by Katie Vasquez
Every piece of artwork at this exhibit at St Bernard of Clairvaux church has its own unique design, but the message is the same, hope.
The director of the faith formation program at the Bergen Beach church, Melissa Wagner, says that’s because all the art was inspired by the theme of the 2025 Jubilee, pilgrims of hope.
“We need to take them out of the classroom, out of the workbook, and to do things with them, to introduce their faith in other ways that are exciting and fun,” said Wagner.
The 250 children in the program created their own work based off their own interpretation of the holy year’s message.
“The love I have for Christianity and our faith and the stained glass made me think of church and being in Jesus’ home,” said Justin Tasso, a member of the St Bernard of Clairvaux Church faith formation program.
“Hope for people battling cancer and stuff so I want to give them courage, like, beat it,” said Michael Thornton, a member of the St Bernard of Clairvaux Church faith formation program.
The exhibit also included interactive displays like painting a mural with spray bottles, using tissue paper to create stained glass and ribbons that shared individual intentions.
“We had to choose a color and each color meant something different, I chose red for love, and I wrote, I love my family and teachers,” said Francesca Marino, a member of the St Bernard of Clairvaux Church faith formation program.
Ultimately, the church hopes this sparks discussion about the Jubilee, spreading the holy year’s mission of faith and fellowship.
“I think expressing that, that sense of hope, that sense of optimism but even beyond optimism, that Christian hope that if we have that faith in God and faith in the church and faith in one another and faith in themselves, they can achieve great things,” said Father John Maduri, the pastor of St Bernard of Clairvaux Church.
“It could really help somebody because people maybe really need a blessing or like something they’re struggling with or like to find hope”, said Christina Antoci, a member of the St Bernard of Clairvaux Church faith formation program.
This exhibit was only up for the day but the church hopes to show the art again throughout the Holy year.