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God's Love Our Response Campaign

Windows are in!
By Bob Ross
Nov 15, 2009, 14:22

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The first of the sketched designs of the stained glass windows for the new addition are here along with a description of the images contained. Makes you want to see the final product!

You really need to get in to see the others in person to get a feel for them but I'll give you a listing of each with a look at them (through the aid of photography) and describe what is depicted in each one. St. Paul's will soon have a brochure in the back of church listing this information as well for you to read and look at them in person - a much better way to experience them.

First, our new addition: the design for one of the side chappel windows:

TITLE: Holy Family Window

WINDOW EXPLANATION:
King David playing his lyre appears at the top right of the window.The psalm that issues forth in this case is the visual metaphor of his lineage. Directly beneath him is the Star of David. All of these images point to the Old Testament prophecies concerning the lineage of the Messiah. The angel to the upper left is the angel who appeared to Zacharias in the temple and foretold to him the birth of his son, John. The Angel holds the incense that Zacharias was said to have burned in the temple. Below the angel is an altar and candle symbolizing Zacharias' priestly status. St.Elizabeth is shown holding onto a walking cane to indicate the miracle of her conceiving a child at an extremely advanced age. The young John the Baptist is depicted pouring water into a baptismal font, foreshadowing his future vocation.

In the panel below John, the angel who announced the Virgin Mary's birth to both Joachim and Anna is seen blessing the elderly couple. To the left is the Holy Family. Above them is the Star of Bethlehem with it's fiery tale. The manger is in the background. St. Joseph is portrayed holding his square indicating his job as a carpenter. His other hand holds his flowering cane. This, yet again as with the stories of John the Baptist and the Virgin Mary, symbolizes the coming to fatherhood at an advanced age. Mary is shown caressing her young son. Christ is depicted as a boy. He is giving a traditional blessing.

Now for the ones that are presently installed inside the church. Starting from the left side (Blessed Mother's side):

TITLE: Marian Window

LOCATION # Left Side #1

Devotion to Mary

WINDOW EXPLANATION: Our country is dedicated to the Blessed Mother and the Immaculate Conception. We have many and various devotions to Mary, the six devotions in this window have connections with the religious communities in the Diocese of Covington.

Our Lady of Fatima                Our Lady of Guadalupe

Our Lady of Grace                 Our Lady of Providence

Our Lady of Knock                 Our Lady of LaSalette

BACKGROUND: Various symbols, - Rosary, Rays, Child Jesus, Arms Outstretched, Shamrocks

DETAILS / SYMBOLS

TOP: Fleur de Lis

BOTTOM: Ave Maria Initials "A&M"

=====================================================

TITLE: Baptism of Our Lord

LOCATION # Left Side #2

THEME: Openness to God’s Spirit

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 3:1-10, 13-17 & Matthew 4:18-20

WINDOW EXPLANATION: Central to this window is Jesus standing in the River Jordan at His Baptism. Present at the time was the voice of the Father and the Dove representing the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist in the middle of the desert, dressed in camel’s hair carries an ax. Matthew refers to Israel – and I will strike the Root of Jesse and a shoot will spring forth. Following Jesus’ Baptism and the desert experience, Jesus called His Apostles Simon (Peter), Andrew, James and John and the others.

BACKGROUND: Desert / Jordan River / Other Disciples and Boats/Nets

DETAILS / SYMBOLS

TOP: Trinity Knot

BOTTOM: Shell of Baptism

=====================================================

TITLE: Wedding Feast at Cana

LOCATION # Left Side #3

THEME: To Jesus through Mary

SCRIPTURE: John 2:1-11

WINDOW EXPLANATION: Depicting Jesus’ first miracle, this window presents the Wedding Feast at Cana. Jesus’ in the center panel converses with His Mother Mary, the married couple stands under the Jewish tent (Chuppah) on the left and the waiters in the right panel await Jesus’ instructions with the six stone water jars.

BACKGROUND: House with wedding party and Cana silhouetted in background.

DETAILS / SYMBOLS

TOP: Crown of Blessing for Couples

BOTTOM: Entwined rings of marriage


=====================================================

TITLE: Proclamation of the Kingdom

LOCATION # Left Side #4

THEME: Repentance and Trust in God

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:1-12

WINDOW EXPLANATION: Center window showed Jesus seated instructing the crowds – Sermon on the Mount. This is surrounded by 6 references to the Kingdom stories in Matthew’s gospel. Together these lead us to repentance.

Dragnet Matthew 13:47-50 Mustard Seed Matthew 13:31-32

Talents Matthew 25:14-30 Sheep and Goats Matthew 25:31-46

Yeast and Dough Matthew 13:33 Sower / Seeds Matthew 13:1-9,18-23

BACKGROUND: Mountain Scene – cameos of Kingdom stories.

