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The Record
March 7, 1991
Holy carvings in progress
By Louise McNamara
Editorial Staff Writer
Twenty-five thousand pounds of limestone made its way into the BAC at CSB Feb. 1. No, if s not a large paper weight, and it's not to be used for scenery in a play. In fact, it's not anything yet. What it will become is up to the imagination of one man.
That one man is Joe O'Connell, artist in residence at SJU/CSB. O'Connell, who teaches art fundamentals and monitors open life drawing studios at CSB since 1987, recently signed a contract commissioning him to create three sculptures out of limestone.
About three years ago, O'Connell was approached by Patrcia Walsh, ¦liturgical art consultant at Christ the King Catholic Community in Las Vegas. She asked to see slides of his work and "the community must have liked the work since theygavemeacontract, "he added.
"The purpose of the community
(Christ the King Catholic) has to do with the idea that it is a mission to help the poor and homeless," O'Connell said.
As he speaks about the community's philosophy, he quotes Matthew 25:45. Jesus addresses his disciples saying that when he was hungry and poor they did not help him. They answer that they had helped him, but he responds, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me." This seems to sum up the idea of Christ the King and the philosophy of the community's mission.
The limestone came in three sections, one weighing almost 10,000 pounds, another weighing 8,600 and the other 7,000.
"One of the limestone pieces came cracked," O'Connell said, "and the company replaced it."
The three sculptures will take over a year to complete. According to O'Connell, the pieces will be
in a deep-cut relief carving style, with lots of light and dark shadows. The sculptures included a figure of Christ the King, which he is presently working on. Another possible sculpture maybe the good Samaritan, and the other piece may show the poor, and the homeless. O'Connell has not yet finished complete design ideas for the latter two; however, a very sketchy outline is all he has for the Christ the King piece and he is well at work on it.
"I decided to do this project because the idea of a parish in Las Vegas that works with the poor and homeless is very appealing," O'Connell said.
O'Connell's skill and excitement for his work is completely obvious. Whaf s even more evident is that he is aman of great dedication and altruism for the poor and homeles. O'Connell hopes to have found a way to use his talents to help those in need.
Carpool from page 8
available and make neighborhoods more livable."
In recent findings, the Internal Revenue Service determined it costs each car owner 27.5 cents for every mile driven. At this cost, drivers could save a considerable amount of money cutting down on their auto usage. And with the looming problems previously stated, owners may have no choice
in the matter.
In light of these and other statistics comes the creation of the Environmental Concerns Committee (ECC). Bent on protecting both the land at SJU and the extended environment, the committee plans to "act locally and think globally" according to Paul Schwietz, OSB, head of the SJU forestry department. The ECC advocates the maximum use of the intercampus busing system as an initial means offuel conservation. Its second and more extensive goal is to promote ride-sharing for students, faculty
and staff alike.
The benefits reaped, if everyone at SJU were to make a conscientious and concerted effort in this direction, would be great.
Each unused gallon of gasoline prevents the addition of twenty pounds of CO2 to the atmosphere.
"A decrease in oil consumption, if eventually embracedbyfuture generations, will undoubtedly have positive effect on our foreign policies," Schwietz said.
I?I decided to do this project because the idea of a parish in Las Vegas that works with the poor and homeless is very appealing," O'Connell said, (photo by Paul Wegner)
Study Abroad in Australia
Information on semester, summer, J-Term, Graduate, and Internship programs. All programs run under $6,000. Call Curtin University at
1-800-878-3696
Coming Soon...
Senate Elections!!
Anyone interested in running for a position on the
Saint John's Student Senate
MUST
attend an informational meeting on
Thursday, March 14 at 7 p.m. in Quad 360
"Refreshments provided
Call
Matt at ext. 2943 if you have any questions
