CHARLOTTE — Spectacular images of sacred art were projected onto the Diocesan Pastoral Center in uptown Charlotte Jan. 5 through 12 to kick off a special year of celebrations devoted to St. Joseph.
The sacred art light show – using rare technology that’s considered a type of augmented reality – was first projected Jan. 5, the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, onto the exterior of the Diocese of Charlotte Pastoral Center facing Carson Boulevard.
The show featured images of St. Joseph, Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary depicted in Catholic masterpieces through the ages.
Bishop Peter Jugis has declared 2020 the “Year of St. Joseph” in the Charlotte diocese. The year aims to inspire families to strive for greater holiness – serving God and one another with love, patience and kindness.
The light show was the first in a series of events planned to commemorate the year, which will also include pilgrimages to every church named for St. Joseph in western North Carolina, special Masses and prayers to St. Joseph, and more.
“It’s a wonderful event for the Diocese of Charlotte and the larger community,” said Father Patrick Winslow, vicar general and chancellor of the diocese,
The light show’s start on the feast of the Epiphany and continuing through the Epiphany Octave, is important, Father Winslow noted.
“It’s that part of Christmas where we focus not just on the fact that God came to us as a gift, as a man, but that we were able to receive Him. The Magi represent that. They follow the light of a star – the image of Epiphany and the celebration of Epiphany have always been tied to the light of a star – so it’s beautiful to be able to see the light reflected on the building, especially specifically with images of St. Joseph.”
He prayed, “Father in heaven, we thank You for Your many continued blessings on this feast of Epiphany when You showed us the light of the star that leads to Your Son. We ask that You bless the light cast upon this building, that it lead more people to Your Son.”
The unique 3-D laser projection, which uses digital mapping technology, was produced by Highland Mediaworks of Asheville.
Considered a version of augmented reality, 3-D projection mapping is a rare digital art form using video projectors to project customized media onto a target sculpture.
Owners Dale and Dawn McGiboney, members of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Franklin, are Catholic converts who were first drawn to the Church through the beauty of its sacred art and images.
“The architectural target of the Charlotte Catholic Diocese Pastoral Center is an especially meaningful Catholic ministry for the community,” says Dawn McGiboney. “It gives the opportunity to share historical masterpieces using the modern digital art form of projection mapping to reach a very media savvy audience.
“The images that are projected onto the Pastoral Center are over 200 feet wide and 50 feet tall. Through this visual spectacle, there is an internal and solemn musing that connects the community with the artist, the Church and the ministry of Jesus Christ.”
“So many people from local Catholic churches came out and told us how much it meant for them to see the sacred art collection on their diocese building,” Dale the McGiboneys recalled after the show ended. “As new Catholics, this was so fun to meet them and know that we were family. They were in awe of the visual display and we had one priest, Father John Putnam, comment that the subject and scale of the art, ‘Made demons flee.’ From then on, we understood the importance of the work we were doing.”
The McGiboneys said they also interacted with people who live near the Pastoral Center. “We enjoyed all of the community locals who live nearby and walk their dogs. They were shy at first, but began expressing how much they liked the display and began taking pictures of the art, as well as asked us to photograph them in front of the building.
“It was a delight in so many ways, visually and spiritually. Thousands of cars passed by over the time we were there and so many of them pulled over to watch and take photos,” they noted.
They recalled one group that came out on the final night of the light show, chanting the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and kneeling to pray the rosary. “We had many families bring their children to run and play in the light, and they expressed that it was a nice attraction, to be able to bring their children downtown and pray, play and learn through art.
“The images, the community and the Church were at peace and you could sense the balance. We had several priests bless those in attendance, and all those around got to see and feel the power of the Holy Spirit through the clergy. We felt the relationship the between community and the diocese grow and many told us that they were thankful for sharing the artworks – some verbally and some told us through friendly honks!”
Dawn McGiboney noted that people are instinctively drawn to light, and through their unique ministry, they hope to draw people to the Light of Christ – “Light from Light, true God from true God.”
“This is what we can do to help people be drawn to the story of Christ,” she said.
— Catholic News Herald
At yearofstjoseph.org: Find lots of information about upcoming events, prayers and other ways you and your family can grow in holiness this year through the example of St. Joseph
More photos from the sacred art light show produced by Highland Mediaworks:
