Statues of St. John XXIII Parish-St. Mary Site - St. John XXIII Catholic Parish

Main Altar
The Assumption of Mary is one of the four Marian dogmas of the Catholic Church, with the word “assumption” coming from the Latin for “taking up.” It depicts the bodily taking up of Mary, the mother of Jesus, into heaven. Mary’s acceptance into the glory of Heaven is seen by many Christians as the symbol of the promise, made by Jesus to all faithful Christians, that they will be received into paradise. The Assumption is celebrated on August 15 in the church year.

Bible Scenes at the bottom of the main altar

Priest-King and Melchizedec. Hebrews 6:20

Bible Scenes at the bottom of the main altar

Jesus and the disciples on the road to Emmaaus after the resurrection. Luke 24:13-35

Bible Scenes at the bottom of the main altar

Abraham sacrifice of Issac. Genesis 22: 1-19

Left Altar

Mary Queen of Heaven is a title given by Christians to the Virgin Mary, to honor the role she played in bringing the Savior to earth for his ministry. Many believe that Mary was bodily and spiritually assumed into heaven, and that she reigns there as Queen. Pope Pius XII explained the title by saying, “Jesus is King throughout all eternity by nature and by right of conquest: through Him, with Him, and subordinate to Him, Mary is Queen by grace, by divine relationship, by right of conquest, and by singular choice [of the Father].”

St. Anne is venerated as the mother of Mary and maternal grandmother of Jesus. While Anne is not mentioned in the canonical books of the New Testament, traditions about her life arose early in the life of the church. Her feast day is celebrated on July 26, and she is considered the patron saint of unmarried women, carpenters, housewives, educators, children, grandparents, and many others.

Saint Barbara was a third-century martyr who is often portrayed with miniature chains and a tower. Her conversion to Christianity so enraged her father that he first confined her to a tower and eventually ordered her execution. A 15th-century French version of her story credits her with thirteen miracles, many of which reflect the security she offered her devotees that they would not die before being able to make confession and receive extreme unction. As one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, Barbara is the patron saint of armorers, artillerymen, architects, mathematicians, and miners

St. Nicholas (AD 270–343), was also known as St. Nicholas of Myra, St. Nicholas of Bari, or Nicholas the Wonderworker. Nicolas was an early Catholic bishop of Greek descent from the city of Myra in Asia Minor, but little is actually known about him since most accounts of his life were written centuries after his death. Many miracles are attributed to his intercession, and he is prayed to as the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, repentant thieves, children, brewers, pawnbrokers, unmarried people, and students. His service as a bishop included not only teaching the mysteries of the faith, but also teaching generous and humble charity in alleviating the material needs of our neighbors. His reputation for secret gift-giving is the origin for today’s Santa Claus.

St. Aloysius de Gonzaga, (AD 1568-1591), was a member of the Italian aristocracy who died as a result of caring for victims of an epidemic while still a student at the Roman College. His wealthy family wanted Aloysius to become a military leader and did not want him to join the priesthood, but he eventually gave up his family right of inheritance to join the Society of Jesus in ‘Rome. During his short time of service before his death, he was known for his purity and virtue, spending many hours in prayer and reading. He was beatified in 1605 and canonized in 1726.

The Baptism of Christ by John the Baptist is described in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and the Acts of the Apostles, and forms the basis for the sacrament of baptism in the church. This crucial event in the life of Jesus is one of the Luminous Mysteries, and is celebrated as the moment when the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in the form of a dove, and when Jesus began his ministry.

The Sacred Heart, also known as the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, is one of the most widely practiced Catholic devotions. The Sacred Heart is depicted as a flaming heart shining with divine light, pierced by a lance wound, encircled by a crown of thorns, surmounted by a cross and bleeding. Sometimes, the image shines from within the bosom of Christ, with his wounded hands pointing at the heart, alluding to Christ’s crucifixion, with the flames representing a furnace of ardent love.

(During Easter)

The Risen Christ is portrayed in white garments carrying a banner representing Christ’s victory over the Cross as He rises from the tomb.

St. Anthony of Padua, (AD 1195–1231), was beatified and canonized by Pope Gregory IX the year following his Anthony’s death. Anthony (or Antony) was born in Portugal, and was a Portuguese Catholic priest and friar of the Franciscan Order. Known for his eloquence and teaching ability, St. Anthony is venerated around the world as the patron saint of lost articles, and is credited with many miracles involving lost people, lost things and even lost spiritual goods.

Right Altar

Saint Joseph St. Joseph was a man of Nazareth who, according to the gospel was married to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and was the legal father of Jesus. In Catholic traditions, Joseph is regarded as the patron saint of workers and is associated with various feast days. The month of March is dedicated to Saint Joseph.

St. Dominic, (AD 1170–1221), is the patron saint of astronomers, the Dominican Republic, and of falsely accused people. He was born of a noble Spanish family and his studies were focused on theology and the arts. A famine in 1191 left many people homeless and destitute, and Dominic sold everything he had to buy food for the poor. His ministry in southern France focused on converting heretics back to the true faith. Dominic was granted permission in 1215 to form a religious order dedicated to promoting morality and the expulsion of heresy. Dominic and his followers were named “The Order of Preachers.”

St. Henry (AD 973–1024) was also known as St. Henry the Exuberant. He served as Holy Roman Emperor starting in 1014, and was the last ruler of the Ottonian line. Henry was involved in nearly constant political maneuverings and military battles during his reign, but was canonized in 1146 for his deep religious faith. He loved the Church, lived its virtues, received its sacraments, and was devoted to St. Mary. He used his wealth to the good of the church, and used his resources as king to the betterment of the faith

Gathering Area
St. John the Baptist was born to Zachariah and Elizabeth through the intercession of God, when she was too old to bear children. His place as the announcer of the Messiah was foretold in the Old Testament. John, who was a contemporary of Jesus, began his public ministry around 30 AD. John attracted large crowds across the province of Judaea and around the Jordan River. After baptizing Jesus, John instructed his followers to turn to Christ. John was martyred by King Herod sometime around 33–36 AD.

Mary Queen of Heaven is a title given by Christians to the Virgin Mary, to honor the role she played in bringing the Savior to earth for his ministry. Many believe that Mary was bodily and spiritually assumed into heaven, and that she reigns there as Queen. Pope Pius XII explained the title by saying, “Jesus is King throughout all eternity by nature and by right of conquest: through Him, with Him, and subordinate to Him, Mary is Queen by grace, by divine relationship, by right of conquest, and by singular choice [of the Father].”

Our Lady of Consolation (also Mary, Consoler of the Afflicted), is a designation for the Virgin Mary that dates back to the second century AD. The Augustinian friars were among the first to celebrate this particular devotion to the Blessed Mother. Prayers are offered to Our Lady of Consolation in times of special need, hearkening back to Mary’s times of special concern, fear, loneliness, and grief, when she turned to our Father for help and comfort.

Photos by K.K. Text by B.V.