Church Features and Symbolism

 

The Altar

The altar design conveys multiple meanings. The chosen material, Rosa of Salome marble, is solid, polished rock, strong enough to be an "altar of sacrifice".  The marble was excavated in Italy especially for this church project and was selected for its reddish brown streaks, calling to mind the blood of the sacrificial Lamb. The base is shaped like a cross while the top represents the table at the Last Supper where Christ initiated his own incarnation in the Eucharist. There are five crosses carved into the altar surface.

 

Baptismal Font

Positioned in the entryway, the baptismal font serves as a central location for holy water as well as a reminder of the baptismal sacrament. The upper bowl shape is reminiscent of Noah's Ark and the vessel which carried Moses safely down the river. The white marble symbolizes purification. The lower font is made of earthy sandstone, setting off the white of the marble rising from it. Water taken from the upper font would be used to baptize a person standing down in the sandstone, with the person subsequently rising "up out of the water" (cf. Romans: 3-6) after baptism. The overall circular design symbolizes the all encompassing love of God with no beginning or end. The brass spokes on the wheel-shaped base are engraved with the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Three upper font plates are engraved with the three virtues flowing from baptism: faith, hope and charity.

 

The Tabernacle

The tabernacle design is based on the historic Ark of the Covenant which housed the original Ten Commandments. A Catholic tabernacle houses the Blessed Sacrament, Jesus Christ as the new Covenant in Eucharistic form. This one is silk-lined and hand-crafted from acacia wood by artist Gianfranco Tassara of Milwaukee. It is located in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel which is reminiscent of the "Holy of Holies" in the Temple of the Old Testament. A red sanctuary lamp marks the presence of the Eucharist. The table supporting the tabernacle projects from the chapel wall and is topped with rare white limestone. Tabernacle doors are embossed with diamonds and flanked by brass panels, one depicting the Biblical raining of manna in the desert and the other representing the hosts and wheat of the Eucharist. Poles across the top of the tabernacle represent the tools with which the Ark of the Covenant was carried and the molding around the top is designed to reflect the concentric circles of the complimenting candlesticks. Resting atop of the tabernacle are hand-carved Ecuadorian angels posturing adoration.

 

The Ten Commandments

The main focus of the vestibule upon entering the church is two stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments. These acknowledge our roots in Judaism and the Old Covenant, the foundation of the New Covenant.  Bianca Romano Granite was chosen for its specks of quartz crystals, reflecting the beauty of God's law and commands.  

 

 

The Ceiling of Prayers

Over 100 volunteers hand-painted 2600 acoustical tiles to complete the 10,000 square foot ceiling artwork. The rewrapping process prevented the original intent of having names and prayers written on the backs of tiles as they face up to God, but many silent prayers helped shape the ceiling project. Each tile was spray-painted gold, then repackaged and delivered to a design site in the pastor’s house behind the church. Parishioners then sponge- painted crimson, violet, purple, and emerald liturgical colors onto the tiles, making each one unique and yet integral to an overall design by artist Susan Marie Pieri. Approximately 35% of the tiles had to be measured and hand-cut to fit the final grid. Each golden diamond pattern measures four feet by 2 feet, the same dimensions as each tablet containing the Ten Commandments.

 

 

Stained Glass Windows

 

The windows, all designed by Susan Marie Pieri, are composed of colored glass pieces approximately one inch thick.  Each piece was cut with a saw and laid out on a light board to fit the artist's designs. Black sand, followed by epoxy resin, was then poured into the spaces around the glass. Finally the glass was “facetted", chiseled on the inside to create tiny planes for reflecting light. The thickness of the glass and facetted format create brilliant color in a more abstract style than in traditional leaded glass windows.

 

Descending Dove, South Wall

Situated over the Baptismal font, the descending dove represents the Holy Spirit's appearance as a dove at the baptism of Jesus. The dove's white color was achieved by sand blasting clear glass, enabling it to be viewed from outside the church without an external light source flowing through it. Clear diamonds above the dove represent God's power and light flowing through the purple darkness. Flowing out of the dove are the "tongues of fire" which descended upon Mary and the Apostles on the first Pentecost Sunday. The blue hues of color represent the sky from which the dove descended and the water through which we are baptized. The tips of vine reaching from the bottom of the window represent the faithful reaching up to God.

