Ballinascreen Parish host live crib event

2023 marks the 800th anniversary of the creation of the first crib by St Francis of Assisi in Greccio Italy. 

To mark this anniversary Ballinascreen Parish will host a very special Live Crib event on Saturday, December 30. 

This free event will take place at St Eugene’s Church Moneyneena and will commence with Mass at 10.00 am at which Bishop McKeown will be the main celebrant.

Following this Mass the live crib featuring real animals and people will be operational. Everyone is warmly invited to come make the journey around the church grounds from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

This journey will lead you past 14 ‘stations’ each one depicting a key moment from the Nativity story and will bring you to the live crib. All the main characters from the Nativity story will be dressed in costume in the crib which will also feature live animals including a donkey, calf, sheep and goats.

After marvelling at the sight and sounds of the live crib, you may enter St Eugene’s Church where there will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 11.00 am until 6.00 pm.

A marquee will be erected in which free refreshments will be served throughout the day and where there will be colouring and quiz activities for children.

To personally record your visit to this amazing event there will be a special backdrop for photos in the marquee. At 6.00 pm this event will conclude with a candlelit Vigil Mass and Benediction.

While this is a free event to which everyone is warmly invited, people attending may, if they so wish, make a voluntary contribution to St Eugene’s Church Repair Fund. Come along to St Eugene’s Moneyneena next Saturday, December 30 and enjoy discovering the true meaning of Christmas. Everyone is very welcome.