Beauty Ever Ancient

Having worked in mission, evangelization, and education since the early 1990s, Bill joined faculty of the TOB Institute in 2010 and became a full-time member of the team as content specialist in 2013. With a background in visual arts, philosophy, and systematic theology, he has given talks and retreats to bishops, priests, deacons, religious, and the lay faithful throughout the country and internationally. Bill is the co-author with Chris Stefanick of the popular program RISE: 30 Day Challenge for Menand is a proud husband and father of four.

Christopher Alles is a sculptor who specializes in figurative and sacred art. He began his formal training in classical art in Florence, Italy, where he assisted artist Dony MacManus on a monumental 16 figure altar relief for a medical school chapel in Rome. He continued apprenticeship under the guidance of sculptor Tomasz Misztal, with whom he studied the European grand manner of sculpture and completed his first near-life-size figure. He also completed a master class in drawing with Vitaly Borovic, head of drawing at the Imperial Academy of Art, St. Petersburg, Russia. Christopher has been commissioned for work throughout the Tristate area, ranging from small scale portraits, to architectural sculpture, to monumental figurative sculpture. His work has been featured in the New York Post, The New Criterion, and Catholic New York, and he is a featured artist in the documentary, “Masterpieces.” He received the Stanford White Award in the category of “Art and Craftsmanship” for his sculptural contribution on the recently constructed Baldacchino at the Church of St. Michael in midtown Manhattan.

He lives in the Hudson Valley with his wife and four children.

Laura Sine is a dancer, choreographer, teacher of movement, catechist, wife, and mother. She began dancing and performing at the young age of three. Her favorite way to pray is through movement.  Laura has a BA in Dance, with a concentration in teaching and choreography, from Mercyhurst University. She spent the majority of her professional career with Saint Michael’s Warriors Dance Company, touring both nationally and internationally. While dancing, she was also given the opportunity to choreograph for the company. Laura still dances and performs whenever the opportunity arises. She has taught dance to people of all ages and abilities. She is a cofounder of The Karol Theater – a performing company dedicated to building up the culture of life through the performing arts. Laura has also been involved with CLASP (Catholic Literature and Arts Summer Program) – a week long retreat/arts camp for teens for the past several years.  

Laura began a personal study of the Theology of the Body 17 years ago after she and her husband were introduced to the teachings during their marriage preparation. Theology of the Body has impacted every aspect of her life. She currently teaches an introduction to the Theology of the Body course designed for middle schoolers in her parish, as well as in other parishes in the diocese. Laura lives in the Mid-Hudson Valley region of New York with her husband and two children.     

Lyrically, the tunes are reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen’s ability to describe characters in such exquisite detail that by the end of five minutes it seems as if you’ve known them your whole life. These are people and songs you’ll want to revisit and spend more time with. That’s the mark of a timeless album, which is exactly what this under the radar gem is. Play it once and you’ll be calling your friends to rave about Mangione, his chamber folk and one of the hidden musical highlights of the year.