Annual Nativity Display is December 12-13

Franciscan Sisters’ Benefit Nativity Display in Kirkwood Features Childrens Room; benefits North Grand Neighborhood Services

The Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help invite you to Kirkwood, MO, for the annual Joy to the World Benefit Nativity Display. The whole family is welcome to accessible Tau Center to experience nearly 200 unique nativity sets, our children’s “hands-on nativity room,” and a large Fontanini village, all on loan from a Metro-East collector. There will be emphasis on international nativities this year, and a special section of sets from countries where our Sisters have served in celebration of our 125th Congregational Jubilee. Members of the emerging Thea Bowman Secular Franciscan Fraternity based at Tau Center is also helping to put on this year’s display.

Bring your family and friends to participate in the real reason for the season through the eyes of artisans and craftspeople from around the world. The 2026 display will be open to the public from 10am until 4pm on Saturday, Dec 12, and Sunday, Dec 13. Tau Center is located in Kirkwood, Missouri, at 335 S Kirkwood Rd (behind PNC Bank and Andy’s Frozen Custard on Kirkwood Rd, and between KinderCare and the American Legion Hall on South Clay). Turn between

In lieu of an entry fee, the Sisters are collecting items and cash to support North Grand Neighborhood Services (NGNS). With the help of volunteers from all walks of life, including retired craftsmen, interested neighbors, and students on summer break, NGNS rehabs vacated, delapidated homes, builds tiny houses, and maintains empty lots with the goal of helping to create and support affordable housing in the Jeff Vander Lou neighborhood of North St Louis. In celebration of our 125th Jubilee, we are connecting with our history in this neighborhood where our Sisters once served, by inviting nativity display attendees to donate items or cash to help support the efforts of NGNS. We will collect cash, paper and painting products or cleaning items to support the volunteers at, the rehab work of, and the families served by the nonprofit. Useful paper and painting products include toilet paper, paper towels, strong garbage and leaf bags, builders’ paper, painting tape, drop cloths, sand paper, paintbrushes, sponges, masks, gloves, etc. Unopened cleaning products are helpful, such as hand and dish soaps; window, bathroom, kitchen, wood, metal and all-purpose cleaners; brooms, mops, dustpans, scrub brushes, and buckets.

Registration for the nativity display is not necessary and all are welcome! Children under 12 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Please enter through the main door atop the stairs on the east side under the covered porch. Handicapped parking and an accessible entrance is available on the Southwest corner of the building, but that door is locked. Upon arrival, please call (314) 965-3700 from the parking lot, so the door may be opened. Groups of ten or more are encouraged to contact Tau Center the week before by email at info@fsolph.org or by phone. You may also call with any questions, or if you have a special nativity you would like to share in the display.

About the Sisters:

The Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is celebrating 125 years as a congregation in 2026. The community was established in St Louis, Missouri, May 29, 1901, to teach the children of Polish immigrants. Sisters went on to serve in education, health care, and other capacities all over the United States and in several other countries. We humbly appreciate your donations.

To learn about future, free events and our other outreach, bookmark the homepage of our website, https://www.fsolph.org. You can also follow us on Instagram at /franciscansforearth/, on Facebook at FranciscanSistersOLPH or on YouTube at FSOLPH1. Don’t forget to sign up to receive our Franciscan Spirit newsletter before you leave the website today. We publish a print edition once or twice a year. We supplement with online editions more often that contain film and speaker series updates and opportunities. Upon request, we can email the online Franciscan Spirit newsletter to your inbox throughout the year. Call (314) 965-3700, and leave contact information via voicemail at x111. You can also email your request and contact information to info@fsolph.org

About North Grand Neighborhood Services:

North Grand Neighborhood Services is a grass-roots, nonprofit organization that has been helping to create affordable housing in North St Louis for more than 20 years. To view a 2025 news story on NGNS, visit https://fox2now.com/news/missouri/ngns-celebrates-20-years-of-revitalizing-houses-in-north-st-louis/