Florida Catholic | Outdoor Way Of The Cross Installed At Bethany Center

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Workmen with Herman Construction erect a cast-bronze crucifix for the 12th station of the Way of the Cross adjacent to the chapel at Bethany Center. Construction of the chapel and accommodations at the Diocese of St. Petersburg’s retreat center is nearing completion and dedication of the facility is scheduled for May 15.

Outdoor Way of the Cross installed at Bethany Center

The centerpiece 12th station, a life-size crucifixion scene, was placed on Good Friday.

FLORIDA CATHOLIC STAFF REPORT

Published: 04.04.08

LUTZ | A life–size crucifixion scene has taken a prominent position on the Bethany Center grounds. The bronze piece, which stands around 17 feet tall, was set into place by workers on an appropriate date — Good Friday.

“It worked out with the construction schedule and it all just kind of came together on that day,” said Dan Allen, operations manager of the diocese’s new facility in Lutz. “When everything comes together like that, you think, ‘Wow, this was just meant to be.’”

Visible from several points on the retreat center grounds, the crucifix will be by far the largest of the Stations of the Cross being placed along Lake Mary. It also will serve as the main crucifix for the Bethany Center chapel, although its placement outside the building is far from typical. Rather than a large crucifix on a solid wall behind the altar, this crucifix is outside, yet clearly visible to those inside through a wall of windows.

“It’s interesting in that it’s not the normal feel when you go into a church and you have a solid back wall,” said Bethany Center operations manager Dan Allen. “The idea here is to let the nature and the beauty of the natural surroundings come into the chapel.”

The crucifix/station was designed and cast by a company in northern Italy that specializes in religious art and sculpture. The company also is making the other stations, although those will be much smaller, at only about 15 inches across and 14 inches high.

“Each one depicts a scene from the Stations of the Cross,” Allen said. “They’re cast in bronze and they are beautiful.”

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The 12th station, viewed from the interior of the chapel, will form a backdrop for Bethany Center’s chapel altar. The stations were designed by Ferdinand Stuflesser of Ortesei, Italy and the wood that was used as the base for the clay mold of the crucifix will be used to create a crucifix that will be installed in the new church at St. Anne Parish in Ruskin.

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David Eaton, of Herman Construction, holds a bonze casting of the 11th station in place for Bishop Robert N. Lynch to observe. The bishop and other diocesan personnel were onsite March 21 during the installation of a large crucifix that is part of the 12th station for the exterior Way of the Cross at the retreat center.

The diocese has taken great care to retain the natural beauty and reflective tone of the retreat site as it places conference areas, a space for youths, cottages and the 250-seat chapel onto the site.

Allen said the view from the chapel accomplishes the local church’s desire to bring the peace of nature into God’s house. That enhances the feeling inside the chapel, he said.

“The art and crucifix pictured outside the window adds depth and a different characteristic to the building,” Allen said. “The nature (outside) draws you into the crucifix scene in a very emotional, spiritual way.”

“The crucifix is close to 15 to 18 feet at the top of the cross,” he said. “John is to your right and he’s looking at Mary, and Mary is to your left, looking up (at Jesus).”

Allen said the crucifix can be seen from the cottages, from the chapel and, of course, along the lake path where the stations will be placed on large boulders. It states in a solid, visible way the purpose of this place.

“It will be the signature piece of the retreat center,” he said.

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Outdoor Way of the Cross installed at Bethany Center

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