Saint Raphael Parish Booklet

Built of Living Stones

Saint Raphael Church • Bay Village, Ohio • Founded in 1946

Feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

My dear friends in Christ,

Our church was dedicated on a special feast day devoted to our Blessed Mother: The Feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Under her patronage we dedicate ourselves and our parish.

As she gave her continued fiat, her YES, to our Lord, we continue to do the same.

My dear people, you have been a tremendous blessing. God is active and alive in us, with us, and through us. Thank you for your faith, love, and confidence in this incredible journey of faith that we have taken with the Lord and one another.

I offer you this gift, this chronicle depicting the heart and the depth of the church building coming together for our worship. It is a self-guided tour.

Take this book with you sometime to the church and walk around, reflect on it and pray with it. Come by yourself or as a family. I pray that this gives you great insight and spiritual depth in appreciation of our new spiritual home.

Please keep our parish in your daily prayers as you are in mine.

God bless and keep you,

Fr. Timothy W. Gareau Pastor

Welcome

to Saint Raphael Church. Our new church was constructed over the footprint of our previous church,

which was built in 1953. This guidebook of the new church was created to give you a tour with insights into the decisions made in planning and building. It describes which items were kept from the previous church and their significance. You will also find explanations of the new structure, artwork and artifacts. A map can be found at the end of the guidebook.

We begin the guided tour at the baptismal font, just as we begin our Christian life in Baptism.

Sensitive to our past church building and the artwork and artifacts that were present there, we have taken all we could from our previous church and included it in the construction of our new church building. This includes our crucifix, altar, marble (much of it repurposed) and of course our stained glass windows. All of our stained glass windows are from the former St. Joseph Franciscan Church (located at E. 23rd and Woodland Avenue, in Cleveland) which was originally dedicated in 1873. Crafted in Germany and installed in 1902, the stained glass windows were removed when St. Joseph Parish was closed in the late 1980s.

They were restored and initially installed here at St. Raphael Church in 1994. They now have a special place in our new church.

Table of Contents: The Baptismal Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 The Sanctuary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 4 Walk Around the Nave. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 - 8 Music Ministry Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 9 The Franciscan Chapel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 11 Behind the Scenes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 13 The Gathering Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 15 The Community Room. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Exterior and Ceremonial Entrance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

NAVE BAPTISMAL AREA Baptismal Font The font, octagonal in shape, is designed to accommodate both full immersion baptism and infant baptism. The eight sides represent eternity. There are three steps going down into our baptismal font and three steps rising out of the font, reminiscent of the old tombs found in ancient Rome. As we go down into the waters of baptism, we die to sin, and we emerge as a new creation and bear a new identity: Christian! So intimately united to Christ, we share in His identity. We share in His very life. We become “other Christs!” The flowing water symbolizes living water and the presence of Christ living in us. As stated in the document Built of Living Stones: “The font is a symbol of both tomb and womb; its power is the power of the triumphant cross; and baptism sets the Christian on the path to the life that will never end, the ‘eighth day’ of eternity where Christ’s reign of peace and justice is celebrated.” The font extends out into the Gathering Area, as we take our baptismal promises out into the world becoming living signs of Christ’s love for others to encounter.

Stained Glass Window of the Resurrection of Jesus This beautiful window overlooks the baptismal font and reminds us that we live in the light of the Resurrection of Jesus, who claims us in Baptism. The angel of the Lord spoke: “There is no need for you to be afraid…He has risen…go quickly and tell the disciples…” (Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-11). While the guards tremble with fear and become paralyzed, the angel proclaims that Jesus is victorious over the grave.

Holy Spirit Window Hovering over the baptismal font is an image of the Holy Spirit etched into the skylight. The alabaster image of the Holy Spirit, found in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and created by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, (pictured on right) is the inspiration for the design. As the sun touches the Spirit, its movement throughout the church reminds us of the Spirit’s movement in our personal lives and in the life of the Church. We are in constant motion when it comes to our relationship with the Lord!

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SANCTUARY River Stones Leading from the baptismal font to the altar and extending to the altar of repose is a pathway lined with river stones. These stones are indigenous to our geographical area and incorporate something “local” into our construction. This pathway reminds us that we are led through Baptism to the altar. We are led to be nourished at the table of the Lord. As St. Paul reminds us, “So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the capstone. Through Him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord; in Him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-22).

