Resurrected Christ (St. Remy Church Russia Ohio)

This statue of the resurrected Christ is put on display at the St. Remy Church in Russia, Ohio during the celebration of Easter. Unfortunately I did not have my tripod with me when I took these. The first one was taken at ISO 1600. On the second one it would of been nice if I could have extended my Depth of Field (DOF)so as not to blur the hand. Normally I would of just filed these and do a re-shoot, but I am pretty sure by the time I make it back there the statue will no longer be on display. LOW Light and Hand-Held hardly ever go together well.

St. Augustine Cemetery (Shadows)

One of the photo challenges in one of the photo clubs I belong to was using shadow as a subject. This was a while back but I find myself looking for shadow photo opportunities every time I go out to take pictures. I found this while visiting the St. Augustine Cemetery in Minster Ohio. All these old cemetery's have a fair amount of cross tipped monuments so this is hardly a rare find, but it caught my eye non-the-less. I would of liked to have gotten a little blur on the background but I like the shadow of the trees on the ground to go with the shadow of the cross on the monument. This was taken about 7:00 PM. I would of liked to have stayed longer and seen what light/shadows developed as the sun set but that will have to wait for another time.

St. Mark's Church

St. Mark's, pictured here with its new sign, is a small church located right behind the public library in Sidney. While I wasn't crazy about the sky I had to work with I was pretty happy with the shadows.


This picture of Saint Mark, which hangs to the left of the altar is a nice tribute to the churches namesake. The picture of the sacramental elements on the right didn't come out quite to suit me but it's the artistic picture for this post. I struggled with whether to include or not include the window.



I'll close with these pictures of the simple but elegant altar. I found the tapestry interesting in color and design. I am sure the seven points of the crown have a meaning.

For more information about this church you can check out their web page St. Mark's

St. Mark's Baptismal (A Photographer Perspective)

As mentioned in the previous post these pictures are from the Baptismal service at the St. Marks Episcopal Church in Sidney. I am always looking for opportunities to improve my taking pictures of people skills. I thought this would be a good chance to do just that. Also since it was in a church a chance to work with Low Light situations. I have two fast lenses in my bag. The Canon 50mm f/1.8 and the Canon 100mm f/2.8. I shot most of these at f/4.0 but it's nice to be able to open up more if I need to. All these were hand held so I made more use of the 50mm to give me more flexibility with the shutter speed. This opening shot was taken at f/4.0 1/90 and ISO 400 with my Kit lens--Canon 18-55mm. When photographing events I look for creative ways to incorporate the supporting elements. This was a one handed shot as it's me holding the program.

The church was fairly bright so I was able to use the same lens for this wide shot from the back. f/4.5 1/60 ISO 400. Any time I can shoot at ISO 400 in a church puts a smile on my face. I was given pretty much free reign to go where I needed and to use flash. I did use flash but I tried not to be too disruptive. This is an important and hard rule for me to remember sometimes. Cuz when I start snapping my brain just kind-of-tunnels in on what ever I'm shooting.

All events have key elements that you need to capture whether its blowing out the candles on a birthday cake or the bride and groom kiss at a wedding. While not the main event one of the key elements leading up to the baptism is the priest pouring the Holy Water into the baptismal. I used my 50mm and had to open up to f/2.5 and 1/60 shutter to keep my ISO at 400. I will shoot at ISO 800 if I have to and I have shot weddings at that but If I can get ISO 400 without having to sacrifice too much so much the better. Of course it helped being able to use flash.

When taking pictures like this there is a good chance you will not be the only one taking pictures. There was a lady taking pics, who I later found out was taking pictures for the church. I thought she was a family member of one of the kids getting baptised. The church was also video taping the service from the back with the camera pointed down the center aisle. The woman and I kept trying to use the same angle i.e. we were getting in each others way. I finally found a place where I could take my pictures without too much conflict. This is not to fault the woman. She had the same right to be there as I did. The problem was that I was now in the center aisle in front of the video camera. When photographing events you have to work with such things and be conscious of your surroundings.

