Retreat Center to host first annual Festival of Nativities!

Join us in celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ by viewing nativity displays set up by parishioners throughout the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana. Come to the Festival of Nativities Sunday, December 18, 2022, between 11 am and 4 pm.

“This family-friendly event is designed to provide a peaceful place for individuals and families to reflect upon Christ’s sacred birth as they usher in the Christmas season,” said Father David Huemmer, chaplain of the St. Joseph Retreat & Conference Center in Tipton. “It is inspired by the Festival of Nativities held at Mepkin Abbey in South Carolina each year. It was a custom of some Monasteries in Europe to have these during the Advent Season. So, we thought it would be exciting to try one here at St. Joseph’s!”

Set up like an Open House, guests are invited to wander through the retreat center to view more than 45 nativity displays. Many displays will feature a description of the set as well as the name of the person who offered it for display.

“We have six sets that belong to the retreat center,” said Father Huemmer. “Two of them are from the days of the St. Joseph Academy.”

“The large Nativity set in the Chapel is from at least the late 1930’s. The pieces of the collection have recently been restored. In addition, we’ve fashioned a new background for the creche,” added Father Huemmer. “We also have a nativity set we keep set up in the Bethlehem vesting sacristy year-round. It is the student nativity from the Academy days.  It is a combination of Chalkware and Columbia Statuary and is from at least the 1950’s, if not earlier.” 

Displays have been offered by friends of the retreat center as well as staff. The sets will be divided within the building. The Emmaus room will feature nativities that are family heirlooms. Children’s sets will be displayed in the St. Philip Neri room. A 150-piece Fontanini set will be displayed in the St. Bernard room. Sets from around the world will be displayed in the St. Clare room and handmade sets will be displayed in the St. Teresa of Avila room.

The nativity scene has been around since 1223 when St. Francis of Assisi was inspired by a trip to the Holy Land. He used living people and animals to stage Jesus Christ’s humble beginnings. The living scene was soon recreated in other Catholic countries in the form of three-dimensional figurines, also known as a crèche. With Mary and the Christ child at the center, the scene also featured Joseph, shepherds, wisemen, angels and animals. The crèche gained popularity and has spread across cultural and political boundaries to become a traditional Christian symbol of Christ’s birth.

“Because the retreat center is for the whole Diocese—around 98,000 Catholics in 24 counties covering more than 9000 square miles--we invited each pastorate to submit a picture of their nativity set,” said Father Huemmer. “Our hope is that this will encourage people to make a pilgrimage of sorts during the Christmas season to visit pastorate churches with Nativities that have stirred up interest.”

The main hallway of the retreat center is lined with pictures of all 61 churches in the diocese. The pastorate Nativity scene pictures will be displayed along with the church buildings.

“We want to make this a traditional even for families to look forward to for years to come” said Stacy Collins, Hospitality & Events Associate. “We’re planning light refreshments including nativity cookies from Cookie Cookie Joy Joy in Westfield as well as our caterer Keltie & Co. Catering of Michigantown. We’ve lined up a volunteer to play Advent music on our lobby piano to set a festive mood. We really enjoy partnering with members of the diocese to showcase their gifts.”

The Festival of Nativities will end at 4 pm with Advent Vespers.

“Because this event falls on the fourth Sunday of Advent,” said Father Huemmer, “this beautiful prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours gives us the opportunity to end our day giving Thanks and Praise to God through the psalms, hymn, readings and intercessions of this powerful prayer of the Church.”

RSVP HERE for this free event at the St. Joseph Retreat & Conference Center, 1440 W. Division Road, Tipton, IN  46072.

Do you have a nativity set you’d like to display at this event, contact Marketing Specialist Twyla Arnold, (765) 412-1616 or [email protected] to participate!

ESPANOL: Celebra la temporada de Adviento en nuestro Primer Festival Anual de Nacimientos el Domingo, 18 de Diciembre de 11am a 4pm ET en el centro de retiro y conferencia de San José en Tipton.
Únete a nosotros para celebrar el nacimiento de Jesucristo al ver más de 35 exhibiciones de nacimientos instaladas en todo nuestro edificio principal. Este evento familiar ofrece un lugar tranquilo para que los invitados reflexionen sobre el nacimiento sagrado de cristo mientras marcan el comienzo de la temporada navideña. Se servirán bocadillos ligeros.

Reserva para este evento gratuito aquí https://www.stjosephretreat.org/festival-of-nativities
St. Joseph Retreat & Conference Center, 1440 W. Division Road, Tipton, IN 46072

¿Tienes un Nacimiento que le gustaría exhibir en este evento? Comuníquese con Twyla Arnold, Especialista en Marketing, (765) 412-1616 o [email protected] para participar!