Sunday, October 14, 2012

Cathedral Basilica of Sacred Heart











Cathedral Basilica of Sacred Heart
89 Ridge Street, Newark, NJ 07104

This is my favorite Gothic Church in the entire U.S. Cathedral Basilica, which was dedicated in 1945 is located in Newark but it can be compared to counterparts in Europe. It seemed like it is slightly smaller than St. Patrick Cathedral in New York City but it was very well maintained and less crowded. A few of my friends are pretty familiar with this church since they came here for priest ordination. I would love to come back here for sunday Mass!

5. St. Vincent de Paul


(St. Therese Little Flower)
St. Vincent de Paul,
123 West 23rd Street, New York, NY 10011

Since this church is located near my office, I go here for daily Mass sometime. I don't know what to say about this church. It is nicely sized and beautifully proportioned. But this French church needs money and serious renovation. There are yellow tapes at the side aisles (my friend said it was damaged by hurricane, even though I am not hundred percent sure about it), and the colors of the columns are gloomy gray. When the nave of the church does not have windows, I think lighter paint color should be applied to brighten up the space. And the kneelers were painfully uncomfortable. It is too bad that this church is kept in such a bad condition. I love its front facade and the overall layout. This church can be definitely improved!


4. St. Francis of Assisi






St.Francis of Assisi
135 W. 31st Street. New York, NY 10001

St. Francis of Assisi is my parish church which is ran by Franciscans friars. I attend Korean Mass at St. Francis of Assisi every sunday and sometimes daily Mass on weekdays. Located near Penn station, St. Francis celebrates nine Masses everyday and confession is available almost throughout the whole day. I love how this parish is always very lively with people and activities.
Even though the architectural language of this church is not my favorite, it is still a nice church. I feel like the colors of this church too bright (almost gaudy) but I like the overall size of the church and proportion of the layout.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

The Salesian National Shrine




The Salesian National Shrine
174 Filors Lane, Stony Point, NY 10980

I visited the Salesian National Shrine twice. Once for a retreat and once for a picnic with my Legio group. The retreat house itself was okay...there wasn't anything too special about it. The church...I am sorry to its admirers but it is an aweful building. But I found this little shrine pretty gorgeous. (My friend said she wants to get married in it!) It was not well maintained and it needs a little more care, but this shrine came to me as a nice surprise. Also they had a  nice rosary walk in the forest. Very peaceful and beautiful. When I was walking with my friends, we even found a deer watching us. I recommend this place for a short get-away from the city.


3. St. John the Baptist







St. John the Baptist
210 West 31st Street Between 7th & 8th Ave


I went into church one day after work, on the way to Port Authority. It was a very simple, but nicely designed Gothic church which gave a pleasant feeling. St. John the Baptist(ran by Capuchin Franciscans) is only a few blocks away from St. Francis of Assisi (also staffed by Franciscans) but it is very different in terms of style and decoration. I stepped in during daily Mass but the church was rather full with parishioners celebrating Mass. It always give me a very warm feeling to see an active parish.

2. St. Ignatius Loyola








St. Ignatius Loyola
980 Park Avenue at 84th Street

A few months ago, I had stopped by at this church after my visit to Metropolitan Museum. Because the main chapel was closed (but I could still take a peek at the inside) I had to wait until my official visit. Last Sunday, I came to celebrate Mass at this church. It was breathtakingly beautiful and very well preserved/restored. It was interesting that they had a separate reader/chaplain(?) for young children during the first, second and Gospel reading. The parishioners were extremely friendly too...overall, it was a great church!

1. Our Lady of Pompei Church





Our Lady Of Pompei Church
25 Carmine Street, New York, NY

I finally stopped by at this church during lunch time a few weeks ago. I passed this church so many times when I was in West fourth neighborhood, but had never gone in! This was a very beautiful church with depiction of rosary decades in triforium. The five joyful mysteries were depicted on the left, the five sorrowful on the right and the five glorious in the ceiling. 




Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Churches in Manhattan

I always wanted to blog about churches...especially in Manhattan but I never had a chance to do it (or strong commitment to do it). I will take the first step today with the photo of our blessed mother in St. Francis of Assisi (located in Manhattan).

I have special love for sacred architecture and especially in Catholic churches. I don't know how to describe it. But a church is a special place for believers. Where you can be comforted, and where you can feel the presence of our Lord. Also church embodies "special meaning", unlike other type of buildings. (a lot of architects will try to kill me now) While I traveled in Europe, I sketched so many churches and analyzed their forms. I hope I continue doing that in the United States too and this blogs helps me motivated to do it. Churches even in New England region do not have history like churches in Rome or other parts of Europe. Relatively they are new compared to their predecessors in Europe. But one thing I loved about churches in Manhattan (at least those ones I had a chance to visit) was that they were full of believers. I shouldn't generalized it.. After all, there are churches in every corner of Rome and less people in Rome, compared to Manhattan. However, when I was used to seeing empty churches in Rome, I was so surprised to see churches packed with people even during daily Mass. Even when I helped selling tickets for a Bazaar in front of St. Francis at 7:30am (being all grumpy), there were people coming to daily Mass everyday!
I believe that churches become extra special when there are believers in them; in that way, churches in Manhattan can't be more special (at least those ones that haven't been sold!). I will slow but surely write about them...

Churches in Manhattan


화성에서 온 남자 금성에서 온 여자

화성에서 온 남자 금성에서 온 여자 -존 그레이 지음-
" 아마 여러분은 몇 년 동안 싸움은 커녕 큰 소리 한번 내 본 적도 없는 부부가 돌연 이혼을 결정해 사람들을 놀라게 하는 경우를 본 적이 있을 것이다. 이런 경우는 대부분 싸움을 피하려고 여자 쪽에서 자신의 부정적인 감정들을 삭이며 살아 온 것이기 쉽다. 그 결과 그녀는 사랑을 느끼는 능력을 잃은 무감각한 사람이 된다. 부정적인 감정이 억압될 때는 긍정적인 감정도 함께 억눌리게 되고, 사랑도 희미하게 빛을 잃는다. 논쟁과 싸움은 물론 피하는 것이 좋겠지만 감정을 억압해야 한다면 곤란하다." (pg 173-174)

I just read this book...I heard about it for so many years but did not have a chance to read it. Not sure whether I liked this book that much. I felt like the author generalized relationship too much (even though probably a lot of what he said is true!). However,I could not agree more with this one paragraph I typed up above. Not only within my previous relationship but within my relationship between family members, I usually take a passive role rather than fighting or arguing . Maybe because of my passiveness/detachment, I became a person who is unable to sure about her ability to give out love. I talked to a priest during Cunae retreat about my ability to love. Unknowingly, I protect myself from being emotionally too involved with others (which can lead me to getting hurt). When my priest asked me, "so how do you think you can start loving others?" I wasn't sure what the right answer was. The priest said, "Don't think you are the source of love. Let the love flow. The love you are getting from Jesus, make it flow." Honestly, that sounded like a good solution to my problem, but still it is not a part of my life yet. It might take years for his word to really sink in.