2009 ONPA Pictures of the Year

First Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus Dispatch

First Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus Dispatch

The path to the priesthood is one less traveled, as evidenced by a 40-year low number of Roman Catholic clergymen serving a growing church. Robert Bolding, in his final year at a seminary, is one of a few young men to step forward for rigorous training to become a priest. Deacon Robert Bolding waits for Monsignor Nevin Klinger to arrive so that he can begin a mass practicum class at Pontifical College Josephinum.

First Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus Dispatch

Offensive lineman Deacon Robert Bolding, right, shown in action during the annual Mudbowl flag football game at Pontifical College Josephinum.

First Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus Dispatch

At the beginning a medical morality class, students say a prayer together. At far right is Deacon Robert Bolding.

First Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus Dispatch

Monsignor Nevin Klinger (right) takes notes as Deacon Robert Bolding, left, practices saying mass. Later, Klinger critiqued Bolding's effort.

First Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus Dispatch

Deacon Robert Bolding (second from right) shares cheese with fellow theology students in Charm on a trip to Amish country. Enjoying a day off from the seminary, the students are, from left: Terry McGowan, Justin Braun, Adam Stimpson, Bolding, and Andrew Budzinski.

First Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus Dispatch

Deacon Robert Bolding (center) leads a group prayer at the end of a prayer meeting at Peggy and Pat O'Donovan's Gahanna home.

First Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus Dispatch

Robert Bolding lays on the floor of Saints Simon and Jude Cathedral as part of the ceremony during his ordination to the priesthood, in Phoenix, Arizona. In the pew at right are (from left) his mom, Patty, dad, Al, and grandmother Sue Schepers.

First Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus Dispatch

Robert Bolding's parents, Patty and Al, watch as Robert, far right, dons a priest vestment during his ordination ceremony at Saints Simon and Jude Cathedral in Phoenix, Arizona.

First Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus Dispatch

From left: Father Thielo Ramirez, Father Will Schmid, and Father Robert Bolding stand outside Saints Simon and Jude Cathedral in Phoenix, Arizona on June 6, 2009 after being ordained as priests.

First Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus Dispatch

Joe Santa Cruz of Phoenix stands across the street from Saints Simon and Jude Cathedral protesting celibacy for priests on the day of the Robert Bolding's ordination ceremony in Phoenix, Arizona.

First Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus Dispatch

Father Robert Bolding (left) smiles at his sister, Tricia, far right. Bolding's family was first in a reception line to receive a blessing by the new priest. In front of Robert are (from left) his brother Nick, mom Patty, dad Al, and sister Tricia.

First Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus Dispatch

Having reached his goal, Father Robert Bolding (center) conducts his first mass as a priest at Saint Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church in Phoenix, Arizona.

Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Andy Morrison / The Blade

Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Andy Morrison / The Blade

Defining faith is like trying to explain the meaning of life. It’s so large a concept, so personal in meaning, that it’s almost impossible. Sages and philosophers have tried for centuries. For something that’s so hard to put into words, it sure does play a huge role in our lives and society, from our daily routine to the way we treat others to the politics we practice. We asked six area residents — all laypersons — representing different world religions to give it a shot and explain what faith means to them personally.

Carol Christiansen sings "We Praise You" as the sun pours into Corpus Christi University Parish.

Faith is "...my rock and my foundation. When I think more about it, I see my faith as a gift as well. For so many years, I think I was blinded to it. Other than my parents, I have never experienced what you'd call unconditional love. Just the whole idea that the Lord died for me, it's beyond my comprehension. I try to think of myself as a good friend and develop relationships based on being unconditional and on being very caring and such. The Lord is my model upon which I have built those qualities."

Carol Christiansen, Catholic, 63, West Toledo

Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Andy Morrison / The Blade

Ammar Alo faces northeast as he does one of his five daily prayers at Masjid Saad. Faith is "...what tells you that you're here for a reason; it's your map or your guide. Without it, you'd be lost. You would have no idea why you're here or what your purpose or goal is. Faith helps you make sense of this crazy world. For Muslims, we look at our religion as, not only being your religion, but your way of life. It's your whole daily routine. It's integrated into your everyday actions, so we do everything in accordance with Islamic principles."

