We are SAINTS JOHN AND PAUL PARISH

Transcription

1 We are SAINTS JOHN AND PAUL PARISH 1

2 GRAND TOUR OVERVIEW 2

3 b Dedicated to Mary, Mother of God, Mother of the Church, Our Mother. 3

4 1. Outside a. Why did we need a new building? i. 600 families in ,150 families in 2010 ii. Mass capacity in former church 2. Approximately 1,470 in new church iii. Religious Education 1. Now over 1000 children in k thru 8 th grade b. Property Information i. How much land? acres acres (12 purchased in June 2005) acres (7 purchased in December 2009) ii. How many parking spaces? (15 of which are handicap) additional parking spaces are available on the weekends at the private office building next to our property. c. Building materials i. Sandstone 1. All sandstone was from the same quarry (including Altar, baptismal font ect.) ii. Brick iii. Copper 1. 10,000 lbs. of copper sheets, all donated 2. The copper was made into the gutters, downspout, roof of the bell tower, and crosses. d. Bell Tower i. Bell 1. A bronze alloy bell 43 in diameter, weighing 1700 pounds. 2. An automated bell striker unit is designed to ring the bell that is mounted in a stationary position. Bell schedules are customizable. The Bell currently rings at 12 PM, 6 PM and before Sunday masses. 3. Obtained from the now closed St. Leo Parish on the north side date the bell was cast (this information is cast on the bell) 5. Cast by the McShane Bell Foundry a. Established 1856 b. Glen Burnie, Maryland ii. Mosaic 1. The most striking image on the outside of the church, the mosaic is 8 by 11 feet. The mosaic was created by Enzio Aiello in his studios in Rome then installed on our bell tower. 4

5 2. History of the Image: a. Original image is called Our Lady of the Column and was painted on a column of porta santa marble, which was part of the central nave of the old St. Peter s basilica. b. In 1607 the image was placed on one of the side altars in St. Peters Basilica and after the Second Vatican Council Pope Paul VI honored it with the title of Mater Ecclesiae or Mother of the Church. c. In 1981 Pope John Paul II had a mosaic reproduction of this image placed on the external wall of the Apostolic Palace, facing the square in thanksgiving to Mary, for saving his life from an assassination attempt. d. The phrase Totus Tuus is Latin for totally yours. This reflects John Paul II s great love for the Mother of God as he gave himself totally to Mary through St. Louis De Montfort s method of total consecration to Mary. e. Entrance i. Bishops Window (see appendix I for explanations) 1. An ocular window, 5 feet in diameter 2. Pope Benedict XVI s coat of arms a. Reigning Pope 3. Cardinal DiNardo s coat of arms a. Founding pastor Bishop Zubik s coat of arms a. Reigning Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh 2. Inside a. Narthex (see appendix II) i. Jesus with children stained glass window feet wide and 8 feet high 2. Backlit ii. Mezzanine level with Parish Crest 1. The eagle symbolizes St. John the evangelist 2. The swords (you can see the hilts at the bottom of the eagle) symbolize St. Paul iii. Blessed Mother Statue 1. From Rome iv. Bride s room v. Sacristy b. Choir Loft i. St. Anthony windows located on either staircase leading to the loft. ii. Approximately 217 seats iii. Organ 1. Organ Allen Heritage, Three Manual, 64 Stop, Organ 5

6 2. Special console finish of two tone walnut exterior with oak interior for stop jams and keyboard frames. Lattice music desk with light. Ivory natural keys of solid wood base and rosewood sharps. iv. Video and audio room 1. Ability to record Masses and events 2. Two fixed cameras located in the nave v. 16 total angel stained glass windows 1. located on high on the east and west halls 2. 4 types of angels a. Trumpet right/left b. Thurible right/left c. Nave (see appendix II) i. Cork Floor 1. Throughout the nave and transept ii. Pews 1. Pew seating cloth covered seats and backs with padding 2. John Paul II s crest (see appendix) iii. Reconciliation rooms iv. East Side 1. Sacred Heart Statue a. From Holy Child Parish in Bridgeville 2. Book of intentions v. West Side 1. Assumption Statue a. from Holy Child Parish in Bridgeville 2. Bible vi. Votive Candles 1. Votive candles are usually used as offerings to Saints, Mary, or Jesus for some prayer intention or as a thanksgiving. d. Transept (see appendix II) i. Stations of the Cross 1. Obtained from Fr. John Batykefer 2. From the now closed St. Genevieve Parish in Canonsburg ii. East side 1. Mother Teresa 2. John Paul II 3. Stained glass windows a. God the Father window i. High ocular window ii. 8 foot diameter b. Annunciation c. Nativity d. St. Joseph the Worker e. Finding of Christ in the Temple 6

