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So far sksparish.org has created 257 blog entries.

Eighth Window: Pentecost, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, and the Church

The right panel shows the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove hovering over the apostles hiding behind walls “for fear of the Jews” (John 20:19).  They are surrounded by fire.  The Acts of the Apostles reports that these tongues of fire “parted and came to rest on each one of them.  And they were filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim” (Acts 2:3-4).  The billowing curtain is evocative of […]

2023-07-24T21:27:23-04:00July 24th, 2023|

Seventh Window: Jesus’ Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension

This window presents the Paschal Mystery, central to our Christian faith.  The right panel depicts the crucifixion of Jesus with his mother Mary and the disciple John at the foot of the cross.  Above Jesus, the initials “INRI” speak of his kingship: they are the first letters of the Latin inscription “Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum” (Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews) that was placed on his cross (cf. Matthew 27:37).  The bottom of the panel displays an altar with bread and wine […]

2023-07-24T21:27:03-04:00July 24th, 2023|

Sixth Window: Scenes from Jesus’ Public Life

This window presents important moments in our Lord’s public life.  The first panel on the right depicts the scene of his baptism by John the Baptist with the waters of the Jordan River flowing around them. The Holy Spirit in the form of a dove descends upon Jesus.  This scene recalls the important event found in all three synoptic gospels when a voice from heaven is heard to say, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Mt 3:17).  The […]

2023-07-24T21:26:37-04:00July 24th, 2023|

Fifth Window: The Annunciation and Birth of Jesus

In the first panel, the burning bush at the bottom represents God’s presence; a bush that burns but is not consumed (cf. Exodus 3:1ff).  The colorful band that emanates from it and swirls through many of the eastern windows represents God’s saving action down through the ages – from Old Testament times to New Testament times and even until today.  Above you see Mary encounter the angel Gabriel who announces that she has found favor with God and shall conceive and bear the […]

2023-07-24T21:26:14-04:00July 24th, 2023|

Fourth Window: Transition from the Old Testament to the New Testament

The first panel represents the genealogic tree of Jesus – the Jesse tree. Jesse was the father of King David.  As we read in Isaiah 11:1: “a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom.”  The figures sprouting from the tree represent the ancestors of Jesus.  Jesse is seated at the base of the tree and Jesus, depicted in royal attire, stands at the top.  The rose at his waist recalls the words of the […]

2023-07-24T21:25:32-04:00July 24th, 2023|

Third Window: David, Solomon and the Prophets

The story of David begins in the center section of the first panel with Bethlehem, the city of David, which in Hebrew means “house of bread.”  Below that, the prophet Samuel anoints David as God’s chosen one.  Behind Samuel you see the depiction of the death of Saul. The Philistines defeated the Israelites on Mount Gilboa, seen in the upper section.  Saul was wounded and his sons were slain.  He begged his armor-bearers to kill him so that he would not fall into […]

2023-07-24T21:24:48-04:00July 24th, 2023|

Second Window: From Noah to Moses

The baptismal font, hand and paschal candle in the lower section of the Noah panel recall the first letter of St. Peter where it is written that “this [ark] prefigured baptism, which saves you now” (1 Pet 3:21).  The paschal candle is a reminder of the reception of the sacrament of Baptism and is always lit when Baptism is celebrated.  Octagonal baptismal fonts were quite common in the early Church.  They represent the seven days of creation followed by the eighth day, the […]

2023-07-24T21:23:45-04:00July 24th, 2023|

First Window: God and Creation

In the first panel, God, represented by the all-­seeing eye, contemplates the creation of the world. Wisdom is represented by two female figures, one asleep in the womb of eternity and the other playing before God. This imagery is found in the Book of Sirach 1:4: “Before anything was created there was wisdom; prudent understanding from eternity.”  Throughout the Old Testament, Wisdom is usually personified as a woman.

The fountains in this panel refer to the Book of Proverbs 8:24 where Wisdom is said […]

2023-07-24T20:58:57-04:00July 24th, 2023|

What is the Eucharist?

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:26-28
When was the last time you thought about the divinity of the Eucharist? Too often, we go through the motions of receiving the sacrament, […]
2023-07-19T09:18:32-04:00July 19th, 2023|

Eucharistic Revival Overview

Catholics need a reminder about the true meaning of the Eucharist. So concluded the US Conference of Catholic Bishops following a recent study that found that only 31% of U.S. Catholics believe that bread and wine truly become the Body and Blood of Jesus during Mass; most think they only symbolize Christ. The National Eucharistic Revival, a three-year initiative, was created by the bishops to restore understanding and devotion to this mystery and remind us of Jesus’ Real Presence in the Eucharist.
  • Year one was committed to revival on the diocesan […]
2023-07-19T09:29:48-04:00July 5th, 2023|
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