Featured Articles

Sing to the Lord a New Song

S. Roberta Westrick created the decorative santos adorning the reredos at the newly dedicated St. Pius X Catholic Church in Weslaco, Texas.

The 18 decorative santos adorning the reredos at the newly dedicated St. Pius X Catholic Church in Weslaco, Texas, are the creation of Sister of Charity Roberta Westrick. Although Sister resides in Colorado Springs, Colo., she came highly recommended by St. Pius X parishioners S. Anne Darlene Wojtowicz and Associate Viola Elizondo.

“It was a most awesome event for me to see the saints that I had painted here in Colorado Springs, some 1,500 miles away from their eventual home, finally arriving and being so honored when they were installed in the church’s absolutely beautiful altar screen,” Sister said.

When she arrived in Texas, S. Anne and Viola escorted S. Roberta to the church where she found workers still assembling the reredos, which was made in Monterrey, Mexico. The altar, side niches and reredos were made of lightweight concrete and covered with 22-karat gold. Each of the 18 saints is framed and attached.

The dedication of the church was Dec. 9, the feast of San Juan Diego. The event began in the former church with Bishop Daniel Flores and the Rev. Patrick Seitz announcing the event’s commencement and then processing to the new church with the community following. The Mass began and after the reading the Bishop consecrated the altar with the oil of chrism; Fr. Pat anointed the walls in four places.

Those attending proceeded to St. Joan of Arc’s (the mother church of St. Pius X and St. Martin de Porres churches) parish center for food, Mariachi music and dancing. “The people and community, with their pastor Fr. Pat, S. Anne and Viola can truly now ‘Sing a New Song to the Lord’ in His and their new home,” S. Roberta said.

S. Roberta said she is currently working on a new project for St. Dominic Church in Security, Colo. Monsignor Don Dunn commissioned her to do a retablo (one panel) for the church. She has now ventured into a new art form – carving, and will carve a frame for the painting.

To read more about S. Roberta’s passion and the St. Pius X project, click here.

 

back to top

 

 

Charity ResourcesIn MemoriamSeton Enablement Fund