Nativity reenacted by Secular Franciscans at Light Up Night

Written by Paula A. Smith, OFS
For The Catholic Accent

EXPORT – Secular Franciscans of San Damiano Fraternity at St. Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Export, Pa., and Father James Watson, OFM Cap, spiritual assistant for the fraternity, greeted visitors at a nativity reenactment at Light Up Night in Export. It was reminiscent of the Greccio live nativity scene first created by St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscans, a Catholic religious order formed in the Middle Ages around 800 years ago.

The Export Volunteer Fire Department has organized the annual Light Up Night in Export for more than 50 years. This year, it was held on Dec. 5 from 6 to 9 p.m. Many people attended from neighboring communities including Delmont, Kiski, Monroeville, Murrysville, North Versailles, Penn Trafford, Plum and Slickville.

The evening’s festivities began in the fire hall where 500 participants received cookie cards to visit 14 stores and the Export Train Museum to obtain cookies. About 11 years ago, Christine Franco, owner of Franco’s Expert Nails, wanted to do something for the Export community and suggested featuring a “Cookie Crawl” to the event. She thought of it as the businesses saying “Happy Holidays!” to people. This was the third year the fraternity was invited to participate in

the Cookie Crawl. The cards were punched when participants received free cookies at designated locations. Completed cards were placed in a bin at the fire department for a raffle of 14 baskets provided by local businesses.

Fr. Watson, who is assigned to St. Bernard Friary in Indiana, Pa., envisions the event as a way to enhance the Franciscan mission of being called to preach the gospel. “I want to help fraternity members discover their call to proclaim the gospel in their particular vocation,” he said.

The nativity scene was portrayed by Mary Beth Wonders, OFS, fraternity minister; and Nathan Urban, a fraternity member in formation. They were dressed in period clothing as Mary and Joseph with a figurine of baby Jesus lying in a manger on hay below a bright, white star.

Wonders feels it’s important to evangelize. “We are able to do this by providing a nativity scene to express the love of Jesus,” she said.

It was the first time Brittany Vasko and her four children, ages 9, 7, 5 and 3, visited the Franciscan nativity scene. “We’re Christians and we love Jesus,” she said. “That’s what Christmas is all about.”

Erin Zeigler, OFS, helped give out cookies with members and described the event as a very positive experience for the fraternity. “Everyone who came in was joy-filled,” noted Zeigler. “Hopefully, by sharing the meaning of Christmas we inspired people to think about Jesus.”

After spending time at the creche with hospitality and cookies, participants were invited to sign up for a free drawing of a child’s nativity scene, Advent calendar with figures and a children’s book titled, “Gabe” that were donated by the fraternity. Andrew Terranella attended Light Up

Night with his wife and two sons. He believes Christ belongs in Christmas very much. He smiled and added, “Cookies and family belong together.” They are members of Calvary Baptist Church in North Versailles.

Joy Siegman, 51, has lived her entire life in Export. She coordinated the event with the Export Historical Society, business groups and the fire department. Siegman was happy to see a lot of different ages in the community. “Overall, it was a great event and a great way to kick off the season,” she said.

The winner of the drawing for the fraternity’s nativity, advent calendar and children’s book was Jan Zimmerman of Export. She plans to place the nativity under the Christmas tree and use the Advent calendar. “They are going to become keepsakes in our family,” she said.