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Saint Casimir’s Has A Beautiful Midnight Vigil Service

12/24/2025

Gary pushed the shopping cart as Abby navigated the aisle with Teddy’s stroller. The caster wheels had a mind of their own, but Abby was too entranced by Teddy’s smile to care. Gary got an amused smirk from the mental image of Matt trying to push the stroller one-handed. “How are we on milk?”

“Kinda low. Maybe grab one.” She made kissy faces at Teddy. “I’m going to go over to the aisle with the cake mix.”

“Okay, I’ll catch up.” He said as he opened the fridge to scan the jugs. As he grabbed a gallon, he took note of the eggnog in the next section. “Perfect.”

“Perfect?” The woman standing in front of his cart smirked. “I don’t know about that, but you’re not half bad yourself.”

“We seem to keep running into each other, but I don’t know you.” He leaned in to set the milk in an open spot.

“I’m new in town.” She raised an eyebrow. “In fairness, I don’t know you either. Did you want some eggnog?”

“Would you?”

She smiled and pulled a jug out for him. “It’s got a wreath on the sticker. Must be good. Right?”

“Seems like a seal of approval.” He nodded and took the jug to study the illustrated wreath. “Oh, hey, I’m Gary. Gary Light.”

“Pam Grayson.” She clutched her hands.

“New in town?” Gary slid the eggnog down beside the milk. “How’d you even find the place? We’re on the outskirts of nowhere out here.”

“I started up at the hospital recently.”

“St. Hedwig’s? That’s great. You’re a doctor?”

She smirked. “That would be nice, but no. I’m in billing.”

“Oh, great. I’m a postal carrier here in town.”

“That sounds like fun. Must be good exercise.”

“Yeah, it’s great. Better if you’re not hip-deep in snow.”

That made her smile. “I’ll bet. I’m not sure if you deliver in my neighborhood, but I’ll be sure to pay the kid extra to keep my steps cleared.”

“Thanks. So…”

“Hey, since you know the ins and outs around here…”

Gary waited for the question.

“Well, it’s just not Christmas without a nice church service. Right?”

“One-hundred percent. Saint Casimir’s has a beautiful midnight vigil service if you don’t mind staying up late. We do hymns in Latin, Polish and English. The kids do a procession to put the Christ child into the manger. Really stirring. At least, I think so.”

“That sounds wonderful. St. Casimir’s. That’s the really tall one?”

“Yes, stunning inside and out.” Gary gasped. Was he talking about the church or about Pam? “I hope you’ll make it. I help with the Eucharist.”

Her gray eyes lit up. “Wafers or wine?”

“Wine, usually. Myron asked if we could rotate, so I’m holding the ciborium this month.”

“I think that’s nice. It’s good to see guys get involved in church life.”

“Well, I hope to see you there. You’d be a great addition to the church family.” He gulped. ‘Was that too much?’

“Thanks, Gary. That means a lot. I love this little town even more now. I’ll keep an eye out for you.” She patted the edge of the cart and stepped away.

Gary stood beside Myron with the ciborium in hand, still wishing for the heft of the communion cup. Abby and Teddy were at the rail waiting for Father Tom’s usual blessing on the baby. Someone stepped up.

“The Body of Christ.” He offered a wafer.

“Amen.” Crossed hands hovered before him, and he placed the wafer into her palm. Familiar gray eyes studied his festive Christmas tie as she plucked the Host from her left hand and ate it. Subtle crinkling at the corners of her eyes told him she liked his tie as she moved over to Myron.

“The Blood of Christ.” He offered the cup.

“Amen.” She sipped and turned away to return to her pew.

“Friend of yours?” Myron whispered.

“New in town. Guess we’ll see if she becomes a regular.”

A smile teased the corners of Myron’s mouth as he waited for the next communicant.

The lines split between altar and lay ministers as the packed church processed for Communion. Familiar faces and visitors came and received.

Gary looked up at a young man with a suit jacket draped over his sling. ‘Matt?’ He held up the Host. “The Body of Christ.”

“Amen.” Matt cupped the wafer in his palm and lifted it to his mouth before moving over to Myron.

Gary served to Matt’s parents and siblings in turn as communicants continued through the sacrament.

After Communion, Gary and Myron returned their vessels to the altar, bowed and returned to their pews.

Abby looked up and shuffled over to give Gary some room to sit. The kneeler was still down, so he settled in for a moment of reflection while the organ softly played Once in Royal David’s City. He crossed himself and took a seat as he scanned the congregation. He couldn’t see where the Jozsas were sitting, but he spotted Pam at the far end of the pew a few rows ahead of him.

Gary turned to find Teddy nestled into the quilted blue sling Abby wore over her shoulder, sleeping peacefully. He held a chunky plastic shepherd from his LittleFolx Nativity Set tight in his tiny hands.

The church women spread out around the church with baskets of candles. When these were distributed and lit, the lights came down enough for the flickering flames to take their place as they sang Silent Night to conclude the service.

Gary blew out his candle and Abby’s before handing them over to Elka, who waited in the aisle with her basket. The silence gave way to a reverent murmur as the congregation made their way to the nave.

“Did you know they were coming?” Gary gathered up their coats and the diaper bag.

“Who?” Abby cradled Teddy as she stood up.

“Matt and his family.”

A grin stole onto her face as she looked around. “They’re here? No, he didn’t say anything about it.”