7 f. Wedding Feast at Cana g. Sermon on the Mount h. Calming of the Sea i. Keys of the Church to St. Peter iii. West Side 1. St. John the Evangelist a. Each of the four evangelists (gospel writers) is traditionally associated with one of the symbolic figures found in the book of Ezekiel. St. John s symbol is an eagle, for the lofty theology in his Gospel. 2. St. Paul 3. Windows a. Holy Spirit window i. High ocular window ii. 8 foot diameter b. Healing of the Blind Man c. Mary Magdalene d. Last Supper e. Agony in the Garden f. Pentecost g. Conversion of St. Paul h. The Assumption i. The Coronation e. Sanctuary i. Tabernacle 1. From Mercy Hospital 2. Also used in former church 3. Three steps to reach tabernacle for the Holy Trinity ii. Altar 1. Sandstone a. 7,000 Ibs. b. 3 pieces Trinity c. 2 legs human and divine natures of Christ d. Opening in middle open tomb 2. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton a. 1 st class relic (part of St. Ann s body) i. The use of Relics in Altars is an ancient practice in our Church. We are reminded that our faith was passed on through our fathers and mothers in the faith, especially the martyrs who died for the faith. So, in a sense both literal and figurative, our Church is built on the bones of the Saints. iii. Ambo and Baptismal font 1. Sandstone iv. Crucifix 1. One of a kind crucifix made especially for our church 7

8 2. Life size corpus 6 feet tall 3. Created by Nick Parrendo of Hunt Studio v. Resurrection Window 1. Note how the resurrection is in the shadow of the cross vi. Marble floor 1. The Sanctuary is the most precious part of the church and the floor is therefore made out of a precious material vii. Sacristy 1. Sacrarium a. A special drain that goes directly into the ground. Used to clean sacred vessels and purificators (white linen cloths used with chalices) 8

9 STAINED GLASS WINDOWS 9

10 God the Father The only appropriate way to depict God the Father is through a symbol of hands or other symbolism. The old man/bearded God the Father is now discouraged by the Church. The 12 hearts around the middle symbol represent the twelve tribes of Israel, God s chosen people. The hearts remind us that God wants to change our stony hearts into hearts of flesh. The middle symbol: Star - Star of David, reminding us of God s revelation in the Old Testament Circle indicating the unity, simplicity, and oneness of God (simple in philosophical terms.) Alpha and Omega first and last letters of Greek alphabet God is the beginning and the end. 10

11 God the Holy Spirit The inner circle depicts the same image that is in the back of St. Peter s Basilica. The twelve hearts stand for the twelve apostles. The twelve apostles represent the entire church. Just like the twelve tribes of Israel comprised the whole nation, and each tribe had a patriarch, so two is the whole church comprised of those who follow the teachings of Christ passed on by the apostles and the successors of the apostles the bishops. Holy Spirit Window in St. Peter s Basilica 11

12 God the Son/Resurrection He has risen even as he said Mt. 28:6 In the top left hand corner we can see Calvary where Our Lord was crucified Just three days ago. Below that we see an angel sitting on the place where Jesus body laid. The two guards who where watching the tomb are stunned. Christ holds a banner of the Cross, showing us that what once was an instrument of death and defeat is now the weapon of Christ s victory over sin and death. The resurrection is the 1 st Glorious mystery of the Rosary. 12

13 The Annunciation Be it done to me according to thy word Lk 1:38 This window depicts the moment when the Archangel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would bear a son and name Him Jesus (Lk 1:31). the angel is above Mary symbolizing that he has come from heaven, he points to heaven with his left hand because he is telling Mary of the plans God has for her. The left hand with the two fingers up is also the traditional sign for a blessing, and this is truly a great blessing from the Lord. His right hand is being held out in a manner, which signifies that he is offering something to Mary. That something is of course our Lord, and the plan he has for Mary. Mary is kneeling, showing that she has been in prayer. This also signifies Mary s humility at this great announcement from God. Her hands are in a position of complete openness, showing that she is totally open and submissive to God s will. The lilies below her signify purity. Through the merits of Jesus Christ, Mary was conceived without sin so that she would be the perfect dwelling place for God on Earth (the Immaculate Conception.) The Holy Spirit is descending on Mary (overshadowing her.) The Annunciation is also the moment when the Church says that Jesus Christ was conceived in Mary s womb by the power of the Holy Spirit. This is when the Incarnation of the Word occurs. The Annunciation is the 1 st Joyful mystery of the Rosary. 13

