Research

A few initial reflections on visiting St John Abbey, Collegeville and the Abbey Church designed by Marcel Breuer,
The tomb of Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue—the greatest American architect of his generation—rests in the Episcopal Church of the Intercession in the far northwest of Manhattan. Here we explore the inscriptions and sculptural contents of this "token of the affection of his friends" and "his great architectural creations that beautify the land."
On the implications of the theologies of two prominent 12th-century abbots in the Benedictine tradition—Abbot Suger and St Bernard of Clairvaux—as they touch on themes relevant to architecture, especially simplicity, proportion, light, and the divine darkness.
A profile of one of my personal favorite church buildings and a "definition" of church architecture based on reflections on the Transfiguration.
The historical context and some potential strategies for contemporary implementation of the veiling of images during Lent. As an example, I show how I created the veils used by my own parish.
"Without doubt, Our Lady of Chartres is still a majestic and sublime edifice. But for all the beauty she has maintained with age, it is difficult not to sigh with indignation before the damage and countless mutilations to which men have subjected the venerable monument." (Thus spake Victor Hugo)
Milton A. Ryan was most well known for his mid-century modern residential architecture, especially in the Terrell Hills neighborhood of San Antonio. But he also designed two award-winning churches: the Victoria church in 1952 and University Presbyterian Church in San Antonio in 1954.
Projects
A description of the liturgical, theological, and historical principles of an unrealized design for the conversion of an existing conference room into a new Blessed Sacrament Chapel for St Albert the Great, Austin, Texas.
The historical context and some potential strategies for contemporary implementation of the veiling of images during Lent. As an example, I show how I created the veils used by my own parish.
A discussion of the design strategies applied in the design of a Triduum order of service booklet.
A discussion of the liturgical principles applied in the design of a Triduum order of service booklet.