ST JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, TADCASTER © Helen Whittaker 2019 | [email protected] | www.helenwhittakerart.com ST JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC CHURCH TADCASTER ‘Sacrament Window’ – Celebrating 150 years of the Church (0.9m x 1.8m) 2019 This new stained glass window was commissioned to celebrate 150 years since the opening of Saint Joseph's church in Tadcaster. The ideas developed within it have been inspired by the themes set out in the brief from the parish: faith and community, through the past, present and future. The overall structure of the design is formed by a series of concentric circles, symbolising the wholeness of God's creation and the connectedness of all things. The design is framed by a decorative border of hops, giving reference to the historic brewing industry of Tadcaster. Saint Joseph's church itself stands at the centre of the design, demonstrating its place in the heart of its town and its worshipping community. Radiating out from the church, a circle of lily flowers face inwards to remind us of the ancient tradition of Saint Joseph's staff of authority and truth breaking miraculously into flower. The lilies also refer more widely to the Holy Family: to the purity and chastity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the innocence of the Infant Jesus. Above the church, the chalice of the Eucharist symbolises the presence of the living Catholic faith in Tadcaster. The theme of the Eucharistic liturgy is underlined by the grapes, vine leaves and ears of wheat which surround the central image, representing the bread and wine which are transubstantiated into the body and blood of Jesus Christ during the celebration of the Holy Mass. Connecting the chalice and the lilies are the arches of the famous bridge at Tadcaster; one of the most familiar images of the town, and one which connects different areas bringing the wider community together. The lily flowers stretch across the arches, bridging divisions and representing the unity of the Catholic faith. Below the arches of the bridge flow the waters of the River Wharfe, completing the outer circle. Fish dancing in the waters remind us of this early symbol of Christianity, often used to refer to Christ himself. This depiction of the Wharfe at Tadcaster is thus symbolic of Christ's Baptism in the river Jordan and relates to the font in front of this window. The sacrament of Holy Baptism, the door of the spiritual life, welcomes new generations into the loving care of the Church, ensuring the growth of faith into the future. The window was dedicated by the Bishop of Leeds, the Right Reverend Marcus Stock, on 31st August 2019.

ST JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC CHURCH TADCASTER€¦ · ST JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC CHURCH TADCASTER ‘Sacrament Window’ – Celebrating 150 years of the Church (0.9m x 1.8m) 2019 This new

Download PDF Report

Upload
others
View
2
Download
0

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Page 1: ST JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC CHURCH TADCASTER€¦ · ST JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC CHURCH TADCASTER ‘Sacrament Window’ – Celebrating 150 years of the Church (0.9m x 1.8m) 2019 This new

JOS

H’S

OLIC

, TA

ST JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC CHURCH TADCASTER

‘Sacrament Window’ – Celebrating 150 years

of the Church (0.9m x 1.8m) 2019

This new stained glass window was commissioned to celebrate 150 years since the opening of Saint Joseph's church in Tadcaster. The ideas developed within it have been inspired by the themes set out in the brief from the parish: faith and community, through the past, present and future. The overall structure of the design is formed by a series of concentric circles, symbolising the wholeness of God's creation and the connectedness of all things. The design is framed by a decorative border of hops, giving reference to the historic brewing industry of Tadcaster. Saint Joseph's church itself stands at the centre of the design, demonstrating its place in the heart of its town and its worshipping community. Radiating out from the church, a circle of lily flowers face inwards to remind us of the ancient tradition of Saint Joseph's staff of authority and truth breaking miraculously into flower. The lilies also refer more widely to the Holy Family: to the purity and chastity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the innocence of the Infant Jesus. Above the church, the chalice of the Eucharist symbolises the presence of the living Catholic faith in Tadcaster. The theme of the Eucharistic liturgy is underlined by the grapes, vine leaves and ears of wheat which surround the central image, representing the bread and wine which are transubstantiated into the body and blood of Jesus Christ during the celebration of the Holy Mass.

Connecting the chalice and the lilies are the arches of the famous bridge at Tadcaster; one of the most familiar images of the town, and one which connects different areas bringing the wider community together. The lily flowers stretch across the arches, bridging divisions and representing the unity of the Catholic faith. Below the arches of the bridge flow the waters of the River Wharfe, completing the outer circle. Fish dancing in the waters remind us of this early symbol of Christianity, often used to refer to Christ himself. This depiction of the Wharfe at Tadcaster is thus symbolic of Christ's Baptism in the river Jordan and relates to the font in front of this window. The sacrament of Holy Baptism, the door of the spiritual life, welcomes new generations into the loving care of the Church, ensuring the growth of faith into the future. The window was dedicated by the Bishop of Leeds, the Right Reverend Marcus Stock, on 31st August 2019.