Crucifix and Reredos Our architecture was scaled around the beautiful crucified Christ, crafted in Italy, from our previous church. Christ is the center as He has offered His life for our salvation. The wall is called the reredos.

The crucifix is surrounded by a pattern of many crosses ascending in a rotating tile image representing eternity. The polished tiles represent Christ’s love pouring forth from the cross into the sanctuary.

Heaven touched earth in the person of Jesus, who offers us our salvation. The eternity pattern flows from the reredos wall onto the sanctuary floor uninterrupted, symbolizing that heaven continues to touch earth through the action of the liturgy.

Hidden behind the crucifix in the wall is a small wooden cross that was also in the same place in the previous church. During demolition, the construction workers found and saved it. The cross was later installed in the new church.

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Altar The altar has been in our church since the first Mass in the previous church building, which was celebrated on February 26, 1954! It was originally on the back wall when Mass was prayed in Latin with the priest’s back to the people. After the changes in the liturgy, following the Second Vatican Council, the altar was moved forward so the presider of the liturgy could face the people. It contains the relics of St. Donatus and St. Felicity (Feast Day: March 7th). On the front of the altar are the letters IHS, which is the name “Jesus” abbreviated in three Greek letters. Beneath the altar are hundreds of decorated stones from parishioners who prayerfully paved the way during construction of our new church. These blessed stones are now part of the foundation of the altar. The altar is where Christ is made present. It is an altar of sacrifice. Here we celebrate the central mysteries of our faith.

Altar of Repose and Tabernacle The tabernacle is cradled by a gothic arch designed in the shape of angel wings. The marble candle stands that once flanked the altar in our previous church are now turned upside down and are used to hold the mensa (table top) in place. The mensa came from the Zwilling Room fireplace hearth, which in turn had been made from marble from the previous church. The front came from an alcove in the previous church and mirrors the fronts of the altar and the ambo. The sanctuary lamp is a reminder that Christ is sacramentally present in the tabernacle in the Eucharistic bread.

Ambo (Pulpit) The ambo was constructed using twenty-eight pieces of marble from our previous church. This is where the Sacred Scriptures are proclaimed. We will be faithful in using this altar of the Word solely for the proclamation of God’s Word from the Bible. In front of the ambo is a place to enthrone the Book of the Gospels. This book is carried into Mass, but is not carried out in the closing procession. The Sacred Scriptures are carried out of Mass in our minds and hearts; we become the Word made flesh to others.

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WALK AROUND THE NAVE Stations of the Cross The stations of the cross were commissioned for Our Lady of Mercy in Tremont in 1949.

They remained there until the church closed in 2010. The exact origin is not known; based on their composition and style, it is believed that they were carved in Europe, most likely in Italy. Looking at the stations of the cross from the first station to the last station, they gradually increase in size. The artist, in the creation of these fourteen stations, wants us to experience the movement of love expressed so courageously in Jesus’ journey to Calvary. We are drawn to the height and depth of God’s love for us as we walk with Jesus.

Statues Flanking the Sanctuary The Holy Family statue and the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue were crafted by the Demetz Studios of Italy.

The oak trim arches encasing both statues are from our previous church.

• Holy Family Statue Devotion to the Holy Family became popular after the 16th century; however, the Feast of the Holy Family has only been celebrated by the Universal Church since 1920. Originally celebrated on the third Sunday after Epiphany, it is now observed on the Sunday between Christmas and January 1. The theme of family and the feast dedicated to it are of special importance today in the face of challenges to the contemporary family. Looking at the Holy Family, notice St. Joseph’s foot extending from the platform just a bit. When you see feet depicted in Christian art, especially the saints, it is a sign that they walked the earth. In their humanity, they were united to Christ at such a depth that holiness was a way of life. Unity with Christ was encountered in their day to day walk of faith here on earth inviting each person to do the same.

• Sacred Heart Statue Pope Pius XII said that the Sacred Heart of Jesus is “a symbolic image of His love and a witness of our redemption”. In the Letter to the Romans, St. Paul tells us that love and redemption filling Jesus’ heart now overflow to us. “The love of God has been poured into our hearts.” This, Paul says, comes to us at the very time we need Jesus’ compassionate, protective, forgiving, and joyful love the most: in our sin and failings. “God proves His love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” From the cross, the Good Shepherd lays down His life for us, His sheep. From the cross, Jesus gives strength to the weak, forgiveness to sinners, and draws us to new life and joy, close to our Lord’s very heart.

