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

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.

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.

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

]]> http://scardinaphoto.wordpress.com/2009/08/11/the-courage-of-fr-jacques-francois-dujarie/feed/ 0 Steven Scardina Photography 22 La Fosse Garnier 23 Church at Ruillé 18 View of Ruillé 21 Le Grand St. Joseph 17 Detail, the Virgin Mary 26 Schoolroom I 17 Kitchen 25 Church at Ruillé II 27 Chapel interior 19 Crypt of Fr. Dujarié II http://scardinaphoto.wordpress.com/2009/07/07/the-oregon-food-bank-project-the-blanchet-house/ http://scardinaphoto.wordpress.com/2009/07/07/the-oregon-food-bank-project-the-blanchet-house/#comments Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:06:30 +0000 Steven Scardina http://scardinaphoto.wordpress.com/?p=439 ]]> 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.

Can you match the voice with the face?