Knights set up crèche at St. Stephen's

Warwick — In 2003, at the request of Father Michael M. McLaughlin, the Warwick Valley Knights of Columbus, Council 4952, undertook a project to build a crèche befitting St. Stephen the Martyr’s Church on Sanfordville Road in Warwick. Annually since then, the Knights have assembled and disassembled the crèche surrounding the Christmas Octave. The crèche, also called Christmas Crib, is a representation of the infant Jesus in the manger, usually surrounded by figures of Mary and Joseph, with shepherds, animals, and wisemen. The crèche has been displayed in churches during the period from Christmas Eve to Jan. 6 since the Middle Ages, especially after St. Francis of Assisi instituted the custom in 1223 at Gréccio, Italy. It is also a Christmas tradition in many homes. The fraternal Catholic men’s organization, with over 250 members in the Warwick Valley, is open to new members. For more information, call 651-4115.