Weekly Giveaway #16 - week of 8/24/09

Question of the week:

The photo above shows a close-up of part of one of our recently cleaned statues of the saints.

Who is the saint and what is the saint stepping on?

This week's give-away:

A $30 Gift Certificate from Westside Market. Please patronize our sponsors!

Answer:

St. Michael the Archangel is stepping on the serpent, a representation of the fallen angel, Satan, or all that is evil.

Winner:

David Espinosa. Congrats, David!

Renovation and Restoration Corner #6: Saints' Statuary

Our Church is adorned with a wealth of stunning artwork and statuary! We have well over 30 statues representing various saints and prophets throughout the Church's magnificent interior.

Yet, years of candle smoke and incense have muted the grandeur of the space and nearly 130 years of standing in one place can take a toll on anything! Just look at the pictures (below) to see the dirt and grime-covered statuary. Then look at the statues that have been cleaned. It's like a face-lift for the saints!

St. Augustine, dirt and grime-covered

from over a century of candle smoke & incense.

Ezekiel, the prophet, looking worse for the wear.

St. Alphonsus, founder of the Congregation

of the Most Holy Redeemer, newly redeemed himself!

A bright and shiny St. Bridget, the abbess

St. Michael the Archangel, cleaned for the next century

Photos by Patrick Brewis

"MOVING FORWARD" Video #1 - 8/23/09

In our first installment of "MOVING FORWARD" Video, experience the sights and sounds you've been missing in the Main Church as it progresses through the transformation of a lifetime!

This is part of an ongoing effort by Patrick Brewis and parishioner Tatiana Zwerling to create a documentary on the Church of Saint Francis Xavier. Enjoy!

Participate in our Capital Campaign now.  Contact Patrick Brewis at 212.627.2100 x 206 or email patrick.brewis@sfxavier.org

(Click here to view this video clip on YouTube.)

Weekly Giveaway #15 - week of 8/17/09

Question of the week:

Phase I saw the restoration of the exterior of the Church and included scaffolding on the outside of the building as shown in the photo above.

Why is there scaffolding again on the outside of our Church when we are in Phase II, restoring and renovating the interior of our Church?

This week's give-away:

A $50 gift certificate from Vynl Restaurant. Please patronize our sponsors!

Answer:

Phase II includes the renovation and restoration of the stained-glass windows as well as all of the others elements of the Church. The scaffolding is again on the outside of the Church in order to take out the stained glass windows to clean, repair and restore them.

Winner:

George Martinek. Enjoy, George!

Capital Campaign News, Week of 8/23/09

REMEMBER THE 3 R's

THE 3 R's PLEDGE DRIVE - no we're not talkin' readin', ritin' and ‘rithmetic but RENEWAL, RENOVATION and RESTORATION - starts September 12 and runs for 4 weekends until October 4.

The 3 R's Pledge Drive will run 4 consecutive weekends and offers everyone the opportunity to pledge while in Church. Some who have already participated in the Campaign will speak briefly about why they chose to participate. Everyone will receive a beautiful commemorative booklet with a pledge envelope.

More details coming soon . . . be sure to check your email, the web site and the bulletin for more specifics on . . . The 3R's Pledge Drive month! Don't get left behind . . . be in the know about The 3R's!

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN PLEDGE UPDATE

- Total Pledge Amount: $1,256,186

- Amount Collected: $563,926

- Total Number of Donors: 156

- 7% Participation by Registered Parishioners

100% PARTICIPATION IS OUR GOAL!

At present, less than 10% of our parishioners have pledged or contributed and our goal is 100% participation! Think of how proud you will be when you can say you contributed to restoring your spiritual home.

WE ARE HEADING BACK UPSTAIRS!

Mass will once again be in the Church starting Labor Day Weekend, September 5/6. It will be an inspiring time to see all the work that has been done thus far, so be sure to tell your friends to come and see it. You will not believe your eyes! Yet the work cannot continue without our participation.

Weekly Giveaway #14 - week of 8/10/09

Question of the week:

In the photo above, Patrick Brewis is mimicking someone in artwork that is about to be restored in the Church.

Whom is he mimicking . . . and is he really that high up in the nave of the Church or was this "Photoshopped"?

This week's give-away:

Brunch for 2 at the Hollywood Diner. Please patronize our sponsors!

Answer:

Patrick is mimicking the pose of St. Francis Xavier. In this non-"Photoshopped" photo, Patrick truly is that high up in the nave.

Winner:

Cathy Selin & Patrick Traffas. Enjoy!

Weekly Giveaway #13 - week of 8/3/09

Question of the week:

Many things in the Church are being repaired, cleaned, refurbished and restored as part of our renovation/restoration.

In the photo above, can you identify what the artisan is trying to repair, clean, refurbish and restore?

(Photo: Douglas Schneider)

This week's give-away:

A $30 gift certificate from Westside Market. Please patronize our sponsors!

Answer:

Organ Screen, in the Choir Loft.

Winner:

Tatiana Zwerling. Enjoy!