The
Catholic Weekly
Online
Sydney
11 January 2004
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Sparked by ‘tongue of fire’
INSPIRED: Catherine Hellyer with her ‘tongue of fire’ Pentecost chasuble
By Alicia Wood
Australian Catholic University student Catherine Hellyer’s belief that “each priest can choose how he wishes to express his faith through the vesture he wears” has in part inspired her design of a chasuble which was featured in the university’s TECO2003 exhibition.
The exhibition showcased 30 works by students of the combined degree of bachelor of teaching and bachelor of arts in technology.
Catherine says that although her design was “the only one to focus on something in any way related to Church, everyone was quite supportive of my ideas and very positive about my work”.
Her impetus for the design of the chasuble to be used in Pentecost ceremonies sprang from a realisation that priest’s vestments and church decorations in Australia are largely derivative of European designs.
“ Over the years I have noticed that church decorations and vesture often have intricate, golden designs which I feel are influenced by our Church’s history, a more European’ influence,” she says.
“ However, I started to question what real relevance these designs had to a culture such as Australia.
“ I chose the celebration of Pentecost because it particularly speaks to me, and the rich symbolism of a ‘tongue of fire’ sparked my imagination.
“ From choosing this celebration, I was heavily inspired by the bush fire flame, which I think speaks to most Australians through our country’s experience with bush fires.”
Catherine is donating her design to her parish priest, Fr John Crothers, of St Declan’s, Penshurst.