Explore "Art and Faith" with John & Ashley Noronha April 18, 2013

Tour Roman churches and study their classic art treasures with John and Ashley Noronha. Our tour starts at 7:30pm on April 18th in St. Mary Immaculate Parish’s Cana Hall at 15629 South Rt. 59 in Plainfield.

As we look at classic Roman art, we wonder how to begin to understand its significance and message. As our guides, John and Ashley will help us get to the heart of Roman art. We’ll better understand the historical context (the who, what, when, where and why) bringing the art to life to make its message present to us today.

Married in 2008, they have been working, studying and living in bella Roma ever since. Their passion is to share their knowledge, helping others know and appreciate the riches of our faith through the profound symbolic meaning in the classic art of Rome’s famous churches and museums.

For instance, you’ll visit Rome’s Church of St. Jerome of Charity where St. Jerome, the great Scripture Scholar who translated the first official version of the Bible, once lived. They will discuss Domenichino's famed “Viaticum of St. Jerome” helping us get deeper to penetrate the messages hiding inside.

Ashley, a graduate of the University of Dayton, is a journalist, the Rome Correspondent for the Relevant Radio Network, a Professor and holds a Masters in Theology. She is now doing her PhD in Journalism and Communications at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (Santa Croce). She speaks Italian, loves a good cappuccino and sharing Rome with everyone from Romaphiles to first time visitors of all ages.

John is a Professor of Art & Architecture and Theology. He brings a diverse cultural and academic background with a bachelor degree in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering, a Master’s in Computer Engineering and Information Systems and a Master’s in Philosophy and Theology. John enjoys integrating all these different fields with his expertise in Church and Roman history.

Demonstrating how Roman art and faith come together, John and Ashley have been featured on EWTN's "Vatican Reports" and in "Inside the Vatican" magazine,

For more information, visit http://johnandashley.org/ or call 815-436-2651.