Stained Glass Windows
The Arrival of our 1st Stained Glass Window!
Approximately 18 months ago, Fr. Paul Shepherd struck up a Stained Glass Committee to beautify the existing church, and to help to ‘tell’ the story of our Redemption.
There are three stained glass windows that have been commissioned for our parish:
- The first window (unveiled November 22, 2009), depicts the last words that Jesus spoke to Our Blessed Mother, as He was dying on the cross.
- The second window will depict the Proclamation of the Kingdom to the crowds.
- The third window will depict the Ascension of the Lord.
These three motifs, when placed in close proximity, reflect the fullness of the Paschal Mystery of our Redemption (the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ).
I must point out that each of our windows are being purchased on a ‘pay as we go’ basis. As we raised the necessary funds to purchase our first window, we will need additional funding (approximately $20,000) before we can see the installation of our second window.
During the planning stage for our first window, the Stained Glass Committee (consisting of Fr. Paul Shepherd, Allison Fagan, Nancy Coderre, and Beata Myhill) worked closely with the artisans at Northern Art Glass, to produce the completed image that we see today. I wish to give special mention to Allison Fagan, who provided several sketches to the artisans, in which to base the final construct.
The official unveiling of our first stained glass will take place today (November 22nd) at the 11:00am mass. The Committee members will do their best to be present at this event, along with representation from the Parish Pastoral Council, Finance Council, Fr. John Okosun and Deacon Paul Coderre. I have also invited Fr. Paul Shepherd to also be in attendance, but his own pastoral duties at St. Augustine’s parish may prevent him from attending.
I visited the Northern Art Glass studio with Beata Myhill a few weeks ago, and witnessed the creative process of stained glass for myself. I was very impressed! I wish to thank all the people involved in the planning and implementation of our first stained glass window at Holy Redeemer. Your dedication and hard work has paid off in spades, and the entire parish is the recipient of your labour! I also wish to thank all of you, the parishioners of our parish, in donating the necessary money and support for making this project possible. Most of all, on behalf of everyone in the parish, I give glory, praise and honour to Almighty God, who, through His Life, Death and Resurrection, has redeemed us!
God bless you!
Fr. Pierre
Fundrising - Operation Stained Glass Windows
Operation Stained Glass Windows is the name of the on-going Campaign to raise money to beautify the Church with the addition of stained glass windows in our Worship Space. Our first window was unveiled and blessed last weekend and can now be seen, and enjoyed, by all. This beautiful example of Church art was the result of the monies raised by the people of Holy Redeemer, the dedication of our Pastors past and present, the inspiration of our Design Committee, and the skill, artistic talent, and expertise of Northern Art Glass.
We have already begun the fund-raising effort to cover the costs of next window (the window to the right of the Altar). The theme of this window is the Ascension of the Lord.The quilt that was raffled off on Novemebr 22nd at the Holy Redeemer Church was donated for this purpose. It was made by Irene Lafleche of Holy Redeemer Parish and Barb Gillespie. The winner of the Quilt raffle was Vennita Campbell. Along with the "Pasta with the Pastor" dinner and raffle tickets sold, Parish Council has made $4,808.00.
Parish Council would like to thank everyone who assisted in the dinner for our Parish Feast Day. In addition, thanks goes out to all who helped in the sale of raffle tickets for the beautiful quilt "Stained Glass on Green Grass", especially Florence Hanna for her dedication in championing the raffle.
In addition to the funds made by our Raffle and other Parish activities, an anonymous donor has given $5000 to beautify the House of the Lord. Our fundraising is going so well that Fr. Pierre has already approached the diocese for approval to proceed with the Ascension of the Lord window.
Knights of Columbus make $5000 donation raised with Parish Community support
After 8:00 am Sunday Mass on 7 Feb., the GK Clarence Maheral accompanied by Larry Carroll and Joe Leblanc, presented Father Pierre Champoux with a cheque of $5000 as a donation from the Holy Redeemer K.of C.. The donation is to be used for the second Stain Glass Window project which will depict the Resurrection of Our Lord.
In his remarks to Father Pierre and the Congregation the GK outlined that the donation was really a Community Project since many parishioners had wholeheartily supported the many projects initiated by the Knights:ie., Christmas Tree sales; Christmas Card Sales; Sunday Breakfasts; St.Patrick's Caelli and many other activities. Father Pierre thanked the Knights for the cheque and outtlined to the parishioners that the windows cost around $20,000 each. Since $18,000 had already been raised then this amount puts us well on the way to fund the third window. He also stated, "that the Knights were a very important and positive influence at Holy Redeemer". Their other projects include: a Retreat for the men of the Parish on 20th of Feb., a Bursary for a deserving student; the Catholic Leadership Camp, organized through Student Services at Holy Trinity and prayer devotions as requested by Pastoral Council.
( Last updated March 1, 2010)