Play links Christmas story to homeless of today

Catholics from six parishes and two minority apostolates in the Albany Diocese have jointly taken on a project with three big goals: raising awareness of the problem of homelessness, educating people about the meaning of Christmas and creating a spirit of community.

Over six months, "Footprints of Christmas," a dinner-theater play, has involved more than 150 people from Sacred Heart Church in Albany, St. Joan of Arc in Menands, the Black Catholic Apostolate, the Vietnamese Apostolate, St. Matthew's in Voorheesville, Christ the King in Westmere, and St. John/St. Ann's and St. James, both in Albany.

The play, which is being performed three times, explains the origins of some Christmas customs and fosters an understanding of the meaning of the holy day.

Homelessness

Rev. George Brennan of diocesan Catholic Charities is coordinating the event. He explained that it grew out of the desire many parishes have to educate Catholics so they understand the call of the Gospel to be of service to the poor.

"In the course of my ministry to homeless people who are served by Catholic Charities," he said, "I met many parish youth groups who provided meals and holiday gifts, and were eager to do more."

Funds raised through the dinner-theater will benefit Lwanga Shelter and Mercy House, two agencies that aid homeless in Albany.

Connecting people

Homeless individuals and formerly homeless are actively involved in the project, Father Brennan said.

"We wanted this to be a ministry with the homeless, not just for the homeless," he said.

Although they are not identified, each performance has homeless or formerly homeless individuals acting, serving food or volunteering behind the scenes. In addition, staff members from each of the shelters are involved, as are youth and adults from the sponsoring parishes and apostolates.

All together

Natasha Chang, a member of the Black Catholic Apostolate and co-coordinator of the Sacred Heart of Albany performance, which has already occurred, welcomed the opportunity to work with others.

"This has allowed two [Albany] churches and two apostolates to come together and work on a project," which is important since the four groups share one priest.

"I've enjoyed working with and getting to know people I wouldn't have ordinarily met," Ms. Chang said. "It takes great effort to pull off an event like this."

Christmas touch

Father Brennan said the audience will take much away from the play.

"This is not just a Christmas pageant," he noted. "There is such a range of emotions. Every aspect of our senses -- sight, sound, smell, touch and hearing -- are used to proclaim the Christmas message, a message which is meant to touch and transform every aspect of our lives."

(Tickets to the dinner-theater are $15. The final performances of "Footprints of Christmas" are at St. Matthew's in Voorheesville, Dec. 2, and St. John/St. Ann's in Albany, Dec. 9.)

(11/29/07) [[In-content Ad]]