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I 7 B i 1 B VH Wednesday, July 15, 1998 COMMUNITY CALENDAR • LIFESTYLES • SPORTS • COMMUNITY CORRESPONDENCE • TV LISTINGS Church Tapestries are Faithful by Lorraine Manfredo Staff Writer LABOR OF LOVE -- When felt-worker Judit Sztraka got inspiration to create a tapestry reflecting her deep Christian faith, she prayed that the results wouldn't be second-rate. second-rate. And the work displayed behind her was no disappointment. Public curiosity about the religious symbols on the wall hanging led her to create banners for her Courticc Church. Raised up to heaven on a steeple or worn next to the heart on a gold chain, the cross is a cherished symbol'for Catholics around the world. It is a reminder of a saviour's sacrifice and personal faith in Christ's resurrection. 1 But many "church-goers seem unaware of the multitude multitude of other religious icons that seem to be slipping out of popular usage. How many Catholics know the significance any more behind the anchor, the lamp, the bleeding heart or mustard mustard seed? . Judit Sztraka, an artist of Hungarian birth, is doing her best to preserve this rich heritage of symbols in a series of tapestries for St. Therese Roman Catholic Church in Courtice. "The symbols are like my native language," she says. "I grew up with them, I figured we are losing something of our heritage and I wanted to keep it alive somehow." Sztraka is a quality control expert at Deighton Associates, a computer firm in Bowmanville. She also belongs to a layperson's section of the Carmelite Order. To date, she has completed two felt banners for her church, each proclaiming the advent of the Great Jubilee. The Great Jubilee is definitely a big year on the Vatican calendar. Celebrated in the year 2000, it is the year that marks the start of the third millennium of Christianity -- or more informally, Jesus Christ's 2000th birthday party. The technique the artist uses was developed about5,000 years ago and pre-dates the weaving loom 'For ê,a?fît)f ".the three years leading up to the Jubilee, the Vaticajrhfias set out a theme of contemplation, Sztraka : says. ■' \ The first banner she created for St. Therese reflects the 1997 theme of Jesus Christ and Mary as models of faith. For that banner, Sztraka included symbols that communicated communicated the theme. Adorning the top of the banner is the traditional sacred heart symbol. The heart wrapped in thorns is a symbol of Jesus' unconditional love for people and of humanity's sin and ingratitude, Sztraka explains. A written guide accompanies her gift to St. Therese and explains the other symbols used. For example, the cluster of lilies and leaves ringing a central core of mustard mustard seeds. The lilies and leafy branches form two cross-like shapes, she explains, and the mustard seeds symbolize the power of faith which can grow from the smallest seeds into the biggest of trees to build up God's kingdom. Even the banner material is made of is symbolic. The wool is reminiscent of Jesus as the Lamb of God. ■ The technique the artist uses was developed about 5,000 years ago and pre-dates the weaving loom. The colored pattern is melded into a plain background fabric just by agitation in a soapy environment. The agitation agitation causes the wool to shrink and the fibers bond permanently. permanently. The idea for the Great Jubilee banners came to Sztraka in 1996 after having completed a similar tapestry for her home. That tapestry contains familiar Christian symbols such as the Shroud of Turin and the triangle of the Holy Trinity. But it also contains more generally forgotten symbols like the sailboat on turbulent seas. (The Apostles were fishermen and the rough water might represent the trials of life) But, the most striking element on the tapestry is the face of Jesus. "I don't take credit for it," protests Sztraka. It is indeed her work, but she feels certain she had some spiritual help. Not wanting to make "any Mickey Mouse image", she prayed for a little help from above as she worked the wool fibers on her kitchen table. The result is riveting. The image of Christ drawn with loose wool fibres is unmistakable. These banners were made for St. Therese Catholic Church in 1997 and '98. The artist plans to:create two more before the year 2000. When she exhibited the finished tapestry at an art show in Toronto it attracted a great deal of attention and discussion. And that suits Judit Sztrak fine. She is pleased if her art encourages people to think about matters matters related to life's spiritual dimension. Father Norbert Glasmachcr says the tapestries at the St. Therese Church serve two purposes. First, they inform worshipers about their faith through displaying the important symbols. In addition, they have a decorative decorative value in the sanctuary. "The people have really appreciated those tapestries. They are really amazed at the craftsmanship," he said. "We are privileged to have someone in the parish willing to do this and put a lot of effort and love into it." Father Glasmacher sees the interest in the church tapestries as one more example of the quest for the spiritual spiritual in the broadest sense of the word. Within the Christian church there is a resurgence in faith, heritage and generally finding out more about the faith. "We try to respond to that. The tapestry will help in that regard," he said. He welcomes anyone from the community to visit the church and see the tapestries for themselves. You can also meet the artist August 8 at the Visual Art Centre's "Everything Under the Sun" annual summer festival. The event features a variety of local artists showing their works and conducting workshops. Mountain bikes took over the Ganaraska Forest Centre Sunday, July 12th, for the Alpha Racing Giant Five competition. Cyclists jj were competing in 40, 20 and 10-kilometre events, with participants following a course through the Ganaraska Forest. Pictured here is the start of the 20- kilomctrc race which attracted the largest field of contestants. The Giant Five competition includes two more races this season. The racers move to the Durham. Forest in Uxbridge for an August 23rd race and then to a competition in Bethany