Letter from the Pastor
-
June 26, 2022I don’t know what you wrote in your letters to the Archdiocese about me, but now, you are stuck with me for another 6 years! I have been renewed as the Pastor of St. Margaret’s.
I wish to thank all those who took the time and effort to write. It has been a wonderful blessing to me these past 7 years to be with you, and I so look forward to being with you for another six, and maybe beyond. The life of the priest is so grace-filled and unique: to be able to be a part of your life during the joys and difficulties of life, to be able to grow together as a family in holiness. I am so grateful to God, Cardinal Dolan, and to all of you.
Finally, we have all our exquisite stained glass windows illuminated, either by natural light or our new light panels. Our windows are particularly beautiful. I hope you take the time and look at the details of each window. They were executed in Munich, Germany and installed in the Church in 1930. The second resident pastor, Reverend Cornelius Hayes, his family, and other prominent parishioners at the time paid for the windows.
The three title windows above the altar tell the story of St. Margaret, as a shepherdess, studying the Sacred Scriptures, to the middle window, where St. Margaret is in triumph, holding a palm branch symbolizing her martyrdom, stepping upon the serpent, the devil, whom she triumphed over, and the third window telling the story of the dragon who tormented her while she waited to be executed. On the other side of the Church in the choir loft is the rose window of St. Agnes. St. Agnes was the name given to the 1895 Chapel where the early Catholics met for Mass. That chapel is at 144 S. Main Street, now a private residence. On the Eastern wall the windows are of Our Blessed Lady at the moment of the Assumption; followed by St. Kateri Tekakwitha. Now this window is most interesting to me. In 1930, Kateri was not even beatified, that wouldn’t happen until 1980, then canonized in 2012.
I find it interesting that a stained glass window would be dedicated to her years before she was canonized. If you notice there is no halo above her head. The next window is of St. Joan of Arc, who St. Margaret appeared to, then the last window of St. Elizabeth of Hungry and her story of the bread for the poor, which turned to roses. All of these windows depict young female saints.
On the western wall, now illuminated by LED light panels are the male saints. St. Patrick (don’t know why?!) and St. Francis receiving the stigmata. What is interesting with this window is Christ Crucified on wings, symbolizing the sacred wounds of Christ being given to St. Francis. The last window closest to the Altar is of Christ the King, dressed in Mass Vestments. There are four other smaller windows; two near the baptismal font, depicting the baptism of Jesus by St. John the Baptist and the Holy Spirit and the pouring of the Baptismal water. On the other side, Msgr. Doyle in 1995 had two new windows executed listing the names of the pastors and priests who served our parish since 1923. It was on June 24, 1923 that we became an independent parish. The windows tell a wonderful story; stained glass is a teaching tool for us to meditate and reflect on the story of the saints and of God’s grace. Enjoy them.
The bushes that lined the front wall of the Church have been removed to expose, once again, the historic rock wall. In the earliest pictures of our first Church, the stone wall and columns are present, so the wall has been there at least since 1900 when our original church was built. The wall is still in great shape. Colorful plantings are there to highlight the beauty of the Church property.
All of these projects are possible from the Renew and Rebuild Campaign started five years ago. We have accomplished many wonderful things together. Your generous donations to the Campaign helped us to continue the good work of our parish, to safeguard what has been lovingly given to us, and we will give to the next generations.
There is only one more project we have to accomplish: the interior of our Church. Our interior church will be painted, a new floor, our oak pews will be refurbished, new kneelers, with new cushions.
I am hoping to start the work August 1st. The upper Church will be closed. We will have all the weekday and Sunday Masses along with baptisms in Toner Hall. I am hoping that we will be able to get back to the Upper Church by mid September. I certainly will keep you informed.
Reminder that the 5:45 PM Saturday Mass will be suspended
for the months of July and August,
as well as the Monday evening benediction.
