Abita Town Talk: Christmas carpentry a work of faith for men of St. Jane
Men of the St. Jane de Chantal Knights of Columbus pose from inside a manger that will house the church's new nativity scene. The creche -- created by KOC members and filled with figurines purchased by the church's Ladies' Sodality Group -- will be on display during the holidays outside the church, located in Abita Springs. (St. Jane de Chantal photo)
On the grounds of St. Jane de Chantal Catholic Church in Abita Springs, a new nativity scene will allow men of the parish to share their faith while showing off skills in carpentry.
The scene -- depicting the birth of Jesus, as relayed in the Bible -- features large figurines and a manger designed and crafted by Knights of Columbus members.
"The Ladies Sodality group raised money to buy the figurines," explained KOC Grand Knight, Mike Teifer, of the work of another parish group. "When they decided to do that, I stepped in and said I'd go ahead and build the manger."
He said he and fellow KOC member Stephen Hart -- who is actually a diocesan administrator, with his home council there at St. Jane -- began to consider the manger design after the figurines arrived. The statuettes were larger than expected, and the manger structure had to be big enough to house it all.
"Oh, this thing's gonna be giant," Teifer said. "It's gonna be like a small barn."
Teifer said his past experience in working for three years with the Ringling Bros. Circus -- where he performed as a clown and worked in caring for tigers -- actually prepared him well for a project such as the big manger.
"When you're on the road (with the circus), everything has to come apart and pack into small spaces," he said, explaining the parish needed a scene that would not only provide protection for the figurines valued at well over $2,000, but that could be disassembled and reassembled easily each holiday season.
"Stephen and I probably spent 80 or 90 hours building it," he added. Other KOC members helped, including Chuck Schaefer, who Teifer said did most of the painting work.
The St. Jane KOC -- which devotes much of its time to pro-life causes, helping a pregnancy center and helping keep children warm through the Coats for Kids program -- keeps busy with projects that members believe help reflect the Catholic faith.
"We raise about $30,000 a year and we basically give it all away," he said. "The guys are just really good people."
Teifer, who has been a St. Jane parishioner for "five or six years" said the group of approximately 170 members gives him an outlet for expressing his beliefs. He said the people of his parish family in Abita Springs keep him involved and excited about the projects he undertakes.
"The folks that are involved ... that is what has really endeared me to our parish," he said.
"We Catholics, I call us 'the quiet Christians.' We don't push it on anybody," he said. "We just show it through our spirituality and our works."
Teifer hopes the large creche -- which will be on display outside St. Jane de Chantal throughout the holiday season -- will impart a message he feels is important at this time of year.
"Keep Christ in Christmas," he said. "Society has tried to push Christianity out of the way, and this is our way to make a public statement."
The scene -- depicting the birth of Jesus, as relayed in the Bible -- features large figurines and a manger designed and crafted by Knights of Columbus members.
"The Ladies Sodality group raised money to buy the figurines," explained KOC Grand Knight, Mike Teifer, of the work of another parish group. "When they decided to do that, I stepped in and said I'd go ahead and build the manger."
He said he and fellow KOC member Stephen Hart -- who is actually a diocesan administrator, with his home council there at St. Jane -- began to consider the manger design after the figurines arrived. The statuettes were larger than expected, and the manger structure had to be big enough to house it all.
"Oh, this thing's gonna be giant," Teifer said. "It's gonna be like a small barn."
Teifer said his past experience in working for three years with the Ringling Bros. Circus -- where he performed as a clown and worked in caring for tigers -- actually prepared him well for a project such as the big manger.
"When you're on the road (with the circus), everything has to come apart and pack into small spaces," he said, explaining the parish needed a scene that would not only provide protection for the figurines valued at well over $2,000, but that could be disassembled and reassembled easily each holiday season.
"Stephen and I probably spent 80 or 90 hours building it," he added. Other KOC members helped, including Chuck Schaefer, who Teifer said did most of the painting work.
The St. Jane KOC -- which devotes much of its time to pro-life causes, helping a pregnancy center and helping keep children warm through the Coats for Kids program -- keeps busy with projects that members believe help reflect the Catholic faith.
"We raise about $30,000 a year and we basically give it all away," he said. "The guys are just really good people."
Teifer, who has been a St. Jane parishioner for "five or six years" said the group of approximately 170 members gives him an outlet for expressing his beliefs. He said the people of his parish family in Abita Springs keep him involved and excited about the projects he undertakes.
"The folks that are involved ... that is what has really endeared me to our parish," he said.
"We Catholics, I call us 'the quiet Christians.' We don't push it on anybody," he said. "We just show it through our spirituality and our works."
Teifer hopes the large creche -- which will be on display outside St. Jane de Chantal throughout the holiday season -- will impart a message he feels is important at this time of year.
"Keep Christ in Christmas," he said. "Society has tried to push Christianity out of the way, and this is our way to make a public statement."
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