The Feast of Saint Nicholas is a special day at Saint Peter the Apostle School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Each year, members of that school’s community open their doors to members of the Academy of the Holy Angels Student Council, who bring Christmas gifts and share in seasonal activities.
While many schools are rivals in terms of sports and academics, these two schools have a special bond, since both institutions were founded by the School Sisters of Notre Dame. Shared activities include a field day for Saint Peter’s children that is held on the AHA campus, and an ongoing summer service program in which AHA students help Principal Sister Rose Federicci, SSND, set up the school for the new academic year. Saint Peter’s students have also attended AHA’s award-winning musicals.
When the Holy Angels students who participated in this year’s celebration were about to return to New Jersey, the children wished them a safe trip by singing the Blessing of Mother Theresa Gerhardinger, foundress of the School Sisters of Notre Dame.