14 Birth of Our Lord Glory to God in the highest and on Earth peace among men of goodwill - Lk 2:14 This window depicts the birth of our Lord and the adoration of him by the shepherds. The beams from the star signify it leading people to Christ. The two beams outward show how the star can be seen from afar while the beam in the center points to Jesus and Mary. St. Joseph is depicted as above Jesus and Mary and also as surrounding them. St. Joseph is the guardian chosen by God to watch over Jesus and Mary, so we see him as the head of the family (by being above) and protecting the family (as he encircles them). His staff also signifies St. Joseph as leader and protector of the family. His right hand is out in a loving and protecting position, but he does not touch Jesus or Mary. It is almost as though the holiness of Jesus and Mary only allow St. Joseph to adore from a distance as He takes a position of Holy respect. Jesus himself is shown blessing the shepherd. The shepherd is shown adoring Jesus and is also depicted as being rather young. Perhaps since these windows where originally in St. Anthony s School Chapel, this could be the artist s way of representing the children in the scene. There is no mention of animals being present in the manger scene in the Bible. While it certainly makes sense that animals would be in a manger, this depiction was popularized by St. Francis. Animals always reminded St. Francis of God, and so he liked put them in the manger scene. Though, in this case the animals are lambs, which take on a greater significance, reminding us that Jesus is the Lamb of God and Christ is also the Good Shepherd. The Nativity is the 3 rd Joyful mystery of the Rosary. 14

15 The Hidden Life of Christ/Tutelage under St. Joseph the Worker Can anything good come out of Nazareth - Jn 1:46 This window depicts a scene from the hidden life of Christ. While most of Christ s life as a child remains, and always will remain, hidden from us, we do get a few sneak peeks into this holy time in Christ s life. Very often in the Bible, Jesus is referred to as the carpenter s son, or the son of Joseph. It becomes obvious to us that Jesus and his father became known for their work. For them to be known for this, they must have been hard workers and have been fairly talented at what they did. This shows us that God truly does value our work. No task, no matter how small or menial it may seem to us, is worthless in God s eyes if we do it for Him. We see St. Joseph hard at work. St. Joseph is often depicted with a hammer, showing how he was a carpenter. Jesus is looking up to Joseph. Even though Jesus is, and was, truly God, he became a man like us in all things but sin. That means Jesus had to learn just like the rest of us, and here he is learning from St. Joseph. Both St. Joseph and Jesus are wearing aprons, the clothing of workers. We see Jesus carrying a piece of wood on his shoulders. This reminds us of a time later in Christ s life where he will be carrying a different piece of wood on his shoulders, this time for all of us, on his way to Calvary. Actually, many historians think that it is likely that Jesus only carried one section of the cross to Calvary. They say it would have made more sense for the Romans to keep the vertical section of the cross would have permanently stayed on Calvary hill. Never the less, the point here is to remind us of Christ s eventual passion, death, and resurrection. We also see two pieces of wood on the floor in the shape of the cross, reminding us again that Jesus came to this earth to suffer and die for our sins and rise again to bring us to everlasting life. 15

16 Finding of Christ in the Temple All were amazed at his understanding Lk 2:47 This window depicts the scene where St. Joseph and Mary find Jesus in the temple. St. Joseph and Mary finally see Jesus from a distance. They both look worn out after three days of searching for him. Mary s gesture seems to be asking why Jesus did not come home with them. You can also see that St. Joseph has been very anxious. Even in the Holy Family there were occasional communication issues. The hanging vigil light lets us know that Christ is in the temple. Jesus is above the teachers in the temple and is in a posture of authority as he holds the scriptures as points to the sky and explains heavenly matters. The elders are completely captivated by Jesus and seem to hang on to his every word. The finding of Christ in the temple is the 5 th Joyful mystery of the Rosary. For the Lord gives wisdom, from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; He has counsel in store for the upright, he is the shield of those who walk honestly, Guarding the paths of justice, protecting the way of his pious ones. Proverbs 2:6-8 16

17 Wedding at Cana Do whatever he tells you - Jn 2:5 In the top right corner we see a distressed bride and groom who do not know what to do now that they have run out of wine. Wedding feasts could last several days and to be without wine would be very embarrassing for the newlyweds. Mary has already brought the matter up to Jesus. This scene shows us the powerful intersession of Mary. The bride and groom do not even know that Mary is interceding for them, but she is. Since Mary s will is in perfect conformity with the will of God, whatever she asks for God grants. We can apply this to our own lives; even if we do not know that Mary is interceding for us she is. Just as a mother would, she knows our own needs better than we do. Mary watches her Son from a little distance with an expression of joy on her face. We see the servant filling up the water jugs with water, but Jesus changes the water to wine. She is so charitable that she repels none of those who ask her intercession, no matter how great sinner they have been; for, as the saints say, never has it been heard since the world was the world that anyone has confidently and perseveringly had recourse to our Blessed Lady and yet has been repelled She has but to show herself before her Son to pray to Him, and straightaway He grants her desires, straightaway He receives her prayers. St. Louis De Montfort The wedding at Cana is the 2nd Luminous mystery of the Rosary. 17

