Table of Contents

Introduction
From the earliest of times we have used symbols, signs and artwork as well as words to express our thoughts and emotions. In the church especially, we have used these mediums to help us speak to others and to God. Through the use of visuals we seem to enhance our prayer. Visuals help us to focus on what we are saying; they also help us to meditate on what is the theme for the Eucharist or a celebration.

Following the success of my first book – Church Graphics For All Occasions – I have put together another collection of graphics for use in church celebrations. Included here are graphics suitable for banners, posters, statues and paintings, to smaller individual items such as candles, stoles and vestments. These graphics can also be modified for use in any form of written publication.

Preparation for the celebration of one of the church’s seasons, a special Eucharist, prayer session or sacrament can be a very meaningful occasion when an individual, or preferably group, is able to reflect on and create the artwork to be used. A sense of ownership and fulfilment at having participated in the preparations is felt and it gives a richer prayerful experience to those involved.
I have categorised the banners and posters into liturgical seasons and themes but these should be regarded as only a guide. Some of the graphics are suitable for more than one theme e.g. Eucharist/Holy Thursday, Pentecost/Confirmation.

How you use these graphics is limited only by your imagination.

I have provided some basic instructions and ideas but these are only suggestions – feel free to experiment and let your talents run free. Most importantly, I hope you derive as much joy and satisfaction from making your own contribution to your celebration as I have had in designing these graphics for you.

Banners
These are usually large in size and can be made from many different materials such as fabric, cardboard and paper. Choose a background colour that contrasts well with your chosen graphics colour. Then hang a piece of paper the exact size of your banner on a wall. Place it at a height that makes working on it with an overhead projector possible. On an overhead sheet photocopy the graphic you wish to use. Place the sheet on the overhead projector, making sure that the projector is the correct distance from the wall and will project the image to the size you need. Draw around the image on the paper and then use this as the stencil for your banner.

If you are going to sew your banner you can use contrasting or same colour cottons in a straight or embroidery stitch. Highlighting may be done on the materials with fabric paints or puff pens. You could also embroider it with glitter threads, sew-on sequins, buttons or other materials. For those who don’t wish to sew the contrasts or outlines, there are many new and exciting products in most art and craft shops. Fabric adhesives and paints are readily available and you can experiment with them on scraps of material until you find something that you are really happy with. Sewing a banner takes time and experience, so for those of you who wish to work as a group or if time is a factor, excellent results can be had from the use of paper, cardboard, paints and pens. Further time-savers available are the many quick drying glues that do not wrinkle the paper. Children can produce very professional results using these mediums.

Posters
The posters in this book can be photocopied and re-sized to whatever dimensions you require. There are endless possibilities for their use. They are especially effective when printed on coloured paper and framed. They can also be used as covers for booklets, newsletters or any printed matter that you wish.

Candles
Through the years I have been asked to decorate candles for many different kinds of celebrations and they have been most effective. I have found wider candles give the best results, so my graphics have been drawn with this in mind. There are candles readily available in a variety of sizes and colours and many ways to decorate them.

Different kinds of mediums can be used to decorate candles. These are readily available at art and craft shops and often the newsagents. I have found that coloured Contact, either solid colour or transparent, is very quick and easy. Words can be added with the use of DECAdry lettering. If you wish to apply freehand drawing, paints such as Perm Enamel, Polymark, Vihail and most fabric paints are easy to use and very effective. They do need some drying time though.

Once again you can photocopy the required design, then trace it onto the candle with a sharp object and then paint it. If you wish to carve out the design with a carving tool you can then rub over it with coloured Rub and Buff (wax based). This provides a very interesting finish, somewhat like a brass rubbing. As an added touch for wedding candles you can make a wreath of either fresh or dried flowers and place it around the candleholder, or tie a ribbon around the base of the candle. A combination of all or any of these methods results in a very pleasing candle with a distinct individualistic style.

Candles for children to decorate
Candle decorating can be very enjoyable and meaningful for children’s group activities during Sacramental programs. I have included candle designs that are simple and easy for children to use. Photocopy the sheet of designs for the children so they may choose the design (or combination of designs) for their candle. They trace their design onto tracing paper and then trace it onto the back of Contact. (Please note that on one of the sheets there are two narrow rectangles, these can be used to make a cross on the candle. By lengthening or shortening them you can make a cross of the desired length). The Contact used can be either solid colour or transparent. Transparent Contact creates interesting combinations of shape and colour when overlapped.

Before cutting out the shape that has been traced on the back of the Contact, try outlining or highlighting it with either fabric paints or with permanent marker pens (overhead pens). Don’t forget to do this on the coloured surface, not the backing sheet. Allow it to dry properly, then cut it out, remove the backing paper and press it into position on the candle.

