In this month of February, Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity highlight a gallery of Conrad Pickel’s stained glass images of Saint Bernadette and Our Lady of Lourdes from Holy Family Parish, Our Lady of Lourdes site, Marinette, WI. Who better than Conrad’s own son, Paul, to comment on these timeless windows of faith? You’ll want to read every word of Paul Pickel.

Comments from Paul Pickel

Envy is one of the seven deadly sins but I can’s help it, envy is what I have when I see the outstanding selection of colored mouth blown stained glass that was used in creating the windows for Holy Family (Our Lady of Lourdes site) in Marinette, WI. Many of the rich textured glass pieces and the rich shaded colors of the windows are no longer produced and their secret formulas most likely known only to the master glass blowers of England, Germany and France in the 40’s and 50’s and will never again be reproduced. Certainly remarkably beautiful colors are produced today although limited to a very few glass factories but the beautiful  unique streakies of England and certain beautiful shaded rubies and certain shades of the soft deep spiritual cobait blues of France and Germany are no longer available. Many of these lost colors were used in making these windows. They are remarkably beautiful and yes, that’s why I’m envious.

The stained glass windows for Our Lady of Lourdes were designed by Conrad Pickel, the founder in 1946 of the studio bearing his name. Conrad Pickel studied under the outstanding designers and glass painters at Mayer Studios, in his native Munich, Germany, before immigrating to the U.S. Once here he again worked throughout the country for some of the finest studios of the time including Judson in Los Angeles, Conrad Schmitt in Milwaukee and the very famous and highly regarded Connick Studios of Boston. Connick was a master at including beautiful cobait blues and the rubies produced from actual gold. During these learning experiences Conrad Pickel studied color from these masters and he assembled his own unique palette of colors that is today as recognizable in his windows as his unique style of figure work.

Conrad Pickel’s style most evident in the Our Lady of Lourdes windows is totally unique. His line work is deceptively simple with only the basic lines combining to create faces full of emotion. Lines for the hair, for example, may be limited to three or four lines with the areas of black creating the form. Lips may be two or three simple lines. The noses are sharp and again created with simple line work. Hands and fingers on adult figures were long, simply drawn and most graceful. Garments utilized beautiful streakies (glass blown with a combination of colors) and they too were simple in line work but each line was very important to the overall design. Halftones (shading applied which is about halfway between solid black and no paint at all) were applied to the glass and the lines and shapes were cut sharply giving the windows a certain crispness and freshness. The children in windows created by Pickel again with very limited line work all expressed each emotion he was trying to convey whether it be joy, surprise or love.

Stained glass without light would of course be nothing. Conrad Pickel became his own master in using light and a master of controlling light to strengthen his designs. He was never afraid to use black and preached this lesson to me constantly. There is always a halation of certain colors as light passes through stained glass. Painted line work and lead lines become smaller with the halation of light. He brings out the richness of color and was aware of how light affected his line work and facial details realizing his line work would become smaller as the light passed through the glass. He selected glass that has beautiful shading and he sought out glass that was not perfect. He wanted glass that showed its handmade characteristics. He wanted glass that had natural lines and bubbles all to alter and enhance the rays of light as they passed through the glass.

Wherever I go to see my father’s work, the color of glass that is the key to his design, is his selection of a beautiful cobalt blue. It has a bit of gray in it, a bit of purple but it is mainly soft, peaceful and yes, spiritual. Many times it is referred to as the Pickel Blue. People generally love stained glass as the morning light pours through the colored glass but also one of the most spiritual times to appreciate a Pickel Window with its special Pickel Blues is to be by oneself, in a darkening church, as the sun is receding. As light enters through, the striking blues and darkening rich colors, that special experience of stained glass cannot help but move one’s soul.

The designs by Conrad Pickel for the stained glass windows of Our Lady of Lourdes are timeless and should undoubtedly be appreciated by many generations to come. This is the true genius and beauty of his work.

Website

http://www.pickelstudio.com/

Given this is the 800th anniversary year of St. Clare’s Palm Sunday decision to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and share St. Francis’ Gospel spirit, it is fitting to retell a tale dear to the Franciscan family. Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity invite you to enjoy St. Clare’s own unique Christmas Midnight Mass account, part of Franciscan literature’s ‘Little Flowers of St. Francis’. Sister Mariella Erdmann’s portrait of Clare holding the Trinitarian light in the darkness helps illustrate this miraculous story. 

Franciscan Sister Mariella Erdmann painted this portrait of St. Clare of Assisi found at the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Motherhouse, Manitowoc, WI.