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• Sacred Heart Statue (continued) This solemnity is celebrated on the Friday following the Solemnity of Corpus Christi.

This day honors Jesus for the love symbolized by His Heart. Devotion to the Sacred Heart became popular with mystics in the 13th and 14th centuries, and was promoted by the Jesuits in the 17th century. The tradition became widespread as a result of a series of visions of the Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, a French Visitation nun, in 1673-1675. Almost 200 years later, in 1867, a special feast was mandated for the Universal Church. In 1899, Pope Leo XIII ordered that the world be consecrated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Divine Mercy Sunday is an extension/deepening of this devotion.

Shrines Honoring Saints • St. John Paul II Crafted by the Demetz Studios of Italy, our contemporary saint served as pope from 1978-2005. John Paul II travelled to countless countries, established World Youth Day, gave the Church the gift of Theology of the Body, was influential in the Fall of Communism, and significantly improved the Catholic Church’s relations with other faiths. Feast Day: October 22nd • St. Paul Also crafted by the Demetz Studios of Italy, our historical saint, following his conversion at Damascus, spent many years as a missionary preaching to the Gentiles that Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God. Approximately half of the book of the Acts of the Apostles deals with Paul’s life and works. Feast Day (shared with St. Peter): June 29th • Madonna della Strada (Our Lady of the Streets) This statue is based on a work by the late 19th century painter Roberto Ferruzzi, and is again crafted by the Demetz Studios.

Our Blessed Mother has several feast days throughout the year and many Saturdays are devoted to her protection.

• St. Thérèse of Lisieux This statue was in one of the niches of the previous church. It originally stood in St. Ladislas Church in Lorain, Ohio. St Thérèse of the Child Jesus was a French Discalced Carmelite nun. She is popularly known as “The Little Flower”.

Feast Day: October 1st Seasonal Shelf This marble shelf accentuates the liturgical seasons. The marble is from the side altars in the previous church. Pictured here is a flowering garden scene for Easter, including the flowing water of our baptism.

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Stained Glass Windows North Wall – Birth & Death of Jesus • The Magi The window shows the Magi arriving at Bethlehem. “When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly…”

(Matthew 2:1-12). The story of the Magi is a reflection on an important aspect of the Incarnation, the universality of the birth of Jesus. The Messiah has come to all people, all cultures, and all ages.

• Agony in the Garden of Olives In the Agony in the Garden of Olives, we see Jesus sorrowful even unto death; the apostles, Peter (with a sword), James, and John sleep in response to Jesus’ request to “watch and pray with me”; and the angel from heaven to give Him strength to accept the cup presented to Him (Matthew 26:35; Mark 14:32; Luke 22: 39-46 and John 18:1).

Ambry On the wall located between the baptistry and the main sacristy is the ambry.

Ambry comes from the Latin armarium, meaning cupboard. This “cupboard” is a container for the stocks of consecrated oils to be used throughout the year.

In our Diocese, on Tuesday of Holy Week, the bishop, clergy, and members of the laity gather at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. There, in solemn ritual, the holy oils to be used in the parishes during the year are consecrated.

These are the Oil of Catechumens (pure olive oil used to anoint those preparing for baptism), the Oil of Chrism (pure olive oil mixed with fragrant balsam, used in baptism, confirmation, and ordination), and the Oil of the Infirmed (pure olive oil used in the sacrament of the anointing of the sick).

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Stained Glass Windows South Wall – Jesus with the Children & Young Jesus • Jesus with the Children “And people were bringing children to Him that He might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this He became indignant and said to them, ‘Let the children come to me, do not hinder them, for such belongs to the Kingdom of God.’ Then He embraced them and blessed them” (Mark 10:13-16).

• Jesus Preaching in the Temple “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Mary and Joseph discover Jesus in the midst of the teachers who are clearly astounded at His understanding and His answers. The scrolls and ancient texts are brought to new light in Jesus, the Word, present to do the will of the Father. Mary, His mother, “kept all these things to be pondered in her heart” (Luke 2:41-52). Mary is a model of constant meditation on the meaning of the life of Jesus.

