Truth and Beauty
WRITINGS THAT INSPIRE
Happy Easter! He is risen, Alleluia!
April, 2022
Every year, for many years now, I can count on receiving a special suffering during Lent. I used to brace myself with trepidation as Lent approached, fearful of what was coming my way. After having experienced this year after year, I've come to see this temporary cross not so much something to fear, but rather something to embrace. In fact, Lent has shown me that the suffering that Jesus is allowing me is actually an invitation to walk with Him on the way to Calvary. This year I not only watched my father-in-law suffer from a terrible illness, but I also experienced spiritual distractions, temptations and strong spiritual warfare. The only way to overcome this was to cling to God and spend much more time in personal prayer. This allowed me the opportunity over these past weeks to grow stronger in a deeper and more meaningful way. I held Jesus' cross and united my suffering soul to His suffering soul. Looking back I wouldn't change a thing. Yet once again, I was truly blessed to be given the opportunity to grow deeper in my faith. How good the Lord is!
After a busy and full Easter day, as I am getting ready for the upcoming week, I am going through emails and somehow came across a past art newsletter I sent out back in 2018 (not a bad idea to begin sending out again!). I truly believe that Pope St. John Paul II is speaking to me strongly. Much of my prayer has been directed towards him as I am asking him to intercede for me while I discern upcoming opportunities in my life. This is an excerpt from my newsletter from Easter, 2018:
"Those who perceive in themselves this kind of divine spark which is the artistic vocation…feel at the same time the obligation not to waste this talent.” -Pope St. John Paul II
Throughout this Lent I made the decision to read St. Pope John Paul II’s Letter to Artists. St. Pope John Paul II emphasized that expressing oneself in an artistic way is not only just a nice gift, but it is a RESPONSIBILITY to use this gift to touch the hearts of others. This gift given to me by God is to be used to spread His Word so that other’s may come to know God’s love in this world and in a more personal way. Whether it be through religious art or not, any art that speaks to the heart is the Spirit moving within us. It is God at work.
This Lent I have been given the gift to see my art in a brand new way. As the blind man was made clean and healed by Jesus, so too were my eyes opened to see how much Jesus loves me. He wants me to use my gifts, not hide them under a bushel.
We are ALL called to use our talents and gifts for others. What are your gifts God has blessed you with? How will you respond to His call?
“All men and women are entrusted with the task of crafting their own life: in a certain sense, they are to make of it a work of art, a masterpiece.” - Pope St. John Paul II
WOW! What a message to read on Easter Sunday, 2022! The Holy Spirit is speaking! Are we listening?
A blessed and happy Easter season!
Peace,
Sharon
April, 2022
Every year, for many years now, I can count on receiving a special suffering during Lent. I used to brace myself with trepidation as Lent approached, fearful of what was coming my way. After having experienced this year after year, I've come to see this temporary cross not so much something to fear, but rather something to embrace. In fact, Lent has shown me that the suffering that Jesus is allowing me is actually an invitation to walk with Him on the way to Calvary. This year I not only watched my father-in-law suffer from a terrible illness, but I also experienced spiritual distractions, temptations and strong spiritual warfare. The only way to overcome this was to cling to God and spend much more time in personal prayer. This allowed me the opportunity over these past weeks to grow stronger in a deeper and more meaningful way. I held Jesus' cross and united my suffering soul to His suffering soul. Looking back I wouldn't change a thing. Yet once again, I was truly blessed to be given the opportunity to grow deeper in my faith. How good the Lord is!
After a busy and full Easter day, as I am getting ready for the upcoming week, I am going through emails and somehow came across a past art newsletter I sent out back in 2018 (not a bad idea to begin sending out again!). I truly believe that Pope St. John Paul II is speaking to me strongly. Much of my prayer has been directed towards him as I am asking him to intercede for me while I discern upcoming opportunities in my life. This is an excerpt from my newsletter from Easter, 2018:
"Those who perceive in themselves this kind of divine spark which is the artistic vocation…feel at the same time the obligation not to waste this talent.” -Pope St. John Paul II
Throughout this Lent I made the decision to read St. Pope John Paul II’s Letter to Artists. St. Pope John Paul II emphasized that expressing oneself in an artistic way is not only just a nice gift, but it is a RESPONSIBILITY to use this gift to touch the hearts of others. This gift given to me by God is to be used to spread His Word so that other’s may come to know God’s love in this world and in a more personal way. Whether it be through religious art or not, any art that speaks to the heart is the Spirit moving within us. It is God at work.
This Lent I have been given the gift to see my art in a brand new way. As the blind man was made clean and healed by Jesus, so too were my eyes opened to see how much Jesus loves me. He wants me to use my gifts, not hide them under a bushel.
We are ALL called to use our talents and gifts for others. What are your gifts God has blessed you with? How will you respond to His call?
“All men and women are entrusted with the task of crafting their own life: in a certain sense, they are to make of it a work of art, a masterpiece.” - Pope St. John Paul II
WOW! What a message to read on Easter Sunday, 2022! The Holy Spirit is speaking! Are we listening?
A blessed and happy Easter season!
Peace,
Sharon
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Patrick Sullivan Dufficy
April 2, 2018
He loved the stars, and would go out on cool fall nights, laying on the ground so he could look at them. I told him not to do it because it was too cold... 'I'll only be a few minutes.' After he died, we found many meticulous drawings of the stars, constellations, etc. (Mike and Cindy Dufficy)
Patrick Sullivan Dufficy was born April 3, 1972. As a matter of fact, tomorrow is his 45th birthday. Mike and Cindy Dufficy are the parents of this beautiful and amazing person. Sometime back in December they asked me to paint a portrait of their son, Patrick. Patrick died at the age of twelve on November 8, 1984. He was hit by a motorcycle while riding his bike to the bus stop while attending the 7th grade at Monsignor Matthew Clarke School. Devastation is not even close to what the family experienced. Patrick is one of four children. From this tragic accident, his family was changed forever.