Once Saint Clare was seriously ill, so that she could not go to say the Office in church with the other nuns. When the solemnity of the Nativity of Christ arrived, all the others went to matins, and she remained in her bed, unhappy that she could not go together with the others to have that spiritual consolation. But Jesus Christ, her spouse, not wishing to leave her this way without consolation, had her miraculously carried to the Church of Saint Francis to be present for the whole Office of matins and the night Mass, and besides this, to receive Holy Communion, and then had her carried back to her bed.

When the office in San Damiano was finished and the nuns returned to Saint Clare, they said to her: “O Sister Clare, our Mother, what great consolation we’ve had on this Holy Nativity! If only it pleased God that you could  have been with us!” And Saint Clare replied: “My sisters and dearest daughters, I give thanks and praise to Our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ, because I have been present at all the solemnities of this holy night, and at greater ones than you have been, with much consolation to my soul, for by the intercession of my father Saint Francis and by the grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ, with the ears of my body and spirit I heard the whole Office and the music of the organ there and in that very place I received Holy Communion. Therefore, rejoice and thank God for such grace shown to me.” (Francis of Assisi The Prophet Early Documents, Vol. III, p. 626)

To the Praise of Jesus Christ and the little poor man Francis. Amen.

How it works…create cool bowls…eat yummy soup…feed hungry people. Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Novices are joining with the Two Rivers Optimist Club, a friend of youth, for a benefit of the  Two Rivers Ecumenical Pantry: Let’s Fill Up The Empty Bowls in Our Community.

Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Novices create and contribute ceramic bowls for Two Rivers, WI Optimist Benefit for the are ecumenical food pantry. Photos by Sister Natalie Binversie

Right now, with the help of Silver Lake College of the Holy Family professor, Sister Mariella Erdmann, Sister Monica, Sister Regina Rose and Sister Leslie are doing step 1 : creating cool ceramic bowls. Step 2 is a delicious meal of soup, bread, dessert and beverages on Oct. 2, 2011 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. On that day the Novices hope someone will buy their hand-painted ceramic bowls to help raise funds to feed hungry people as they gather at J.E. Hamilton House Behringer Room in Two Rivers.

On average, TREP serves 428 families. The need is ever present and has increased with the downturn of the economy.

Read Novice comments about this experience, click on name below.

• Sister Monica
• Sister Regina Rose
• Sister Leslie

Note: Franciscan poet Sister Nancy Kinate shares ‘In Earthen Vessels—2 Corinthians 4:7-18 in slideshow. Click here to read in full context.

 Explore aspects of St. Francis’ spirit contained in the nature poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins through Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Sister Kathleen Murphy’s reflection on a recent class.  Next ‘inscape‘ (enjoy a glimpse of why God created something) Hopkins-esque images of photographers Fred Gaber, Mark Kolter, Priscilla Thomas, Sister Elena Gonzales and  Hubblesite Gallery.

What do birds, unconventional words and metaphors in herds have in common?  Gerard Manley Hopkins!  Several of us were guided through the treasures of this Jesuit poet during a 2 week course on the Franciscan influence present in Hopkins’ poems.  Sister Renita Tadych did a masterful job of bringing together the theology and poetry of Francis, the labyrinthian philosophy of Duns Scotus and the faith-faceted poetry of Hopkins.  Discussing, analyzing and sharing insights on various poems was a truly enriching experience.  As Sister Regina Rose Pearson said, “You can’t just read Hopkins.  You have to pray Hopkins.”  So true! 

We often hear bits of his work or find it on greeting cards, but the depth of his expression as he journeyed with the Lord holds inspiration that’s often overlooked.  What was the best poem?  Who could choose?  I love his nature images, but I think one of my new favorite lines comes from “The Wreck of the Deutschland“, saying of God, “…For I greet him the days I meet him, and bless when I understand.”  What a thought to carry into each day marked with prayer!  Thank you Sister Renita and class members for such an enriching class!

View these Hopkins-esque images:

Fred Gaber shares this time lapse image:

Gallery: Mark Kolter, Priscilla Thomas,  Hubble images

Note: Holy Spirit window from Sacred Heart Parish in Reedsburg, WI,is cropped from a larger frame of the Holy Spirit showing up above Noah’s ark.  Rainbow is visible on the side.

Any Hopkins-esque thoughts?

During 2011 Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity are celebrating with Christ Our Light Parish, Cambridge, OH, the  100th Anniversary of Catholic Education in Guernsey County.

Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Podcasts celebrate 100 years of Catholic Education in Ohio's Guernsey County. Photo by Priscilla Thomas/Prisca Photography

Join us in keeping this commemoration alive.  Find photos of the actual celebration in Cambridge, OH in early June. Click here. 

To read  Sister Maureen Anne Shepard’s response to the people of the parish at the celebration click here.

View 3 powerful podcasts narrated by Sister Pamela Catherine Peasel and featuring current ministries of our Franciscan Sisters. You’ll want to click on the Sisters’ names to see all 3 podcasts.  

