‘Face of Jesus’ attracts comments

SLIGHTLY slumped and worn down from bad weather, the ‘face of Jesus’ is still there on an Alstonvale barbecue cover.

The barbecue cover which took on the appearance of the face of Jesus at an Alstonvale home.

SLIGHTLY slumped and worn down from bad weather, the ‘face of Jesus’ is still there on an Alstonvale barbecue cover.

The Northern Star in April reported on the Alstonvale family who found their barbecue cover resembled the face of Jesus, and since the story was published it has attracted both criticism and attention.

Owner Louise Van Dartel brushes aside comments from readers on The Northern Star website that say she is delusional. She says the cover has not been moved from its resting place.

“To label me as something like that is pretty outrageous,” she said.

“I think so many people see the negative and not the positive. One person said it still didn’t save our house in the fire, but I just think, okay it did happen, but now we have a beautiful new home and that is a positive.

“The wind has got to it (the cover), but it still has the face.

“The novelty of it has worn off a bit, but I still look at it every now and again. When we take the time to clean up the barbecue area it will be moved.”

Mrs Van Dartel hasn’t experienced any bizarre miracles or acts of God, and said she certainly ‘hasn’t won Lotto’, but ‘found a bit of comfort’ in the face of Jesus after their house was lost in a fire in 2006.

The story received numerous comments on The Northern Star website, one calling the subject ‘poor and superstitious’.

Not deterred by the comments, Ms Van Dartel is pleased the story created a ‘talking point’.

Read more:

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Jesus barbecue vision 'delusional'

Originally published as ‘Face of Jesus’ attracts comments