Note: Beneath the Dove window is the wooden statue of the Resurrected Christ which hung over our former church sanctuary.

 

Front Cross, North Wall

This window is designed to coordinate with the Dove window. The design carries the vine theme which weaves up to the base of the crucifix, representing Jesus as the Vine and the faithful as the branches. Behind the head of the carved Christ, the glass transitions from the darkness of the crucifixion sky to vibrant colors. The red color represents the tongues of fire and the blood of Christ. The entire design is drawn with three dimensional double helical S-curves, the shape of DNA, to represent the life given us by God through Christ.

 

 

 

Tabernacle Window, Blessed Sacrament Chapel

This window represents Christ's presence in the wine made from the fruit of the vine, grape clusters.

 

 

 

Jubilee Window, West Wall

Begun during the Great Jubilee Year 2000, the building is dedicated as a Jubilee Church. The center circular design is an adaptation from the original Catholic Jubilee logo. The dark blue color represents the earth with the sign of the cross enveloping it. Light representing Jesus shines from the center of the cross. Five different colored doves represent the five continents and their spiritual unity, fitting together through reconciliation and the forgiveness of Christ – “yesterday, today, and forever”. The window is appropriately located near the cornerstone and the "Reconciliation Room" for confessions. The border of the window echoes the ceiling design and the background is a kaleidoscope of subtle colors.

 

The Good Shepherd, West Wall

Also located near the Reconciliation Room, the window depicts Jesus carrying the lost sheep. He wears blue, the color associated with his mother, Mary. His red sash foreshadows his passion and his halo color coordinates with the Jubilee window. The vine theme is reflected at his feet.

 

 

Divine Mercy Window, West Wall

The theme of divine mercy for the prodigal son/penitent individual are represented in this window through the outstretched hands of God. The penitent wears the purple garments of the Lenten season.

 

 

Cove Windows, West Wall

The Cross window represents Christ's victory over sin and is located above the
 Snake window. Beside the snake is the
Apple in the Garden window, representing temptation and original sin.
Rising above the apple is the Eucharist window. The Host, surrounded by wheat, is made in a similar design to one of the panels on the tabernacle.

 

Birth of Jesus, West Wall

This window focuses on baby Jesus in the arms of his mother. A basket of wheat, rather than hay, lies below his swaddling clothes and a few diamonds sparkle in the sky above. The small window above is the Star of Bethlehem.

 

Symbols of Mary Series, West Wall

The Annunciation Lily marks the first window, symbolizing Our Lady's virginity in white.

The Fleur-de-lis, or French lily, is a symbol of Our Lady's purity. It is contained in the coat-of-arms of the Archdiocese of Mobile whose first bishop, the Most Reverend Michael Portier, came from France.
The Crescent Moon represents Mary's Immaculate Conception as foretold in the Canticle of Canticles.
Near the altar, Mary's Immaculate Heart is pierced by a sword of her sorrows.

 

Small Dove, West Wall

The outstretched wings of the dove represent the Sacrament of Confirmation. The dark purple sky above and light blue sky below the band of white demonstrate how we are changed by this sacrament.

 

Crown of Heaven, West Wall

Originally designed with 12 diamonds representing the 12 tribes of Israel. Due to a modified format, the crown is more abstract.

 

Matrimony Rings, West Wall

Interconnecting gold rings represent the Sacrament of Matrimony. The focus is on their union rather than on their individuality or separateness.

 

Heart Windows, West Wall

The Immaculate Heart of Mary, already described above, was originally designed with mystical roses, signifying her love for God, surrounding it. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is in the small window closest to the altar and is surrounded by a crown of thorns.

 

Fishes in Net Window on West Wall near Floor

Jesus performs miracles multiplying the loaves and the fishes to feed thousands of people. He also tells the apostles to lower their nets and their nets overflow with fish caught. He also tells them that they will become "fishers of men", so we could represent the fish of all sizes and colors within the overflowing net.