Holy Spirit Window, Resurrection Catholic Parish, Green Bay, WI

Posted on April 30, 2008
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Holy Spirit Window Resurrection Parish, Green Bay, WIThe Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity highlight this uniquely Spirit-stirring stain glass window from Resurrection Catholic Parish. The translucent, yet beautifully colored earthen panes image a Pentecost moment for Mary and the apostles: “Veni, Creator Spiritus…” Kirschling Studios Inc., Green Bay, WI crafted the window.

Resurrection Catholic Church is located in Allouez situated on the east side of the Fox River between Green Bay and De Pere. Established in 1963, Bishop Robert F. Morneau currently serves as pastor of 1350 families/units with the assistance of other dedicated staff and the many committed people of God who reach out to each other and to others in need. http://www.gbres.org/

Jezu Ufam Tobie by Stephen B. Whatley

Posted on March 22, 2008
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Jezu Ufam TobieThe Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity feature the oil painting Jezu Ufam Tobie (2002-Polish for ‘Jesus I trust in you’) by Stephen B. Whatley as their image for the Easter Season.  Stephen B Whatley is a professional artist based in London,U.K. His vibrant Expressionist oils are in private collections worldwide  and in public collections including BBC Heritage & The Royal Collection of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. This painting is one of two in his collection with the theme of ‘Divine Mercy’.Visit his collection: www.stephenbwhatley.com

These paintings of the Image of The Divine Mercy were painted from my heart and soul and with deep prayer according to the instructions set  to Sister Faustina (1905-1938)by Jesus Christ in his visitation to her of 1931. Her diary has been a great source of strength and inspiration to me…”       - Stephen B Whatley, artist, London UK     http://www.flickr.com/people/stephenbwhatley/  

Father Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me…? by Stephen B. Whatley

Posted on March 1, 2008
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Father Why Hast Thou Forsaken MePainted on Good Friday 2007, Stephen B. Whatley’s “Father, Why Has Thou Forsaken Me…?” is an oil on canvas, 20 x 16 inches.

“This painting was made with great compassion and many prayers from my heart and soul…I give all credit to God, every time I create…”

- Stephen B Whatley.

Stephen B Whatley is a professional artist based in London,U.K. His vibrant Expressionist oils are in private collections worldwide  and in public collections including BBC Heritage & The Royal Collection of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. For a further colorful tour of the artist’s work, please visit www.stephenbwhatley.com

St. Bernadette with Lourdes Rose by Pat Benincasa

Posted on February 1, 2008
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St. Bernadette with Lourdes RosePat Benincasa paints this portrait entitled St. Bernadette with Lourdes Rose. Pat writes: “How do you paint eyes that have seen Our Lady? How do you paint eyes that have witnessed what words cannot contain? These questions are what went through my mind when painting Bernadette Soubirous of Lourdes.”

From website:

My approach to being an artist is based upon rigorous research, study and my need to take materials beyond conventional use…

I once read something that sums up my art making philosophy. When Martin Heidegger asked: “What is a thing?” and responded that ” You know what a thing is by the way it gathers the world unto itself,” his statement gave me a framework to define what art is. You know what art is by the way it gathers the world unto itself. To this I would add that Art is a point of proximity that dissolves the distinction between our “here and there” as it pulls us toward itself. In this pull we understand how connected we are to all living things. In this connection resides the Sacred.

www.patbenincasa-art.com

Conversion of St. Paul

Posted on January 1, 2008
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Conversion of St. PaulCaravaggio (1573-1610), born Michelangelo Merisi in Caravaggio, Italy, was known for his realistic and dramatic paintings. Receiving papal praise during his life time, Cravaggio  also suffered public brutal criticism at age 24 for his artistic works on the life of Matthew in the church of San Luigi Dei Francesi. Today these portrayals are acclaimed for their magnificence. There is a dark, fearful nature in this representation of the Conversion of St. Paul,  and yet an urgent call to action.

I Wonder As I Wander

Posted on December 1, 2007
Filed Under Franciscanized World, Image of the Month, Podcasts, Song of the Month | 30 Comments


Performed by Sister Marsaia Kaster and Sarah Gardner, Postulant. Recorded at St. Clement Parish, Sheboygan WI. The lyrics of this beloved hymn are well illustrated by the stunning windows of St. Clement. The windows came from the Meyer of Munich studios, installed after the dedication (1917).

“I Wonder As I Wander” will produce a variety of images and moods to the listener.  Jesus came for everyone and especially “onry (ordinary) people.”  In humility He was born in a stable and yet worshipped by poor shepherds as well as wealthy wise men.

The minor key and simple accompaniment can move us to question our response to Jesus, our Savior and King. In this rendition the Church setting with stained glass windows sets a mood that will be unique to each of us.

