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December 20, 2024By Tanya Connor | The Catholic Free Press
A new ministry at St. Joseph Parish in Charlton is offering its first performances this weekend. Adults and youth from the parish are acting out “The Christmas Story” in the church at 6 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Performances are free and open to the public, but donations are being sought to give to the parish, to help support future presentations and people in need.
Parishioner Alexander Diaz Salisbury said he felt called by God to start the ministry, The Living Art of Christ, to use art to inspire people to follow Christ. Ministry members are to pray and read Scripture together and reenact Bible passages at St. Joseph’s for the wider community.
“The Christmas Story,” for which Mr. Salisbury wrote the script, based on Luke’s Gospel, uses drama and a pre-recorded sound track. He hopes in the future to get anyone interested, whether or not they are parishioners, to also share their talents with other types of art, including painting and music, for performances, exhibits, etc. Upcoming performances are “The Resurrection” and “Who made the Bread?”
Actors responded to the following question:
How does art bring Christ to you? How do you hope to use
Margarita Gil
art to bring Christ to others?
“When I saw the people acting, I saw Christ. I want to show the love, because Jesus is love.”
– Margarita Gil (woman who questions Zechariah about naming his son John)
By stu
Mark Netsch
dying the dialogue, you have to think about what was happening in the Gospels. I think a lot of people learn a lot by visual representation and music. When I was in seventh grade, ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ came out. Because I liked the music, it brought me into the story.”– Mark Netsch (a priest)
Mary Beth Bryant
“I feel a closer relationship with Jesus and his teachings because acting in these Biblical productions, it’s as if I was living the story. ... The meaning is much deeper ... when you put yourself in the shoes of the person in the story. How to use art to bring Christ to others ... other people can experience ... a more deep meaning by watching a performance rather than reading about it. ... It’s a different experience ... if you watched the story unfolding in front of you. It’s a more lasting experience.”
– Mary Beth Bryant (Elizabeth, John the Baptist’s mother)
“I read t
Robert Racki
he books, but, to see it in person, with the special effects Alex brings to the show ... it’s really going to pull the kids ... keep their attention. ... I’m a kid. The live performance, with the special effects, is better than reading the book. ... They’re going to live in the time.”
– Robert Racki (Zechariah, John the Baptist’s father)
Sue Netsch
“This is my first time doing anything like this, so I’m broadening my horizons. Just by bringing people in to watch the show, hopefully it will enrich their Christmas experience.”– Sue Netsch (a priest)
“It allo
Amber Grybowski
ws me a way to connect with my grandfather. He passed away two years ago. He was very into church and God. So, being able to do this ... it’s a tribute to him. I hope it gives everyone a different way to understand [the Bible story]. I’m a little more visual. Everyone learns and understands different ways. It might be music, art, drama.”– Amber Grybowski (Mary)
