Christmas display at Laurens Sacred Heart

By JoANN AMMANN, Globe Intern
Dec. 7, 2006

Father Verne Stapenhorst's Christmas display will be included in the Tour of Churches in Laurens on Dec. 10, from 1 to 4 p.m. The Christmas Festival will be focused in the theme, "Christ our Light."

The display will include ceramic lighthouses modeled after the actual structures in the U.S. They will be featured with authentic lobster crates, shells, buoys, and etc. from the Atlantic Ocean. The beauty and symbolism reminds us that Christ is the guiding light in troubled times.

The gift of God's natural color is found in the dried flower arrangements, including floral grasses and weeds. The summer sun, its warmth and light live in these flowers during the Christmas season. They were collected in Pocahontas County off of Highway 4 and the Laurens Preservation Trail.

"The wild flowers that I collected on the trail and on the highway between Mallard and Pocahontas, cutting them and selecting them and drying them and putting them in the arrangements is the most challenging, but the most rewarding, too," said Father Stapenhorst.

Also, a group of silent trees (adorned with traditional colored lights), stand in the sculptured valley among the corn and soybean fields. Without tinsel and ornaments, their simplicity reminds us of the spirit of poverty that the manger teaches us at Christmas.

"I like to take the natural world and be able to glorify God and share within my parish and people in my community," said Father Stapenhorst. "People never really look or perceive the small tiny things that bring out the beauty that we have. I like to share God's gift that he gave to me. I think it's a special privilege that I have and I like to share that special gift with others."

Lastly, Father Stapenhorst said he prays that his personal collection of crèches may put the true light of Christmas in our hearts.

In addition to the above collections, there will be a group of candles, (teal, bronze and tan, contemporary colors of 2006), the Saguaro manger, bittersweet arrangement and the patriotic tree.

"Once again many have asked to display my Santa Claus collection," said Father Stapenhorst. "They represent many different races and customs, reminding us of our childhood days that live in our hearts during this season."

The decorations may be viewed in the vestibule and back of the church during the month of December.