But this story is not about the devastation and loss they experienced. Yes, all of this is true and real, but this is a story about how alive Patrick still is today, how present he is in his family’s lives, and the lives of all those who come to know him. This story is about how Patrick has touched my life through the process of painting his portrait for his family.
“Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13
I was extremely honored when asked to paint a portrait of the Dufficy’s son, but terrified at the same time. Immediately I began to pray to Patrick. Prayers such as, “Patrick, I don’t know you at all, never met you, but please help me out. Help me to to capture who you are. All I have is an old school photo. Ahhhh!!”
I felt strongly that I had to get to know Patrick in order to somehow capture his spirit. This is always a challenge for portrait painters, even when having spent time with their subject and seeing them in person. It’s one thing to replicate a picture, it’s another to capture a person’s spirit and personality.
I asked Cindy and Mike to write a brief description about Patrick. I’m sure this was something very difficult and emotional for them. I know it brought back so many old memories, but I also hoped that it was a sweet moment, recalling some of the most special memories in his life.
So yes, Patrick loved to look at the stars on cool fall nights, even when told not to. What did he think about while watching the stars? Did he somehow know that he’d soon be with God as he lay under the stars spending time reflecting? Surely his drawings indicated something very deep within his heart.
A few more excerpts from the Dufficy’s description of Patrick:
“He was also caring. After he died, many students and parents told us that he would often give his book money to someone who didn't have a lunch or couldn't buy milk, or maybe share his lunch with them. We never knew.”
“He was the family mediator. When there was tension in the family, he had a way of dispelling it, returning us back to normal.”
“He loved computers, such as they were in 1984. He and his friends played Dungeons and Dragons, and believed someday they could make a computer game out of it. He was way ahead of his time.”
“He saw joy in everything. When he was about 10-12 months old, he rocked his crib across the room to a window, so he could see his first snowfall. I have a picture of that, thankfully. Always smiling…”
As I began the portrait process, I kept much of this description close by and often referred to it. I also journaled many of my feelings while painting. I often spoke with Patrick and felt him gently guiding my hand, mind and heart. I am glad I was able to share some of my conversations and reflections with the Dufficy’s after the completion of the portrait.
From start to completion, this portrait took 65 hours. I clearly spent an incredible amount of time with Patrick. We had many conversations. Most often, he saw me happy and focused, making progress and feeling pretty good. Quite honestly, towards the end of the portrait some anxiety set in along with a little panic. This was a difficult piece of work and I was beginning to get nervous to present the Dufficy’s son to them. Was I successful in portraying who he was? Did I capture the person of Patrick? Truly, I had some sleepless nights worrying about this. Patrick saw some of my worst moments, grumbling and worrying a little too much!
As I mentioned, this project was not easy, but I was always taught that anything worthwhile will never be easy. This project not only gave me an opportunity to express myself as an artist, but to my surprise, it touched me in an incredibly spiritual and emotional way. I truly felt (and still feel) a great connection with Patrick. I really did get to know this beautiful person. His soul most definitely still lives on and I feel blessed that he has entered my life. I often find myself asking him to watch over my kids, especially my son, seeing they share the same name.
“For to His angels, He’s given a command to guard you in all of your ways. Upon their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.”
The day of the unveiling of Patrick’s portrait arrived. I set Patrick up on an easel in my foyer area where the sun shines brightest in the morning. I covered the painting and waited anxiously for the Dufficy’s arrival. Early that morning I sat quietly in my living room feeling terribly nervous. As I sat and prayed it was as if a voice said to me “Stop worrying so much, Sharon. I have led you this far and this is what Patrick wants for them. Let go of yourself.” I pictured Jesus saying this to me. I realized that I was just a messenger doing the work that needed to be done. I felt peace and a little relief from so much pressure.
The table was set with my fine china for tea and pastry for after the unveiling. My stomach was in knots as I waited - one can only imagine the thoughts running through my head. How do you present a portrait to a couple who’s son has been gone for so many years?
As soon as Cindy and Mike walked in we immediately entered the foyer. I couldn’t help but express to them with a shaky voice that clearly the mental picture of Patrick in their minds must be different from what I captured. I’ll never forget Cindy’s eyes tearing up saying how she knew it would be great and that it would be exactly what she thought. Seeing Cindy tear up only made me tear up as well! As I unveiled the portrait what surprised me the most was the look on Mike’s face as he burst into tears saying that I brought his son to life. It is a moment I will never forget. We all wept for some time hugging and sharing an incredible moment together. I cannot explain the elation I felt. It has lasted for weeks!
After the unveiling we moved Patrick out to the kitchen while we enjoyed our tea. We visited for two hours together talking about Patrick. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Cindy and Mike laugh, cry and share such beautiful stories and experiences about their precious son. That day I realized how special this couple truly is. They did not let this tragic incident destroy them. Quite the contrary! They trusted in God, grew in strength in each other and in their faith, and kept Patrick very much alive. The love for their son, Patrick, and all their children is so clearly evident.
The Dufficy’s were so happy and very encouraging when I asked if I could write about their story. They are happy to share Patrick with others and to allow his spirit to live on. I know he has touched my life in a special way and will continue to touch many other’s lives.
Once the weather warms I have been invited by the Dufficy’s to a special breakfast and visit to where Patrick is buried. I hear he has a beautiful water view. :) I am honored and look forward to our visit. I know one day when Patrick and I finally meet we will share some good laughs together!
“And He will raise you up on eagle’s wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His hand.”
Happy Birthday, Patrick!
Peace,
Sharon Clossick