ART CLUB OFRENDA

Each fall students in Dowling Catholic’s Art Club create an ofrenda in celebration of Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, a Latin American holiday observed on November 1 and 2. The ofrenda is an essential part of this celebration, serving as a visual reminder of the deceased. This year’s ofrenda was created in honor of Marshal McManus who passed away in May and would have been a senior this year. Nearly 50 students contributed to this meaningful tribute which was on display during the month of November following the unveiling and prayer service.

The focal point of the ofrenda was a stunning monochromatic acrylic portrait of Marshal, hand painted by senior Sophia I Mauro with dramatic effect to convey simplicity, peacefulness and the blue feelings that occur with loss. The ofrenda also included a variety of items ranging from gear with his favorite sports teams to gaming equipment and food items, many of which were handmade by students to represent the things he enjoyed during his time on earth. During the prayer service, Fr. Reed Flood ‘13 spoke of the importance of these tangible reminders of loved ones that point us to eternity where death is not the end, but rather the doorway into eternal life.

This is the 19th year DCHS students have created an ofrenda under the guidance of Mrs. Brenda Kane, art teacher and moderator of the Art Club. Kane believes the tradition of creating an ofrenda is an example of how DCHS brings individuals together as a community of faith, uniting those from different cultures in remembrance and reverence for the souls of the dead.

“We specifically set aside November to pray for the departed,” said Kane. “When entering DCHS through the Narthex, the ofrenda honoring Marshal stopped us in our tracks and allowed us to take in the vivid visual reminder of our obligation to pray for the dead. I believe this outstanding artistic tribute created by our Art Club members urged us to spend some additional time in prayer.”