Oh, holy night

It was an outpouring of community spirit as over 150 people attended Visitation Academy’s annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony on November 2, according to Principal Arlene Figaro.

“It was a beautiful evening,” she said. A performance by the Academy’s choir was followed by speeches from politicians including Councilmember Vincent Gentile and State Senator Marty Golden to begin the ceremony. Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello then blessed the nativity.

The centerpiece of the event, though, was the lighting of 50 decorated trees on the academy’s ground. The trees, purchased by community members in honor of loved ones, were lit as the crowd looked on.

“Events like these shows such unity,” Figaro commented. “Bay Ridge is beautiful place to live. It was wonderful that people come together for a tradition like this.”