Vietnamese-made crèche at St. Joseph Church shares several messages

This crèche in the narthex of St. Joseph Church in Indianapolis was designed and constructed by Thoai Keeley, a former member of the parish’s Vietnamese community who moved to South Carolina but returns each Advent to design and build a new crèche for the church. (Submitted photo by Father Pious Malliar Bellian)

By Natalie Hoefer

Thoai Keeley and his wife Tam Dang were involved in the Vietnamese Catholic Community at St. Joseph Parish in Indianapolis. He served on the Vietnamese community’s council, and she served as its secretary.

About two years ago, they moved from Indianapolis to South Carolina. But Thoai returns to the parish once a year. Not for a holiday, but for a week during Advent. And not to see family—they’re all in South Carolina.

The Vietnamese native returns to do what he has done for more than a decade: to build a crèche he spent the prior year designing.

“Thoai made our Nativity scene last Advent, and he started designing this year’s Nativity scene the moment he left here last year,” says Father Pious Malliar Bellian, a sacramental minister for the parish.

He says Keeley was in town building the crèche on Dec. 4-8, working “all day every day to build it. He had a little help, but really it was mostly him.”

The scene stands 10 feet tall, 20 feet wide and 20 feet deep, spanning an entire corner of the church’s narthex.

While Keeley has already returned to South Carolina, Father Bellian shared with The Criterion the details and symbolism the crèche-creator built into the massive Nativity scene.

Reminders of why Christ was born

The story unfolds upon “hills of rock” formed of carefully crushed and spray-painted paper.

For this year’s crèche, Keeley “went back to the Old Testament by picking up the sin of our first parents, Adam and Eve,” says Father Bellian, noting the section lit by green light.

An apple tree stands there. Look closely to see a serpent hidden among its branches. A woman representing Eve crouches by the tree.

“Only half of Eve’s face is shown to represent the guilt of sin,” Father Bellian explains. “Thoai wanted to bring in the concept of the sin of the world through our first parents’ sin of disobedience and how that severed their relationship with God—and ours.”

It’s because of that sin of disobedience that “Christ had to come into the world to save us,” he notes, adding the scene “reminds me of 1 Sm 15:22, that God desires our obedience more than sacrifice.”

The eye follows the “rocks” down to a scene of Mary and Joseph looking for a place for her to give birth to the Christ Child in Bethlehem. But they are turned away.

“This is meant to indicate another type of sin, the sin of indifference,” Father Bellian says. “It’s the indifference of people in Bethlehem. But we have not made much progress in overcoming the sin of indifference today.”

From this scene the eye travels to the typical image of the manger surrounded by Mary and Joseph. Shepherds near the cave keep watch of their sheep, while overhead an angel appears, lit by the star of Bethlehem.

A window of blue appears at the top of the crèche.

“That represents heaven, which is made attainable through the gift of God’s Son,” says Father Bellian.

On the other side of the cave, the three wise men make their way bearing gifts for the Christ Child.

Behind them stands a structure with notches on its roof and wall.

“Thoai said that represents the palace of King Herod, who ordered the killing of the innocents” after learning from the wise men about the birth of a great king in Bethlehem, Father Bellian explains.

“Today we still kill our innocents through abortion or any type of violence that is happening,” he adds. “This is a reminder we need to consider all human life sacred and inviolable.”

‘Emblematic of great devotion’

Father Minh Dủỏng appreciates the yearly sacrifices of Keeley and his wife in making the annual project a reality.

“It’s 10 hours driving, and then staying here a week to make the manger,” says the associate pastor of St. Joseph and chaplain of the Vietnamese community that worships there. “He is so kind and generous—and his wife, to let him come for a week. I really appreciate them.”

So does Father Robert Hausladen, pastor of St. Joseph and of St. Susanna Parish in Plainfield.

“St. Joseph Parish is always very appreciative of the dedication and efforts Mr. Keeley and the Vietnamese make in decorating our church, especially with the wonderful crèches each Advent and Christmas,” he says.

He adds that Keeley’s continued commitment, even after moving to South Carolina, “is remarkable but not surprising, as it is emblematic of the great devotion many of the Vietnamese have to their faith community.

“St. Joseph is truly blessed to have so many people dedicated to sharing their gifts and talents along with their faith.”

The crèche will be on display through Jan. 8. For hours when the church is open, call the parish office at 317-244-9002. †