehicles from the armory, and the muscle of many Pacelli students, trees were picked up and taken to the Sheedy farm for recycling into wood chips.
The tradition continues on Saturday, Jan. 11.
While the families now use their own pick-up trucks to haul the trees, the muscle is still provided by Pacelli students. Disposal continues to takes place on the Sheedy farm. Donations are used to support student activities and athletics at Pacelli. Austin residents still have time to sign up to have their live Christmas tree picked up.
Johnny Nguyen sports a miniature Christmas tree.
If you are interested in learning more about Pacelli Catholic Schools visit our website at www.pacellischools.org, email admin@pacellischools.org or call 507-437-3278. Sixth grade students interested in learning more about attending Pacelli next year as seventh graders are invited to a Middle School Shadow Day on Friday, Jan. 10. Please call the school office to reserve a spot for your child.