The pictures that follow are the Baptism, Anointing with Oil, Candle and Certificate. I am just going to post these with the camera settings.

   

I was a little worried about my DOF at 2.5 so I stopped down to f/4.0 and bumped my ISO up to 800 for the pictures above and below.

   

It was a fun and easy shoot and I got three post out of it too boot. Yep, I got one more upcoming post featuring the church itself.

Windows of St. Mark's

My niece and her husband attend the St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Sidney, Ohio. They asked if I would come last Sunday to take some pictures of the Baptismal service. Of course I couldn't pass up another picture opportunity with a Church and People! It's a very small traditional church, but has it's own beauty about it. This post features the windows of the church.

Pictured here left is the Winged Lion Symbol for St. Mark. St. Mark is associated with the lion because he described the voice of John the Baptist as sounding like a roaring lion. The lion symbol was later depicted with wings because of a vision in which Ezekial saw four winged creatures with the heads of a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle. These creatures came to be associated with the four evangelists (Matthew=man, Mark=lion, Luke=ox, John=eagle).


These last two are my artistic shots for the day.



Look for more pictures of the church and the Baptism in tomorrow's post.

First Holy Communion

This Saturday was my Granddaughter Emily's First Holy Communion. The Mass was held at Holy Angels in Sidney. The place was packed and rather warm--okay--HOT. Papaw was not feeling too good to boot, so I had no idea how well the pictures would turn out. It was a very nice Mass and I managed to pull out a few good pics. This first one is the children who are to receive their First Holy Communion singing.


Of course my Emily was just as cute as could be.





The picture on the left was my favorite picture of the day.
The one on the right was a close second.

The Mass ended with this procession.

Jesus Takes Up His Cross

SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 27:27-31
The procurator's soldiers took Jesus inside the praetorium and collected the whole cohort around him. They stripped off his clothes and wrapped him in a scarlet military cloak. Weaving a crown of thorns they fixed it on his head, and stuck a reed in his right hand. Then they began to mock him by dropping on their knees before him, saying, "All hail, king of the Jews!" They also spat at him. Afterwards they took hold of the reed and kept striking him on the head. Finally, when they had finished making a fool of him, they stripped him of the cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him off to crucifixion.

REFLECTION
Most fortunate is the soul who walks by the way of Calvary, following Jesus our Redeemer, for if we suffer with Christ now with Christ we shall reign in the glory of the Father. --Saint Paul of the Cross

LET US PRAY
O God, through the sufferings of Your only-begotten Son, You have crushed the pride of the ancient enemy: grant us the grace to remember with great devotion all He has suffered for us, so that with tranquil soul we may bear all the sufferings and adversities which come upon us. Through Christ our Lord, AMEN.

The way of the Cross is the road which leads to Paradise; it is the sure way to holiness. The Passion of Christ is the greatest and most stupendous work of Divine Love. -- St. Paul of the Cross

Station of the Cross from the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Botkins, Ohio.

The Steineman Chapel

In The Land of the Cross Tipped Churches there are two chapel's that I know of. One that I have already posted "The Chapel in the Woods" in Maria Stein and this one The Steineman Chapel located in St. Augustine Cemetery in Minster Ohio. Inside the chapel I found a lovely book that tells the story of a promise kept to God that made a lasting impression.

The following is quoted from the book.

While the family survived two deadly outbreaks of Cholera in town, it would not be spared from grave illness for it's matriarch, Katherina.



In the early-to-mid 1850's, John Henry's wife Katherina became very ill. Being a man of strong Catholic faith, John Henry prayed to God to spare his wife's life. John Henry promised to build something in God's honor should he answer his prayer. Shortly thereafter, Katherina recovered from her illness to the relief of John Henry.



A man of his word, John Henry began work on a small chapel in the town's cemetery. Using brick from his brick yard, he constructed a 12-foot by 18-foot building. For many years it was used for funerals during inclement weather.



