IHM's Stained Glass Windows

Main Window -
“The Throne of God”
The artist took her inspiration for this window from the twenty-second chapter of Revelation.
“Then the angel showed me the river of life giving water, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God…”

The window above the altar is called the Throne of God. Inspiration
comes from the Book of Revelation, which speaks of water flowing from the Throne of God, giving life to the earth. The color palette is an array of colors, all of which are used in the other windows. The top part reflects the round windows of the liturgical seasons and out of the very center of that comes the flow of God’s grace. It’s interesting that also out of that, life grows, symbolized by the plants and the fish (look closely and you’ll find it!).

Artist - Betti Pettinati-Longinotti

Round Windows -
The round upper windows show symbols and colors from the Liturgical year. Each window contains a wreath, which is without beginning or end, a symbol of our ever-present and eternal God.

(Top Left)
To the left of the altar on the East facing wall is the Advent and Christmas window. It has angels, candles, stars and a wreath . The color palette is tones of deep cobalt blue. This window, on the side of the rising sun, represents Advent / Christmas, the beginning of the liturgical seasons. The wreath is an Advent wreath with the center reflecting Jesus Christ, the light of the world. For Christmas, there are stars and angels holding candles and blowing trumpets. Primary color is blue/purple, the color of Advent.

(Top Right)
On the North facing wall of the Gathering Space entrance is the Lent and Easter window. The color palette is red violets with images of lilies and symbols of the Eucharist. This upper window is located between the Nave and the Gathering Space and represents Lent / Easter. It is also the Eucharistic window. It contains bread, grapes and the cup, all symbolic of Holy Thursday. The wreath is of lilies, namely the calla lilies of Easter and the Resurrection. The primary colors of Lent are purple/red.

(Bottom Left)
This lower North facing window represents Pentecost with its Dove and shades of fiery red. In the center is a heart on the tablets of the law reflecting the very heart of it all...the law of love. The wreath directs us to “Go forth and be disciples to all”. Designed specifically to be the last thing you see as you leave the nave, the window reminds us to carry this message out into the world. Primary color is red, the color of fire and the color of the Holy Spirit.

(Bottom Right)
On the West facing wall is the Ordinary Time window. Greens dominate with blue-greens in the background. The images are a circle of Loaves and Fishes. This West window, on the side of the setting sun, represents Ordinary Time and the end of the liturgical seasons. The wreath is of loaves and fishes representing the miracle of the loaves and fishes which is the Eucharistic passage in John’s Gospel. In a sense, the wreath also separates earth and sky and sea as in the Book of Genesis. Primary color is green, the color of Ordinary Time.

Artist - Betti Pettinati-Longinotti

The lower window to the right of the altar was planned to be the backdrop for the Mother of the Miracle statue. Originally “Mary’s Garden” was to be outside this window and visible through it. The medallion in the semi-circular window is a stylized version of the “Immaculate Heart of Mary”.

The Mary, Mother of the Miracles window serves as a backdrop to the statue of Mary at the Marriage Feast of Cana in John’s Gospel.

Inspiration came from the Song of Songs 6:10, “Who is this that comes forth like the dawn, as beautiful as the moon, as resplendent as the sun….” The medallion at the top is a stylized version of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Primary color is yellow, the color of the sun.
Scriptural Reference: Song of Solomon 6:10 - “Who is this that comes forth like the dawn, as beautiful as the moon, as resplendent as the sun…”

Artist - Barbara Whicker

The Choir window is reminiscent of a quilt. The medallion at the top is the ten-stringed instrument from Psalm 33, “Give thanks to the Lord on the
harp; on the ten stringed lyre offer praise. Sing to God a new song…”

Primary color is blue, from the Advent/Christmas window above it.

Artist - Barbara Whicker

The Guadelupe window is meant to be a continuation of the rays of dawn depicted in the statue.

Scriptural Reverence: Revelation 12:1 - “A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, the moon beneath her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head.”

Artist - Barbara Whicker

The Reconciliation Room
The butterfly is an ancient symbol of renewal and rebirth. For Christians if became a symbol of the Resurrection. The wood vine and flowers are from a
dogwood tree, which tradition tells us was the wood of the cross.
Inspiration came from John 11:25 - “Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me even if he dies, will live…”

Artist - Barbara Whicker

The Lamb of God window in the St. Francis de Sales Chapel.
Deep colors were used in the body of the window to block the morning sun, since weekday morning mass used to be celebrated here. The symbol of Christ as the sacrificial lamb is used in the medallion.

The medallion at the top is of a lamb, the symbol of Christ as the sacrificial lamb. Inspiration came from John: 1:29-30 - “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”

Artist - Barbara Whicker

The Marian Window
The Marian window, lower level, below the Pentecost window. Former
Pastor Fr. Jack Kelly commissioned this window as a memorial for his
mother. It contains three images of Mary: The “Immaculate Heart”, the “Mother of Miracles”, and “Our Lady of Guadalupe”. This window is between the Nave and the Gathering Space.

Inspiration came from Luke 1:47, “From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his Name.”

Primary colors are soft pink and blue.

Artist - Barbara Whicker

The Clerstory windows, upper level in the Narthax (Gathering Space). A continuation of the Throne of God colors as we are being sent out into the world to proclaim God’s word.

Artist - Barbara Whicker

The Mighty Waves windows, lower level on west wall (one in the Nave, one in the Quiet Room). When our parish’s need for more worship space becomes apparent, the Quiet Room will be moved thus enabling both windows to be viewed together. Inspiration came from Psalm 77:16-19,
“The waters saw you, O God; the waters saw you and trembled.” Primary colors of blue and green are from the Throne of God window.

Artist - Barbara Whicker

The Quiet Room window is a stylized scallop shell. Inspiration came from the hymn, “We Are A Pilgrim, We Are The Church Of God”, as we are all on
a pilgrimage and the shell is an ancient sign of pilgrimage. Primary colors
of gold and amber are from the Mother of the Miracle window.

The ship medallion at the top is of a ship in full sail representing one of the oldest symbols of God’s Church. The name of the main body of a church,
the Nave, comes from the Latin word for ship. Primary colors of blue and
green are from the Throne of God window.

Artist - Barbara Whicker