DETAILS / SYMBOLS

TOP: Cross on the Mount

BOTTOM: Keys of Repentance

=====================================================

TITLE: Transfiguration of the Lord

LOCATION # Left Side #5

THEME: Desire for Holiness

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 17:1-13

WINDOW EXPLANATION: Traditional arrangement of the Three Apostles, Peter, James and John, overwhelmed by the brilliance of Jesus Transfigured appearing with Moses on the left and Elijah on the right. God’s voice saying "This is my Beloved Son. Listen to Him."

BACKGROUND: Rays of glory.

DETAILS / SYMBOLS

TOP: Hand of God

BOTTOM: Glorified Cross

=====================================================

TITLE: Institution of the Eucharist

LOCATION # Left Side #6

THEME: Adoration of Jesus

SCRIPTURE: Mark 14:12-16 Institution of the Eucharist

Luke 24:13-25 (Emmaus Story)

WINDOW EXPLANATION: Left side shows Apostles encountering the Man with the water jar. Center is "Jesus and Apostles at Passover – encountering Jesus in the words "This is my Body, This is my Blood." On the right are 2 companions on the road to Emmaus who encountered the Risen Lord in the breaking of the bread.

BACKGROUND: City and Upper Room and road to Emmaus

DETAILS / SYMBOLS

TOP: Cup of the Eucharist with cross

BOTTOM: Loaves and fishes

=====================================================


And now the right side of the church (St. Joseph's side) representing the life of Saint Paul.

TITLE: Conversion of Saul

LOCATION # Right side #1

THEME:

SCRIPTURE: Acts 7:58-60 – Stephen’s Martrydom

Acts 9:1-30 – Saul’s Conversion & Escapee

WINDOW EXPLANATION: Spanning Paul’s early life as a Pharisee he was present at the Martyrdom of Stephen (left panel), through Saul’s conversion (center panel) and Paul’s escape from Damascus after Conversion by being lowered into a basket over the wall to avoid rejection from the people.

BACKGROUND:

DETAILS / SYMBOLS

TOP: Papal Insignia: Year of St. Paul

BOTTOM: Tent – Paul’s occupation

DEDICATION: Tom O’Daniel Family

=====================================================

TITLE: Writings of St. Paul

LOCATION # Right side #2

THEME:

SCRIPTURE: Canonically accepted letters attributed to Paul’s authorship – source Bible introduction to New Testament.

WINDOW EXPLANATION: Paul seated writing on the left panel. Canonical list of Paul’s writings in individual banners appear on the right panel.

BACKGROUND: The map of the Mediterranean Sea – the places of Paul’s travels serve as the background and scope of Paul’s travels. Cities he visited are noted by stars on the map.

DETAILS / SYMBOLS

TOP: Triumph of the Word of God Cross

BOTTOM: Lamp aflame – signifies wisdom and inspiration


=====================================================

TITLE: Paul’s Missionary Journeys

LOCATION # Right side #3

THEME:

SCRIPTURE: Acts: 16:13-15 – Conversion of Lydia

Acts 15:1-29 –Council of Jerusalem

Acts 14:1-28 – Paul & Barnabas as they preach & travel

WINDOW EXPLANATION: Three events identify the scope of St. Paul’s work on his journeys, initially the conversion of Lydia, the maker of purple cloth and others along the way. The center panel depicts the Council of Jerusalem with Peter when Gentiles were included in the Church’s Mission. And finally Paul and Barnabas preaching in Lystra, Lconium & Antioch.

BACKGROUND: Various city sites

DETAILS / SYMBOLS

TOP: Jerusalem Cross

BOTTOM: Sailboat


=====================================================

TITLE: Hardships of St. Paul

LOCATION # Right side #4

THEME:

SCRIPTURE: Acts 16:22,24-26- Scourging Acts 20:25ff- Roman Official Acts 16:19-14 - Earthquake

WINDOW EXPLANATION: Although many more are recorded three challenges to St. Paul and his ministry are identified in this window. The left panel depicts Paul’s scourging, the center panel shows Paul’s trial, therefore the Roman officials. The right panel notes the earthquake he and a companion experienced in jail. This led to the conversion of the jailer and his family.

BACKGROUND: Details particular to each event

DETAILS / SYMBOLS

TOP: Paul’s cross – Greek letters

          Jesus Christ the Conqueror”

BOTTOM: Anchor of Hope Cross


=====================================================

TITLE: Martyrdom of Timothy, Paul & Peter

LOCATION # Right side #5

THEME:

SCRIPTURE: Book of the Saints

WINDOW EXPLANATION: Each saint identified with what was used at the time of their martyrdom. St. Timothy was stoned to death. St. Paul was beheaded with an ax, and St. Peter wad crucified upside down. Peter did not want to be identified as dying in the same way Jesus did and requested upside down. St. Paul was not crucified but beheaded because He had been a Roman citizen and we depicted St. Timothy because the parish in Union was formed out of St. Paul Parish. Timothy was a regular companion of St. Paul.

BACKGROUND:

DETAILS / SYMBOLS TOP: Crown of Martyrdom Cross

BOTTOM: Palms celebrating Life of Resurrection through Martyrdom

Finally, the three front windows in the sanctuary:

LOCATION: Left Side Sanctuary

Explanation:


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