Cathedral Decorators Set the Scene for Beautiful Christmas Celebrations

Story and Photos by Shelley Wolf

Throughout the month of December, in the basement of the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford, parish volunteers have been building window boxes, hauling out wreaths, unfurling ribbons, fluffing trees and testing the lights.

“I’m very blessed to have the people who help me,” says Julie Mullen, the cathedral beautifications coordinator, who is also a fine artist. “When you’ve got all that beautiful energy, it can’t help but turn out well.”

Like “angels in the outfield,” she says, these essential volunteers have been pitching in, filling the mother house of the Archdiocese of Hartford with beautiful Advent and Christmas decorations. They are preparing to welcome fellow parishioners and visitors from throughout the archdiocese to celebrate multiple seasonal concerts, Christmas Masses and the arrival of the Christ Child.

According to Mullen, who plans the holiday décor, every year the Cathedral’s Christmas decorating scheme is unique.

“It’s never the same creatively,” she says. “People ask me ‘what’s your plan?’ I never know. I count on God leading me. I pray, ‘Let me get through and guide me, and let it be what you want it to be.’ He does most of the work.”

Still, Mullen counts on Cathedral parishioners and friends to help execute her impromptu holiday design, warmly welcoming all, no matter their skill level.

As for the Cathedral’s overall Christmas décor, Mullen compares it to creating an icon or looking out the window. Nothing should be overemphasized, so you can take in the whole view. “That’s kind of how I look at decorating,” she says.

Mullen likes to blanket the railings to the sanctuary in garlands and align hundreds of poinsettias to guide the viewers’ eyes forward.

“I’ve started using the railing to move you toward the crucifix. There’s not a break. You can take it all in,” she notes. “And just like the music brings you to God, the flowers are supposed to bring you to God.”

Carole Donabedian, a parishioner who volunteers whenever needed, especially enjoys working with the flowers. “It’s really spiritual,” Donabedian says. “Flowers are like a visible prayer experience for me. You know you and God are connected through that flower. It’s a beautiful gift.”

This year, green wreaths adorn the walls, giant candlesticks beautify the lower windows and more than a dozen trees are strategically placed. “It’s quite a procedure to have to fluff all those trees,” Mullen notes, grateful for the volunteers.

Located near the baptistery, a wooden shelter, built 20 years ago by parishioner Patty Conard, anchors the Nativity scene. Painted ceramic Nativity figures from Germany, dated 1898, and rescued from the basement of the former St. Casimir Church in New Haven, now grace the Cathedral.

The manger is left empty, waiting for a figure of the Baby Jesus, the most precious element of God’s plan, to be carried in on a pillow by a child for placement at the 4 p.m. Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve.

The Cathedral’s maintenance team is also vital to the finished look. “They’re in charge of making sure the floors are shining,” Mullen says.

UPCOMING EVENTS

The Cathedral decorations will be completed in time for Hartford Chorale’s performance of Messiah & Magnificat on Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cathedral. Admission is free.

The Cathedral’s Christmas Eve Masses will be celebrated on Sunday, Dec. 24 at 4 p.m. and at Midnight. Bach’s Magnificat will be performed by the Cathedral Schola Cantorum and the Soli Deo Gloria Orchestra at 11 p.m.

Christmas Day Masses will be celebrated on Monday, Dec. 25 at 8:30 a.m. and at 11 a.m. For more information, visit hartfordcathedral.org.