By Sallie Bachar
Catholic Herald correspondent
Merrill Cub Scouts build new stable for Christ child
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Cub Scouts built a stable for new Nativity statues at St. Francis Xavier Church in Merrill. Eric Ball, front left, and Aidan Ball, front right, helped set up the stable. Scouts Michael Ball, middle left, Connor Finucan and Tyler Pfantz (obscured) helped build the stable (Catholic Herald photo by Sallie Bachar) |
MERRILL -- For the last several weeks the sound of table saws and pounding hammers could be heard coming from the maintenance garage at St. Francis Xavier parish in Merrill. No, it wasn't Santa's elves but Pack 300 WEBELOS, who were building an outdoor stable for the church's Christmas Nativity scene.
WEBELOS, which stands for "we'll be loyal scouts," is a group of ten boys from St. Francis, ages 9 to 11. Under the direction of their Cubmasters, Gene Pfantz, Tony Gessler, Allan Gulke and Tom Malone, they constructed a stable approximately 5 feet high, 5 feet wide and 2 1/2 feet deep.
The old stable at the church was large enough to house a live nativity scene but not suitable for the new statues being used this year. "It was out of proportion," said Pfantz, one of the Cubmasters," and needed to be redesigned for the smaller figures."
Pfantz, who is an engineer, drew the new model to scale and set the boys to work. The pack, along with their leaders and some helpful fathers, spent several weekends working on the project, which was completed and set up on Dec. 21.
There is a certain level of expertise required, said Pfantz, as the boys learned carpentry skills and the use of power and hand tools. They also learned how to roof, side and wire the structure. "More than that, however, they are doing something for others and learning the importance of helping their church and community," he added.
"In the beginning it was hard for the boys to visualize the end result," he said, "but they have been very interested and have asked lots of questions as the work progressed."
"It's hard work and sometimes frustrating," added 9-year-old John Malone, one of the Cub Scouts helping with the project. The leaders hope that building the stable will instill in the boys a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction knowing that they have made something for others to enjoy for many years to come. The service project will also help them earn the WEBELOS rank and is a credit toward the Arrow of Light Award, which is the highest achievement for the scouts.
© Superior Catholic Herald, 2004