Symbolism of the Renovations and Construction
Many parishioners have asked about the symbolism behind our recent church renovations. Below is an overview of the elements and artwork that make up our worship space.
Central Theme
Throughout these artistic additions—from the mosaics to the tabernacle and cross—there is a unified theme pointing us toward Sacred Scripture. These renovation details serve as a constant invitation for our community to engage more deeply with the Word of the Lord.
1. The Reliquary & Relics
- Repurposed Silver: The silver from the doors of the previous tabernacle was used to craft the crosses in the narthex mosaics. The remaining silver (along with additional material) was used to forge the new reliquary placed inside the chapel altar.
- Reliquary Contents: The reliquary currently holds four items gifted by parishioners:
- A 3rd-Class Relic of St. Thérèse of Lisieux (Learn about relic classes)
- A Rock from Mt. Tabor (the site of the Transfiguration). Additionally, a rock from Mt. Tabor is set in the chapel window, and soil from Mt. Tabor is placed below the main altar in the church.
- A Benedictine Cross: Note on priestly formation: Many priests serving in the Archdiocese of Atlanta—including myself, Fr. Fernando, Fr. Rafa, Fr. Victor, Fr. Pat, and others—were formed by Benedictine communities at St. Vincent Archabbey and St. Meinrad Archabbey. (Watch: Explanation of the Benedictine Cross)
- A cross with relics (not identified)
- 1st Class Relic of St John Vianney
2. The Mosaics
- The Artists: Six mosaics (five completed, one in progress) were created by two of our own parish artists: Dale Molnar and Kevin Pawlowski.
- Depictions: The mosaics portray Mary, St. Joseph, and the Four Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).
- Identifying the Evangelists: Rather than labeling the mosaics, parishioners are encouraged to research the unique symbols and artistic elements associated with each Evangelist to discover who is who!
3. The Chapel Cross & Narthex Cross
- Chapel Cross: Gifted by a parish family, the new cross features symbolic representations of the four Evangelists. (Learn about the symbols of the Evangelists)
- Narthex Center Cross: The center of the narthex features the Jerusalem Cross.
4. Outdoor Prayer Spaces
- Prayer Garden: A peaceful space dedicated to quiet prayer and contemplation, centered around an image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd.
- Columbaria Area: Features a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title Our Lady of Grace. (Learn about Our Lady of Grace)
5. The Double-Sided Tabernacle
- Custom Craftsmanship: To accommodate our space, we required a double-sided tabernacle accessible from both the Church and the Chapel. Because this design was unavailable in the U.S., a company in Colombia was contracted to custom-build it. (I believe that Fr Fernando had his hand in this effort.)
- Church Side: Features images of Mother Mary and St. Joseph.
- Chapel Side: Features the Four Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).