FROM ROME TO HOME

Gary and his family went on an Arundel and Brighton Pilgrimage in November 1987 for the Beatification (part of the Saint-making process of the Catholic Church) of George Haydock and his 84 Companion Martyrs.  The pilgrimage was headed by Bishop Cormac Murphy O'Connor who led the vast group of mainly clergy for their one week stay in Rome.  The highlight of the pilgrimage was meeting the Holy Father (Gary's youngest daughter was embraced by him) and of course, touring the Vatican and the many beautiful churches and sites of the Eternal City and of course, the Sistine Chapel Ceiling.  The image below is an original postcard of Michaelangelos Ceiling.

Gary was very impressed with the Sistine Chapel.  It was while he stood there that he noticed the similarity in size and shape to the ceiling of his parish church at home in England.  This thought never left him upon his return and the idea occured to him that such a wonderful work of Catholic Art would be so appropriate and fitting for the plain church of the English Martyrs.  It didn't even seem outrageous or impossible to him either, even though no one had ever attempted to reproduce the 3000 square foot ceiling artwork before.  Gary simply knew it would fit and that he could do it. 

Gary's first task was to approach Father Enda who at first was surprised at the suggestion.  He pondered it a moment, looked up and asked if Gary thought he could do it.  When Gary said he thought that he could, Father Enda said he would ask the Bishop.  Meanwhile, Gary painted a real-scale sample panel in his back garden to present to the Parish before he would begin. 

Bishop Cormac Murphy O'Connor approved of the plan and the Parishoners were interested.  Gary was given permission and The Sistine Chapel Reproduction UK began.