Stained Glass in Sanctuary and Chapel

               
Our stained glass Stations of the Cross, in the sanctuary, and the stained glass windows in the chapel were bought from Chartres, France in 1964 by the artist, Gabriel Loire.

I — Christ is Condemned to Death. The crown of thorns and reeds used to drive the thorns into Christ´s head are apparent. The basin and pitcher shown at the bottom symbolize Pilate´s avowal of his innocence.

II — Jesus takes up the cross. The chalice of suffering which Christ is accepting is apparent. The solid darkness of the whole scene seems to indicate the pall of gloom all over nature. The semicircles may well symbolize the fact that the weight of the whole word is sin upon Christ.

III — Christ falls the first time. The single snake with an apple in his mouth symbolizes the original fall of man into sin.

IV — Jesus meets his mother. Mary, the Star of Judah, is apparent. The lightness of the scene indicates her comfort to our suffering Lord.

V — Simon helps Jesus to carry the cross. The hands and cross indicate Simon´s reception of the Cross. The heart above symbolizes Christ´s love for us and may also indicate Simon´s love in performing this act.

VI — Veronica wipes the face of Jesus. The veil with which she performed this act of love is shown.

VII — Jesus falls the second time. The snake, which is here added, may well symbolize the second kind of sin — our actual sins; the faint outline of a rooster above recalls the actual sin of Peter´s denial.

VIII — Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem. The hands below are outstretched in sympathy. The larger hand above indicates Christ´s call for silence while he speaks to them and blesses them. The dry wood above recalls the thought if this is done to the green wood, which is Christ the innocent One, what will happen to us, the dry wood who are guilty of sin.

IX — Jesus falls the third time. The third snake which is added here may symbolize a third aspect of sin and a third reason for Christ´s fall under the cross; this sin against the Holy Spirit may be Judas´ sin of despair symbolized by the noose seen in the cord to which the three heads are attached. The three heads may also remind us of the three sources of sin — the world, the flesh, and the devil.

X — Jesus is stripped of his garments. Jesus´ garments are apparent as well as the dice rolled to determine whose the tunic would be.

XI — Jesus is nailed to the cross. The nails of our guilt dominate the scene.

XII — Jesus dies on the cross. The large sphere represents Christ, the Sun of Justice, by which all justice is fulfilled; we have been redeemed by His death and resurrection. The sphere may also serve to remind us Christ´s abiding presence under the appearance of the Host.

XIII — The body of Christ is taken down from the Cross. The ladder and the sheet, by which this was accomplished, are shown.

XIV — Christ is placed in the tomb. The tomb, in which the Body of Christ was placed, now becomes the tabernacle, in which He remains to make intercession for us. The censer shown below, with ascending incense, represents our acts of adoration and love.

The beautiful stained glass window gracing the front of St. Joseph´s sanctuary is dedicated to the memory of Thomas Paul Mahoney. Originally designed for the hallway just outside the chapel of Bishop Topel Center, ten years to the date of the window´s dedication, it was moved to its current location in our sanctuary behind our baptismal font.

Tom Mahoney, husband of Wilma (Willie) Mahoney, died at age 47 after a lingering illness. Friends, relatives, and coworkers wanted to do something in his memory at church. "He was so centered on the cross in his final illness" recalls Willie. "God´s sacrifice was so important to him. He had many obstacles to overcome in his life and his eye was always on the cross."

His wife recalls a favorite hymn "Build on the Rock" as part of the inspiration that led to the window´s design. Cheryl Tucker, a former parishioner now living in California, was the artist & designer for the window. Bonnie and Floyd Loewe of Spokane did the stain glass work. The design team asked family and friends for their input on the window. "Water was important to Tom" says Willie "and of course the symbolism of the cross. He overcame so much in his life to become the good father and husband that he was. The whole project was a labor of love from those who know him well."

As the light shines brilliantly through the window´s cross in the front of St. Joseph´s sanctuary we all have a chance to celebrate with the friends and family of Thomas Mahoney.