The morning of Dec. 22, students, faculty and staff gathered for a Mass with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., followed by a theatrical presentation of the Christmas story.

Photo Gallery: Notre Dame High's Christmas Mass, Nativity presentation

“At Christmas, we acknowledge the great things God has done for us when he sent his only Son into the world,” Bishop O’Connell said in his homily. He reflected on the Gospel proclaimed from the past weekend, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, that tells about the Visitation, when the young, pregnant Mary traveled to Judah to visit her aging cousin, Elizabeth, who was also pregnant with John the Baptist. When the two women met, the child Elizabeth was carrying, leapt for joy in her womb.

The Bishop turned to the day’s Gospel, which continued the story of the Visitation, when “we heard the prayer of Mary, Mother of the Lord Jesus, who acknowledges the great things God has done for her.”

“The heart of the Feast of Christmas is the acknowledgement of the gift that God has given us and at Christmas we celebrate that gift, give thanks for that gift,” he said.

Bishop O’Connell focused on Mary and how she herself was lowly, poor in Spirit and hungered for what God alone can give. It was through her “Magnificat,” that she reminds us that the “lowly, humble and hungry still experience God’s greatness and generosity.
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“May all of us here at Notre Dame approach Christmas hungry to see, feel and experience God’s gift of his son, the Bread of Life,” he said, and during these “difficult days” with the continuation of the pandemic, “may we approach the Feast of Christmas humbled, turning to God and trusting that God will do good things for us.”

Bishop O’Connell was joined at the altar by Father Kevin Kimtis, a priest of the Diocese and 2003 graduate of Notre Dame High School. Father Kimtis currently serves in the Vatican Embassy as the Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in the Republics of Benin and Togo in Africa.

After Mass, the tradition carried on with a student-led theatrical presentation of the Christmas story that was complete with dance and sung music with orchestra accompaniment. School instructor Diane Wargo, was recognized by principal Joanna Barlow for having produced the Christmas story at Notre Dame for 25 years.

“I volunteer to do it lovingly – I love to work with the students; I wouldn’t do it any other way,” Wargo attested. “It reminds us of the reason we celebrate Christmas. It’s so special for me to be able to portray.”

Wargo lauded the contributions of several faculty members who collaborate with her each year on the Nativity production. “I couldn’t do it without Dave Chebra – he works hand in hand with me on the sets and lighting, as performing arts department tech and scenic director,” she explained. “And Lou and Gigi Gibilisco – their music adds to the beauty of it … without their music it would be a very quiet story.”

The production involved about 40 students this year – mainly seniors and a few juniors – but has utilized the talents of 70 to 80 participants in the past. The show is a series of non-speaking tableaus over which a narrator reads passages from the Christmas story in the Gospel of Luke.

“When I ask for volunteers, I also think of the students when I’m casting; I like to think of who [could portray] Joseph or Mary, and I consider [the students who are dating].”

This year the parts of Joseph and Mary were played by seniors James Primerano and Hannah Smith – honors students who have been dating since their freshman year.

“For the shepherds I think of those students who are always willing to lend a hand; this year I ended up with five,” she continued. “For the Three Kings, I like to represent the diversity of our student population,” choosing students whose ethnic backgrounds represent all corners of the world. “I find the kids who I think fit the bill – and usually I don’t get a ‘no!’” she said.

The narration, Wargo noted, is usually done by a teacher who is widely respected and perhaps considering retirement. Angels are chosen from Debra Gibilisco’s dance performance class, who handpicks three or four seniors and juniors. Candlebearers, which number in the 20-some, are mostly seniors with a few junior participants.

“God has given me the script!” emphasized Wargo, who has also worked on Kelsey Theatre productions at Mercer County Community College for several years. “Everybody just looks forward to it … it’s my thing, it’s my Christmas gift to Notre Dame. God gave me a talent and I just want to share my love of theater … [to help] get people in the right frame of mind for Christmas.”

NDHS president, Ken Jennings, offered his Christmas wishes to those gathered, saying, “Listen to the beautiful words of Luke’s Gospel, and Mary’s rejoicing at the Birth of our Savior, and let it remind us now at this moment, now at this Mass, to take time to give praise to God for all the blessings that he has given us.”