Fernandez and his wife Bonnie, also an artist, are long-time collaborators. Believing that "art is an expression of life," they feel it all should glorify God. Living in Rochelle, Va., they are members of Our Lady of the Blue Ridge Parish in Madison. Their children, named after Biblical archangels, are Raphael, 7; Gabriel, 5; Michaela, 2; and Sariel, five months. On their homestead they have founded a center for celebration of the arts, Arch Angel Arts.

Next month on Feb. 17 the St. Francis de Sales community will host a "Champions of the Cross of Light" song and poetry program for all ages. Sponsored by Arch Angel Arts, the parish Knights of Columbus Council and assisted by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the competition invites all those who have had their lives touched by the "Crux Gloria" to participate. Both monetary prizes from the Knights and art works by Fernandez’ are offered for the winners.

"There are many expressions of the cross beyond my own," said Fernandez. "It illuminates lives." Guests and artists will be asked to share their inspirations live via the microphone. At the event, Bonnie and the Fernandez’ friend, Brian Bader, a guitarist and fellow parishioner, will perform a song Tomas wrote, and he will give a presentation on the creative and construction process of the "Crux Gloria."

Contest submissions must be postmarked by Jan. 15 and finalists will be sent notification on Jan. 29 (address, entrance fee and more information listed at end of article). Judges include Tom Parker, artistic director of American Folk Choir Resource Center and former director of St. Mark Parish’s folk choir in Vienna, and John Frances Ross of Artists for a Renewed Society.

In addition to indoor and outdoor creations at St. Francis de Sales in Purcellville, Fernandez’ church furnishings grace the diocesan parishes of St. John the Apostle in Leesburg and St. Mark in Vienna. His pieces are also at Holy Trinity Parish and a Sisters of Mercy community in Washington. Other artworks are at Peace Lutheran Community in Arlington, St. David Episcopal Church in Ashburn and Corpus Kanuga and St. Francis Episcopal Retreat Center in North Carolina. He has also sent items across the country and overseas, such as the 90 recent medallions to Holland for a Christian missions group.

His "horses from heaven" creations are in private gardens as well as on Loudoun County Hospital grounds. For the medical facility, his work helped raise funds for their children’s wing, and he wrote a poem about newborns’ prayers going to heaven and back.

Ferndndez said his work has not made him financially wealthy, but that he has become rich in many other ways. One of his main goals is to reach elementary-school age children through Arch Angel Arts, both locally and on the Web site, because he has seen a real need for Christian values in the art world.

"Getting children comfortable with calling on God in their lives," is important, he said. By example, he wants to show youths "what happens when you offer your creativity and lives to God," he said. "It is an interesting journey, dynamic and surprising." His hope is that "if they’re at a crossroads in their lives, they would issue an invitation to the Holy Spirit" to guide them. "God is the Consummate Gentleman. He won’t come into your life unless you ask," he said. "An artist’s greatest work is when they are collaborators with God," using the example of Michalengelo, he said. On the Arch Angel Arts Web site, Fernandez offers free on-line art instruction.

One of the most popular items on the site, in their "illuminated icons of faith" area, is a home-size tabletop model of the "Crux Gloria." There are also jewelry and shrines, church furnishings, memorials, information about the artists and links. A Christmas tree ornament of the cross, whose sale raises funds for the Youth Ministry’s Work Camp project, is also available through St. Francis de Sales Parish.

The Arts Center, in the Blue Ridge Mountains’ foothills, in it’s future expanded form will welcome all artists who wish to share their work in a God-centered environment. It will also provide training artists of all ages. In time, sculpting, painting, dance, theater, music, quilting, gardening and other arts will be available. The Fernandez’ envision ultimately a mini-Wolftrap, referencing the Vienna performing arts center in a national park, with barns for indoor events.

Tomas said their parish’s pastor, Missionhurst Father John Morel, has been very supportive of their endeavors, including writing a letter of recommendation to the county zoning board for the structures they plan to put on their property.

In an area where Catholics are a distinct minority (1 or 2 percent of the county’s population), Fernandez said they want to reach out to their "Protestant brothers and sisters." Though the foundation of Arch Angel Arts is Catholic, they are undertaking an ecumenical effort.

Next spring, the Fernandez’ and contributing artists will hold a sculpture show entitled "Pentecost for the New Millennium." Future projects include a large cross which can be climbed up into, a prayer garden which children can tour on bicycles and on-line art contests and juried shows revolving around the liturgical year.

Referring to the Sept. 11 tragedy at ground zero in New York, Fernandez spoke of the cross which was erected from the buildings’ remains as the response to evil. "We need to keep pointing toward the cross, a beacon," he said. "And to recognize that the freedom of forgiveness starts with the cross. I feel that God has called me to be a spokesperson for the cross."