Art & other installations
Icon of the Holy Family
"I felt that many things in New Zealand including the government were not supporting the family. It was as a result of this that I came up with the idea of putting an icon of the Holy Family in the church. Michael Pervan had just started producing icons. I looked at the internet to get ideas and sent one to Michael which became the general layout of what he produced." Fr John Bland, Sep 17 "It was probably 2003 as I recall that Fr John Bland suggested the creation of an Icon of the Holy Family for St Thomas’ More Church. He was very keen to see an image in the Church and knew that the Holy Family was the perfect symbol for our parish. It was “written” at the Studio of John the Baptist when it began in Herne Bay. Fr John and Fr Ernie were both very supportive of the idea of the Studio and our icon of the Holy Family was the first major commission for the Studio and the first major art installation in St Thomas More’s since the church was built." Michael Pervan, Studio of John the Baptist, Nov, 2017 Current Crucifix "Fr John’s successor, Fr Benedict, took the brave step of commissioning a new crucifix for the Sanctuary wall. He wanted it to be life sized and had specific ideas on how it should look. Funny That! while a few feathers may have been ruffled on its installation mostly we have been very gratified by the positive reaction from many “pew sitters”! It was hand carved in Gesso and sits on a Kauri Cross." (see photos below) Michael Pervan, Studio of John the Baptist, Nov.17 Updated altar "Fr Benedict has been superseded by Fr Alfredo who has been even more courageous in having the entire Sanctuary and Church re- floored in 2017. To cap that off The Studio had the privilege of making the new Stand for the Tabernacle and the new Ambo (Lecturn) both in matching green marble. Beauty is one of God’s attributes and the more beautiful we can make God’s House the more inspiring it becomes. It has been a great privilege to do this work for the Parish." Michael Pervan, Studio of John the Baptist, Nov. 17 |
Statue of St Thomas More "When Fr Neville built the church, he was unable to get a statue of St Thomas More of a reasonable size. In 1962 Archbishop Liston gave the Rosminian Community at Takapuna a statue of St Thomas More as we were all from the British Isles. It was on the wall outside the school chapel and was there for many years. One day Fr Catcheside took it down as it was filthy with messes from birds. He had the Carmelites to repaint it. It looked good. At that time I was at a deanery meeting and Fr Neville was telling us he could not get a statue. Ours had not been put back on the wall yet and was in the sacristy. I asked the community if we could give it to Fr Neville. They agreed the parish of Glenfield should have it. Fr Neville came to see it and was delighted. I always say we planted it in order to get the parish as well.” Fr John Bland, Sep 17 Marian Devotional area "When I was chairperson of the Works & Finance committee I recall there were many requests for a Marian Devotional area; a place to light a candle. It was decided to approach Michael Pervan from the Studio of John the Baptist and we commissioned him to design an appropriate stand. His wooden multi-box design complemented the box-like design of the existing altar furniture. Prior to the completion of the design the existing tabernacle was moved from the right of the altar to on the altar, to the left of the window. The new stand was installed and blessed during the Month of Mary on the 30th of May 2010." Helen Ellis, Nov. 17 |