Ilitches, ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ actress among honorees at awards banquet

Livonia — October is probably too early to being getting into the Christmas spirit, but it’s never too early to embody the spirit of St. Nicholas.

A jolly spirit, coupled with his red coat and hat, spreading gifts and joy to mankind, St. Nicholas is someone everyone should aspire to be, regardless of the season, according to Fr. Joseph Marquis.

And Fr. Marquis knows a thing or two about Santa Claus; he’s the director and founder of the St. Nicholas Institute, an organization dedicated to the professional and spiritual development of Santa Clauses nationwide.

“It’s a combination of a spiritual retreat and symposium,” Fr. Marquis told The Michigan Catholic on Oct. 5 at the fifth annual St. Nicholas Institute Awards Banquet at Sacred Heart Banquet and Conference Center in Livonia, which honors Santas who completed a multi-day retreat at St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center in Detroit.

“At the retreats, Santa impersonators get acting, psychological and historical lessons about who St. Nicholas was and have the opportunity to come and pray, preparing for Christmas,” said Fr. Marquis, pastor of Livonia’s Sacred Heart Byzantine Parish.

The banquet serves as a kickoff to the Christmas season for the Santas who were invited, a place to be recognized for their dutiful rendition of St. Nicholas and the love and care they show their communities.

“Faith is critical when it comes to impersonating Santa,” Fr. Marquis said. “A love for children, having a heart for the less fortunate, these are key ingredients.” During the banquet, awards were announced for exemplary individuals in four categories: Nicholas as our Model, Openness to the Christian Spirit, Exercising Compassion and Love for Children; spelling out N-O-E-L.

In addition, the institute honored Mike and Marian Illitch, founders of Little Caesar’s Pizza and owners of Illitch Holdings, for their decades of contributions to the Metro Detroit area, particularly their advocacy for children and the community.

Karolyn Grimes, who played Zuzu Bailey in the Christmas classic “It’s A Wonderful Life” was honored with the Spirit of Christmases Past, Present and Future Award.

“I can’t tell you how honored I am to win this award,” Grimes said. “When I was 4 years old, I was in a film, ‘That Night with You.’ I was invited by an opera singer to celebrate Christmas, and that was my introduction to Christmas in the movies. I believe Christmas is a time to love your fellow man and give thanks for the glory of God, the ability to give of ourselves, to be somebody for love.”

The event stayed in line thanks to the tableful of Santa Clauses who laughed with the iconic “Ho, ho, ho” at every joke, keeping the spirit of St. Nicholas alive.

Deacon Tom Loewe of Ave Maria Radio, the night’s master of ceremonies, credited Fr. Marquis for the spirit of the annual event, which this year honored 19 Santas with certificates of achievement.

“Fr. Joe is working really hard to encourage a much more faithful understanding of who St. Nicholas and Santa is,” Deacon Loewe said. “Not only does he give the history and training at the institute, at the end of the retreat he anoints them with the myrrh of St. Nicholas.”

During the event, Deacon Loewe said he was pleased with how much a group of St. Nicholas impersonators could light up a room, each bringing their own, personal touch to the iconic saint.

“That Spirit of the Lord that came down to the Blessed Mother is the spiritual connection that touched all the saints,” Deacon Loewe said. “Fr. Joe wants men who are Santa Clauses to have the sense of spirit of Santa. He wants to have Santa involved in the community for children. You want to see Santas reach out with love and virtue.”