Gulf Pine Catholic

10 Gulf Pine Catholic • January 19, 2024 St. John mural artist captures essence of Jesus’s message of salvation BY DAVID TISDALE GULFPORT -- The congregation of St. John the Evangelist Parish Church have a vivid and beautiful reminder of our savior’s sacrifice for the world each time they attend Mass because of the work of Poplarville, MS, artist Gretchen Krasny. A new altar mural that depicts Jesus’s death on the cross serves as the visual focal point for the church and came about due to Krasny’s 25-year acquaintance with Bill Norton, whose sister is St. John the Evangelist parish secretary Ann Wiborg. Krasny produced more than 100 paintings for a company Norton worked with so he recommend- ed her for the project. Krasny worked on the painting in sections of three attached to her studio wall, as she visualized the whole paint- ing and how each section would con- tribute. She relied on the guidance of former St. John the Evangelist pastor Father Satish Adhav and Wiborg, who “helped me immensely with under- standing what the church wanted in the painting and what style they wished to have.” The mural’s setting shows the time of the day of Jesus’s crucifixion to be at its closing, and to underscore this ele- ment Krasny features dark and stormy elements, but also to emphasize the light of the Holy Spirit. “I hope the depiction of suffering also reminds peo- ple of the triumph over death, and hope- fulness of love and forgiveness symbol- ized by the lilies that grow at the foot of the cross,” she further noted. Current pastor Father Mike Somers, SVD, praised Krasny’s work as “breath- taking” while also noting that it was commissioned with the intent of remind- ing the faithful that “our hope lies in Jesus Christ as true God and true man, yes; but even more so that He comes to us as the true Bread of Life.” “Gretchen Krasney’s meticulous painting was also meant to call to the mind of long-time parishioners the altar mural of the previous St. John Church, destroyed during Hurricane Camille,” Father Somers continued. “However, we believe the beautiful theme of this painting goes far beyond what was replaced and will stand, hopefully, for many decades and possibly even centuries to come as a reminder of the great sacrifice Our Lord made for our salvation.” Donny and Melissa Michelli, who have been visiting Saint John Church for the past 10 years and frequently attend its 5 p.m. Mass, readily concur with Father Somers. “The mural really gives a ‘wow’ effect when you walk into the church,” Melissa Michelli said. “The crucifix that has been there forever behind the altar is beautiful, but now with the large mural behind it, it really ties in the body of Christ being the Eucharist. What a wonderful way to celebrate the Eucharistic revival.” Donny Michelli says each priest he has known at St. John has left their positive impact on the church, and the new mural is in keeping with that tradi- tion. “Father Uko, Father Ryan, Father Satish, and Father Mike have all left their mark here in our hearts, and I have seen each one of these great men leave their mark on this building,” he explained. “It all started with some iron work on the outside and some paint. Now we have a beautiful mural with the Tabernacle underneath tying it all together. It really stands out when you walk in. You can’t help but to look up at it.” A native of Wyoming, Krasny’s favorite mediums include oil painting and drawing with graphite; inspirations for her work include from her love of the natural world and mountains and open spaces, which she says “will never leave me.”“I count myself fortunate to have a deep familiarity with that land- scape,” she said. She’s grateful for the connections she’s made to St. John through Norton and Wiborg, and the opportunity to use her talents to produce art that connects those who attend Mass there closer to the Holy Spirit. “It’s such an honor to have my work in the church, and to hear that the congregation finds it inspirational,” Krasny said. “That makes all the work worthwhile.” Father Michael Somers, SVD, pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Gulfport, celebrates Mass in front of a new mural painted by Poplarville artist Gretchen Krasny. Pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life in the Diocese of Biloxi by visiting www.invisiblemonastery.com