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# ‘Nativity’ is for religion class
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/nativity-is-for-religion-class/
- Published: 2006-12-22T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T23:25:18.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Community, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By Tom Grubisich is the Communications Committee Coordinator for St. Monica parish.* for post-movie lunch at a metal table on the campus quad. “It was a little boring in parts and ended abruptly. But overall, I liked it.”

Sasha Williams, 16, liked the scene in the stable, where Christ was born.

“You could relate to it.” For Shireen Ossanlo, 16, the three Wise Men provided “comic relief.”

Principal Gasper was determined to make the field trip to the movie happen, and at no charge to the students. He took his idea to Msgr. Lloyd Torgerson, who quickly found an anonymous donor to foot the $3,000 bill negotiated with AMC, with the help of New Line Cinema, which distributed “The Nativity Story.” “’The Nativity Story’ is so important,” said Gasper.“I just felt we had to take advantage of the opportunity for everyone to see this wonderful movie, which is celebrating what the Christmas season is all about.”

Students will discuss the movie in their religion classes, according to Gasper.

“The Nativity Story,” which opened nationwide on Dec. 1, had its premiere screening Sunday, Nov. 27, at the Vatican.

Directed by Catherine Hardwicke (“Thirteen” and “Lords of Dogtown”), the movie covers the main Nativity events, including the Annunciation, where the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would be the mother of Christ, and, nine months later, Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 22, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/122206.pdf?ref=smdp.com)