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20 years later, St. Joseph statue given new life

Katie Scott | Catholic Herald

Fr. Joseph D. Bergida, parochial vicar of St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Clifton, first painted this statue as a teenager.

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When he was about 13 years old, Father Joseph D. Bergida, now
parochial vicar of St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Clifton,
took an oil-painting class with his brother and sister. While
most students painted canvas, the siblings asked the
instructor if they could paint statues instead.

Father Bergida’s sister painted a figurine of Mary and his
brother a bust of Christ. Father Bergida selected a statue of
St. Joseph and the Christ Child.

For the next 20 years, the St. Joseph statue made its home at
Father Bergida’s parents’ house.

Then a few months ago, he was asked if he had a statue that
could be used on the
St. Joseph Table at St. Andrew the Apostle
.

Father Bergida knew just the piece, but after two decades it
needed some TLC. So for about six weeks, he spent his
evenings and free time repainting the familiar statue. The
biggest challenge was painting the small, intricate eyes. But
thanks to a YouTube video, he learned the techniques he
needed.

Father Bergida said the repainting process drew him closer to
St. Joseph.

“I had him in my sitting room, and I’d look at him and think
about him before bedtime,” he said. “It certainly increased
my devotion to Jesus’ foster father.”

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