Sister Mary Southard CSJ began work on our Holy Family sculpture in December 2003.  She was able to work right here at Saint Linus so that our children, teens and adults could watch her progress.  It is a wonderful gift to have "an artist in residence"!

In the very beginning. . . .

Who would believe it?

 The inside of the Holy Family sculpture!!!

Day by day the image emerges!

Day by day Sister Mary works to chisel away the imperfections.

When will the Holy Family be finished?

Gradually the figures are shaped.

Sister Mary invites Religious Education families

to view "the work in progress."

The small model which Sister Mary Southard

created for Saint Linus.

The finished sculpture will be life sized.

Day by day Sister Mary adds more plaster to fill in the spaces and strengthen the figures.

Jesus is here!

More plaster is needed. . .

Day after day Sister Mary works. . .

until ONE day she finishes

the Holy Family!

Chuck prepares a space for the Holy Family.

* * * * * *

The original statue of Mary

will take up residence

in the convent until it is enshrined

in the new parish center.

Preparing the sculpture for transport.

Only when the sculpture is secure

does the move begin.

Down the main aisle

Up the step. . .

And into place!

Next the font has to be repositioned. . . .

Moving the baptismal font to just the right place.

Sister Mary's workspace is empty now. 

The tools are resting. . . waiting for their next opportunity to be of service!

The sculpture is finished!

Thanks, Sister Mary for sharing your gifts

with the people of Saint Linus Church!

Blessing of the Holy Family sculpture.

Amen!  Alleluia!