The Father Bill Atkinson Service Corps Christmas Celebration
Villanova University
December 9, 2021
On Thursday, December 9, The Father Bill Atkinson Service Corps help their first annual Christmas Celebration. They welcomed 90 guests to the Corr Chapel for a beautiful mass celebrated by Father Rob Hagan. Special guests included Mary Moody, Father Atkinson’s cousin, and Rich Heron, Father Atkinson’s longtime caregiver. Father Hagan delivered an inspiring homily reminiscing about the impact that Father Bill Atkinson had on everyone he met and served. Father Hagan told stories which reflected Father Bill’s legacy to live his life to the fullest and serve Our Lord despite his many physical challenges. Father Hagan drew the parallel to the members of the Corps who also live their life to the fullest and bring so much joy to others no matter what challenges they have day to day. As Father Atkinson wrote,
“How’d I do it? Day after day, help of others along the way, valued friends, sisters and brothers, I simply borrowed-the strength of others”
As Father Hagan noted, Father Bill words were alive in the Corr Chapel as the Corps members were surrounded by friends and family. At the conclusion of the mass, the Corps members donned their red Santa hats and treated the guests to a Christmas carol sing-a-long.
Following mass, the guests proceeded over to the Connelly Center for some Christmas cheer. Dave Malloy gave the guests of short explanation of the vision of The Father Bill Atkinson Service Corps and Molly Shawhan gave a presentation of the happenings at the Corps. John Thomas and Christopher Kelley presented Lily Walker with a check from the money the Corps raised at the Walk-A-Thon. Lily Walker is a incredible young woman from Havertown who is battling brain cancer. She has a devotion to Father Bill Atkinson and hopes to become his “miracle”.
At the conclusion of the evening, the Corps members distributed beautiful handmade ornaments to all. The Christmas Celebration was a wonderful event and a lovely way to begin the 2021 Christmas season.
