Let me begin with warm greetings and thanks before I tell you about some exciting new developments at Bee Still studio.

When we Oblates of St. Francis DeSales were first founded by Fr. Louis Brisson in 1876, he placed us under the protection of Our Lady of Light…Domina Lucis.  This little known title of Mary refers to her empowerment through the light and inspiration of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday. The image of her, that is found with our other prints on our web page,  is the most recent of several that I have painted over the years. The original, which now hangs at our community headquarters in Rome,  is the very first painting to be started and completed in my new studio in Camden, NJ.

In the summer of 2009 I enthusiastically accepted the invitation of Fr. Michael Doyle to move my studio to Sacred Heart parish, a most unique church community.  How could I turn him down when I saw how firmly he believes, as I do, that beauty can save us all with its healing power and optimism.  I now work a few doors down from a live theatre and meditation garden dedicated to poets and writers. I feel as empowered by light and divine inspiration as did the apostles on that first Pentecost so long ago.

I now also live in Camden with good Oblate friends- still in awe of the swift and mysterious ways of the Holy Spirit. May Our Lady of Light, Domina Lucis,  in all her feminine wisdom, be a reminder to each of us that God doesn’t ever judge the darkness of our hearts and neighborhoods, but rather illuminates them.

God be blessed.