18 Sermon on the Mount Be perfect even as your heavenly Father is perfect - Mt 5:48 We can see that it must be a little windy on the mount as Jesus teaches all of his disciples. Adults and children, men and women all gather to hear what Jesus has to say and all are captivated by Him Give me Wisdom, the attendant at your throne, and reject me not from among your children; For I am your servant, the son of your handmaid. Wisdom 9:4-5 Calming of the Sea Why are you fearful O you of little faith - Mt 8:26 Jesus stands strong and calm even though the winds are blowing fiercely. We see a rainbow above Him, reminding us of God s promise never to destroy life on earth with a flood (Gen 9:12-17.) His disciples are obviously terrified and we can see the waters rushing over the boat. Save me, God, for the waters have reached my neck. I have sunk into the mire of the deep, where there is no foothold. I have gone down to the watery depths; the flood overwhelms me. Psalm 69:2-3 Lord, hear my prayer; listen to my cry for help. In this time of trouble I call, for you will answer me. Psalm 86:6-7 18

19 Vicar of Christ Thou are peter and upon this rock I will build my church - Mt 16:18 We see Jesus giving the keys of his Church and His blessing to St. Peter. St. Peter is usually depicted with keys and the papal flag as well as all of the papal coat of arms have the keys of St. Peter. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven (Mt. 16:19.) Jesus didn t give Peter actual physical keys, but the keys symbolize the authority of the Pope in union with the bishops and the Church. We also see Jesus about to put his hand on St. Peter. This perhaps reminds us of the Church Tradition since biblical times of the laying on of hands in order to ordain deacons and bishops and later priests, or in a lesser but still important sense, of blessing those who are going forth on a mission to preach the Gospel message. He said to them, But who do you say that I am? Simon Peter said in reply, You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. Jesus said to him in reply, Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Mt 16:

20 Healing of the Blind Man Neither has this man sinned nor his parents but the works of God were to be made manifest in him - Jn 9:3 In the top left hand corner we see the blind man s parents. You can see that they feel shame, thinking that thier son is blind because of their sins or because of his own sins. The Jewish people as well as pagans thought that physical ailments where often punishment sent from God. Jesus rejects this thought and shows us that things that make us weak and seem like punishment are often blessings or can be used as blessings through God s grace. Here we see Jesus performing a sacramental action. We have the form, which is Jesus s prayer, and the matter, which is the mud made by Jesus. We also see how Christ only performed His miracles through the Father. This is represented by the beam of light coming down from heaven on to the blind man. The Pardon of the Sinful Woman Much shall be forgiven her because she has loved much - Lk 7:47 The scribes and Pharisees and such that Jesus is dining with are outraged and confused by Christ s actions. Not only has Jesus let this sinful woman touch Him, but he has forgiven her sins, something only God can do. The scribes are shown chiding Christ, but Christ ignores them as his eyes are turned with love and mercy toward the woman. We can see the oil and perfume she used to clean Christ s feet and we see that she uses her own hair to wipe them off. This woman is often thought to be Mary Magdalene. 20

21 The Last Supper He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has life everlasting - Jn 6:54 We see Judas without a halo holding his moneybag and turning away from Christ. Sometimes we forget that Judas wasn t the only apostle to betray Jesus. All of the apostles, including Jesus, betrayed Him in some way during his Passion, to different extents. Many good preachers have said that the only difference between Judas betrayal and St. Peter s betrayal was that St. Peter turned back to Christ while Judas despaired and would not turn back to Christ, even though Christ was certainly more than willing to forgive Judas. The institution of the Holy Eucharist is the 5 th Luminous mystery of the Rosary...The Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and after he had given thanks, broke it and said, This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes. - 1 Corinthians 11:

22 Agony in the Garden Father not my will but thine be done - Lk 22:42 We see Peter, James, and John above asleep. Jesus is comforted by an angel as he prays in agony. The cup below is the cup of suffering that He is asking His Father to pass from Him. We are reminded of the many times a cup is used to signify suffering in the Bible. Previously Jesus asked James and John if they could drink the cup that He must drink (Mt 20:22, Mk 10:38.) This is what Christ was talking about the cup of suffering. This also could be the cup of judgment that is spoken about in the psalms: For a cup is in the hand of the LORD, and the wine foams; It is well mixed, and He pours out of this; Surely all the wicked of the earth must drain and drink down its dregs (Psalm 75:8.) Instead of the wicked drinking it, Christ takes the cup. It is ironic that now James and John are asleep. Christ s agony in the garden is the 1 st Sorrowful mystery of the Rosary. Pentecost They were all filled with the Holy Spirit - Acts 2:4 We see the Holy Spirit descending upon Mary and the disciples. Notice how Mary is at the center of the window with the disciples gathered around her. We see how the disciples must have looked to her as mother especially after Jesus ascended into heaven. We see John, the beloved disciple, closest to Mary and then Peter next to him. Notice how the Holy Spirit comes with Mary s intercession. The coming of the Holy Spirit is the 3 rd Glorious mystery of the Rosary. 22

