Saint Kathryn Parish
Hudson, New Hampshire
A Guide and Reflection
for the Windows of Our Church
Dedicated August 12, 2000
The Great Year of Jubilee
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From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear Friend,
It is with great joy we offer you this opportunity to enhance your appreciation of the magnificent windows that are part
of our church here at St. Kathryn’s Parish. Whenever possible, the appropriate scriptural reference is given for what is
depicted in the window. It is my hope that you will find much for reflection, increased awareness, and renewed devotion
through the use of this guide and your walk around “the way of the windows”.
Since opening our new church in August of 2000, we have been told repeatedly what a welcoming and inspiring sacred
space this is, drawing one into reflection and mystery at quiet times as well as facilitating active celebration as
community. The beautiful windows certainly add much to the environment of our church.
These windows were imported from Germany and created in 1928-1029 for a new church being built by the people of St.
Peter’s Parish in New Haven, Connecticut. That church was dedicated early in 1930. Some of the carved woodwork in
our church, as well as various other furnishings outlined in another “tour book”, were in that church as well. Due to
structural problems and neighborhood population shifts, the Parish of St. Peter was suppressed and the church was closed
in 1998. Through the kindness of Archbishop Daniel Cronin and Msgr. Thomas Ginty, I was able to procure these
windows and various other furnishings from the Archdiocese of Hartford. We then engaged in a series of planning
sessions, meetings, and various trips to the site with architects, stained glass experts, and liturgical consultant and our
Clerk of Works, Mr. Ed Gleason. The windows were completely restored and adapted for their new frames and settings
by Mr. Jary Vele, under the direction of Mr. Richard Chartrand of St. Michael Liturgical Arts.
With the addition of these windows to our church, the exquisite taste and generous spirit of the people of St. Peter’s lives
on. We keep them ever in our prayers and take joy in knowing that many of them have traveled here, seen the new
settings, and expressed great satisfaction.
In a recently released document on church buildings, “Built on Living Stones”, the U S Bishops put it well:
“Church architecture embodies the Gospel and awakens true liturgical piety in all believers, drawing them into the life of
the Triune God.”
We rejoice in the way these words are made flesh in the windows and walls of our House of the Lord and in His
assembly! The document goes on to advise that “care should be taken that none of the treasures of sacred art are
destroyed”. May our preservation be a great source of inspiration for generations to come.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Rev. Gary J. Belliveau
Pastor
WITHIN THE FAÇADE OF THE CHURCH
Center/Loft
The Ascension of The Lord is depicted with Our Lady and St. John at the feet of Jesus. The other apostles are in the side panels. The impending
descent of the promised gifts of the Holy Spirit is symbolized by the descending dove above the head of Christ. It is most appropriate that this scene be
before us as we leave the church for this was the time of the Lord’s great commission: “Go and teach all nations…know that I am with you always”.
That same sending and presence is brought home to us at every Mass.
Reference: MARK 16:16-20; ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 1:6-11; LUKE 24:50-53
BETWEEN THE FRONT DOORS FACING OUTSIDE
To the Left, The Lamb of God is portrayed, drawing on the Old Testament lamb of sacrifice. We see Jesus as the lamb offered
to the Father. The banner held by the lamb depicts His victory in resurrection. We come to know the Lamb of God through
scriptures (the book He is seated on) and encounter Him in the seven sacraments (the seven ribbons within the book). The
Latin inscription AGNUS DEI translates to Lamb of God.
To the Right, the Gift of the Eucharist is symbolized by the chalice and host in this window. It is surrounded by the ALPHA
and OMEGA, a reminder that Jesus is the beginning and the end of all.
STAIRWELL LANDING
This window depicts The Trinity: Deus (God) is One in three distinct persons – Father (symbolized by a hand for the Creator),
Son (symbolized by the lamb), and the Holy Spirit (symbolized by the dove). The fact that each is distinct is brought out by the
words NON EST (is not) that link the three symbols in the triangle. The fact that all three are God is brought out by the word
EST (is) that links the center DEUS (God) with each symbol.
SIDE WALL OF THE STAIRWELL
The large single panel window depicts Christ inviting His disciples (note the ship’s mast in the
background and the fishing nets). This window was originally part of a two-panel window, the other
side representing those He was inviting. We were unable to use that second panel, but perhaps it is best
we leave it this way: His invitation is to ALL of us!
ROOMS OFF THE BAPISTRY AREA
The Quiet Room
The window here depicts Jesus before Pilate and Pilate’s inability to take a stand for what is right as he washes his hands.
Reference: MATTHEW 27:11-25
The Vesting Room
These windows honor Mary and Joseph. Our Lady is queen of heaven and earth, symbolized by the crown. The letters A-M-R
are depicted over each other beneath the crown: Ave Maria Regina (Hail, Mary, Queen). St. Joseph is honored with symbols
of his trade and virtue: a carpenter’s square and a lily.
The Reconciliation Room
One of the windows depicts the “Gates of Heaven” and reminds us of the value of virtuous living as we see the power of Jesus’
death and resurrection through which we too can have victory over sin: cross, nails, and crown of thorns that give way to the
palms of victory.
WITHIN THE NAVE OF THE CHURCH
(Beginning with the window near the statue of St. Catherine)
The Wedding Feast of Cana, site of Jesus’ first miracle at the start of his public ministry and Mary’s advice then (and now to
us): “Do whatever He tells you!” This window is an affirmation of the value and sanctity of married life.
