Father John Corapi in St. Louis
I am not at liberty to share the “news photos” I shoot until much “after the fact” consequently I very rarely share them. I thought, however, these couple might still be worthy of a “look” if only to testify to the amazing crowd at the Father Corapi all day conference held in St. Louis last week. While the seats behind the stage were kept empty the rest of the arena was filled to near capacity with souls who listened to every word spoken by the great Preacher. Indeed, his words had my 13 -year-old-ants-in-the-pants-son glued to his seat for an entire day of oration! (He particularly loved Father confessing to riding a Harley Davidson Motorcycle and his “all in fun joking” to riding it up a ramp and landing on the stage through a ring of fire with it at his next Conference! Everyone was in stitches over that comment to be sure!) Truly though, the conferences, which revolved around the theme of “Be Not Afraid – There is Truth!” spoke to the worry of many souls at a time when there has never been so much fear and anxiety in the world. From economic meltdowns, to terrorism and war Father acknowledged how we could feel distressed over such seeming disasters in our lives but commented to the effect: “The stock market may crash but will you?! I listened intently the entire day to all of Father’s impassioned words but none struck quick to my heart as when he confidently spoke these words, “Fear is useless, what is needed is Trust!” This nugget of wisdom is powerful indeed and he said it with such conviction that all my worries instantaneously slipped away. (Praise God for that!)
citylife
I had to shoot some images in downtown St. Louis yesterday afternoon. What luck it was a beautiful day with gorgeous light!
St. Margaret of Scotland
This morning I was privileged to photograph the Stations of the Cross at St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in the Shaw Neighborhood of St. Louis. Before I finished I wanted to shoot images to produce an HDR photograph of the main altar and sanctuary. This church holds some very special memories for me and it was wonderful to be present there. I thought sharing this photo may provide a glimpse into the beauty of the house of prayer. Thank you to Fr. W. for allowing me to bring my camera inside! (Also a special thanks to Carmela and Colleen!)
To see the finished multi-media project click here.
Prayer for Life
Prayers for Life
This multimedia slideshow I produced for the St. Louis Review newspaper. It features the rosary led by Archbishop Robert Carlson and and interview with Beth Lauver the Director of Respect Life Apostolate for the Archdiocese.
Please feel free to visit the story at the newspaper’s website or over at aeternus.com
Grand Basin
After a mighty few weeks of frigid temperatures St. Louis is beginning to thaw. The children were off school on Monday in honor of Martin Luther King day so we took a little walk around Forrest Park in the afternoon fog.
The Grand Basin is located at the foot of Art Hill in front of the Art Museum in Forest Park. The park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. At 1,293 acres, it is approximately 500 acres larger than Central Park in New York. In 1904, St. Louis held the World’s Fair and drew more than 20 million visitors from around the world to Forest Park.
thunderbirds are go
Saw this lovely car yesterday and tried hard NOT to picture myself driving it. What a beauty!
Revival
Click on the photo above to play.
This is a multimedia slideshow production I completed in October 2009 for the St. Louis Review Newspaper. The story is an Ecumenical Revival which took place at St. Elizabeth Mother of John the Baptist Church in St. Louis, Missouri.
What makes this story unique is the inter-denominational aspect. Most revivals are just one congregation by itself. Many of community churches have revival every year but the event is seldom practiced in the Catholic Church, and quite rarely in combination with other Christian groups.
This “Building Bridges” spiritual gathering featured each pastor preaching to the congregation one of three consecutive Revival nights while a combine Gospel Choir lead the music. The inner city churches have realized their similar missions and goals to their struggling cultures, neighborhoods and members. This prayerful Revival was the first step in them coming together to work for those causes. The churches involved were St. Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist Church, Washington Metropolitan AME Zion andRhema Baptist Assembly.
To View in another window click here.
Poor Clare Monastery
The Poor Clare Monastery in St. Louis is celebrating 50 years in the Archdiocese and held a mass today to commemorate that AND also the 800th year of the Franciscan Order. As I was leaving the monastery I turned around to see this beautiful sunset on their chapel spire complete with a Franciscan feathered friend.
Mississippi River
Thought I’d post another image from my Saturday visit to Cliff Cave just south of St. Louis. That Muddy Mississippi was looking low but beautiful.
Mississippi river path
Had a great assignment today which led me down to the banks of the Mississippi River just south of St. Louis. There was a beautiful path of native prairie grass growing there and tons of jumping grasshoppers. Thought I’d upload an image from the little hike…
Tibicen chloromera Cicada
It was like a “National Geographic” day here when my husband spotted a couple of Cicada’s climbing out of their shells as he was mowing the lawn. It made for a nice family time huddled around the red maple in the backyard and watching nature in its God blessed essence. I’ve never really had quite the stomach to even gaze at a cicada but witnessing how difficult its journey is from hole in the ground to climbing the tree, breaking free of its shell and then hanging on the tree to dry off its wings before flight inspired within me a new appreciation of this creature.
miracle tomato
Thought I’d share a photo of the “miracle tomato”. This beauty came from my friend’s garden. I always knew she was a great gardener but didn’t know she could do this! She reports that it was delicious when she and her husband ate it for dinner last evening. I just love the cruciform shape and the “crown of thorns” which surround it.
Fort de Chartres
Had a great “photo adventure outing” to the flood plains along the Illinois side of the Mississippi near Prairie du Rocher and Fort de Chartres. The Fort is the last of three eighteenth-century forts by that name erected near the Eastern side of the Mississippi River by France’s colonial government. From 1720 to 1763 French administration of the Illinois Country was centered at the forts, built successively over a 40-year period on or near the same site.
The wonderful volunteers and rangers at the site are quite worried that the struggling State budget will force the closure of this amazing historic site. Let us hope seeing some photos of this treasure will help in some way to keep the site open.
interior beauty
Just like to share some wonderful photos from the most beautiful Bed and Breakfast in St. Louis, The Park Avenue Mansion in Lafayette Square. They are getting a new website together so stay tuned to see an incredible Historic Landmark!
Pink Sisters
Photos from the Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at Mount Grace Chapel of the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters.
Interiors
We shot some nice interiors the other week of the BEST hair salon in St. Louis, Oliver’s Studio. We also photographed their new business, the Pink Skirt, which is on the second floor of the building.
Krakow, Missouri
Photo adventure to Krakow, Missouri with my good friend Nancy (another photographer) who is working on a documentary series of Missouri called “Passport”
Corpus Christi II
Photographs from the Oratory of Ss. Gregory and Augustine on the Solemn Feast of Corpus Christi. See more here.
