Sacred Heart Greenwich rang in the holiday season and hosted its tenth annual Come Home for Christmas event Sunday, December 3, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The King Street campus welcomed past and present community members to a day of Christmas festivities. The event started with a liturgy in the Chapel, open to all families, followed by a curated holiday shopping boutique in the Athletic Center. Traditional activities such as gingerbread house decorating, caroling, bracelet making, and photos with Santa also spread the Christmas spirit throughout the day.
The day began at 11 a.m. with the Come Home for Christmas Mass, which Father Jordan McConway, O.P. celebrated, featuring Nine members of Sacred Heart’s Madrigals singing group, seniors Avery Kim, Anna Oliver, Kelsey Wilkens, and Lindsay Taylor; juniors Angelique Cordova, Grace Gapen, and Aitana Ross; sophomores Caroline Hopley, and freshmen Izzy Nedder and Laurie Starke. The Madrigals and Miss Annette Etheridge, Middle and Upper School Music Teacher, Choral Director, and Middle School Musical Director, enhanced the festive atmosphere, cantering at the morning holiday Mass. They delighted the gathering with four songs, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” “People Look East,” “Hail Mary, Gentle Woman,” and “Ready the Way.”
After the liturgy, families attended a holiday brunch in Hayes Hall featuring festive foods and treats. This year, 198 volunteers, including senior Giorgia Zaccario, dedicated their time to contributing to the event. Giorgia reflected on the true essence of gathering as a community to celebrate the meaning behind Christmas.
“Gathering as a community to celebrate the birth of Jesus brings together and develops a sense of unity with everyone,” Giorgia said. “This Sacred Heart tradition represents the close-knit community we embody.”
After brunch, families moved to the Athletic Center, which volunteers had transformed into a holiday boutique featuring 34 vendors. These small business booths offered jewelry, home goods, accessories, and clothing for shoppers to gift to their loved ones. Meanwhile, children enjoyed decorating gingerbread houses, making holiday bracelets, and taking pictures with Santa. In addition, Upper School students helped the younger children shop for fun, affordable gifts at Santa’s Secret Workshop. Senior Ella Ehrlich spent time with the children at Santa’s Secret Shop. She touched on how her experience contributed to the togetherness the school community upholds.
“Santa’s Secret Shop helps bring together the oldest and youngest students of the school community by allowing us to help them pick out gifts for loved ones,” Ella said. “It is such a great opportunity to give back to the school and connect with other students and families.”
Featured Image by Maggie Heffernan ’25
