4444 | Current Church & Artifacts 125th
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OUR WONDERFULOUR WONDERFULOUR WONDERFULOUR WONDERFUL FACETED (NOT STAINED) GLASS WINDOWSFACETED (NOT STAINED) GLASS WINDOWSFACETED (NOT STAINED) GLASS WINDOWSFACETED (NOT STAINED) GLASS WINDOWS
One of the most striking features of our church is the faceted glass windows depicting
Biblical themes. The windows are constructed of 1” thick glass slabs embedded in epoxy
resin, rather than stained glass windows which are made of mouth blown antique glass
secured by lead. Faceted glass lends itself to an abstract or a simple symbolic motif. Its
rich colors are accentuated by the black line design. It was a fairly new technique in 1969
when the church was built.
Mr. Anthony Moroder of Milwaukee was selected as the art consultant to coordinate all
the liturgical appointments in the church. He developed the theme of each of the
windows and the designs were executed by the Conrad Pickel Studios of New Berlin. As
an aside, notice how the light fixtures in church repeat the faceted glass design, giving
continuity to the total color scheme.
Each of the windows describes a moment when God stepped into time and said, “I love
you. You are special to me.” God’s love story continues in each of us. The windows are
not only breathtaking in their beauty but should inspire us to continue to build God’s
Kingdom.
THE CREATION WINDOWTHE CREATION WINDOWTHE CREATION WINDOWTHE CREATION WINDOW
As you enter Sacred Heart Church, the
very first window on the far right is the
Creation window. In this window the
creation story as found in Genesis 1 is
illustrated. As you face the window,
notice God’s hand in the upper right hand
corner giving us the wonders of this
universe: sun, moon, planets, stars in
various shapes and colors. Vegetation is
suggested by two branches in the lower
half of the window with birds and fish
representing the animal kingdom.
Now look closely to the right and slightly
above the tail of the fish. Do you see two
silhouettes of humans, Adam and Eve?
Adam’s name comes from the Hebrew,
‘ādām,’ meaning “man” and ‘dāmāh,’
meaning clay or dust from the ground. Adam was formed by God from the dust of the
ground. Eve’s name is from the Hebrew meaning “the living one,” because she is the
mother of all living.
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NOAH’S ARKNOAH’S ARKNOAH’S ARKNOAH’S ARK
This window introduces us to the
Covenant theme. The Covenant is that
special relationship between God and
God’s people. The rainbow is the sign of
the Covenant between God and us.
Ancient peoples believed the rainbow was
God’s bow. Lightning was caused by the
arrow being shot from the bow.
“I will set my bow in
the clouds, and it shall be
the sign of a covenant
between me and the
earth…and I will remember
my covenant with you and
with every living soul.”
Gen. 9:13-15
The Church is often depicted in art as a
ship with the ship’s mast symbolizing the Cross. The dove plays a role in the story of
Noah, but it also symbolizes the Spirit guiding the Church.
MOSES AND THE COVENANT WITH ISRAELMOSES AND THE COVENANT WITH ISRAELMOSES AND THE COVENANT WITH ISRAELMOSES AND THE COVENANT WITH ISRAEL
The third window depicts the central
event in Hebrew Scripture: the Covenant
between God and the Jewish People.
The two clay tablets upon which are
carved the Ten Commandments were
given to Moses atop Mt. Sinai: “If you
follow my commandments I will be your
God and you will be my people.”
In ancient times, covenants were solemn
rituals between two parties, generally
between the conqueror and the one
conquered, designating the obligations
of each participant. An animal would be
halved and the two parties involved
would walk between the halved animal,
mutually acknowledging the covenant
and the consequences of breaking the
covenant.
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Notice on the first tablet, there are three commandments given concerning their/our
relationship to God. The remaining commandments on the second tablet concern our
relationship with each other. God truly wants us to be happy, and we can be happy only
when we follow these commandments.
In Exodus 19, the Lord says: “Therefore, if you hearken to my voice and keep my
covenant, you shall be my special possession, dearer to me than all other people, though
all the earth is mine. You shall be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.”
THE ARK OF THE COVENANTTHE ARK OF THE COVENANTTHE ARK OF THE COVENANTTHE ARK OF THE COVENANT
The Ark of the Covenant was that small box or chest
in which the two clay tablets of the Ten
Commandments was kept. It was the visible sign of
God’s presence to the Jewish people. Also in the Ark
there was a container of manna and Aaron’s (Moses’
brother) rod.
Do you see the loops atop the Ark? Poles were drawn
through these loops so the Ark could be carried in
front of the people during the years of wandering in
the desert. Some biblical scholars also suggest that
the Ark led processions on special feast days. Notice
the golden angel wings on either side of the Ark.
When Solomon built the Temple in Jerusalem, the Ark
was placed in the Holy of Holies. It was thought that
God was enthroned upon the cherubim in the Holy of
Holies. It was such an awesome sanctuary that only
the high priest could enter this area; and then only
once a year after the smoke of incense shrouded the
Ark. It was thought that one would die if one saw the
face of God.
Notice the Chi Rho symbol (the first two letters of
Christ in the Greek alphabet) on the Ark. The Ark is
the prototype of the tabernacle in our churches and a
symbol of Jesus’ Presence in His Church.
The design in the upper half of the window represents the Messianic prophecy that from
the family tree of Jesse (Jesse was King David’s father) would come the Messiah.
