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December
St. Mary’s Newsletter
By Kathy Ayette
Ever have one of those really great ideas that totally excites you in
its conception and then as the time draws near to put it into practice,
you wonder why those who truly love you didn’t stop you? As you
probably have read or heard, this year for the Christmas program, we
decided to present a live Nativity, complete with little kids singing
and animals, live animals. Our principal had been going through old
files and found out that the school had presented a live nativity years
ago. He thought it was a great idea and so presented it to the staff at
our first faculty meeting in August. Quite frankly I think he was a
little taken aback when we all readily agreed. Of course that was in
August and quite frankly December was months away. We had Halloween and
Thanksgiving to deal with first, right? But as the days relentlessly
marched forward, we soon found ourselves approaching December. That’s
when we started second guessing ourselves. Live animals mixing with
preschoolers? The kindergarten through fourth grade “cherubs” singing
one song in harmony and two songs in Latin? Of course topping all the
concerns was Ohio weather. Good old Ohio, the only place in which a
person may need to run the air conditioner and the furnace in the same
week, maybe the same day.
As December 12 neared, we began rehearsals. We even had a rehearsal in
church (Plan B) in case of inclement weather. After that rehearsal, I
think most of us would have preferred singing in arctic temperatures.
To say that the sanctuary was overcrowded and sweltering would be an
understatement. The children were given two sets of instructions
concerning clothing. If we were outside, dress as warmly as possible,
and inside, dress as lightly as possible.
Finally the big night arrived. I have to admit that as I considered the
mix of children, new music, live animals and the uncertainties of the
weather, I wondered if this would be another one of those columns that
writes itself. Well I am happy to say that this was not one of those
columns. Things could not have gone better. The setting was beautiful.
The older students performed well and the “cherubs” sang like...well
cherubs! Even the animals were well behaved. Pepper the little burro
was as good as gold and the two sheep grazed contentedly. June Bug the
calf even joined in with the singing, adding her bovine praises to the
Lord. In fact I only received one suggestion about the music. Steve
Blocher who teaches music to the fourth through eighth grades and
directs our biennial spring musical, suggested next time I put the calf
in with the tenors instead of the sopranos. That’s why he teaches the
advance music and I teach primary music!
A lot of people worked very hard to make the live nativity happen.
Casey Dietz got the costumes from Beth Klopfentein of Botkins, and the
pallets used in constructing the stable. The “Bethlehem Builders” were
Steve Blocher, Matt Blocher and Rick Pierri. Flaig Lumber Co. donated
the additional lumber needed to build the stable. Sherry Myers
decorated the stable, and Mike and Sylvia Pressnall set up the
luminaries and decorated the cafeteria. Cookies were furnished by the
parents. Nathan Rammel brought the animals, and Bach to Rock lent sound
equipment. Our custodian Darrel Bingham helped with the set up. Finally
we can’t forgot the students and staff for their contribution.
On December 15, the kindergarten through fourth grades visited
Heartland and Rest Haven Nursing Homes to bring some Christmas cheer to
the residents. If you are wondering whether the children sang any of
the songs from the Christmas program for the residents, let me assure
you we did. I mean really, we have been practicing those songs since
September! You‘d better believe we sang them! In fact we not only sang
those songs, but other carols as well. I have to admit my day was made
when I overheard one of the aides say to a coworker, “They’re pretty
good!” I wish that my keyboard had a way to put in her incredulous
tone! This is the first time that the kindergarten class joined the
other children in visiting the homes. They were little troopers!
While the preparation for the Christmas program did occupy the first
two weeks of December, we managed to squeeze in Donuts for Dad on
December 7. Last month we had Muffins with Mom. The next day was
December 8, which is a holy day, the Feast of the Immaculate
Conception. As is our custom after attending Mass, the children are
treated to juice and donuts. You got to love a week with double donuts!
As I am writing Christmas break is a mere six days away. (Not that I’m
counting.) Our last day of school in 2016 is Wednesday, December 21. At
10:30 the students and staff will visit downtown Greenville and sing
Christmas carols. School will resume on January 3, 2017. On behalf of
the staff and students of St. Mary’s School I would like to wish you
all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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