The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia

The “candy house,” with its red licorice chimney and its pretzel stick roof was a gift to the sisters at Assisi House from members of the food service staff.

Sisters of St. Francis in Aston, Pennsylvania) received a special gift this Christmas-one that they enjoyed well into the new year. A large “candy house,” built by several members of the staff, evoked exclamations of amazement, surprise, and praise from residents, staff, and visitors alike. The gift was the brain child of cooks James McGuire and Gregory Gordon and food service production manager Everett Coleman. “We were just talking one day and the idea popped up, McGuire explained. The three planned the design, figured out what supplies they would need, and contacted other staff members for assistance. Director of food services, Laura Delaney, headed out on a shopping expedition. Bill Inzillo, a member of the Assisi House maintenance staff, built the frame.

The “candy house” was planned and constructed by food service employees James McGuire (seen here), Gregory Gordon, and Everett Coleman.

Sisters Martina Therese Butalla and Rosa Mystica McFadden were among the many who stopped to marvel at the “candy house.”

In addition to their awe at the beauty of the finished structure, the sisters at Assisi House were deeply touched by the fact that the men completed the project on their own time. “They worked afternoons and came in on their days off to finish the surprise in time for Christmas,” Delaney explained.

Just what did it take to build the “candy house”?

• 40 lbs of confectioner’s sugar

• 3000 pretzels

• 600 gummy bears

• 2 lbs of candy corn

• 4 lbs of licorice

• 7 lbs of rock candy

• l lb. of white chocolate pastel drops

• 900 graham crackers

• 2 lbs of white chocolate

• 75 candy canes

• 120 chocolate pretzel rods

• 160 hours of labor