Mater Private Hospital Mackay will stage its annual nativity play this Wednesday 7 December – and the competition to play the part of baby Jesus has been close.
The live nativity play stars the children of Mater staff, with the most recently born baby cast as the infant Jesus.
This year the part will be played by one month old Markiel Ysaac Reyes, the son of Mater Private Hospital Mackay Midwife Maria Reyes.
Maria said this would be the second year she was involved in the nativity play, after her elder son and daughter performed in 2021.
“I started at Mater in February 2021 and my other two children were shepherds in the nativity play last year,” Ms Reyes said.
“Markiel is one month old so was chosen to be Jesus as the youngest baby of a Mater staff member this year.
“My other son has been cast as Joseph so hopefully he will be able to keep Markiel calm.”
Mater Private Hospital Mackay Mission Integration Manager and nativity play producer Magdala Thorne said the performance had become a highlight on Mater’s annual calendar.
“Our nativity plays started more than 30 years ago by the Sisters of Mercy and they have become a great tradition for staff,” Ms Thorne said.
“Pre-pandemic, the performance would move from department to department, but now it is all staged in one area so staff can pause to watch their children perform.
“This year we have a very eclectic cast, with not only the children of staff, but also grandchildren involved.
“It’s exciting that we are able to welcome multiple members of the same family too, and we’re looking forward to seeing Markiel perform alongside his siblings as one of our youngest Jesus actors to date.
“Our Mater People embody our vision to empower people to live better lives – and in Mackay we are very proud to put these values into action and provide opportunities for our staff and their families to feel supported.”
Mater Private Hospital Mackay’s children will perform their 2022 nativity play for staff this Wednesday, 7 December.