Ammar Alo, Muslim, 26, Sylvania Township

Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Andy Morrison / The Blade

Neil Light reads from Gates of Prayer at Temple-Congregation Shomer Emunim. Faith is "...something that I would rely on and act on even though I can't prove it. To me, faith is the antidote for fear. So many things in life are subject to being questioned and we wonder about things and we have fears: fears of the unknown, fears of the future, fears of death, sometimes fears of taking courageous action, and I think having faith helps you get over your fears. My faith in Judaism, it ties in because it gives me direction in how to act, in how to live my life.

Neil Light, Reform Jew, 55, Ottawa Hills

Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Andy Morrison / The Blade

Millicent Marquart offers a prayer to White Tara, a female Bodhisattva, in her Perrysburg Township home. Faith is "...a belief that there is something greater than myself. The journey is to try to understand that. ... It's a personal quest. When one lets go of thought there's a space that's created, and that happens in meditation and it also happens in mindfulness, which is in the present, and it happens for me a lot in nature. When you let go of thought and are in that space, for me, that's the space of God, Creator, Source, whatever you want to call it."

Millicent Marquart, Tibetan Buddhist, 71, Perrysburg Township

Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Andy Morrison / The Blade

Leroy Bates reflects on the Book of John at Indiana Avenue Missionary Baptist Church. Faith is "...twofold. First, faith is my confidence in what I believe God will do on behalf of his people based on my biblical understanding of what the Bible says about who Jesus Christ is and what he can do for you. That's saving faith. The second faith, which I call my living faith, is the faith in which I put into practice my reliance upon Jesus Christ to meet the needs and the desires of my heart on a daily basis."

Leroy Bates, Baptist, 60, West Toledo

Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Andy Morrison / The Blade

Sumitra Srinivasan performs her daily prayers at her West Toledo home. Faith is "...believing in a higher authority, a higher cosmic power, and just a belief that there is God. In addition to being brought up with religious values and trust in God, it has also been a quest for understanding the scientific basis for things, what can't be understood by science. ... I continually question various teachings and their contexts, but on a more compelling side, I believe these have been said and passed to us through divine intervention. They may not have been proven or understood or accepted yet, but I want to believe."

Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus Dispatch

Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus Dispatch

The Ohio State School for the Blind marching band was selected to march in the 2010 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. The 32 blind players and 36 volunteer marching assistants were to be the parade's first blind marching band. The invitation came more than a year before the parade, giving them plenty of time to practice.
A marching assistant (left) guides a member of the blind marching band at the Greater Columbus Convention Center during a conference.

Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State School for the Blind marching band co-director Dan Kelley conducts a practice before the band takes the field for a halftime show during a football game at the Ohio School for the Deaf on Sept. 12, 2009 in Columbus. Like the members of his band, Kelley is also blind.

Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus Dispatch

With band co-director Dan Kelley conducting, members of the Ohio State School for the Blind marching band perform during halftime of a football game at the Ohio School for the Deaf. Marching assistants guide the band members to their spots on the field.

Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus Dispatch

With the help of marching assistants, the Ohio State School for the Blind marching band heads into an exhibition hall at the Greater Columbus Convention Center to perform at a conference.

Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State School for the Blind marching member Marty Bateman (center foreground) responds to band co-director Dan Kelley's call for band members to come to attention during practice in the school's gym.

Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State School for the Blind marching band member Tamara Batchelder makes a joyful noise with her clarinet during band practice.

Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State School for the Blind marching band member Bria Goshay marches in the school parking lot during an evening practice. Band members have varying degrees of vision impairment.

Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus Dispatch

Marching band members are ready for their bus ride back to school after a performance.

Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus Dispatch

With marching assistants guiding the way, the Ohio State School for the Blind marching band marches in the Millersport Sweet Corn Festival parade in Millersport.

Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State School for the Blind marching band co-director Dan Kelley, who is also blind, directs the band during an outdoor performance at the Ohio Statehouse.

Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State School for the Blind marching band members Sabrina Say (left) and Whitney Bryant explore the Ohio Statehouse with their hands during a tour. Members of the band felt the column and then hugged it for fun. The band was given a tour of the Statehouse after a performance there.