Spring Cleaning
April 2, 2011
Happy New Year!
January 24, 2011
Celebrating a New Saint
October 20, 2010
On October 17, 2010, Pope Benedict declared six new saints, including Saint Andre from Montreal. Saint Andre is the first saint of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Hundreds of Holy Cross supporters from Canada and throughout the United States were in attendance at St. Peter’s Square on the crisp, sunny morning. In addition to the canonization on Sunday, a prayer vigil on Saturday and a Mass of Thanksgiving on Monday offered time for reflection, prayer and celebration. The backdrop for all events was spectacular — Italy has layers of history and art that make for wonderful imagery. Thank you to all Holy Cross provinces, universities and high schools in the United States who funded documentation the celebrations. Anther chapter in Holy Cross history has been written!
Celebrating a Saint
September 11, 2010
Over the last month, I have been working on the images from the documentation in Montreal. Folios of 20 black and white photographs were sent to 15 locations across the United States. I have included a few below. Some of the commission participants are planning exhibitions of the images to coincide with the canonization, which will happen in Rome on October 17, 2010.
This journey to document the life of Brother André has been very inspiring. When I am stocking the food bank pantry or talking with the staff at the Downtown Chapel in Portland, I am reminded of André’s spirit and know that there are lessons for me to discover. The pilgrimage to Rome serves as a real focal point for me – as an artist, as a father, and as an individual seeking wisdom and insight as life takes twists and turns.
Statue of Brother André at Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount-Royal
Montreal, Canada
College of Notre Dame
Montreal, Canada
The Chapel of Brother André, Exterior
Saint Joseph’s Oratory, Montreal Canada
Plaques and Canes, The Chapel of Brother André
Saint Joseph’s Oratory, Montreal Canada
The Oratory and Saint Joseph Statue
Saint Joseph’s Oratory, Montreal Canada
Steps, The Chapel of Brother André
Saint Joseph’s Oratory, Montreal Canada
The Way of the Cross and the Gardens of the Oratory, 1
Saint Joseph’s Oratory, Montreal Canada
Pilgrimage 2010
June 23, 2010
I traveled to Montreal in May to begin a documentation of the life of Br. André, leading up to his canonization in Rome in October. I have cleaned out my somewhat dusty darkroom and have started to hand process 80+ rolls of black and white film. And, I am editing down many of the color digital images from the trip. A few themes are emerging for me in this initial stage of the commission.
Many people from Canada, the United States and beyond travel to St. Joseph’s Oratory on a pilgrimage, seeking a connection to Br. André. The journey and experience helps to strengthen their faith and connection to Bro. André, God and Holy Cross.
Many members and supporters of Holy Cross from around the world are preparing for a pilgrimage to Rome in October. The opportunity to be present and participate in the canonization ceremonies and celebrations for the first saint for the Congregation of Holy Cross provides an opportunity to grow in faith and connection to the Holy Cross mission.
My work for Holy Cross over these past 8 years has been a pilgrimage for me of a greater sort. Beginning with my arrival to stay with the Marianite Sisters in Le Mans in 2001 to learn about Blessed Basil Moreau, to my visits across the U.S. to so many Holy Cross ministries, to my time at the Downtown Chapel in Portland serving the homeless at their weekly Br. André Café, I have come to know Holy Cross – and myself – in a deeper way.
I am excited about the work ahead – the opportunity to tell another part of the Holy Cross story through photography. Meanwhile, here are a few initial images from Montreal.
Photo Exhibit Oregon Food Bank
January 12, 2010
Greetings and Happy New Year!
I would like to extend an invitation to you to help celebrate “Setting the Table: Raising Awareness and Support for Oregon Food Bank” on January 21st (see attached PDF for more info). Over the past year, I have been working with four other photographers to form a collaborative called PhotoForce. We documented the cycle of food in Oregon and the impact Oregon Food Bank has across the state as our first project together. I would love to have you stop by. Please feel free to share this information with others who might be interested in attending.
To read more about PhotoForce and the project, please visit our web site: www.photo-force.com
Also, here’s a link to coverage in the January edition of Portland Monthly magazine.
