Rags turn into riches in priest's hands

Most work-worn dungarees and threadbare bedspreads eventually end up in a rag bag or a trash bin.

But others are transformed into sculptures of biblical characters, hand-crafted by Rev. Romaeus Cooney, O. Carm., pastor of St. Joseph's Church in Troy.

From Adam and Eve to the four evangelists, the nearly 50 statues molded by Father Cooney comprise an inspiring menagerie that bring many Old and New Testament personalities to life. The collection includes not only ancient greats with kingly titles like David and Solomon, but also humble, nameless characters, like shepherds.

Rags to riches

Father Cooney credits his sister, Jean Gill of California, with getting his sculpting hobby off the ground two decades ago.

"My sister had made a set of the Three Kings -- or Wise Men -- for our mother for Christmas one year, and I liked them so much I asked if she would make a set for me the next year," recalled Father Cooney, a native of Kingston. "Instead, I got a big box in the mail with a note that read: `If you want your Three Kings, you'd better get started today!'

"Everything I needed to make them was neatly layered inside the box along with detailed instructions of how to make the figurines. At the end of each page of instructions was my sister's phone number and an invitation to call her if I got stuck at any phase along the way."

Father Cooney, who celebrates his 40th anniversary as a priest next year, added: "I can't remember now exactly how many times I wound up calling her, but after a while, it got to the point where I could say the sculptures actually became very simple and easy to do."

How he does it

The creative process begins with a Styrofoam base to which hands are wired. The only "pre-fab" part of the figures are the basic faces, to which he adds eyebrows, hair and -- when appropriate -- mustaches and beards, using a variety of crocheted threads.

To craft veils, capes and robes for his figures, Father Cooney keeps a healthy supply of discarded fabric on hand in his basement workshop at St. Joseph's.

"I have everything from parts of old vestments to torn and faded dungarees to used lace and chenille bedspreads," said Father Cooney. "Really, you can use any kind of cloth that can absorb water," a necessity since the material is dipped into a solution of starch and glue before being draped around the Styrofoam base and heads.

Finishing touches

Once he is satisfied with the shape of the body and the positioning of the hands and head, Father Cooney applies approximately nine coats of decoupage, sealant and antiquing.

Sometimes, the finished statues display life-like color schemes; others are done in a single color, such as gold. A shining example of the latter is a Nativity set that started with the Three Wise Men and wound up including the Blessed Mother, Joseph, the Baby Jesus, and a multitude of shepherds and angels.

In all, the set, which took 18 years to complete, comprises about 50 pieces of varying heights. During most of the year, the Nativity is on display at the Carmelite Fathers' Retreat House in Williamstown, Mass.; however, each Advent, it is showcased at different parishes.

Gospel truth

Father Cooney is hesitant to lay claim to a favorite statue in his vast collection, but does keep his renditions of the four evangelists in a place he frequently passes inside the rectory.

"Each one is different; each one has special meaning," reflected Father Cooney, who also personally arranges the bouquets and floral wreaths that adorn some of his figurines.

The newest addition to his vast collection is a set featuring four ancient prophets whose names appear in the New Testament in conjunction with the Christmas season: Isaiah, Hosea, Micah and Ezekiel.

Completed during the pastor's recent summer vacation in at the Williamstown retreat house, the prophets will be displayed on the altar at St. Joseph's as part of the church's Advent wreath this winter.

(09-25-97)