• Sister Carolee Vanness and Sister Janet Rose
• Sister Eloise Biedenbach and Sister Theresa
• Sister Anna Maar and Sister Miriam Dosch

The Lord bless the wonderful people of Christ Our Light Parish past, present and future!

Care to share any of your memories?

Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity welcomed 56 campers for Camp Franciscan Mary Handmaid,  June 13-16, 2011. Arriving from 5 states, 7 Catholic (arch)dioceses and 20 parishes, guests experience life with the Sisters while making new friends in the Franciscan Motherhouse atmosphere in Manitowoc, WI. 

Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity welcomed 56 young women for Camp Franciscan June 13-17, 2011.

Over 45 Franciscan Sisters were involved in camp sessions and in roles of hospitality while the entire community supports this vocation outreach with prayer. This year Father James Dunfee , pastor of St. Agnes Parish, Mingo Junction, OH returns as camp chaplain. Additional priests are assisting with the Sacrament of Reconciliation and other individuals  are helping to make the theme Mary Handmaid come alive.

See our flick’r photos and find out just what the campers did all day.

Click here to see more candid photos captured by Sister Mariella Erdmann, OSF

Curious what Franciscan Novices do all day? Find here candid moments in the daily lives of Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Novices who are in the initial stages of becoming consecrated women religious.

Follow specifically Directress Sister Natalie Binversie and Novices Sister Monica Martin, and soon to be professed Sister Pamela Catherine Peasel. Read captions by placing your curser over the images. Expect a lot of spontaniety in capturing these photos. There is just so much to share.

The Novice, in an atmosphere of solitude and recollection, devotes herself to a greater personal response to Christ and to a deeper participation in His life. She studies the Rule, Constitutions and Directory of the Congregation, and learns its nature, purpose, spirituality and history. Through studying and practicing the evangelical counsels, living in community, and gaining helpful experiences according to her need, she becomes more fully acquainted with the essential requirements of her call to religious life and is tested in her resolve and fitness. She gradually prepares for the day when God will consecrate her to Himself within the Congregation. (Constitutions, Chapter VI, 49)

Is there anything we seem to have forgotten?

As the Roman Catholic Church anticipates the beatification of yet another person of faith (John Paul II) on May 1, 2011, Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity share photos of sacred and significant saintly artforms represented in recent extensive renovations of St. Augustine Cathedral, Tucson, AZ.  A beautiful, peace-filled place of prayer, the Cathedral’s impressive statues of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, St. Katherine Drexel, St. Juan Diego and Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha  (more contemporary witnesses of holiness) inspire the faithful of the Diocese of Tucson and are at home in this glowing gold house of God. (Photos: Sister Louise Hembrecht)

Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity were present for the rededication of St. Augustine Cathedral, Tucson AZ which now houses statues of St. Juan Diego and Blessed Kateri Tekakawitha.

Interesting fact: On March 22, 1896 Bishop Peter Bourgade laid the cornerstone of the new St. Augustine Cathedral at 192 Stone Avenue. He bought the square block in 1885 for $400.

Renovations also include:

•  the Cathedral’s historic painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe in its new home near the retablo that houses St. Juan Diego and Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha.
• a mural of the Good Shepherd tending His sheep high on the back wall of the sanctuary.
• a Pamplona crucifix carbon dated to the mid-12th century and painstakingly restored by art conservators Tohono O’odham Tim Lewis and Maltide Rubio over a 6 month period which hangs on the back wall of the sanctuary. (Watch this refurbishing video.)

All you holy saints of God pray for us.

During this Holy Week, Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity share  Sister Victoria Masil’s paintings of how St. Francis may have experienced the Passion. The original inlaid, wooden, relief Way of the Cross is found at our Motherhouse, Manitowoc, WI.

St. Francis had great devotion to Jesus crucified and asked that the devotion be a special part of the life of every Franciscan. He identified with our Lord’s sufferings to such an extent that he was gifted with the marks of the Passion, the stigmata. Sister Victoria attempted to portray Francis’s love by placing him as a figure in each one of the Stations. The 15th station is expressed by superceding the triumph over the burial in the 14th station.

What inspires you as you pray these stations?

While participating in a recent Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity HealthCare Ministry Leadership Enrichment Program in Zanesville, OH, Sister Anne Turba captured the beauty of  springtime. Enjoy this refreshing gallery of images illustrating this scripture text:

 For behold, the winter is past,the rain is over, the flowers have already appeared in the land.

-Song of Songs 2:11

(For those currently experiencing a winter storm of snow and sleet, find hope that the season of green grass and glorious growth of multi-colored flowers is soon to come.) 

What stirs within you as you view these photos?