The Oregon Food Bank Project continued….
November 24, 2009
The Courage of Fr. Jacques-François Dujarié
August 11, 2009
A visit to the birthplace of Fr. Jacques Dujarié
founder of the Sisters of Providence of Ruillé and the Brothers of St. Joseph
In 1795, Jacques Dujairé was a newly ordained priest of the diocese of Ruillé, France. His ordination came at a troubling time. The French Revolution brought the risk of martyrdom, driving religious to abandon their ministries or risk death. Fr. Dujarié’s passion for service brought him strength and courage. A secret religious life was organized in barns, lofts, cellars and caves, recalling the lives of the first Christans.
During the Revolution, Jacques would secretly exercise his ministry in the parish of Ruillé and its surroundings. He walked long distances at night in bad weather and on bad roads to console the sick, administer the Sacraments and baptize the children. He was seen to go barefoot in the snow and sleep on straw – moved with great zeal by love and penance.
In addition to his service to the poor and sick, Father Dujarié wanted to reach out and educate students in the faith. But he could not do it alone. Soon he brought together collaborators in his vision – dedicated men and women who were committed to a life of service. Father Dujarié founded the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence of Ruillé and the Institute of the Brothers of St. Joseph.
For almost twenty years, Father Dujarié and his collaborators were able to bring hope and inspiration to his community.
After suffering a stroke at age 67, Father Dujairé realized that he must ensure the future of his congregation. With the support and loyal help of one of his first Brothers, Brother André, Fr. Dujairé handed in his resignation in favor of Father Basil Moreau, who accepted the command of the Brothers of St. Joseph. These Brothers became part of Father Moreau’s Congregation of Holy Cross.
In subsequent years, the Congregation of Holy Cross embraced the dream that began with Fr. Dujarie, and, with Fr. Moreau’s leadership, carried the founder’s devotion to education and service to Africa, the Americas, Europe, Haiti, and India to establish hundreds of Holy Cross colleges, universities, parishes, high schools and social service organizations.
I traveled to France to visit some of the places where the ministries of Jacques Dujarié brought hope and courage to people who were in need. His dream of a band of men and women working together to fulfill God’s ministry lives on today through the tireless efforts of the members of the Holy Cross congregation and its lay collaborators throughout the world.
“I am a priest in order to be a comfort to the widow,
the father of the orphan, the protector of the poor,
the friend of the sick.”
Fr. Jacques Dujarié
The Oregon Food Bank Project
July 7, 2009
The Blanchet House
Feeding the Hungry, Feeding the Soul
In these trying economic times, more Americans than ever are challenged with meeting the basic needs for themselves and for their families. With thousands unemployed and the cost of food rising, the number of people needing food is escalating. This is hard to imagine in a country as wealthy as ours.
Oregon is a state known for its abundant production of fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, yet thousands of Oregonians do not have adequate resources to feed themselves and their families. In fact, Oregon is one of the hungriest states in the country. Approximately 78,000 households, at some point during the year, skipped meals, shrunk portions and worried about making it to the end of the month.
Recognized by numerous national, regional and state agencies, the Oregon Food Bank recovers food from farmers, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, individuals and government sources to deliver more than 57 million pounds of food to people who are hungry throughout the state. Regional food banks distribute this food and additional resources to nonprofit programs serving low-income people in their communities. Oregon Food Bank also works to eliminate the root causes of hunger through advocacy, nutrition education, learning gardens and public education.
This is a the beginning of a photographic documentation of the “cycle of food” for the Oregon Food Bank. Often, food banks focus on presenting images and stories of the beneficiaries of their programs. I seek to greatly expand this view with images that show where and how our local food sources contribute to this cycle. Envision dramatic landscapes of planting season and farm management in Yahmill, Oregon; migrant workers in the apple orchards in the Columbia River Valley; organic food production warehouses in the foothills of Portland; trucking companies and their drivers; the Oregon Food Bank warehouse and volunteers; the families who receive boxes of nourishment from volunteers.
OPB Portraits
June 22, 2009
Can you match the voice with the face?
