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One of the most striking architectural and spiritual features of our church building is our stained glass windows. Created by Franz Mayer of Munich, through their New York office, these magnificent examples of Christian art have told the story of the life of Christ in brilliant colors for nearly 100 years at St. Mary's.
All Images are Copyright 2010 to 2020 by Dennis Smith - All rights Reserved
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Assumption of MaryThe official name of our parish is St. Mary of the Assumption Parish; and so, the main window in the choir loft over the street entrance to our building is The Assumption of Mary.
The Assumption of Our Lady (4th Glorious Mystery of the Rosary)
At the end of her life on earth, Mary is taken body and soul into heaven.
The feast of Mary’s Assumption is a preview of what our lives will be. At the end of her earthly life, Mary was assumed, or taken up, into heaven body and soul. She did not have to wait for the end of the world, as we do. God granted her this special privilege because of her sinlessness and her fullness of grace.
The Church has always believed in Mary’s assumption into heaven. But on November 1, 1950, Pope Pius XII focused the attention of the whole world on the Assumption of Mary as a dogma and mystery of our faith. This mystery shows us that God wants every human person, body and soul, to be in glory forever, just as Mary is now.
Excerpt, Loyola Press website
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Nativity of JesusThe Birth of Our Lord (3rd Joyful Mystery of the Rosary)
Jesus is born in a stable in Bethlehem.
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:1-7 (NRSVCE)
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The AnnunciationThe Annunciation (1st Joyful Mystery of the Rosary)
Mary learns that she has been chosen to be the mother of Jesus.
At the Annunciation, God revealed this good news to Mary. She was the first to hear and to believe that God would do what he promised. Her faith told her that nothing is impossible for God. Mary also heard God’s invitation calling her to be the Virgin Mother of his Son.
This call meant that Jesus would be formed in her womb, and she, as his mother, would nourish and care for him. This call meant that she had a special place in God’s plan for salvation. Mary replied, “I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38) In saying yes, Mary agreed to God’s plan because she wanted what God wanted. She was willing to accept all the joy and pain, all the unexpected events. She was willing to bring Christ to a waiting world.
Excerpt, Loyola Press website
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The VisitationThe Visitation (2nd Joyful Mystery of the Rosary)
Mary visits Elizabeth, who tells her that she will always be remembered.
The text of the Canticle of Mary is taken directly from the Gospel of Luke (1:46–55) where it is spoken by Mary upon the occasion of her Visitation to her cousin Elizabeth. In the narrative, after Mary greets Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John the Baptist, the latter moves within Elizabeth's womb. Elizabeth praises Mary for her faith (using words partially reflected in the Hail Mary), and Mary responds with what is now known as the Magnificat.
The Magnificat
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever.
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Presentation in the TempleThe Presentation (4th Joyful Mystery of the Rosary)
Mary and Joseph take the infant Jesus to the Temple to present him to God.
The Gospel of Luke recognizes Joseph and Mary as faithful Jews who bring Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem. Here they present their firstborn son to the Lord. Jesus is thus consecrated as required by the Law of Moses. Present in the temple at this time are Simeon and Anna. Both are awaiting the restoration of God’s rule in Israel.
Simeon had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would see Christ the Lord, the Messiah, before he died. The holy man immediately recognized the infant Jesus as the promised Savior, a “light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” Anna also recognized Jesus as the fulfillment of the promise of redemption and spoke about him to all.
Excerpt, Loyola Press website
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Finding in the TempleThe Finding in the Temple (5th Joyful Mystery of the Rosary)
Jesus is found in the Temple discussing his faith with the teachers.
Mary, Joseph, and Jesus are a faithful Jewish family. They are participating in the annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, an event shared each year with family and friends. When the family left to go home to Nazareth Jesus remained in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it. Days later when Jesus is found, Luke describes him as seated in the Temple in the midst of the Jewish teachers. Although he is young, Jesus seems not to need teaching about his Jewish tradition. In his dialogue with these learned teachers, Jesus astounds them with his insight and understanding. Jesus is a child of Israel. His Father is God.
Excerpt, Loyola Press website
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The Wedding at CanaChrist Reveals Himself at Cana (2nd Luminous Mystery of the Rosary)
At Mary’s request, Jesus performs his first miracle.
Marriage and wedding feasts are metaphors used in Scripture to describe God's salvation and the Kingdom of God. Here at the beginning of Jesus' public ministry, John's Gospel seeks to establish that Jesus is going to re-interpret and fulfill Yahweh's promise to Israel. Jesus establishes the New Covenant. A hint about what this New Covenant will be like is made evident in the deed that Jesus performs. Asked to do something to address the awkward situation that the absence of wine at a wedding feast would create, Jesus' miracle produces vast quantities of wine—six jars holding thirty gallons each are filled to overflowing with choice wine.
This lavish response to a simple human need is a vision for us of the abundance of God's kingdom. It challenges us to respond generously when confronted with human need today. We respond as best we can, fully confident that God can transform our efforts, bringing the Kingdom of God to fulfillment among us.
Excerpt, Loyola Press website
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Jesus and the ChildrenJesus Blesses Little Children (Christ’s period of public ministry)
People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. Mark 10:13-16 (NRSVCE)
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Mary Anointing JesusMary Anoints Jesus at Bethany (Christ’s period of public ministry)
Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” John 12:1-8 (NRSVCE)
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Agony in the GardenThe Agony in the Garden (1st Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary)
Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night before he dies.
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.” Matthew 26:36-39 (NRSVCE)
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Resurrection of JesusThe Resurrection (1st Glorious Mystery of the Rosary)
God the Father raises Jesus from the dead.
Even though Easter is not the beginning of the Roman Catholic liturgical year, it is the highpoint of the year. Easter is the celebration of the paschal mystery, coming from the word pascha, which means “Easter.”
There are a number of aspects of the paschal mystery incorporated into the celebration of Easter that makes it so embracive. One is the presence of the risen Christ beyond the time of his human journey.
The Resurrection—indeed the whole of the paschal mystery—is not a past event that we merely commemorate. It is part of our lives today, part of the life of the Church since the days of the community that was formed around Jesus of Nazareth, continuing and being built up in love as you stand in your parish assembly each Sunday.
Excerpt, Loyola Press website
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