Away in a manger

Sacred Heart Parish in Monroe held its second ìliveî Nativity on Dec. 18, complete with animals as well as a live baby ìJesusî during four different showings. Each began in the main church where ìJoseph and Maryî and their donkey (aka mini-horse) made their way to the altar for a blessing, then all were invited inside to see the live scene set up with choirs of ìsinging angelsî on hand. Participants included the Sacred Heart Choir, the youth group, religious education students, the ìMoms Group,î and Aubrey Gardner and Jonathan Cortez who appeared as baby Jesus. That same day, new toys and clothing - donated by parishioners - were distributed to more than 100 area families.