23 Conversion of St. Paul This man is a chosen vessel to me to carry my name among nations - Acts 9:15 We see the light of Christ blinding St. Paul. Even though most artist depict this scene with Paul falling off his horse, there is no mention of a horse in the Bible. The artist could be doing this for dramatic effect, or for deeper symbolism. A man riding a horse is someone who is in control and is choosing what direction he is going. Paul is cast off his horse and is blinded. Now he must go wherever Christ leads him. St. Paul is almost always depicted with a sword, symbolizing how he persecuted Christians before his conversion and how his new sword is the Word of God. Saul is St. Paul s Jewish name, while Paul is his Roman name. On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? He said, Who are you, sir? the reply came, I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do. Acts 9:3-6 23

24 Assumption of Mary Mary has been taken up into heaven the angels rejoice Antiphon in Breviary for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary We see Mary being assumed, body and soul, into heaven. Once again we see lilies, a symbol of purity. We also see roses. Roses can have various symbolic meanings. As with many Christian symbols, the rose was an often used pagan symbol. It usually referred to licentious beauty and impurity. Christians took the rose and applied it to true beauty, the purity and beauty of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is just one of the many examples of Christians taking something pagan and sanctifying it for the good of the Lord. Roses eventually came to be seen as the queen of flowers, so it makes sense that they are associated with our Queen and Mother. The fading nature of roses also symbolize the passing from life to death or from this world into heaven, so they often are used in depictions of the Assumption Mary s transitioning from this world to Heaven. There is a legend that all the roses in Heaven were white until the Blessed Virgin kissed them and then they blushed red. Roses are also associated with the rosary. The Hail Mary s of the rosary are white roses and the Our Fathers are red. As you can see, sometimes symbols can have many meanings. The assumption is the 4 th Glorious mystery of the Rosary. 24

25 Coronation of Mary He who is Might has done great things for me - Lk 1:49 We see Christ the King crowning Mary Queen of Heaven and Earth. The Triangle behind His halo represents His unity in the Trinity. Often, the coronation is depicted with all three members of the Trinity crowning Mary. The twelve stars around Mary s halo represent the twelve apostles or the twelve tribes of Israel, both of which represent all of Christianity. The clouds behind Jesus and Mary represent Heaven. Both Jesus and Mary are royally adorned with red cloaks. Mary s robe now is decorated with stars. The crescent moon Mary is standing on has many symbolic meanings. It is a symbol of fertility, after all Mary bore the God- Man as well as all the Christian faithful. It is also a sign of Mary s guidance and intercession: just like we need the moon to see at night until the sun rises so too do we need Mary when we sin so that she might guide us back to the Son. Some saints have said that Mary has the moon under her feet because she vanquishes inconstancy in sinners (the moon being inconstant because of its waxing and waning.) We first hear of the image of Mary standing on a moon from Rev. 12. The Coronation of Mary is the 5 th Glorious mystery of the Rosary. 25

26 Jesus and the Children Unless you become like little children you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven - Mt. 18:3 Whoever receives one such little child for my sake receives me - Mk. 9:37 Let the little children be and do not hinder them from coming to me for of such is the kingdom of heaven - Mt. 19:14 This is a beautiful depiction of Jesus receiving the little children. (see appendix II for explanation of St. Anthony s School) 26

27 St. Anthony Windows: Sacred Heart side (Eucharist window) Devoted to the Blessed Sacrament St. Anthony is holding a monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament inside. There is an image of the Sacred Heart along with a ship that has a Chi Rho (looks like a P and an X on top of each other). The Chi Rho stands for Christ, the whole ship stands for the Church. The doves represent the Holy Spirit and the dove with the olive branch reminds us of the story of Noah and the Ark, the Church being the Ark of Salvation. Caritas Christi ugent nos means the love of Christ urges us on, or the love of Christ compels us. There is a donkey that is kneeling to the Blessed Sacrament instead of the wheat. This is a reference to one of the miracles St. Anthony performed by the Will and Grace of God. To prove to the people of a village that the host truly was the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, St. Anthony took a hungry donkey, some wheat and the Blessed Sacrament. He said that the Donkey would reverence the Eucharist before eating the wheat, and that is what happened. Assumption Side St. Anthony the Wonder Worker This window depicts another story of St. Anthony. St. Anthony was a traveling preacher, but one town would not hear what he had to say. St. Anthony decided that if the townsfolk would not listen, then he would preach to the fish. So, we see in the window how the fish popped their heads out of the water to hear him preach and we see the grumpy townsfolk to the right. 27

