By Rosemary Daniels|Correspondent

Since 1953, Nativity Parish has served as a beacon of light and a place of welcome to the faithful of the Fair Haven area and surrounding communities.

And as the parish observes its 60th anniversary this year, folks such as Father Robert Schecker, pastor, and scores of parishioners saw an opportunity to reflect on the history and some of the treasured highlights that have occurred within their beloved faith community during the past six decades.

While Nativity Parish started out as a small community of 500 families in October, 1953, today it is a thriving parish with more than 1,700 registered families. With the exponential growth in numbers, it’s not surprising that significant changes around the parish had to be made in order to accommodate the growth.

The original church was constructed between 1954 and 1955, under the guidance of Father Donald E. Hickey. The church was blessed and dedicated Feb. 13, 1955 by Bishop George W. Ahr. Many items donated by early benefactors remain in the church today, including the altar Crucifix, which dates back to the 15th century. In the mid-1960’s, the building experienced its first renovation in accordance with the changes decreed by the Second Vatican Council. These changes enabled the congregation to participate more closely in the liturgy.

Nativity’s second pastor, Father Richard C. Brietske, became the guiding force behind the fundraising for, and construction of, a formal parish center in 1990. The new structure added a chapel, religious education classrooms and office space to serve the needs of a parish which had grown to over 1,200 families.

Longtime parishioner Linda Gesell recalled teaching religious education when her own children were younger.

“I used to have eight to 10 children in my home, because we didn’t have a formal place to instruct them. It’s great to have the classrooms as part of the church now,” she said. The religious education program currently exceeds 1,000 students, with in-class, summer, and homeschooling options.

Today, Nativity continues to be a growing and bustling spiritual center for the community and Father Schecker brings a vitality and community spirit that is beyond value, according  to his parishioners. Appointed pastor in 2004, Father Schecker has given attention to both the spiritual and physical aspects of the parish. In the main church, he has replaced the old heavy entry doors with glass-paneled versions, which welcome both light and people in. With the help of a church benefactor, 13 beautiful stained-glass windows were added, depicting the sacraments on one side of the church, and highlighting the Holy Family on the other. “These windows came from another church, and since we are the Church of the Nativity, it was fitting that the one set of windows depicts Jesus, Mary and Joseph,” Father Schecker explained.

Spiritual life in the parish has also been the beneficiary of the pastor’s attention. According to Bob McCabe, a parishioner for more than 40 years, “(Father Bob) is amazing. The spirit he’s built up, the faith that he increased in people. He’s doing what Christ would do if Christ was on earth.”

McCabe’s wife, Vivian, concurred. “He really enjoys being a priest and doing what a priest should be doing.”

The McCabes should know. Their son James was mentored by Father Schecker as he pursued a later-in-life vocation to the priesthood. “Father Bob took James under his wing and supported him in every way he could have,” stated Vivian McCabe. Ordained in 2011, Father McCabe is currently parochial vicar in St. Martin of Tours, Bethpage, N.Y.

During Father Schecker’s tenure, the parish has blossomed to having more than 1,700 families, coming from 30 different zip codes. Daily Mass attendance averages between 80-100 people, and new members are joining weekly.

 “In the bulletin, you can see anywhere between one and six people being welcomed in to the church each week,” said Marsha Blum, an active parish volunteer.

 “My focal point is to be inclusive of all generations,” said Father Schecker, admitting that tending to a parish comes with its share of challenges.

“Our biggest challenge is the manner in which we are able to respond adequately and meaningfully to the needs of the people that are here,” he said.

To mark the parish’s 60th anniversary, a number of celebrations have been held including “Sundae Sunday” and a September parish picnic. The main event was the Oct. 26 dinner dance which drew some 240 guests.