This chapel as well as the other one I've blogged are worth a visit if your ever in the area. I thought it was interesting that both chapels featured an element with Purgatory. Both these chapels were built after the Cholera epidemic so that may have been an influencing factor. From a photo standpoint -- I was there at the wrong time of day. This is definitely a morning shoot. Inside it was very cramped with limited shooting angles. I had to work very hard to get the picture of Purgatory. I still ended up with some reflection.

Parable of the Ten Virgins

Matthew 25:1-13 (NIV)

At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

"At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'

"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'

" 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'

"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

"Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!'

"But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

This stained glass window is one of several parables in glass you will find at the St. Jacobs Lutheran church in Anna, Ohio.

Our Lady of Ephesus

In The Land of the Cross Tipped Churches there are many beautiful churches to visit. However, there is also the occasional side trip that leads to something new and interesting. This statue is Our Lady of Ephesus and stands outside the Lehman High School just outside of Sidney, Ohio. The statue is huge and is easily seen from Interstate (I 75). The following text comes from the website listed in the Related Link at the bottom of the post.

Jesus, dying on the cross, committed the care of His mother, Mary, to St. John the Apostle. "Then he said to his disciple, "Behold your Mother." And from that hour the disciple took Her into his home." John 19:27 History records he took her to Ephesus, the ancient ruins of which lie on the central western coast of Turkey. Several million tourists visit Ephesus each year and bring away with them the wonderful spiritual experience of having visited Mary's home, high on a hilltop overlooking the Aegean Sea.

The website also has a picture of a replica of Our Lady of Ephesus House of Prayer in Jamaica, Vermont.

Related Links:
Our Lady of Ephesus

Sanctus Bells

As I tour and explore these wonderful historic churches in "The Land of the Cross Tipped Churches, I am always amazed at how something little can turn into something big. How looking up something you think to be a small thing can have such a long and rich history. Such was my surprised when I started coming across and taking note of the bells I found in the churches.

When I did a search on "Bells used in Catholic Mass" I was overwhelmed by the information I found. The text that I used for this post is Sanctus Bells History and Use in the Catholic Church by Matthew D. Herrera.

The bell pictured here is not a Sanctus bell but the one used to announce the priest. It was this bell that I researched and then discovered the Sanctus bells. I had seen them but did not know they were bells.

According to the article "The ringing of Sanctus bells is still required during the celebration of the Tridentine Mass (or Latin Mass) even today. Conversely the ringing of the Sanctus bells was made optional during the celebration of the Novus Ordo Missae (Latin for New Order Mass) -- also known as the new Mass which was introduced by Pope Paul VI in 1969"



The Sanctus bells (pictured above) are rung at three points during the celebration of the Novus Ordo Mass (New Mass):

1. Prior to the consecration at the epiclesis where the priestly celebrant prays to the Holy Spirt to change the gifts of bread and wine into the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ.

2. A second time as the priest elevates and presents the Body of Christ.

3. A third time as the celebrant elevates and presents the chalice filled with the Precious Blood.

There is a lot more than what I want to go into here, but if your truly interested in more click on the link above which will take you to the PDF article I used. I thought it made for an interesting read.

Door Bell picture taken at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cassella Ohio.
Scanctus Bell picture taken at the Immaculate Conception Church Botkins Ohio.

Jesus Is Condemned To Death

SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 27:2-11
They bound Jesus and led him away to be handed over to the procurator Pilate. Then Judas who had handed him over, seeing that Jesus had been condemned, began to regret his action deeply. He took the thirty pieces of silver back to the chief priests and elders and said "I did wrong to deliver up an innocent man." They retorted, "What is that to us? It is your affair!" So Judas flung the money into the temple and left. He went off and hanged himself. The chief priests picked up the silver, observing, "It is not right to deposit this in the temple treasury since it is blood money." After consultation they used it to buy the potter's field as a cemetery for foreigners. That is why that field. even today, is called Blood Field. On that occasion what was said through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: "They took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of a man with a price on his head, a price set by the Israelites, and they paid it for the potter's field just as the Lord commanded me." Jesus was arraigned before the procurator who questioned him: "Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus responded, "As you say."

