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Stained Glass at St Joseph's
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Pearce-Serocold memorial window
The most distinctive decorative feature of the Mythe church was the Pearce-Serocold memorial window installed around 1884.
The window depicts the Annunciation. In the left lancet is the Archangel Gabriel and in the right is the Blessed Virgin. In the quarterfoil
at the top of the window is a crucifix. This window is still in Saint Joseph's Chance Street today.
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Sacraments in Glass
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STAINED GLASS PANELS
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The stained glass panels erected in the roof supports in front of the altar were installed in October 1995. They were blessed at Mass
concelebrated by the Rt. Rev. Mervyn Alexander, Bishop of Clifton and the Very Rev. Dr. Michael Saunders, parish priest, on 6th February 1996 in the presence of the Town Mayor, Councillor Peter Aldridge, members of the local clergy and parishioners of St. Joseph’s.
The glass represents the seven sacraments, each triangular panel depicting one sacrament with the two large central panels together representing the Eucharist. From left to right the panels show Matrimony, Penance, Confirmation, Eucharist, Baptism, Anointing of the sick and Holy Orders.
Matrimony - Interlocking wedding rings, exchanged as signs of love and fidelity, signify the union of the man and woman in this sacrament. The symbol of Christ and his love present in the sacrament and remaining with the couple throughout their married life. The horizontal Chi Rho ( P ) below the rings, reminds us that Christ loved us so much that he gave his life for us. The love between husband and wife should imitate this love (Ephesians 5:25).
Penance – The cross and the key represent the church founded by Christ and the keys of the Kingdom, given to Peter and the apostles as they were commissioned by Christ to build his church and given the power to forgive sins in his name (Matthew 16:18-19 and 18:18).
Confirmation - The Holy Spirit confers special gifts on those being confirmed. The dove has seven rays showing the seven gifts of the Spirit: wisdom, understanding, right judgement, courage, knowledge, reverence and awe in God's presence (Isaiah 11:1-3, Acts 2:38, Acts 8:14-17).
Eucharist - As in the panels, so in our lives, the Eucharist takes the central place. The wheat and the grapes signify the bread and wine offered to God. The Mass is the memorial in which the sacrifice of the cross is recalled, remembered and perpetuated. It is our communion with the Lord's Body and Blood and our union with each other (1 Cor.11:23-26, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:14-20, Matt. 26:26-29, Jn 6 )..
Baptism - The water of baptism cleanses the stain of original sin from those being baptised and gives new life in the Holy Spirit as they
become members of the family of the church. The lighted candle represents the Light of Christ coming into their lives and their sourcew of spiritual illumination for life ( Matt. 28:19-20, John 3:5).
Anointing of the sick – The sick receive this sacrament through anointing with oil and laying on of hands. The panel shows the oil being
poured out, reminding us of the love and healing which flows from Christ in the sacrament (Mark 16:18; 6:13, James 5:14-15).
Holy Orders – The Bible shows that the primary duty of those who receive this sacrament is to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. The stole is the common liturgical symbol worn by those who are called to be bishops, priests and deacons in the church. It is in the celebration of the sacraments that the proclamation of the Word of God effects what it signifies (Romans 10:14-17).
Bridget Durrant Pastoral Assistant
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