Knights of Columbus bring Nativity scene to State House
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
As Bishop John Smith walked briskly past the State Capitol, arriving from his nearby West State Street residence, the six member Color Corp Fourth Degree, Bishop Griffin General Assembly, snapped to attention under the command of Pete Donchak, Hightstown. Seventy-five Knights of Columbus, family members and friends applauded as Bishop Smith came to bless the Nativity scene, erected overnight by Louis C. Stanziale, Trenton Council, and Jerry Iacona, Allentown Council.
In recent years, erecting the manger on the State House lawn has become an annual tradition for the Knights of Columbus.
“We feel it’s important as Knights of Columbus and as Christians to be here on this ground,” Iacona said. “This year, we have been able to secure three weeks, where originally, we were only able to get up to ten days. It seems to be getting easier each year to seek permission to be here at the State House.”
Bishop Smith e xpressed his “heartfelt thanks” to the Knights of Columbus for their efforts and their support.
“More and more we need people who are willing to do this in a very public way, and the work of having this site here at the State Capitol of what happened 2,000 years ago on that first Christmas night – Mary giving birth to the Lord – is a symbol of our faith and our commitment to our faith.”
Other members of the Knights expressed their feelings on the importance of displaying the Nativity scene in such a public setting.
Former Supreme Director Jim White, Hamilton, said, “It is so very important that we should do this with so much that is going on in Washington to change our culture. As Catholics, we must get out and into the marketplace, to show the faith and show the flag.”
State Treasurer Daniel Rossi, Hamilton Square, stressed, “This is the reason for the season. This is what it’s all about, the principle of the values that we hold here, the principle of the values upon which this country was built.”
With the Knights looking on, Bishop Smith turned, faced at the figure of the Christ child and said, “May Almighty God bless this manger and all of you.
“God bless you all, and now I can say for the first time this season, may you each have a Blessed and Merry Christmas, as our Christmas celebration begins in this wonderful City of Trenton.”
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As Bishop John Smith walked briskly past the State Capitol, arriving from his nearby West State Street residence, the six member Color Corp Fourth Degree, Bishop Griffin General Assembly, snapped to attention under the command of Pete Donchak, Hightstown. Seventy-five Knights of Columbus, family members and friends applauded as Bishop Smith came to bless the Nativity scene, erected overnight by Louis C. Stanziale, Trenton Council, and Jerry Iacona, Allentown Council.
In recent years, erecting the manger on the State House lawn has become an annual tradition for the Knights of Columbus.
“We feel it’s important as Knights of Columbus and as Christians to be here on this ground,” Iacona said. “This year, we have been able to secure three weeks, where originally, we were only able to get up to ten days. It seems to be getting easier each year to seek permission to be here at the State House.”
Bishop Smith e xpressed his “heartfelt thanks” to the Knights of Columbus for their efforts and their support.
“More and more we need people who are willing to do this in a very public way, and the work of having this site here at the State Capitol of what happened 2,000 years ago on that first Christmas night – Mary giving birth to the Lord – is a symbol of our faith and our commitment to our faith.”
Other members of the Knights expressed their feelings on the importance of displaying the Nativity scene in such a public setting.
Former Supreme Director Jim White, Hamilton, said, “It is so very important that we should do this with so much that is going on in Washington to change our culture. As Catholics, we must get out and into the marketplace, to show the faith and show the flag.”
State Treasurer Daniel Rossi, Hamilton Square, stressed, “This is the reason for the season. This is what it’s all about, the principle of the values that we hold here, the principle of the values upon which this country was built.”
With the Knights looking on, Bishop Smith turned, faced at the figure of the Christ child and said, “May Almighty God bless this manger and all of you.
“God bless you all, and now I can say for the first time this season, may you each have a Blessed and Merry Christmas, as our Christmas celebration begins in this wonderful City of Trenton.”
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