“Yes, they all came to me for Communion.” He noticed Pam in line on the far outer aisle. His brow furrowed. Nobody was talking to her. He didn’t want her to feel unwelcome after such a beautiful service. ‘Oh, good. Tina’s got her.’

Tina and Myron were talking with her as they worked their way toward Father Tom. Gary noticed them looking at him before he turned to find the Jozsa family. They were quite a few pews behind where he’d been sitting, but they were letting people exit past them. “Oh, good. They’re waiting for us to catch up.”

Abby ran her finger across Teddy’s cheeks to wake him. “Look, honey. Daddy’s here.”

‘Yes, he is. Isn’t he?’ Gary smiled. It meant a lot to see them. Things had been weird since the static with Gabe’s dad. “Good evening, folks. I hope you enjoyed the service.”

“Hey, Gary. This is such a beautiful church.” Gabe smiled and shook his hand.

Jenny smiled as she watched Teddy peeking out of the sling. “May I?”

Abby smiled and scooped him out for his grandmother to hold. Teddy smiled and waved his little shepherd for her to see.

“Ooh, look at him. Does he have a name?”

Teddy grinned at her and said, “Ba-ba-ba-glrbl”

“Fred?” She hugged him and kissed his cheek. “Fred the shepherd. Very nice.”

Abby looked up at Matt. “Look at you all gussied up. Almost as nice as your dress blues.” She took his hand. “Almost.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Let’s get this show on the road. Huh?” Bonnie groused as Ned helped her put on her overcoat.

Zelda winced and mouthed the words, Jenny made us leave the cinnamon buns in the car, to Abby. Harry held her coat up, and she blushed so thoroughly her ears turned a shade of bright mulberry. She grinned broadly as he helped her slide it on.

“We have a gift for you and the church.” Matt said. “Once we get up to Father, we’ll show you what it is.”

Abby grinned. “Don’t leave me hanging. It’s already Christmas.”

“You can wait another moment or two. We’re almost there.”

“I’ve been waiting quite a while already, mister, or should I say Corporal?”

“You can call me whatever makes you happy. Just don’t call me late for dinner.”

Gary laughed at that. “Boy, he’s quite a character.”

“That’s our Matt. Kid knows how to brighten up a room. Okay, stop hogging that baby and give me a turn.” Gabe reached out for Teddy.

“Okay, but you’re going to have to give him back to give Father his present.”

“How do you figure? It’s Matt’s present.” Gabe took his grandson into his arms. “Grandma’s trying to pull a fast one on me, buddy.”

“It was worth a try.” Jenny smiled as she waggled the little plastic shepherd.

“Good morning and Merry Christmas.” Father Tom held out his hands to greet them. “I’m Father Nowak, and I believe you are Teddy’s family?”

Gabe shook his hand. “I’m Gabe and this is my wife, Jenny. My son, Matt. My other son, Harry, and I think you know Zelda already. My daughter, Bonnie, and her husband, Ned. We brought a present for the church. We hope you’ll like it.”

“A present? How kind. Give me a minute to finish greeting people and we’ll have a look. Okay?”

“Perfect. We’ll be right over here.” Gabe shooed them over toward the corkboard with the church announcements. “What do you think, Teddy? All ready for Santa?”

“He’s been good all year.” Abby smiled as she swung Matt’s hand.

“Of course you have.” Gabe smiled. “You’re a very good little boy and you’re handsome, just like your dad.”

Matt rolled his eyes and looked down at Abby. “I don’t think you’re getting him back tonight.”

“Sure, just wait until he makes a mess in his diaper.” Abby smirked. She looked at the approaching priest. “Here we go.”

“Sorry to keep you waiting.” Father Tom said. “You’ve got my curiosity piqued.”

Matt wrapped his arm around Abby’s shoulders. “Father, I don’t know if Abby told you, but I’m a Marine and I’m currently stationed in Djibouti. So, I had an opportunity to buy something really special for Christmas this year, and I wanted to share one with Abby’s church.”

Harry handed a treasure box to the priest.

“Ooh, this is lovely. Let’s see what we have.” He opened the box. “Frankincense, myrrh and this little gold crown. Djibouti? So this is directly from the source.”

“Yes, Father. That’s right where the original Wise Men would have gotten theirs.”

“Well, thank you, Matthew. This is quite a treasure. On behalf of St. Casimir’s, I accept it gratefully.” He turned to the people milling in the nave. “Good people of Saint Casimir’s, I want to share some splendid news.”

People stopped their conversations and drew close.

“Advent is a season of waiting, but our waiting is over. Little Theodore’s father has come, bearing the blessed gifts of Epiphany from the very place where the original Magi would have gotten theirs.” He held up the treasure box to show everyone. “Tell you what we’re going to do. We’re going to go back in and add this to the szopka. I’ll say a blessing over it, but first let’s give a hand to Matthew and his family for sharing this with us. It is so generous. Thank you.”

They applauded and closed in to shake hands and hug. Gary made his way through the crowd to where Pam was standing with the Gajewskis.

“You have such a beautiful family.” Pam said.

“Thanks. That’s my Christmas present. Until recently, it was just Abby and Teddy and me.”

“We’re just glad Teddy’s dad is finally here.” Tina said. “What a handsome guy. I knew Teddy was going to be a looker when he grew up, but it looks like he’s going to be really tall, too.”

“And you,” Myron poked him. “soon to be an empty-nester. Huh?”

“Well, he’s still in the service. It will take a while until things settle down into the new normal.” Gary peeked at Pam, but she was watching the throng around Father Tom.