Music Ministry Area Liturgical documents of the Church encourage music ministers to be an integral part of the worshipping congregation, as they are members of the assembly helping to lead the singing of the entire People of God. Our new worship space integrates the choir into the congregation. Musicians have their own space for music.

The elevated risers of the stalls allow the choir to sing effectively while remaining in pews with kneelers.

Viscount Organ The organ was assembled in Italy. The four manuals (keyboards) have been separated into a grand organ (speakers installed behind the congregation over the baptistry) and a chapel organ (speakers installed behind the choir stalls). These two separate areas allow the effect of having two separate organs able to sing independently or in tandem. The grand organ represents a full organ sound capable of supporting a singing congregation, while the chapel organ supports a choral piece that the assembly can pray with by listening. Instead of using “sound samples” from pipe organs, the Viscount’s sound system reproduces the physics of sound waves produced by pipe organs, allowing for a realism previously impossible in digital organs.

Steinway Piano The grand piano is a Model A III. Construction of this instrument began in 1918 and was completed on April 11, 1919 as stamped on the lowest key. Names of the workmen are also stamped on the keyboard.

The keyboard of the instrument had suffered considerably as a result of almost one hundred years of constant playing. In order to restore the keyboard and action to its original glory, it was necessary to replace or recondition virtually everything. The parts are all new Steinway parts installed by a Steinway trained craftsman. The mahogany case was stripped, repaired, stained and coated and rubbed with a lacquer to a satin finish. An original type Steinway decal was restored. The newly refurbished piano is truly a renewed Steinway with all the attributes of the original instrument.

Pews The white oak pews are crafted by the Pennsylvania Amish. The seating capacity is 1,100. All have kneelers.

Spaces throughout the nave are designated for handicapped. Inspired by a section of pews at St. John Cathedral, the last few rows in the center sections can be flipped to face the baptistry during the celebration of the sacrament of Baptism.

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THE FRANCISCAN CHAPEL Altar, Ambo, Crucifix The altar and ambo were designed and constructed for the chapel. The San Damiano Cross is a replica of the cross that St. Francis of Assisi prayed before when he received the commission from the Lord to rebuild the Church. The original cross hangs in the Basilica of Saint Clare in Assisi, Italy.

Statues • Holy Family Statues On September 6, 1949, St. Raphael School opened under the direction of four sisters of the Holy Humility of Mary.

These statues come from the original convent chapel of the Humility of Mary Sisters who worked at St. Raphael. • St. Clare (1193-1253) Clare, a friend of Francis, was moved by his choice to give up all his wealth and spend his days living out the gospel in poverty. Clare began a religious order of women that is known as the Poor Clares. She had a special love for the Eucharist and is often pictured holding the monstrance. Feast Day: August 11th

Stained Glass Windows How appropriate to have a chapel honoring the history of the beautiful St. Joseph Franciscan Church, whose windows made their way to St. Raphael! The rosette panels at the top of the windows relate to the Passion of Jesus.

• St. Francis of Assisi and the Vision of the Portiuncula (1181-1226) Francis received this vision in the Portiuncula Chapel located near Assisi, Italy. The heavenly choir of angels surrounds Jesus and Mary as Jesus stretches His hand in blessing while holding the cross of Christ. The rosette panel depicts the tools of crucifixion.

Feast Day: October 4th

Feast of Portiuncula: August 2nd

• St. Francis of Assisi Receiving the Stigmata (1181-1226) On the Feast of the Holy Cross (September 14), Francis was meditating on the story of Christ’s Passion.

There appeared to him a seraph (angel) clearly showing the face of Christ. Francis felt keen stabs of pain in his hands and feet. When the vision passed, on his body, there appeared the impressions of the wounds of Christ.

The rosette panel is an image of Veronica’s veil.

Feast Day: October 4th

Feast of the Stigmata: September 17th

• St. Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Born in Portugal, Anthony eventually went to Padua, Italy, where God wanted him to become a preacher of the Word. The window is his vision of Mary, to whom he had great devotion, presenting the Child Jesus. The rosette panel portrays the crown of thorns and three nails.