28 APPENDIX I: COAT OF ARMS 28

29 Explanation of Pope Benedict XVI s coat of Arms (from ewtn.com) for further detail see vatican.va The coat of arms of Pope Benedict XVI incorporates both papal elements, as well as the elements of the coat of arms he bore as Archbishop of München (Munich) and Freising, and as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Miter. The miter replaces the "beehive" tiara familiar from former papal coats of arms. Pope Paul VI dropped the ceremonial use of the tiara, although he, and his immediate successors John Paul I and John Paul II, retained it in their coats of arms. Benedict XVI has replaced it with the miter, on which is emblazoned three gold bands representing "order, jurisdiction and magisterium." These are the symbolic equivalents of the three layers of the tiara. They are connected into a unity by the vertical gold strip, representing the unity of these three kinds of authority in the person of the Supreme Pontiff. Pallium. The use of the white pallium with red crosses draped below the shield is a new addition to papal coats of arms. It represents episcopal authority, the special kind of jurisdiction that is reserved to metropolitan archbishops in their province and to the pope universally in the Church, what is called the plenitudo pontificalis officii (i.e. the plenitude of pontifical office). The style of pallium shown on the coat of arms, with either red or black crosses on a narrow band of wool, is what is commonly known from the second millennium. At his inaugural Mass, Pope Benedict wore an older style of pallium, broad with red crosses, and hanging down from the left shoulder rather than in the middle. This style is more typical of the first millennium, and similar to the omophorion representing episcopal authority in the Eastern Church. Crossed Keys. The two crossed keys symbolize the powers Christ gave to the Apostle Peter and to his successors. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:19) The gold key represents the power to bind in heaven and the silver key spiritual authority on earth. The two keys are united by the cord, again indicating their essential unity in Peter and his successors. Caput Aethiopum. According to the website of his former Archdiocese: "The shield, which is divided into three sections, displays the Moor of Freising." The Moor s head, facing left and typically crowned, appeared on the coat of arms of the old principality of Freising as early as 1316, during the reign of the Bishop of Freising, Prince Konrad III, and it remained almost unchanged until the secularization of the Church s estates in that region in Ever since that time the archbishops of 29

30 Munich and Freising have included the Caput Aethiopum, the head of an Ethiopian, in their episcopal coat of arms." Bear of Corbinian. Also present on the coat of arms is a bear with a pack-saddle, the socalled Bear of Corbinian." The saintly Bishop Corbinian preached the Christian faith in the Duchy of Bavaria in the 8th century and is considered the spiritual father and patron of the archdiocese. A legend states that he traveled to Rome with a bear as his packanimal, after having commanded it to do so. Once he arrived, he released the bear from his service, and it returned to Bavaria. The implication is that "Christianity tamed and domesticated the ferocity of paganism and thus laid the foundations for a great civilization in the Duchy of Bavaria." At the same time, Corbinian s Bear, as God s beast of burden, symbolizes the burden of office. Scallop Shell. The symbolism of the shell is multiple. St. Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church ( AD), was once walking along the seashore, meditating on the unfathomable mystery of the Holy Trinity. A boy was using a shell to pour seawater into a little hole. When Augustine asked him what he was doing, he replied, I am emptying the sea into this hole. Thus did Augustine understand that man would never penetrate to the depths of the mystery of God. Fr. Joseph Ratzinger, in 1953, wrote his doctoral dissertation on The People of God and the House of God in Augustine s Teaching about the Church," and therefore has a personal connection with the thought of this great Doctor of the Church. The shell also stands for pilgrimage, for Jacob s staff, a pilgrim s staff topped with a scallop shell. In Church art it is a symbol of the apostle James the Great, and his sanctuary at Santiago de Compostela in Spain, perhaps the principal place of pilgrimage during the middle ages. This symbol alludes, as well, to the pilgrim people of God, a title for the Church which Joseph Ratzinger championed at the Second Vatican Council as peritus (theological adviser) to Cardinals Frings of Köln (Cologne). When he became Archbishop he took the shell in his coat of arms. It is also found in the insignia of the Schottenkloster in Regensburg, where the major seminary of that diocese is located, a place where Benedict XVI taught as a professor of theology. Explanation of Pope John Paul II s Coat of Arms (from vatican.va) The coat of arms of Pope John Paul II is intended as an act of homage to the central mystery of Christianity, the Redemption. And so the main representation is a cross, whose form, however, does not correspond to the customary heraldic model. The reason for the unusual placement of the vertical section of the cross is readily apparent if one considers the second object inserted in the coat of arms the large and majestic capital M. This recalls the presence of Mary beneath the cross and her exceptional participation in the Redemption. The great devotion of the Holy Father to the Virgin Mary is manifested in this manner, as it was also expressed in his motto as Cardinal Wojtyla: TOTUS TUUS (All yours). Nor can one forget that within the confines of the ecclesiastical province of Krakow, there is 30

