About 15 years ago, a local young man died in his prime in an auto accident on the way to college.
The tragedy moved Theresa Pizza to write “The Prodigal,” a poem in which the man watches family and friends struggle with the shock and grief of his unexpected death.
“My mother wept. My father stumbled and could not breathe,” Pizza of St. Catherine of Bologna Parish in Ringwood writes in the voice of the man she wants to remain anonymous. Later, pain surrenders to hope. The man’s loved ones find comfort in faith. He ultimately finds love in God’s heavenly embrace, similar to the Prodigal Son. He exclaims, “My dad…He held me up…Ruffled my hair and walked me home.”
Pizza’s literary expression of love and hope in God clinched first place for poetry in a new prize competition category focusing on “Hope” at the 24th Annual Festival of the Arts from April 3 to 6. The event was held in the gym of the former school of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in the Haskell neighborhood of Wanaque.
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This year marked the first time the Paterson Diocese partnered with the festival for its Jubilee of Artists. The event drew more than 200 artists and more than 1,000 visitors of all ages from the Tri-State and beyond—the largest yet at St. Francis. This collaboration was part of the Diocese’s many celebrations for the Jubilee of Hope 2025, which the Universal Church is celebrating.
Pizza was one of many contestants from the diocese and beyond who unleashed their creativity by submitting inspiring religious and secular artwork conveying the Jubilee Year theme of Hope. Other Jubilee award winners were Patricia Quirk for a pastel painting of a Canadian goose taking flight and Kevin Lee for a photo of a bagpiper performing.
“I’m flabbergasted. I never won anything before,” said Pizza, who also worships at Living Word Church in West Milford. She noted that “The Prodigal” expresses hope that “We go through life, sometimes good and sometimes bad. Still, in the end, God is always there and will restore all things he promises to.”
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney presented the Jubilee awards on the first night of the festival, which featured live music.
“Pope Francis invites not only all Catholics and Christians but also all people of goodwill this year to focus on that virtue — that gift of hope — that lifts us up, especially in difficult moments,” Bishop Sweeney told festival goers.
The event featured over 600 art pieces, including in other festival categories guided by the theme of “Flight.” Artists from the diocese included Salesian Sister Virginia Dickey, Sister Jane Abeln of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, clients of the Department for Persons with Disabilities of Catholic Charities, and Cecile Pagliarulo, digital media specialist.
Pagliarulo didn’t enter her photos into the competition because she belonged to a team of Jubilee awards judges, including Father Frank Lennie, parochial vicar of St. Anthony Parish in Hawthorne.
Father Greg Golba, St. Francis’ pastor, said the festival unites diverse people, including non-Catholics, for a common purpose: “celebrating beauty and art.”
The festival was held at its founding parish, St. Catherine’s, until four years ago. Conversations are underway to continue collaborating between the festival and the diocese for its 25th anniversary next year.
The organizing committee included Dale Ostrander of St. Francis, who sits on the Diocesan Pastoral Council. Bill Darlington, another committee member from St. Francis, won an art award at the festival, which he called “terrific. It’s upbeat and inspirational, especially for youth.”
BEACON PHOTOS | JENNIFER MAHON
