Media Alerts

WHAT: Archdiocese of Chicago parishes will host family-friendly nativity reenactments bringing to life the biblical story of Jesus' birth to their local communities the weekend of Dec. 14-15. Both events will include live animals watching over the Holy Family, food and traditional singing of Christmas carols. Parishioners of all ages volunteer to play the roles and wear homemade costumes.

Additional details about each parish’s event are listed below:

Saturday, Dec., 14, from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish at St. Barbara Church worship site, 2859 S. Throop St., Chicago:

• This will be St. Mother Teresa Parish's second year offering the event to the community.
• Over 30 parishioners and local businesses sponsor the event that transforms St. Barbara Church's parking lot into the birthplace of Jesus.
• While guests walk through “Little Bethlehem,” they will encounter the nativity that will include a donkey, ponies, lambs, sheep, goats and rabbits. There will be free pony rides for children.
• Around 3 p.m., the program begins with a scripture and caroling program. Short scripture passages will be read in English, Spanish, Indonesian and Cantonese, and visitors will be invited to sing along to Christmas carols in between the readings.
• Visitors can also enjoy cookies and Mexican hot chocolate.
• After the nativity, visitors are welcome to attend the 5 p.m. Simbang Gabi Mass inside the church. Simbang Gabi is one of the oldest and most revered Filipino Christmas traditions.

Sunday, Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
St. Mary of Vernon, 236 US-45, Indian Creek
*For media purposes, 2-4 p.m. will be the most active for filming or photography.

• The parish will present “A Night in Bethlehem & Live Nativity” at two performances at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• Admission is boxed and canned food items for the parish’s food pantry.
• Eighty parishioners of all ages are volunteering for this event. Last year, the parish had 600 people attend each session.
• Guests will enter the market depicting a village with various activities including 10 booths selling artisan goods such as wooden spinners and dreidels, bread and cheeses, small instruments, ornaments, pottery, spices and textiles.
• Parishioners are encouraged to bring quarters to shop the Bethlehem market. If they don’t have quarters, they will be given shekel coins to facilitate the exchange of goods.
• At 2:45 p.m., Joseph, Mary and the donkey will walk through the market and visit the inn, where they will be told there’s no room. They will then walk through church. At that time, the market will close, and everyone will gather in church for the storytelling with angels, shepherds, Joseph, Mary and the wisemen. The choir will sing carols between each scene.
• From there, parishioners will process out of church to experience the stable with the actors and animals. Parishioners can enjoy hot chocolate and cookies in the parish center.