Older children may like to enhance the design by adding overlaid shapes or shading with fabric paints or permanent marker pens. They can also add words or their name with DECAdry lettering.

Stoles
Many parishes now ask children who are celebrating a Sacrament for the first time to make a stole to wear. You can embroider the designs straight onto the cloth or appliqué them using a sewing machine, fabric glue or iron-on fabric. Fabric paints (flat or textured) also lend themselves to this kind of work very well. Again you can use a combination of methods to gain the required result.

Certificates
I have included designs for certificates as I have so often been asked to do them. Photocopy these onto coloured or textured paper (there are many kinds available now) then fill in the required information.

Small Graphics
I have also included a section on smaller graphics for use in any form of publication. These may be increased or decreased in size according to your requirements. Some can also be adapted for use on candles, stoles or banners. Their use is restricted only by your imagination. I hope that you enjoy putting them to use in your future celebrations.

Contents
INTRODUCTION v
DEDICATION viii

Banners and posters
Jubilee
1. Jesus Spirit Father
2. Celebrate 2000
Advent
3. Walk In The Light Of The Lord
4. He will bring light to the darkness
5. Awake the time is near
6. Mary, Lead Us To Your Son
7. His time is near
8. The World Waits
Christmas
9. The world rejoices
10. Behold A Child Is Born
11. Peace on Earth, Good Will to All
12. Emmanuel
13. God is with us
14. They came to adore Him
15. Rejoice and be glad
Lent/Easter
16. Turn away from sin/ Be faithful to the Gospel/Ash Wednesday
17. A Time Of Challenge/Lent
18. Holy Week
19. The Crowd Went Out To Meet Him/Passion Sunday
20. The Last Supper
21. A life shared in love/Holy Thursday
22. Shed for all
23. A life given in love/Good Friday
24. This Is My Beloved Son/Good Friday
25. By Your Suffering You Have Set Us Free
26. Truly This Was The Son Of God
27. A life risen in love/Easter Vigil
28. I Am The Resurrection And The Life
29. He is Risen Alleluia/Easter Sunday
30. This is the Victory
31. Spirit Of The Living God
Eucharist
32. Come, Let us worship/At the table/Of the Lord
33. I Am The Bread Of Life
34. Let the seed grow in fertile soil
35. Holy Thursday-Do This In Memory Of Me
36. Good Friday-Jesus Pierces The Darkness Of Sin By The Light Of His Love
37. Be strong/And let your heart/Take courage/All you who hope in The Lord
38. Jesus was born not to receive but to give
39. Without the Way
40. May the road rise with you
41. God has committed some work to me
42. Life’s filled with possibilities - Emily Matthews
43. Whatever special challenges - Emily Matthews
44. Wait patiently - Emily Matthews
45. For all that has been Thanks
46. Just To Be Is A Blessing (Herschel)
47. Let My Prayer
48. May The Lord Bless And Keep You
49. Death is nothing at all
50. It is better to light a candle
51. Joy is the most infallible…
52. All the flowers of all…

Candle designs
53. Candles for children to make 1
54. Candles for children to make 2
55. Paschal Candle 1
56. Paschal Candle 2
57. Paschal Candle 2-continued
58. Christmas Candle 1
59. Christmas Candle 2
60. Marriage Candle 1
61. Marriage Candle 2
62. Marriage Candle 3
63. Catechumen Candle
64. Confirmation Candle 1
65. Confirmation Candle 2
66. Baptism Candle 1
67. Baptism Candle 2
68. First Eucharist Candle 1
69. First Eucharist Candle 2
70. Candle Decorations 1
71. Candle Decorations 2

Stole designs
72. Stole - Baptism 1
73. Stole - Baptism 2
74. Stole - Confirmation 1
75. Stole - Confirmation 2
76. Stole - First Eucharist 1
77. Stole - First Eucharist 2
78. Stole - Reconciliation 1

Certificates
79. Baptism certificate 1
80. Baptism certificate 2
81. Baptism certificate 3
82. Reconciliation Certificate 1
83. Reconciliation Certificate 2
84. First Eucharist Certificate 1
85. First Eucharist Certificate 2
86. First Eucharist Certificate 3
87. Confirmation Certificate 1
88. Confirmation Certificate 2
89. Confirmation Certificate 3
90. Catechumenate certificate 1
91. Catechumenate certificate 2
92. Catechumenate certificate 3
93. Catechumenate certificate 4
94. Catechumenate certificate 5
95. Catechumenate presentation 1
96. Catechumenate presentation 2
97. Catechumenate presentation 3
98. Catechist program

Newsletter designs
99. Advent/Christmas
100. Lent/Easter
101. Sacraments
102. Eucharist 1
103. Eucharist 2
104. Eucharist 3