No one knew that the acquisition and addition of the beautiful and moving sculpture "Generations" in September at the main entrance into Holy Family Catholic Church in Brentwood would be so well-timed.
Pastor Edward Alberts wrote to his parishioners:
"It was designed by Timothy Schmalz and depicts the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and Mary's parents standing behind them. The sculpture highlights the sanctity of the family including the loving stability that grandparents offer our future generations."
Holy Family is a wonderful parish atop a Williamson County hill that offers much peace amid the race through life that grips so many of us. So the sculpture emphasizes the values that last.
And now those values are even more important as Tennesseans and Americans enter difficult and scary economic times with a dropping stock market, rising job layoffs and a growing distrust in our elected leaders to do what is right.
So we long for the sheltering arms of our parents, grandparents and past time when things could be more counted upon to secure a better future for ourselves and our children.
For me, the sculpture signifies hope in uncertain times, and as Father Ed preached last night, we must give the most important things and focus in our lives to God ... and the greatest hope of all held in the arms of Mary and Joseph.
Father Ed emphasizes this moving story: 'One of our parishioners, Margaret Sharp, sent me a note that puts everything in perspective.
She writes, 'Thank you for the beautiful Generations Statue of the Holy Family. At first I wished for the three person family, but this past Tuesday evening I got there early and stood and looked at it for a long time. All of a sudden I had tears in my eyes.
'I saw Tom and me with our first born son and my parents standing behind us and guarding us. That is the story of how we survived and flourished during the years when our nine children came into the world. Without the Holy Spirit and my parents watching over us, it would never happen.' ”
Keeping our faith in God remains the most important power in this world and the next. And Holy Family and Father Ed have added not only an important reminder to parishioners there but to rest of Tennessee and America.
God bless and keep the good people there and across this nation. And if you need reassurance in these times, take a drive on Wilson Pike to Crockett Park and go to the east side of the beautiful red-bricked church there.
Stop, get out of the car and walk over to the sculpture that sits atop a newly manicured garden. Say a prayer for renewed faith in the good God has given to us now and promises to us in the future to all would keep their focus on Him.
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