Donor Memorial

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What is the Donor Memorial?

In our committee discussions about the design of the Donor Wall, many ideas were shared over a period of time. In the end, we decided to view our donors as a group of saints. The Memorial Cabinet would list the names of the past and present benefactors, and hopefully inspire all of us to continue their good work through the support of the parish.

The donor names are all contained in a handmade box, with calligraphy by Helen Murdock-Prep. The cabinet was made by Ken Pritchard and Gerhard Schmitt, and is lined with cocobolo wood from Nicaragua, a reminder of our parish’s mission there. The names are in the center of a triptych of icons. The top of the triptych is a beautiful icon of Our Lady and the Infant Jesus – The Virgin of the Sign – both special to our parish, are symbolically encompassing us.

When creating the two icons for the Donor Cabinet, our goal was to select two contemporary people whose lives demonstrated God’s love for humankind. The discussion led us to Mother Theresa of Calcutta and Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador. They are individuals who dealt with the problems of the world as it is today. Both were able to apply Jesus’ teaching in a concrete and loving way. We can only hope to be like them.

Janine Manheim, our iconographer, was very diligent in researching Mother Theresa and Archbishop Romero. She studied many references of the Archbishop before starting her rendition, and to make sure Mother Theresa’s habit was authentic, Janine traveled to one of Mother’s convents in Manhattan to sketch and photograph the sisters. The Sisters were very happy to learn that Janine would be writing an icon of Mother. (Iconographers write icons, because they are considered the Gospel in images; the Gospels are written so Icons are too.)

Each week the pages will be turned so all will be viewed over the year. Our thanks to all who helped create this remarkable work of art, a tribute to over fifteen hundred parishioners who help build our Church and contribute to two other major campaigns.

Every effort was made to ensure that all of the parishioners who participated are listed.  If you find that someone who should be listed is not, please contact the rectory at 631-757-8184 or by email at rectory@olqmparish.org

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