Thanks to the vision and generosity of Fr. Michael Doyle, a recently deceased priest of the Camden Diocese who was not only an inspiring mentor but a dear friend, I have enjoyed the use of a row house to call my very own for the past fourteen years. It actually evolved into something more than a studio, which was its main purpose. It became my personal retreat house when I needed to run away from home (which is pretty much every day) and an internet-free monk’s cell filled with colorful quiet and creative peace. It has been a relaxing holy space in which St. Francis de Sales himself would thrive. He might have even found the perfect time and space to write a few more classic books on spirituality- or better yet, do nothing but bask in the holy silence.
But Fr. Doyle’s dreams and visions extended far beyond my studio row house. His heart and soul were centered on the Gospel’s message of love and social justice, and to those ends he made creative things happen. He turned an old firehouse into an art gallery and studio space for artists; he created a Writer’s House to promote literacy and poetry among Camden youth - which now distributes food as well as books. He set up the Heart of Camden to provide affordable housing to people in need of a home. And now, as part of that mission, the time has come for my studio to be renovated into a family home.
Moving is not fun - especially for a creative spirit such as mine which has absolutely no gift for organization, order, and planning. And the fact that I am moving the studio to two new locations only adds to my anxiety. But the Holy Spirit came to the rescue through Fr. Mike McCue, OSFS, and DeSales Service Works. He arranged for eight Salesianum juniors to move my boxes of paints and supplies, my studio furniture and shelving, my easels and drawing tables across the street to Sacred Heart rectory which will be my new day-to-day workspace.
In just one hour, their youthful energy and enthusiasm wiped out many months’ worth of anxieties and concerns. Afterward, they joined another group of Salesianum boys who were sharing grilled cheese sandwiches and basketball-centered conversation to homeless folks at Joseph’s House of Camden - under the loving guidance of a local angel named Irma.
As two boys carried my old drafting table down the narrow steps, I told them my dad had given it to me when I started high school at Father Judge and I just couldn’t part with it even though it is old and tired, like me some days. Later that very evening I found myself with eight Oblate confreres at the annual Father Judge Awards banquet. From those eight young Salesian gentlemen who came to my rescue in the morning to the more seasoned Salesian gentlemen in the evening, I was reminded once again that our lives are beautiful yet challenging journeys equally packed with grace-filled moments of letting go and moving forward…one small step at a time.
Brother Mickey McGrath, OSFS
Salesian Artist
Camden, NJ
*Brother Mickey's books, prayer starters, Christmas Cards and Calendars are available at Clear Faith Publishing. Brother Mickey's images can be purchased at Trinity Stores.
