Imagine being back in the time of Mary and Joseph. You are searching for a warm place to spend the night while expecting the birth of your child. You arrive in town, only to be told that there is no room to stay at the inn. As Catholics, we know the rest of this miraculous story. Yet for people who are not actively practicing their faith, does simply knowing the story of His birth open their hearts for them to truly discover Jesus?
St. Paul Parish in Combined Locks, WI is providing people in their community with the opportunity to open their hearts to His love. The Live Nativity event at St. Paul features the sights and sounds of the very first Christmas. Those who attend visit the recreated Bethlehem Village on the parish property. They have actors in costume, live animals, and guideposts at each station. What an incredible way to share the Good News of Jesus Christ!
“Our parish community will shine a great light in proclaiming the saving love of Jesus to our community through the Live Nativity event,” shared Maggie Melchior, Coordinator of New Evangelization & Faith Formation at St. Paul Parish.
Through Live Nativity, St. Paul is reaching out to those in their community who may not be involved in their Catholic faith. For practicing Catholics who attend, there is the opportunity to deepen their relationship with Jesus. The goal of this event is to help people know Christ in an intentional way.
The Catholic Foundation awarded a $5,000 grant to St. Paul Parish to help support the second year of this faith-filled, family-friendly event. The grant comes from the Advancing the Mission – Evangelization Endowment, which supports evangelization efforts across our Diocese.
Read more about how the Foundation makes an impact through other stories featured in the
2021 Catholic Foundation Annual Report.