The words and music of this haunting Christmas song are attributed to John Jacob Niles.  He claimed he composed this plaintive carol after hearing a young  girl in Appalachia sing a folk song in a similar mood.
I Wonder As I Wander through each day…

Sister Mary Carol

If not now, when?

Posted on November 2, 2007
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Your time will come, he stated endearingly. I smiled, even though he could not see it, and thought, No… my time is now.

 I`ve been living in New York almost a month now, and it seems unbelievable that the time has passed so quickly. Already the experience has been an adventure and highly beneficial: I have met many incredible, extraordinary people and heard their amazing stories; I have made new friends and gotten in touch with old ones; I have proven to myself that I can figure out a solution to the most challenging situations– namely, how to move 3000 miles away from home, on my own, and figure out where the heck to go from there; and, last but certainly not least, I have brightened the day of a number of strangers by doing the one thing that I simply cannot keep from doing– smiling. =)

“Keep smilin` all day, baby, you`re beautiful…”

“You`ve got a beautiful smile. In fact, I was sad until you smiled at me. So thank you…”

Although the majority of my days on Long Island are spent in solitude, it has been refreshing and quite enjoyable; I love spending time with me, as we`ve become very good friends over the past 20 years. I have learned to take each moment as it comes, to make the most of it– whether I`m alone in a house on Long Island or exploring the streets of Manhattan– because each moment is unique and just as exquisitely beautiful as the last.

I know that my life is a little bit more than ordinary. I have many amazing accomplishments and stories under my belt, and I am headed toward countless more… I know that my time is now; I do not feel that days spent idle are days wasted, because this psychological vacation has done me well to get back in touch with my Self– and these days are never truly idle. I have had more time to write, to think, to draw, to read, to explore, to live, than had I jumped right into a full time job and full time classes.

I am able to enjoy winter sunshine through the large windows of our home, to appreciate the beautiful intricacies of life lived day-to-day… no, moment-to-moment. I am able to spend time with my family, my cousins and their three amazing, adorable children– to play with them, help dress them for outings, help them with their homework, listen to them talk about their day, put them to bed and read them their stories… A large part of the reason I jumped onto that one-way, eastbound plane was so that I could be a larger part of these kids lives as they grow up. And I must say that, although it has been rewarding being independent and figuring life out for myself as I go along, the most rewarding part of this particular adventure has been getting to know my family so much better.

Switching pace now; Throughout my life, I have travelled far, lived many places, and pined for change. I found that I have the ability to fit in anywhere, with any group, in any situation– and for some reason, this managed to make me feel even more alone, even less like I belonged anywhere. But now, somehow, I can feel like I belong. And I don`t mean to sound clichéd, I am not saying that I`ve finally found my home and now I can be happy– although perhaps I have, who knows– I am saying simply that I have come to the realization that my home truly is wherever my love resides. In which case, I have so many homes spread out through so many states and countries…I have a home in southern California, with my parents and brother at an adorable, cozy little house in a sunny little town… and a home a little more north of that, with my oldest brother and my beautiful niece… I have a home in Arizona, with my uncle and his wife, in their beautiful house in that glamorous desert city… I have a home or two in Colorado, with my sisters who, even when we don`t talk for years, are still my sisters… I have a home in Oklahoma with two of the most amazing, wonderful grandparents that I could have ever been blessed with… I have a home or five in Tennessee, with friends and family who have been nothing but supportive and enthusiastic… I have a home with my best friend and surrogate sister, on a gorgeous ranch in the Virginia countryside… I have a home in Pennsylvania, with my step-grandparents who are just as great as could be… I have a home in Germany, with my dear friends and host-family, who have extended me a permanent offer to return… I have a home in a little British village, with my English friend and his adorable family… I have a home upstate NY, with my cousin and his amazing wife and kids, in a beautiful, residential community… I have a home with my new, close friend and role model in Queens, whom I love and look up to like a sister (and hopefully soon, we will have a place together)…I have my new permanent home here on Long Island, with my cousin and his wife– who are both my heroes– and their three incredible, intelligent, beautiful kids… and soon, I will have another home in New York City, with my new sister and our comfortable, pretty little two-bedroom apartment…

Now, when I look at it like that, it`s pretty difficult to feel alone. How can I feel like I do not belong anywhere, when I have so many people who love me, and so many places that I can call home? It`s an amazing feeling, and although I know that [realistically] I will struggle to keep this frame of mind, it is a comfort to know that I can retreat to any one of these homes, should I ever feel the need to.

I`m so incredibly fortunate to have so many people in my life who love and care for me… And I hope you all know how much I appreciate your support and encouragement.

Looking Outside Ourselves

Posted on October 1, 2007
Filed Under Image of the Month | 4 Comments

“Technological society has succeeded in multiplying the occasions of pleasure, but finds great difficulty in giving birth to happiness. For happiness has its origin elsewhere: it is a spiritual thing. “

                        -Pope Paul VI, Exhortation, Gaudere in Domino, 1. 9 April 1975

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