Sharing the Good News in Word and in Art

Image via Wikipedia

Sometimes we might wonder what impact our Good News publication has had. A recent issue on human trafficking mentioned Ron Chance, an adjunct professor at Neumann University, and the efforts he has made in speaking out against this form of modern slavery. Following the publication of the article, Ron has had numerous invitations to speak about the issue—far more that he was able to accommodate. Over recent months, however, he has addressed groups at the University of Delaware, Immaculata University,  and Chestnut Hill College. In addition, Ron has done a presentation for the IHM Sisters Social Justice Committee and for the Catholic University of America Institute for Policy Research at the request of Franciscan Action Network and Franciscans International. As Ron commented, “This truly is Good News!”  If you haven't read that particular issue of Good News, you can find it at                       http://www.osfphila.org/files/file/Summer_2011.pdf

Each Lent for the past two years, Sister Christopher Marie Wagner, an artist and student of iconography since 1999, teaches the writing of icons at Springbank Retreat Center in South Carolina. Last October she also presented similar workshops at the Franciscan Spiritual Center in Aston, Pennsylvania. Each workshop/retreat lasted 5-7 days and focused on the writing of one specific icon such as the Holy Face, Mother of God of the Sign, or Mary Magdalene. Participants represented various walks of life and spiritual backgrounds but all were drawn to the unique imagery which dates back to the earliest Christian works of art. The class incorporated an introduction to the history, theology, and symbolism of icons and moved through various steps and techniques of iconography. The last steps included the naming of the icon and the final circle of white around the halo. The completed icons were then blessed during the celebration of the Eucharist.