EBOOK GIVEAWAY in celebration of Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf Blogoversary

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Giveaway of eBook Framing Faith - Three Winners
OPEN WORLDWIDE - ENDS JULY 15, 2011

Framing Faith: A Pictorial History of Communities of Faith by Sarah Piccini

with photography by Ivana Pavelka.

Framing Faith Website

Framing Faith Synopsis:
Framing Faith tells the story of the faith of immigrants and their descendants, spotlighting ten Catholic churches in the Diocese of Scranton that were closed due to restructuring. The churches, SACRED HEART, MAYFIELD; ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA, SCRANTON; ST. JOSEPH, SCRANTON; HOLY FAMILY, SCRANTON; ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST, SCRANTON; ST. MARY OF THE ASSUMPTION, SCRANTON; ST. MARY CZESTOCHOWA, SCRANTON; ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, TAYLOR; IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, TAYLOR; AND ST. MICHAEL, OLD FORGE have rich ethnic heritages. They are Polish, Slovak, Italian, German, and Lithuanian parishes with long traditions and deep roots. Each church was founded by immigrant groups who came to the coal fields of the Lackawanna Valley with little more than their faith in God. Their churches served as the center of the community and touchstones of the Old Country. Framing Faith traces their histories from small beginnings through baptisms, weddings and funerals to their final celebrations. Throughout the text are images from each church, visual reminders of what was for many an important part of their lives.

Buy links

Abington Journal

Abington Journal
June 15, 2011

Book details 10 church closings in the diocese

“Framing Faith: A Pictorial History of Communities of Faith,” written by Sarah Piccini with photography by Ivana Pavelka and ARTS Engage!, tells the story of the faith of immigrants and their descendants, spotlighting 10 Catholic churches in the Diocese of Scranton that were closed due to restructuring.

The churches, Sacred Heart, Mayfield; St. Anthony Of Padua, Scranton; St. Joseph, Scranton; Holy Family, Scranton; St. John The Evangelist, Scranton; St. Mary Of The Assumption, Scranton; St. Mary Czestochowa, Scranton; St. John The Baptist, Taylor; Immaculate Conception, Taylor and St. Michael, Old Forge have rich ethnic heritages. They are Polish, Slovak, Italian, German and Lithuanian parishes with long traditions and deep roots. According to the author, each church was founded by immigrant groups who came to the coal fields of the Lackawanna Valley with little more than their faith in God. Their churches served as the center of the community and touchstones of the Old Country. Framing Faith traces their histories from small beginnings through baptisms, weddings and funerals to their final celebrations. Throughout the text are images from each church, visual reminders of what was for many an important part of their lives. Piccini graduated from The University of Scranton with a degree in History and Communications. In 2010, she received a Master’s degree in History focusing on the ethnic and labor history of the Lackawanna Valley. She collaborates with the Lackawanna Historical Society on many projects and programs, and serves the Vice President of the board for the Anthracite Heritage Museum and Iron Furnaces Associates.

Pavelka is a co-founder and co-manager of the photographic gallery Camerawork in Scranton and is a professional photographer who has had solo and group shows. “Framing Faith: A Pictorial History of Communities of Faith” is published by Tribute Books. For details, contact 570. 876.2416 or visit www.tribute-books.com

Raising Little Saints review

Raising Little Saints
June 14, 2011

Catholic Book Blog Tour: Framing Faith by Sarah Piccini [Book Review]
by Erika Drain

The closing of our Parish back in Miami, brought great sadness to our family. It was a our home there, we had great family and friends there, history was made there...we exchanged out vows in our Sacrament of Matrimony, saw our second and third children be Baptized, many fond memories of this small and beautiful little church Near the Miami River in Florida. My only wish was that I had taken more pictures and spent more time with our Pastor asking questions about its rich history.

As I stop to think about Saint Robert Bellarmine's in Miami, I realize that our family is not alone. Across the US, there are many other families like ours, reminicing the closing of their home parishes due to restructuring of the different Diocese and of course, our horrible economy. Yes, sadly, we are not alone!

Which leaves you with this question, "How do you capture the richness of these parishes?" Author Sarah Piccini had an inovative idea, she documented the history of the people of 10 parishes in the Diocese of Scranton in Pennsylvania, then got together with photographer Ivana Pavelka & ARTS Engage and together they captured these ten beautiful parishes in a book entitled, Framing Faith: A Pictorial History of Communities of Faith.

Looking through this beautiful book, I can't help but feel like I've been taken back through time to parishes with not just the Catholic history that they embody, but also the history of many immigrants and their families. To see the pictures of the cornerstones and see the dates some as old as 1895, just facisnates me. Some written in Polish for those communities rich with these families starting to make roots in a new country. This book conveys to its reader, the positive impact that Catholic immigrants from Poland, Slovakia, Italy, Germany, and Lithuania made to the Scranton Diocese. What an incredibly thoughtful and beautiful idea it was for these two very talented ladies to have created this lovely book!

It was truly a pleasure reviewing this book. I could not tell you which parish I liked the most because each one had such amazing stories or the place was just heavenly, that I could not pick just one. I might favor Sacred Heart in Mayfield, but I'm partial to anything and anyone with that title ;)

Stained Glass of the Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Sacred Heart Church

Stations of the Cross,
Sacred Heart Church

Immaculate Mary and Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Sacred Heart Church

This book honors all of those parishioners and priests that served and loved and worshipped our Lord in beautiful parishes. I wish more authors and photographers would capture these unforgetable churches throughout the US, as these two lovely ladies have done so well in this great book. If you have ties to the Northern Pennsylvania area or just the fact that you love older traditional churches and their rich history, I recommend that you add Framing Faith to your Catholic library.

Hope you enjoyed this review!
Many Blessings,
Mama Erika

Midwest Book Review

5 stars

A fine read for those who have a fondness for religious work, very highly recommended

Faith has inspired people to create brilliant things. "Framing Faith: A Pictorial History of Communities of Faith" is a blend of art and photography as Sarah Piccini provides the words describing these works as Ivana Pavelka offers photography to display this unique work. Churches for centuries have proved to be community centers and evidence of that still reigns strong in the modern day. "Framing Faith" is a fine read for those who have a fondness for religious work, very highly recommended.