Gerald Squires, one of Newfoundland and Labrador’s most distinguished artists, died October 3, 2015 at the age of 77 after battling cancer.
Since his earliest years Gerald had the mind, heart and soul of an artist. Although not “religious” he was a man moved by the Spirit and who lived with kindness, gentleness, generosity and love. His life and his art are testament to that.
At this date a large collection of Gerald’s art is on the auction block https://bartlettauctions.com His large acrylic paintings depicting the Last Supper, death and resurrection of Jesus were commissioned by the parish of Queen of the World in St. John’s, NL and fed the faith of thousands of faithful parishioners and visitors over the years. Only in the past twenty years were complementary stained glass windows, also designed by Gerald, installed in the church.
Today that church has been sold to meet obligations of court ordered payment to victims of sexual abuse at the former Mount Cashel orphanage. The sale of the church is part of the bankruptcy protection process established for the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation which was found vicariously liable for the abuse. The paintings among other treasures that are being sold.
Listen to Gerald Squires in this interview where he gives an explanation of his work of art
Gerald Squires was also a sculptor applying his genius to clay, fired in a kiln, then in a pit and covered in sawdust to form a Raku style ceramic. The Sisters of Mercy commissioned a panel of six units in raku depicting the history of St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital in St. John’s.
“Mercy” was depicted in six different languages to represent the people who live in or frequented the shores of this part of Canada.
In 2014 Gerald created another panel of six pieces to depict the images of giving and receiving for The Gathering Place, a social and health service centre for the most vulnerable population in St. John’s.
In a film produced by award-winning Director Kenneth Harvey, “I Heard the Birch tree Whisper in the Night”Gerald Squires speaks of his own immanent dying.
We all face challenges- as individuals and as communities. We all experience hardship at one point or another. It’s part of being human.
It connects the science of climate change, biodiversity and sustainable resource use with the messages of Pope Francis’s Encyclical 
Conecta la ciencia del cambio climático, la biodiversidad y el uso sostenible de los recursos con los mensajes de la Encíclica Laudato Si’ del Papa Francisco.
The loss of life, the injuries, the destruction of buildings, the displacement of peoples and the critical needs of the citizens are extraordinary.
“Standing on Their Shoulders”, a book by Charlotte Fitzpatrick rsm tells the stories of 60 Sisters of Mercy who left Ireland between 1842 and 1907 , all aged between sixteen and twenty years, to minister with the people of Newfoundland .
in which we celebrate the liturgical memory of St. Bakhita, the Sudanese nun who as a child had the dramatic experience of being kidnapped and enslaved and became the universal symbol of the Church’s commitment against trafficking.
The practice began in October 2001, following the 2nd Mercy International Justice Network conference in South Africa, where those present resolved to focus their prayers and action on all forms of violence against women and children, as well as all kinds of racism. The conference opened on the night of September 11 2001 and so the events of that day in New York City deeply affected us as we immersed ourselves in the work at hand.
Pope Francis will preside at the funeral Mass to be celebrated on Thursday morning , January 5, in St Peter’s Square, beginning at 9:30 am Rome time (3.30am Canada time).