REFLECTION
It is necessary that we accept the cross of tribulation willingly, at least with the higher part of our soul, as Jesus accepted His condemnation in perfect conformity to the will of the Father. --Saint Paul of the Cross

LET US PRAY
All powerful and eternal God, You have given as a model to us Christ your Son, our Savior, who became man and was humiliated unto death on the cross: grant that we may always keep present before us the lesson He taught us by His Passion, so that we may share in the glory of His resurrection, Who lives and reigns forever and ever, AMEN.

The way of the Cross is the road which leads to Paradise; it is the sure way to holiness. The Passion of Christ is the greatest and most stupendous work of Divine Love. -- St. Paul of the Cross

Station of the Cross from the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Botkins, Ohio.

Prayer to the Immaculate Conception

O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary,

did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that,

as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain,

so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You.

Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,

who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, world without end.

Amen.

Picture taken at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Botkins Ohio.

Where Will Your Path Lead

After work today, I thought I'd take some outdoor shots, since it was such a beautiful spring day. One of the places I visited was the Spiritual Center in Maria Stein.

Proverbs 3:5-10 gives us three ways to live a godly life. Trust in the Lord (vv. 5-6), Fear the Lord (vv. 7-8) and Honor the Lord (vv. 9-10). Trust in the Lord verses 5-6 is what came to my mind along with a few others when I took this picture.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight

If we are to follow the straight path God would have us travel we must learn to rely on Him and not our own resources. To be honest I am afraid my own path looks more like the one pictured here. What path are you on?

The Family In God's Plan

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Christian family is a communion of persons, a sign and image of the communion of the Father and the Son in the Holy Spirit. In the procreation and education of children it reflects the Father's work of creation. It is called to partake of the prayer and sacrifice of Christ. Daily prayer and the reading of the Word of God strengthen it in charity. The Christian family has an evangelizing and missionary task.

Text taken from Theology of the Body

One of the reasons I started this blog was to further my understanding of the Catholic faith. I have recently been looking at and having to focus on the dynamics of our family. So what better time than to check out what the Catholic Catechism had to say about the Christian Family.

Picture of the Holy Family taken at St. Sebastian in St. Sebastian Ohio. This is a repost of this picture but I found the window like so many that I find in need of some restoration. So I gave it a little help. Left click the picture for a Great View.

Jesus Walks on the Water

In Matthew chapter 14 we have three stories. The beheading of John the Baptist, Jesus feeding the 5000 and the one here shown in stain glass -- Jesus walking on water.

Matthew 14:22-36
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.

Picture of stained glass window taken at St. Jacobs Lutheran Church, Anna Ohio.

Immaculate Conception Church (Stations of the Cross) Botkins Ohio

The Church had a great set of the Stations of the Cross. These were large bronze reliefs lining the side walls of the sanctuary. I was able to photograph all of them from about the same distance and in the same light. Wow, that hardly ever happens. I like them in Black and White but the bronze doesn't look bad either. I was planning on posting all 14 stations but somehow I missed one. Just another excuse to go back I know....Once I do manage to get all 14 look for "A Way of the Cross" post featuring them. Not sure if I will go with Black and White or the Natural Bronze. I went with BW on the collage because I was having a problem getting the bronze to match in all the pictures. The collage is made up of the last six Stations of the Cross. The pictures are not major crops as you will see pictured below these pictures are just minus the frame. After looking at them some more I think the Bronze is growing on me.



Yep, definitely going with the Bronze. (After a Little More Careful and Selective Editing).

Immaculate Conception Church Stained Glass Windows (Botkins Ohio)

I thought I was very fortunate to capture this reflection of the light coming through the stained glass windows onto the floor and pews. I just love it when am able to get an artistic shot.

The stained glass windows in this church are the first modern ones that I have seen. I myself like the detail you find in the multiple glazing's of the more traditional windows. However, they do fit the art and decor of the church. They are very simplistic and mosaic in design.

All the Windows were of saints as shown in the below three collages or Christian symbols as you can see on the back wall on both sides of the full portrait of Mary in the last picture.

You can left click on any picture to get a much larger view.



Pictured below are Saint Bernadette and Our Lady of Guadalupe.



