On January 11, 2026, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord which signals the end of the Christmas season, the Avila Community at Saint Teresa's Motherhouse in Germantown, New York went out of its way to organize a "Beach Party" in January! Our hosts were the Prioress General and Council Sisters and the Avila Sisters were the invited guests.  We were solemnly instructed to bring our "beach hats" for this occasion and brought our hats we did! The photos will show the Sisters creativity and flamboyance. You will see hats decorated with pompoms, series lights and stuffed characters. Other displays of creativity were the "mushroom hat", "Hershey chocolate hat", "soda cans hat" "minion hat" "toilet roll hat" Downton Abbey hat", etc. This was not a "Beach Day" but more like "A Day at the Ascot."  The afternoon was filled with fun, food, gifts and games. What a great time to celebrate community life and a joyful turning of the page- from Christmas back to Ordinary Time. Enjoy the pictures!