On a Saturday night as the sisters were arranging the statues of the 3 Kings one of the kerosene lamps in the Christmas crib tipped over. The straw burst into flame.

Fred Obenauf was in the middle of his confession when the commotion started. Father Leising and Fred burst out of the confessional and ran to the crib, which by this time was a mass of flames. But quick thinking by Fred averted disaster. He grabbed a coat and smothered the fire.

When complimented for his heroic act and the magnanimous use of his coat, Fred said "Oh, I didn't use mine. That was Harry Dietz' coat". He further added "I don't remember if I received absolution or not but it was the first ime in my life I didn't get a penance."