August 2016 - Page 2 of 2 - James DeCamp Photography

St. Mary Catholic Church High Hill

Images, Places, Religious, Scenics, Travel

St. Mary Catholic Church in High Hill, Texas, one of the Texas Painted Churches photographed Wednesday August 3, 2016.

St. Mary Catholic Church is nestled in the community of High Hill, Texas, just 3 miles north of I-10 in Schulenburg. The area, rich in a German-Czech heritage, was established more than 150 years ago. With its ornate design, paintings and stained-glass windows, St. Mary is known as the Queen of the Painted Churches on The Painted Churches of Texas tour and is visited by hundreds of visitors every year.

The St. Mary parish also holds one of the larger picnics in the area every year on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend. Our parish picnic features a home-cooked German-style meal, the sounds of area German and Czech bands, a live auction, country store, souvenir booth, bingo, horseshoe tournament, games for the kids, and much, much more. The day starts off with a special mass and is topped off with an evening fireworks spectacular! This event attracts hundreds of parishioners and guests every year.

St. Mary Catholic Church in High Hill, Texas, one of the Texas Painted Churches photographed Wednesday August 3, 2016. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

August 3, 2016/0 Comments/by James

Oil Wells Working

Images, Places, Scenics, Travel

Oil wells working in the scub brush of Lavaca County Texas photographed Wednesday August 3, 2016.

More images available HERE.

Oil wells working in the scub brush of Lavaca County Texas photographed Wednesday August 3, 2016. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

August 3, 2016/0 Comments/by James

DTFA – The Ocasio Family

Features, Images, News, People

This is the third in a series of assignments that I had for the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. This was a very meaningful project for me, as I too was adopted, but I had found a forever family when I was only months old. Many of the children I documented in this series were not so fortunate, spending years in a system that passed them from one home to another until DTFA stepped in and helped them find a stable home life and loving forever family.

For 11 years, Wilfredo and Dimarie Ocasio have found purpose in fostering groups of siblings. In fact, they view it as their ministry to keep families together.

When a change in Texas legislation placed a halt on all group placements, the Ocasios decided to adopt the group of six siblings that were with them rather than see them split up. Today they have a total of 11 adopted children and one grandchild (so far). “You don’t plan for something like this,” says Wilfredo. “You just see kids who need a family and you fall in love.”

“We don’t regret a minute of this journey.” – Wilfredo Ocasio