Feast Day: June 13th 11

BEHIND THE SCENES Main Sacristy The main sacristy is located off the Gathering Area. Here the priests prepare to celebrate Mass and the sacraments. Vestments are stored here. Lectors, Eucharistic ministers, and altar servers gather here with the priests and deacons before processing into the church.

Carillon Our new worship space helps us understand and proclaim our faith, both on the inside and the outside of the church building. We have installed a Verdin Supreme bell system sounding similar to traditional bell towers. Since the Middle Ages, the Church has used bells to call the faithful to Mass when it is celebrated, to announce the hours of the day and the Angelus (the prayer at noon and 6:00 PM when we remember the Incarnation) and to signal life cycle events like weddings and funerals. At Saint Raphael we use the bells to call people to 9:15 weekday Mass, the 4:30 Saturday Vigil, and the Sunday 10:00 and 12:00 Masses. The number of bells and duration will announce the rank of the day on the liturgical calendar (fewer bells and a shorter duration for lower ranking days and more bells and a longer duration for higher ranking days). The Angelus will also change based on the rank of the day, but it will always retain the traditional three strikes of three (for the Hail Marys and first prayers) followed by some number of bells (for the second prayer). Our carillon will also strike the hour from 9:00 AM until 6:00 PM daily.

Working Sacristy The working sacristy (behind the sanctuary wall) has been designed to provide a working area and storage space to prepare items needed to celebrate the Mass and the sacraments.

Music Ministry Area Adjacent to the work sacristy is a preparation and storage area for music ministry. The wall facing Dover Center Road is adorned with more stained glass windows. • St. Elizabeth of Hungary (1207-1231) The daughter of the King of Hungary, she was a devoted wife and mother. She is pictured here with her cape overflowing with red roses. According to legend, roses appeared instead of the bread she carried in her cape for the poor, when she was challenged by her hostile relatives opposed to her charitable effort. Her life is an example of the gospel call to be loving, caring, and forgiving to family and to others. Feast Day: November 19th • St. Clare Her statue is in the Franciscan Chapel, and the explanation of her life is mentioned earlier, on page 10.

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• St. Louis, King of France (1214-1270) Louis became king at the age of twelve. He was a just leader and a wise, gentle father. Advice he gave to a son indicated the kind of Christian leader he was: “Let your heart be gentle, compassionate, and charitable toward the poor…toward anyone you think is suffering…” He retrieved the crown of thorns from the Holy Land during the crusades.

Feast Day: August 25th • St. Bonaventure (1221-1274) Bonaventure entered the Franciscans and became one of the Church’s most outstanding teachers.

A doctor of the Church, he was named cardinal shortly before his death.

Feast Day: July 15th

Crosses and Evangelists Window During demolition, a tiny wooden cross was discovered between the wooden studs of the back wall of the sanctuary. It was decided to save this piece of parish history by installing the wooden cross between the steel supports of the new sanctuary wall. In both churches, the majestic crucifix has an unseen, smaller cross behind it (perhaps uniting the crosses of our own lives with the Cross of Christ). In the new church, behind these two crosses is yet another cross that can only be seen from the upper level storage space or from Dover Center Road: the beautiful rosette window of the four evangelists. The dramatic red stained glass cross surrounded by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John proclaim to our community that our Church is based on the saving act of Christ on the cross as proclaimed in Sacred Scripture.

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GATHERING AREA Upon entering the building through the ceremonial entrance on the north side of the building, one finds an area of welcome – the Gathering Area.

Donor Wall Generosity is important to the life of any parish. Our parish community recognizes our donors on the south wall within the tiled arch. At the base of the wall is the cornerstone, dated 1953, from our previous church.

Saint Raphael and Tobit On the left side of the donor wall is a beautiful stained glass window of Tobit and St. Raphael. Originally this window was in St. Catherine Church, built in 1915, near E. 93rd and Union Street in Cleveland. The window was likely made in Germany.

It can be seen from the Zwilling Hall entrance, as well as from the ceremonial entrance, reminding us of our angelic companion and patron, St. Raphael.

Military and Safety Forces Wall To the right of the donor wall our troops and safety forces are recognized. Hovering over this section, above the American flag, is the symbol of our country, the bald eagle. A lectern-style wooden top was added to our old baptismal font. It now holds two books for parishioners to write prayer intentions or names of family or friends serving in the military and safety forces.