Reference JOHN 2:1-12
The Holy Family at work in the simplicity of their home in Nazareth is depicted in the next window around
the corner.
Jesus Lost in the Temple is represented in the next window as we see Him instructing the leaders, with Mary
and Joseph in the background.
Reference: LUKE: 2:41-50
(In the South Transept)
The Center Window depicts the Blessed Mother being taken up (assumed) into Heaven as the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
(conceived without original sin since she was to be the Mother of Jesus). She is shown with symbols from Revelation, the
moon under here feet and a crown of stars. She is also crushing the serpent’s head as mentioned in Genesis.
Reference: REVELATION 11:19; 21:1-6 and GENESIS 3:15
The Back Wall of the Nave
(Starting at the statue of St. Francis and moving around the corner to the statue of St. Maximillian)
The Nativity of the Lord is depicted in the first two-pane window.
Reference: LUKE 2:1-20
The Flight Into Egypt is the next depicted event as Mary and Joseph are driven into exile to protect the
Christ child.
Reference: MATTHEW 2:13-15
Jesus with the Children is portrayed in the window around the corner.
Reference: LUKE 18:15-17
IN THE TRANSCEPT CHAPEL WING
Front Wall (2)
Peter Being Freed from His Chains in prison by the angel.
Reference: ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 12:1-11
Peter is Invited by Jesus to Walk on the Water and he begins to sink as his faith falters.
Reference: MATTHEW 14:22-33
Back Wall (3)
Our Lady of the Rosary is depicted giving the rosary to St. Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) who
have done so much to promote the praying of the Rosary.
Our Lady’s Apparition to Bernadette in Lourdes in 1858 is depicted in the center window of this wall.
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is shown appearing to St. Simon Stock, a Carmelite, offering her care and
protection in the scapular which is promoted by the Carmelites to this day.
Center Wall Behind Pieta
Vestibule of the Chapel Wing
One window depicts the coming of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove. The other offers and ancient symbol of the Eucharist
- the PELICAN. A mother pelican will prick her breast until it bleeds in order to sustain the life of her young when no food is
available, even to dying in the process. This act is symbolic of the One who shed His blood for our eternal life-linked to this by
the crown of thorns the birds are sitting on and connected to the consecrated wine at Mass by the clusters of grapes.
FRONT WALL OF THE CHURCH
The small upper window near the organ and the window on the opposite side depict St. Peter (left) and St. Paul (right), the
foundations of the early Church’s authority and preaching. St. Peter is symbolized by the “keys of the kingdom” and the upside
down cross which indicates the way Peter was martyred. St. Paul is symbolized by the sword and the book indicating the
powerful effect of the Word of God.
CENTER OF SANCTUARY
The Crucifixtion of The Lord is portrayed over the altar with the Blessed Mother in the left panel, St. John in the right, and
Mary Magdelene at the foot of the cross. At the top of the left and the right panels are the alpha and omega symbols indicating
the beginning and end in all things. The image of the descending Holy Spirit is symbolic at the top of the cross since it links it
to the Sacrifice of the Mass, which brings the same sacrifice of Jesus’ body and blood to us in the an unbloody way, as it was
first given in a bloody way on the cross. It is through the calling down of the Holy Spirit as Mass that the gifts of bread and
wine are changed into the Body broken for us and the Blood of Jesus poured out for us on the cross. The figures on the cross
remind us of Jesus’ gift to us all (symbolized by John) of His Mother, and His mercy poured out for all (symbolized by Mary
Magdelene, who was forgive much because of her great love).
THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES OF THE SANCTUARY
The patron saints of Ireland are depicted facing each other on the upper sides of the sanctuary walls – St. Patrick (left) and St.
Bridget (right) both hold the crosier or shepherd’s staf, she as Abbess; St. Patrick as Bishop. These saints called to mind the
homeland of the people of St. Peter’s Parish in New Haven, CT, who first had them made for their new church there in 1930.
THE BACK AREAS OF THE CHURCH
Three windows are in the elevator entry with the symbols of three of the apostles: Andrew, James, and Thomas. Originally
there were twelve windows located near the ceiling in the old St. Peter’s Church. We used three here. Andrew was crucified
on a cross shaped like and “X”, James is symbolized by the shield, and Thomas, by the spear that pierced Jesus’ side.
Two windows are on the ramp access between the sanctuary and the elevator area: one has crossed keys (the
symbol of the Sacrament of Penance) and the other honors the Eucharistic Lord with the Monstrance, as
used in the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
The sacristy has four windows with symbolic medallions in them, all taken from titles of Our Lady in the Litany of Loreto:
Stella Matutina (Morning Star, depicted as a guide for ships on stormy seas), Turis Davidica (Tower of David), Domus
Aurea (House of Gold), and Rosa Mystica (Mystical Rose).
The work sacristy area attached to this area has two windows. One ahs the letters I-H-S overlapping each other, the other has
P-X overlapping. The first displays the Latin initials for JESUS SAVIOR OF HUMANITY; the second, the Greek Chi-Rho
letters for JESUS CHRIST.
IN THE BACK STAIRWAY TO THE LOWER LEVEL (behind the elevator)
The symbol of The Phoenix Rising (Resurrection) Out of the Ashes.
Two additional windows depict other titles of MARY from the Litany, Tower of Ivory and Ark of Convenant.
And in the last window, St. Cecelia, her name inscribed over a harp, is honored as the patron saint of musicians.