RESOURCE PUBLICATIONS, INC. 160 E. Virginia St. #290 San Jose, CA 95112-5876 408-286-8505  408-287-8748 (fax)

For Immediate Release Contact: Helen St. Paul 408-286-8505 Helens@rpinet.com www.resourcepublications.com

SAN JOSE, Calif., May 18, 2005 — The power of art to draw people together, to instruct, and to heal reaches its optimum purpose in the renovation of Saint Joseph Chapel in Battery Park City, New York. On September 11, 2001, a cloud of dust and ash from the imploding World Trade Center towers engulfed Saint Joseph’s Chapel. In the wake of the disaster, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designated the chapel as its command station. The pulpit and the pews were moved outside and were destroyed in a rainstorm a few days later. After serving as a refuge for beleaguered police, firefighters, and other rescue and recovery workers, the worship space was in a shambles. It might have remained so, with its doors closed as a grim reminder of that tragic day. Instead, the vision of a community and the exemplary work of artists have transformed this space into a memorial of 9/11, a reflection of remembrance and promise of life to come.

In recognition of this valiant and inspired effort, Ministry & Liturgy magazine (ML) and its parent family, Resource Publications, have devised a distinctive honor, the OPTIME. For many years, ML has sponsored awards for excellence in liturgical arts through its Visual Arts Awards competitions. These competitions occur annually in five categories. Donna Cole, editor of ML created the one-time OPTIME award specifically for this project. Ministry & Liturgy is honored to present the OPTIME to the Saint Joseph Chapel Catholic Memorial at Ground Zero, for it has indeed accomplished, in “the best possible way,” a sacred refuge and memorial. Creating this sanctuary of hope is the antithesis of the destruction and despair of the events surrounding the 9/11 attack and is a testament of the power of transformation and co-creation through the arts.

ML regards the vision and achievement of this project as truly exceptional not only for the individual efforts represented here but for how the combined result serves the community, creating a vessel for strong emotion and enabling powerful prayer.

The award will be presented by Donna Cole, editor, and Helen St.Paul, editorial manager, on Sunday, May, 29, 2005, following the noon Mass at Saint Joseph’s Chapel, Gateway Plaza 500, Battery Park City, New York. Awards will be presented to the faith community of Saint Joseph’s Chapel as well as to the artists who were involved in the project.  Eight awards in all go to Rev. Kevin Madigan, Pastor; Lawrence Hoy, Liturgical Interiors; Sister Cecelia, Iconographer; John Collier, Sculptor; Christopher Cosma, Glass Artist; Guy Kemper, Stained Glass Artist; Brett Slavin, Ceramics Artist; and Wiktor Szostalo, Sculptor.

“…I hope you take the opportunity to visit Saint Joseph’s Chapel and find comfort in prayer and reflection.”   — Edward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop of New York

St. Joseph’s Chapel, Gateway Plaza 500, Battery Park City, New York, NY 10280, 212-233-8355, www.sjchapel.org

Resource Publications, Inc., strives to help people reach their fullest potential on both personal and professional levels, primarily by providing leadership resources for use by leaders in ministry and education. Current ministry resources include Ministry & Liturgy magazine, Liturgical Catechesis magazine, Celebrating The Lectionary whole-parish faith formation program, Sacramental Register 4.0, and many other books and music collections. Visit the RPI website at www.resourcepublications.com.