31 situated the celebrated Marian shrine of Czestochowa, where the Polish people for centuries fostered their filial devotion to the Mother of God. Explanation of Bishop Zubik s Coat of Arms with explanation of the diocese of Pittsburgh s coat of arms. (from diopitt.org) City of Pittsburgh Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop David A. Zubik By tradition, Bishop Zubik s personal coat of arms is joined to the coat of arms of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. The arms of the Diocese of Pittsburgh (left side) were designed by the late Pierre Chaignon la Rose and show a black field on which are placed a blue and white chequy bar, a sword, and two crosses, all gold. The black color of the field is appropriate to the city of Pittsburgh; and the chequy bar stands for a counting board, all based on the arms granted to William Pitt who was chancellor of the Exchequer of England and for whom the City of Pittsburgh is named. The colors of the bar in the original Pitt grant were changed to silver and blue; and the coins of the treasury were transformed into globical convexed crosses. The sword was added in honor of Saint Paul, the patron Saint of the Cathedral of Pittsburgh. Bishop Zubik s coat of arms (right side) begins at the top with the arched span symbolizing his native Ambridge and much of southwestern Pennsylvania, which are home to bridges and bridge builders. Pittsburgh has been called the city of bridges. As a successor of the apostles, Bishop Zubik has been entrusted with preserving and protecting the truth of the faith by building and maintaining the bridge which ensures, in all times and places, the continuity in faith between Christ and his Church. The golden wheat sheaf represents the fruit of the earth. God is the Father of all gifts. The gift of Bishop Zubik s vocation was recognized and nurtured by Father Edward R. Farina whose surname means grain or wheat. Wheat is also the work of human hands. Bishop Zubik s Polish and Slovak ancestors are not strangers to labor and toil values held dear to the Bishop himself. Wheat can be transformed into bread, the simple food for much of the world. Of most importance, the wheat sheaf symbolizes the Eucharist, the bread of eternal life which feeds and nourishes God s people. Further, the name Zubik comes from the Polish word zlobek which means wheat, highlighting that Jesus is the Bread of Life. The sheaf is placed in a field of green, the color of life and hope. 31

32 The letter M represents the Blessed Mother for whom the Bishop has a special devotion, passed on to him by his maternal grandmother. The symbol imitates the coat of arms of His Holiness, the late Pope John Paul II, who called Bishop Zubik to the episcopacy in In the Gospel of Luke, Mary is portrayed as the first faithful disciple, the one who heard and heeded God s word. Mary s discipleship inspires Bishop Zubik who pledges his faithful obedience to the will of God and to the Vicar of Christ on earth. The simple cross holds the coat of arms. The cross of Jesus Christ is the power of God which is the foundation of Bishop Zubik s commitment to be a bridge which draws those whom he serves to God. Over the whole coat of arms is a bishop s hat, or galero, with six tassels pendant on each side, in three rows, all in green, for a bishop. Explanation of Daniel Cardinal DiNardo s coat of arms with explanation of the Diocese of Galveston Huston s coat of arms (from diogh.org) The archepiscopal heraldic achievement or archbishop s coat of arms is composed of a shield with its charges (symbols), a motto scroll and the external ornamentation. The shield, which is the central and most important feature of any heraldic device, is described (blazoned) in 12th century terms, that are archaic to our modern language, and this description is presented as if given by the bearer with the shield being worn on the arm. Thus, where it applies, the terms dexter and sinister are reversed as the device is viewed from the front. By heraldic tradition the arms of the bishop, who is the first among equals of an ecclesiastical province, called a Metropolitan Archbishop, are joined, impaled, with the arms of his jurisdiction. In this case, these are the arms of the Archdiocese of Galveston- Houston. These arms are composed of a blue field on which is displayed a scattering (semé) of silver (white) roses. These roses are used to represent the Blessed Virgin Mary, in her title of the Mystical Rose, titular of the Cathedral-Basilica in the See City of Galveston. Upon this symbolism is a red cross of The Faith, with a square center that contain a single silver star to represent Texas, the Lone Star State. For his personal arms, His Eminence, Cardinal DiNardo continues to use the design that was adopted upon his selection to receive the fullness of Christ s Priesthood, as a bishop, when he was appointed and ordained as Coadjutor Bishop of Sioux City and which he used as Bishop of Sioux City, Coadjutor Bishop of Galveston-Houston, and Coadjutor Archbishop of Galveston-Houston when the diocese was raised to archiepiscopal status. In the Archbishop s design, on a field of green is seen "a fess," which is a bar that traverses the shield from side to side. This fess is composed of alternating blue and silver (white) squares that form the "checkerboard" pattern. This device is taken from the arms of the Diocese of Pittsburgh which His Eminence has had the honor to serve, as a priest. 32