Bookshelves On the back wall of the Gathering Area are bookshelves and pamphlet racks to assist us in our continuing growth and development in our faith. There is a large bulletin board to help keep us informed of upcoming events in the parish.

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North American Martyrs On the wall to the right of the church entrance is a photograph of the North American Martyrs canvas originally displayed in the previous church. These eight Jesuit missionaries were tortured and killed in the mid-17th century in Canada during the warfare between the Iroquois and the Huron. This art was donated by previous pastor, Father Nelson J. Callahan, and his family. Feast Day: October 19th Saint Jude and the Sacred Heart of Jesus The St. Jude and Sacred Heart of Jesus paintings, created by parishoner Bill Manion, are from of the previous church.

St. Jude is often shown with a flame atop his head, representing the presence of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, when the apostles received the Holy Spirit. The Sacred Heart painting reflects Jesus’ love symbolized by His blazing Heart.

Quieting and Brides Room Immediately to the right of the Saint Jude and Sacred Heart of Jesus paintings is the door leading to the quieting and brides room. The stained glass windows include the coat of arms of the Franciscans and of their Sacred Heart Province and the crest of Cleveland Bishop Ignatius F. Horstman who was the bishop when St. Joseph Church was built. The remaining windows are symbols frequently used in church decoration.

COMMUNITY ROOM AREA Community Room The community room is used to host meetings and funeral lunches, providing both lecture and table seating.

Doctors of the Church Hallway The hallway just outside of our Community Room enshrines the doctors of the Church. The portraits are arranged in the order that they were named doctors, beginning at the east entrance of the hallway. Each doctor has a quote to help inspire us in their mission and ministry. This is a very special title accorded by the Church to certain saints, and indicates that the writings and preachings of such a person are useful to Christians in any age of the Church. Such men and women are also particularly known for their depth of understanding and the orthodoxy of their theological teachings. While the writings of the doctors are considered inspired by the Holy Spirit, this does not mean they are infallible; it does mean that they contributed significantly to the formulation of Christian teaching in at least one area.

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EXTERIOR AND CEREMONIAL ENTRANCE Design Twenty-eight new gothic arches can be found throughout the exterior of the church. Combined with the twelve existing gothic arches at the main entrance of Good Shephard Square and the Parish Activity Center, there are a total of forty arches. In Sacred Scripture, the number forty is repeatedly used when a promise is being fulfilled.

Circular Window A stained glass circular window of the four evangelists is in the center of the cross which faces Dover Center Road.

• St. Mark – Mark’s Gospel begins with the story of John the Baptist and refers to Jesus in His kingly dignity.

Symbol: winged lion

Feast Day: April 25th

• St. Matthew – Matthew’s Gospel stresses the humanity of Jesus and the historical importance of the life of Christ.

Symbol: winged man

Feast Day: September 21st

• St. Luke – Luke’s Gospel stresses the sacrificial character of Jesus.

Symbol: winged ox

Feast Day: October 18th

• St. John – John’s Gospel is more poetic and expresses the divinity of Jesus.

Symbol: winged eagle

Feast Day: December 27th

Ceremonial Entrance Extending from our beautiful church is our ceremonial entrance offering protection from the elements. It serves as the main entrance for weddings and funerals. It is warm and inviting, reminding all that something special is happening in this holy and sacred place.

Symbolic Threshold of our Faith Large circles are etched into the concrete at both the ceremonial entrance and the entrance off the parking lot to Good Shepherd Square. Each is an image of a host reminding us that we are a Eucharistic people. We come to be fed at the altar and we leave to feed others in our love for God and others. We become the Mystery we celebrate – living reminders of Christ to the world.

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The USCCB published the document Built of Living Stones during the Jubilee Year 2000.

This document guides the building of churches, laying down principles of art and architecture that serve as a basis for individual decisions in each space. Built of Living Stones stresses that the details of the physical building are important because they remind us that we are called to be “living stones” who build up the Kingdom in our daily lives. During the construction of the church, our parish focused on building our community of faith through monthly efforts like “Paving the Way”. Each family was invited to decorate a stone from their yard or other significant place and place it on their dinner table for a month. After a month of meal time prayers, the stones were brought to the parish, and placed beneath the altar.

Photography by Dan Morgan / Straight Shooter – www.AboutDanMorgan.com