The Church Stained-Glass Windows

On November 15, 1992, the Blessing of twenty Stained-Glass Windows and the dedication of a Memorial Plaque was held in our Church. This project was initiated three years earlier, when Willet Studios of Philadelphia was commissioned to undertake this task. Father James Foley, the Assistant Pastor at the time, chose the scenes for each window and designed the windows. To execute the design, Father selected Colum Sharkey, an artist from Willet Studio.

Colum was born in Ireland in 1922. His father, Edwin, was an artist and had his own studio after immigrating to this country. During his high school years, Colum studied art at Fleisher Memorial Art School in Philadelphia, evenings and weekends. Later he attended the Hussian School of Art in Philadelphia, planning to go into commercial art, advertising or illustrating. However, his future path changed, "when my father got a job to do a whole church (Corpus Christi, Philadelphia) full of windows when he was 71. He felt he was a little old to take it on unless I would come and help him. After he completed the layout and some of the designs, he died. So I had to take over his studio." Colum's work can be found in hundreds of churches throughout the United States. It was important to Father Foley that the windows, in fitting with the architecture of the Church, be both traditional with respect to the figures and contemporary with respect to the geometric design.

Note that the background of the windows alternate between blue and red.

	1. Creation God created the world, made us in His image and made us stewards of His creation. God is continually creating and there will be a new heaven and a new earth.		2. Noah After the flood, Noah offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving. The Eucharist is also a thanksgiving sacrifice. Not how many times in the Mass we give thanks.
	3. Abraham & Isaac Abraham is willing to sacrifice his son, Isaac, believing it is God's will. God the Father willingly offers His Son, Jesus, on the cross.		4. Moses Moses led the Israelites from the slavery of the Egyptians and was the great lawgiver of the Old Testament. Jesus, the new lawgiver, frees us from the slavery of sin.
	5. David David was the greatest king of Israel. He was a shepherd. Jesus is the shepherd king from the family of David.		6. Elijah Elijah is the first great prophet of Israel. He was taken up into heaven and was to come again. Luke portrays Jesus as the new Elijah.
	7. The Suffering Servant Second Isaiah speaks of a prophet who will take upon himself the sins of others and who will suffer. Jesus took upon Himself our sins and identifies with the Suffering Servant.		8. The Annunciation "Be it done unto me according to Thy will." "Blessed is the fruit of Thy womb, Jesus."
	9. The Nativity God became man so that man might become god-like.		10. The Baptism of Jesus Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River.
	11. The Calling of Peter and Andrew Just as Peter and Andrew were called to follow Jesus, so too, Jesus beckons us, "Follow Me."		12. The Miracle of the Loaves and Fish Jesus accepts the boy's fish and loaves and works wonders. Jesus accepts our gifts and talents and blesses us.
	13. Jesus with the Children Jesus loves children. "Let the little children come to me," He told His Disciples.		14. The Last Supper All of us share in the one cup and the one bread.
	15. The Agony in the Garden "Father, not my will but thine be done."		16. The Crucifixion Jesus gave to us a Sorrowful Mother as our Mother.
	17. The Resurrection "Death where is your victory?" "Where is your sting?"		18. The Ascension "I am going to prepare a place for you, so that where I am you also may be."
	19. Pentecost They were all filled with the Holy Spirit. We have the same Spirit. Where is our fire?		20. Paul Paul, a pillar of the Church, preached to the gentiles.