33 The green color of the field recalls the maiden name of Archbishop DiNardo's mother, "Green." In the lower portion of the design is seen a silver (white) oil jar that is charged with a golden cross. This symbol is used to "cant," that is to "play-on," the Archbishop's surname of DiNardo, which means "of the nard," of "of the ointment." The placement of the cross on this container indicates that the oil is holy oil, or Sacred Chrism, which is the oil that is used for the ordination of bishops and priests, and which has had, and will have, such a significant impact on the life of Daniel DiNardo, priest, bishop, archbishop, and now cardinal. For his motto, His Eminence, Cardinal DiNardo continues to use the phrase, AVE CRUX SPES UNICA. This phrase, which is taken from the beginning of the 3rd verse of the Latin hymn VEXILLA REGIS, by Venantius Fortunatus (d. 609), is translated to express the deep and profound Christian belief that it is the Cross of Christ that is the standard that we must follow, in all that we do, as we live, sing and say "HAIL, O CROSS, OUR ONLY HOPE." The achievement is completed with the external ornaments which are a gold archepiscopal processional cross, that has two cross-members, that is placed in back of and which extends above and below the shield. As a Cardinal, Archbishop DiNardo s shield now has a red galero ( wide-brimmed hat) with 15 tassels on each side. The motto and the scutcheon (shield) are proper to the individual Cardinal. 33

34 APPENDIX II: St. Anthony s School: All of the windows, with the exception of the boarder around the Resurrection window and the top arch section of the Jesus and the Children window, were from St. Anthony s school for handicapped children. The school was first a school for Italian immigrants, but later expanded to its current function. The original building is no longer a school and so the windows were removed from the chapel. Our founding pastor, Cardinal DiNardo acquired these windows. A few were placed in our old building while the rest where kept in storage until our new church was built. Mezzanine: The Mezzanine is an architectural term for a floor in between two main floors or a balcony that shares the same ceiling with the first floor. Our Mezzanine is in the Narthex with our parish crest on the railings. Narthex: The Narthex was an area where traditionally those who had not yet fully entered the faith and those who were penitents would stay during the Mass. An information center is built into the west wall. Nave: The Nave is the long central part of the Church. Nave is also a term used for the long central part of a ship. The Fathers of the Church often referred to the Church as the Ark of Salvation and so individual church buildings architecture reflected this idea. Before Vatican II the priest and the congregation would all face in the same direction toward God just like everyone on a ship would be headed in the same direction. Even after the reforms of Vatican II this remains a powerful image. Transept: The Transept is the long cross section of the Church. Our Church, like most traditional cathedrals, is cruciform (in the shape of a cross). Beneath the four corners of the transept, in the concrete, are placed four bless Benedictine medals. Benedictine medals are powerful sacramentals that provide strong protection against the devil and his minions if the sacramentals are used with faith. Ocular Window: A circular window which is similar but less intricate than a rose window. A descendant from the Greek or Roman oculus, which would be a round opening in a domed ceiling or a wall to let light in. 34

35 The Final Judgment Window Come blessed of my Father, as you did it for one of these you did it for me. Mt 25:34, 45 There is one window that we did not use in the new church building because there was not enough space for it in the architectural plans. It is a depiction of Jesus in the final judgment. The Father is giving His authority to Christ so that Christ may judge every soul. In Jesus hand is a scale so that He may weigh our good deeds and faith against our sin. On His lap is written everything we have ever done while on Earth. He stands on the world, for He has conquered the world. At His right hand are the blessed who are going to heaven and at His left side are those souls who have chosen to turn away from Him for all eternity. When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world Then he will say to shoe on his left, Depart form me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Mt 25:31-34,41 35

36 Lord Jesus, You told us, where your treasure is, there your heart is also. The parish of Saints John and Paul treasures our faith in You, our children, and every person who gathers here. Help us to have the courage to sacrifice, to love, and to build in Your name. Guide us by Your Spirit of Wisdom, give success to the work of our hands and keep us in Your Peace. Saints John and Paul and Mary our Mother, Pray for us. Amen. 36