A newly-restored nativity set adorns the altar of Saint Columbkille Roman Catholic Church in Stoneboro this Christmas season.

The Holy Family, shepherds, wise men and animals sculpted in precise detail, two-feet tall remind worshipers of the true meaning of Christmas, according to Father Henry Andrea, pastor of the church.

Two years ago, another church in the Erie Diocese gave St. Columbkille the set because they no longer used it. The set was in very poor condition, Father Andrea said. The paint was badly chipped, some of the figures were missing hands and the shepherd was even missing his entire arm.

Still, the church was happy to receive the gift because small parishes like St. Columbkille do not often have the opportunity to have such a set. Father Andrea said that the set was designed for a larger church and was identical to a set that he had enjoyed growing up in his home parish, St. Andrew's in Erie.

Renovations to the set were completed by New Guild Studios in Braddock, near Pittsburgh. They refabricated missing parts and the pieces were repainted under the direction of Father Andrea.

The second-hand set is now prettier than it was, Father Andrea said. He believes the plaster of Paris set was originally manufactured in the 1920s by the Catholic Statuary Company in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh. The company is now out of business.

"The colors were severe originally because it was the tale end of the post-Victorian period." He said, "The colors now are more mellow, vibrant and richer in their hue. It leads to a better overall composition."

While the set was being restored, parishioner John Schaff constructed a stable out of old barn siding and even made special cupboards to store the set in when it was finished.

St. Columbkille is a small parish, with only about 145 families registered as members, but Father Andrea said the parishioners are very supportive in working toward church goals. The entire renovation of the nativity set was paid for with parishioner contributions.

The church has gradually completed other renovations, including the addition of new leaded glass doors at the front of the church, restoration of old stained glass windows and the construction of a wheelchair ramp.

Father Andrea said the restored nativity set reminds people of "the true meaning of Christmas," which he said is to celebrate the gift that God gave in the form of Jesus Christ.

He mentioned that we too often forget that even the origin of "Santa Claus" is St. Nicholas, and that we too often leave Christ out of Christmas -- sharing a "Happy Holidays" with people instead of "Merry Christmas", and even writing "Xmas" instead of Christmas.

Father Andrea said that the importance of the nativity is to help people to focus back a little on the true meaning of Christmas and remind people of the gift God gave us in Jesus -- "Emmanuel - Christ with us."

He said that Catholics enjoyed the set for many years in the old church, and he hopes a new group of believers will enjoy it for years to come, not to worship the statues, but to provide a visual reminder of God.

Renovations to the set were completed by New Guild Studios in Braddock, near Pittsburgh. They refabricated missing parts and the pieces were repainted under the direction of Father Andrea.

The second-hand set is now prettier than it was, Father Andrea said. He believes the plaster of Paris set was originally manufactured in the 1920s by the Catholic Statuary Company in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh. The company is now out of business.

"The colors were severe originally because it was the tale end of the post-Victorian period." He said, "The colors now are more mellow, vibrant and richer in their hue. It leads to a better overall composition."

While the set was being restored, parishioner John Schaff constructed a stable out of old barn siding and even made special cupboards to store the set in when it was finished.

St. Columbkille is a small parish, with only about 145 families registered as members, but Father Andrea said the parishioners are very supportive in working toward church goals. The entire renovation of the nativity set was paid for with parishioner contributions.

The church has gradually completed other renovations, including the addition of new leaded glass doors at the front of the church, restoration of old stained glass windows and the construction of a wheelchair ramp.

Father Andrea said the restored nativity set reminds people of "the true meaning of Christmas," which he said is to celebrate the gift that God gave in the form of Jesus Christ.

He said that Catholics enjoyed the set for many years in the old church, and he hopes a new group of believers will enjoy it for years to come, not to worship the statues, but to provide a visual reminder of God.