“But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a
bud shall blossom. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him; a spirit of
wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit
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of knowledge and of fear of the Lord, and his delight shall be the fear of
the Lord.” Isaiah 11:1-3
A crown with the Chi Rho symbol – Jesus – rises from the family tree of Jesse.
THE NATIVITYTHE NATIVITYTHE NATIVITYTHE NATIVITY
Once again God steps into time to say, “I love you.”
This window depicts what the Gospels of Matthew
and Luke tell us about the birth of Christ. Notice the
Chi Rho symbol in the manger of hay in the lower
half of the window. Now follow the rays of light
upward to the crown and star which recalls the
Magi’s journey from the East to Bethlehem to find
Jesus. The ancients believed that oftentimes a star
would appear in the heavens announcing an
important birth. It was said that such a star
announced the birth of Moses.
A shepherd’s crook wedged between the star and
crown reminds us of the shepherds who were
watching their flocks when an angel announced
Jesus’ birth to them. Shepherds were considered
untouchables to the Jewish hierarchy; and yet, they
too, along with the kings, were invited to witness
God’s Son.
The rays of light, crown, and shepherd’s crook
remind us that Jesus brought light into our world and
is our Good Shepherd and King.
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THE BIBLETHE BIBLETHE BIBLETHE BIBLE
This window depicts God’s Word, both
literally, the Scripture Book, and
figuratively, Jesus.
“In the beginning was the Word
and the Word was with God and the
Word was God.” John 1:1
“The Word became flesh and
made his dwelling among us, and
we have seen his glory: the glory of
an only Son coming from the
Father, filled with enduring love.”
John 1:14
Again, in John’s Gospel Jesus cries out in
the temple area:
“If anyone thirsts, let him come
to me; let him drink who believes
in me. Scripture has it: ‘From
within him rivers of living water
shall flow.’” John 7:37-38
We are the pair of birds who thirst for God’s Word and eagerly lap the Good News of
Jesus. Notice the orb surmounted by a cross, indicating royal authority, God’s Kingdom
on earth.
THE PASSION AND DEATH OF OUR LORDTHE PASSION AND DEATH OF OUR LORDTHE PASSION AND DEATH OF OUR LORDTHE PASSION AND DEATH OF OUR LORD
The focal point of this window is the Cross
of Jesus planted on the Hill of Golgotha.
The shafts of light radiating from the cross
tell us of the grace that is ours through Jesus
and His sacrifice.
The two smaller crosses are those belonging
to the thieves who were crucified with
Jesus.
Do you know which Gospel gives us
the story of the Good Thief?
Luke
Do you know the name tradition
gives to the Good Thief?
Dismas
Gestas was the name given to the
other thief.
The Crown of Thorns stands for all the
events in the Passion of Our Lord preceding the Crucifixion.
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THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEMTHE HEAVENLY JERUSALEMTHE HEAVENLY JERUSALEMTHE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM
This window is taken from the prophetic
symbolism found in the Book of
Revelation. Revelation was written during
a time of great persecution for the
followers of Jesus and its beautiful
imagery was meant to give strength and
hope to those being oppressed.
The focal point is the Lamb of God from
which emanates bright light—the City has
no need for sun or moon for the glory of
God gives it light and its lamp was the
Lamb. Rev. 21:23.
Notice the throne of colorful halos
representing the Community of Saints
surrounding the Lamb. Also notice the
city walls that surround heavenly
Jerusalem.
“During the day its gates will never be shut, and there will be no night
there.” Rev. 21:25
“The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be there, and his servants
shall serve him faithfully. They shall see him face to face and bear his
name on their foreheads. The night shall be no more. They will need no
light from lamps or the sun, for the Lord God shall give them light and
they shall reign forever.” Rev. 22:3-5
The remaining two windows are on either side of the sanctuary. On the choir side is the
Feast of Pentecost window. On the Tabernacle side, we find the Risen Christ.
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PENTECOSTPENTECOSTPENTECOSTPENTECOST
Pentecost to the Jewish people was one of the three feasts that Jewish
men were required by law to celebrate in Jerusalem. Families from all
over the diaspora would flock into Jerusalem for this feast which
accounts for the numbers of people who were baptized that day.
“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all
together in one place. Suddenly from heaven there came
a sound like the rush of a violent wind and it filled the
entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues,
as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on
each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy
Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the
Spirit gave them ability.” Acts 2:1-4
Notice the descending dove, symbol of the Spirit, who is surrounded by
tongues of flame. The seven tongues of flame represent the seven gifts
of the Spirit. Pentecost is the birthday of the Church.
THE RISEN CHRISTTHE RISEN CHRISTTHE RISEN CHRISTTHE RISEN CHRIST
How fitting that the Risen Christ is found centered directly in back of
our Tabernacle as the Resurrection is the centerpiece of our faith.
Without the Resurrection, there is no Christianity. Jesus is the
beginning and end of our journey of salvation and the Resurrection is
the fulfillment of our faith.
“They found the stone rolled away from the tomb;
but when they entered, they did not find the body of the
Lord Jesus. While they were puzzling over this, behold,
two men in dazzling garments appeared to them. They
were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground. They
said to them, ‘Why do you seek the living one among the
dead? He is not here, but he has been raised. Remember
what he said to you while he was still in Galilee, that the
Son of Man must be handed over to sinners and be
crucified, and rise on the third day.’ And they remembered his words.
Then they returned from the tomb and announced all these things to the
eleven and to all the others.” Luke 24:2-9