The scene at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish in Dearborn on Dec. 15 was too much to bear.
More than 200 stuffed bears dressed as Santa Claus in an assortment of poses and activities held gifts for the children in the parish’s religious education program, as the parish builds up to the Christmas celebration with its annual “Santa Bears” gift giving.
Fr. Terry Kerner started the tradition back in the 1980s when he was at St. John Parish in Monroe and has continued it at St. Kateri, decorating the parish gathering space and presenting a small gift for the children in the religious education program as a way to get them excited for Christmas.
detroitcatholic.com
In annual tradition, more than 200 stuffed bears dressed as Santa Claus come ‘bearing’ gifts for children in religious education
