New
Farm House. Over 65 folks
gathered at the Glenmary Farm Aug. 9, 2003, as Father
Jerry Dorn blessed the new two-story structure that
replaces the Old Farm House. The first floor is
a multipurpose gathering space. The second flloor,
entered from wooden steps at the rear, is Our Lady
of the Fields Chapel. Volunteer director, Joe Grosek
(red shirt at right) welcomes everyone.
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The
walnut tree next to
the Old Farm House was damaged by the fire. Cut
down as part of the rebuilding process, its trunk
was preserved as the upright beam for this outdoor
cross. Greenery started sprouting from the top
of the cross this spring. "Death and life
in our own backyard. We couldn't stop it,"
said Father Jerry as he blessed the cross. Stones
salvaged from the Old Farm House chimney are used
as paving stones around the base of the cross.
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| The
first-floor gathering space is entered from
the front of the building. A new sign, just like
the one that burned Dec. 5, proclaims this as "The
Farm—peace came and stayed."
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| A
new "door" for names
can be seen behind the folks joining in the blessing
of the first-floor space. Father Jerry asked Dave
Kreher to come up with something that volunteers
could sign in the spirit of the Old Farm House door,
which burned. The light wood "door" hanging
on the wall already contains the names of the volunteers
from the previous week at the Farm. A
new tradition begins! |
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Father
Jerry leads the way
out the backdoor of the lower level and up the
dramatic stairs to the new Our Lady of the Fields
Chapel. Two of the four skylights can be seen
from this angle.
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| Our
Lady of the Fields is the patroness of Glenmary.
The chapel at the Glenmary residence in Cincinnati
carries this name as well. |
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| The
"Holy Spirit window" by local artist
Charley Campbell provides the dramatic backdrop
for the altar and for Father Jerry's prayer of blessing.
The altar vessels were carved by Charley's college-age
son. |
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| "From
this small place we are changing the world,"
Father Jerry said, referring to the many thousands
of volunteers, now scattered around the globe, who
have passed through the Farm, taking with them a
renewed commitment to Christian service. |
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| The
"four seasons windows," also by Charley
Campbell, are similar in theme and color to the
windows he created for the chapel space in the Old
Farm House when it was renovated after the flood
of 2000. A few pieces of that original stained glass,
salvaged from the fire, are incorporated into these
new windows. A fountain provides the peaceful sound
of flowing water. |
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A
glow on Lower Kinney Road is created at night
when the "seasons windows," seen here
from the outside, as well as the "Holy Spirit
window" on the other side of the building,
are lit by recessed interior lighting. Passing trucks
slow down for a closer look, reports volunteer director
Joe Grosek.
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| A
campfire circle is the final touch at the rear
of the new chapel building. |
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| The
next generation of Farm volunteers peer into
the clear water below the bridge. |
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| Adios
amigos! Love is the only way. |
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