Maine Memory Network

Contributed by Northern Light Mercy Hospital

Description

The Christmas season was a very busy time for Mercy Hospital and the Sisters of Mercy. During the Christmas of 1959, along with running the hospital, staff prepared gifts and attended local concerts. Christmas day started with midnight mass, followed by a 7:30 a.m. mass, after which many of the sisters were given the gift of sleeping in. Later that evening, one of the sister's family put on a nativity play.

Sister Annunciata, who was the hospital director from 1934 until her death in 1969, described this event in her diary, which she judiciously kept daily during her tenure: "Sister Louise's family visited- children put on play for sisters- very good." Also, she noted that their first Christmas baby was born at the hospital that day.

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About This Item

• Title: Christmas play, Portland, 1959
• Creator: Mercy Hospital
• Creation Date: 1959
• Subject Date: 1959
• Location: Portland, Cumberland County, ME
• Media: Photographic print
• Dimensions: 12.7 cm x 17.8 cm
• Collection: Mercy Hospital Historic Archive
• Object Type: Image

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Cross Reference Searches

Standardized Subject Headings

• Catholic Church. Diocese of Portland (Me.)
• Health care personnel--Maine--Portland
• Health education
• Hospitals--Maine--Portland
• Medical education
• Mercy Hospital (Portland, Me.)
• Nurses--Maine--Portland
• Sisters of Mercy.
• Women--Employment

Other Keywords

• Christmas
• Holiday
• Nativity

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For more information about this item, contact:

Northern Light Mercy Hospital
175 Fore River Parkway, Portland, ME 04102
(207) 879-3000
Website

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