Next we have La Salette the 1846 Mary apparition in France. This may be the two children to whom she gave her message and Our Lady of Fatima.



Pictured below are Saint Simon Stock on the left and Saint Dominic on the right.





Related Links:
Saint Dominic
Saint Simon Stock
Our Lady of Fatima
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Saint Bernadette
Our Lady of La Salette

Immaculate Conception Church Easter Altar (Botkins Ohio)

While on my way back home from taking pictures of the Radio Maria broadcasting tower in Botkins I came across the Immaculate Conception Church in Botkins. The church was built in the 60's and is very modern. The church was decorated for the Saturday evening Easter Vigil and Sunday Easter Morning Service.

While this church is not on the National Historical Registry and not listed as one of the churches in The Land of the Cross Tipped Churches, I find it a very fitting church to include here.

I found it to be a beautiful place of worship. All though I must admit I find myself becoming increasingly partial to the old style architecture and art of the Roman/Gothic Churches that first drew me to this project.



Look for more post on this beautiful modern church through out the upcoming week.

He Has Risen Indeed

In churches across the world this Easter the cry will go up, "He has risen!" and the answer will echo back, "He has risen indeed!" In a world facing death from disease, hunger, neglect, war and natural disaster what more relevant message could there possibly be than this, "He has risen!" In a world more alienated from its spiritual roots than ever what more appropriate cry could go up than this, that "God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ." May you know his grace and may this Easter be a blessed time as you "Look and live" because "He has risen indeed!"

If you left click on the picture for a larger view you can easily see the angel sitting at the entrance to the tomb in the background. I first heard this at my first Easter Sunrise Service and it has stuck with me ever since.

Picture of stained glass window taken at St. Remy Church Russia Ohio. Text from Reachout Trust Web Page.

Radio Maria (A Christian Voice in Your Home)

I found Radio Maria quite by accident as I was scanning for something to listen to on the radio. There are currently two stations in the Western Ohio area. WHJM in Anna went on the air in May of 2006 and the newest station, WULM in Springfield has been on since May 31 of 2008. The Call Sign WHJM stands for "With the Hearts of Jesus and Mary". You can imagine my surprise to find that Anna had a radio station. Now of course if I was Catholic there is a very good chance I would have known that. The radio station is promoted through the local churches. But when I heard 88.7 FM Anna, Ohio I just had to stare at my radio and say to myself did I hear that right.

Of course I had to Google it when I got home. Between Google and my conversation with John Koening the Ohio Operations Manger (Yes, I called the radio station), I found out the following:
The transmitter / antenna was located in Botkins. They were leasing the old AT&T tower. The radio station was licensed to Anna Ohio. (Makes no sense to me.) The local headquarters and broadcasting studio is in Minster

John invited me for a tour and I was more than happy to show up with my camera. There I met John and one of the volunteers that helps keep the station running named Ernestine. Pictured here is John explaining how the transmitter works and Ernestine who is a dear and a joy to talk with, working on a Bible study. John is also an amateur photographer and there is a good chance we my hook up for a picture outing.

The radio station was actually started in Milan, Italy for the local parishes in 1983. By 1990 it had grown to cover all of Italy. By the year 2000 the radio station was broadcasting from over 30 countries and opening up shop in the United States. Alexandria, Louisiana was the first station to broadcast in the U.S. and became the headquarters for all American broadcast. Anna and Springfiled Ohio were added in 2006 and 2008. For more details about this Ministry be sure to check out these related links:

Radio Maria
Wikipedia Radio Maria
Wikipedia WHJM





The following prayer is called the Radio Maria Prayer and was composed by Pope John Paul II.

"Mary, guide us in our major decisions and give us strength in times of trial so that we may, with humble courage, follow the hidden ways of Heaven, keeping faith with God and mankind so that we can bring the joyful message of Christ, the Savior, to the hearts and minds of all. Mary, guiding star of evangelization, be with us. Be with Radio Maria as guide and be its protector."

You don't have to be near a transmitter to listen to Radio Maria. You can catch it on the Web at www.radioamaria.us.