1. Sanctuary Window - Stand before the Altar and our Magnificent stain glass window.
"It has pleased God the Father that in Him (Christ) all His fullness should dwell, and that through Him, He should reconcile to Himself all things, whether on the earth or in the heavens, making peace through the blood of His cross." (Col.1,19-20)

The following is the artist's message expressed in the window design of the sanctuary of Holy Redeemer Church. From the cross of Golgotha, where Christ has offered Himself as the Lamb of God, according to the plan conceived by the Father, bright shafts of light radiate in all directions, expressing the glory of our redemption and its universality.

A great number of people, shown as stylized figures with upraised arms, are standing in His light, because He said: "I am the Light of the World." And these people are becoming light themselves.

Our redemption through Christ had been promised, in types and prophecies, in the Old Testament. One of these types is the Ark of Salvation (upper left) and the altar(upper right) which recalls the sacrifice of Isaac which God had first ordered and then stopped. It is a reference to Christ on the cross.

The upper area with its numerous stars, suggesting the heavenly sphere, stands in contrast to the dark blue color scheme at the bottom, suggesting the earthly sphere. Between them Christ can be viewed as the "One Mediator between God and men." Through His sacrifice, He has brought peace to mankind, as suggested by the rainbow. The altar, with its bright marble forming a strong contrast against the dark blue background, is the center and heart of the sanctuary. It is designed both as the sacred stone of sacrifice and table of the Holy Eucharist. It is set on this earth, and this note is reflected in the stylized design of the homes, factories and other buildings in the bottom section of the faceted glass.

On the center mullion are seen the symbols of the Father (triangle), and the Holy Spirit (dove). These two symbols, together with the figure of Christ, represent the Holy Trinity.

Reflection: Am I one of those figures with upraised arms? Am I a light to the world?

TURN AROUND - LOOK UP TOWARD THE CEILING AND SCAN FROM LEFT TO RIGHT.

2. Clerestory Windows
The clerestory serves to light the sanctuary wall with faceted glass throwing color onto the walls and floor, softening the sanctuary. As the windows flow round and encompass the church, the theme is Unity and Peace. "Peace is flowing like a river; flowing out to you and me."

PROCEED TO YOUR RIGHT
(You are facing the Main Entrance)

3. Altar of Repose
Pause and give praise and glory to Our Lord in the tabernacle.

The mosaic wall in back of the Altar of Repose was designed to make the tabernacle the focal point of the Blessed Sacrament area. All lines lead to the tabernacle. They seem to form a cross and yet the strength and movement of color and line tell us that we are resurrected with Christ when we receive Him in the form of the Eucharist.

Reflection: Do I take your presence for granted Lord? Here before you and in my life?

PROCEED LEFT PAST STATION #2

4. These four windows are the beginning of the verses of the Prayer of St. Francis.
"Where there is hatred, "let me bring your Love;
Where there is injury, your pardon.
Make me a channel of your Peace;
Where there is doubt, true Faith in you."

Reflection: Love, Pardoning, Peace, Faith - are these words visible in my life?

PROCEED LEFT TO NEXT WINDOW

5. "Let the Children come to me"
Jesus depicted teaching and loving the children.

"Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." [Matt-19:14]

Reflection: Do I feel and act like a child of God?
(In memory of Cyril J. Cushing.)

PROCEED LEFT TO NEXT WINDOW

6. "Jesus the Good Shepherd"
"I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me." [Mark 10:14]

Reflection: Do I allow Jesus the Good Shepard to guide my life?
(In memory of Earl O. Snyder.)

PROCEED LEFT TO NEXT WINDOW

7. "Ascension of Jesus into heaven"
As they were looking on, he was lifted up and a cloud took him from their sight. [Luke 1:9]

Reflection: Is Jesus present to me or is our relationship clouded?
(In memory of Dondi Gonzales.)

ENTER THE FIRST SET OF LOBBY DOORS - LOOK ABOVE OUTER DOORS
THE WINDOW TO THE LEFT

8. "Love one another"
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. [John 13:34]

Reflection: How am I doing on this great commandment?
(In memory of Frank and Genevieve Goff.)

RIGHT WINDOW

9. "Forgive them Father"
They crucified him and the criminals as well, one on his right and the other on his left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing."
[Luke 23:33-34]

Reflection: Do I realize Jesus suffered and died because - and for - me?
(In memory of Walter J. Sadler, Sr.)

GO BACK INTO THE CHURCH - PROCEED TOWARD THE 7TH STATION & CLOCK

10. "Jesus raising Lazarus"
Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, rise up!"
[John 11:43]

Reflection: Do I appreciate and thank you Lord for all the times you raise me up from the valleys in my life?
(In memory of Fr. Louis B. Dunleavy.)

PROCEED LEFT TO NEXT WINDOW

11. "Jesus - The Eucharist - Last Supper"
Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me." [Mark 22:19]

Reflection: Jesus gave the gift of himself to me - Do I give the gift of myself to Him and to others?
(In memory of Lillian Pagliari.)

PROCEED LEFT TO NEXT WINDOW

12. "Jesus at The Feast of Cana"
Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water," so they filled them to the brim. [John 2:7]

Reflection: Do I turn over my every concern to Jesus?
(In memory of Thomas & Eleanor Barry.)

PROCEED LEFT TO NEXT SET OF FOUR WINDOWS

13. Continuation of the prayer of St. Francis
Make me a channel of your PEACE.
Where there is despair, let me bring HOPE;
Where there is darkness, only LIGHT;
And where there is sadness, ever JOY."

Hope is in itself a prayer to the Holy Spirit; Come Holy Spirit, our souls inspire.

Light, the Blind man was able to distinguish objects but his vision was blurred. Jesus touched his eyes a second time and the man looked intently. We must look intently and the gift of discernment will be ours. The movement here represents the light of the world, the sun. It is a symbol of God's son.

In this last window, joy is expressed by combining the crown of thorns with joyous movement and color. Jesus gave his life for us. In suffering and selfless giving, fruit of a fuller life are born. Alleluia!

Reflection: Peace, Hope, Light and Joy - are these words visible in my life?

PROCEED TO MARY STATUE

14. This window is from our original Holy Redeemer Church, which is presently part of the Methodist Church on Church Street downtown Kissimmee. This little red brick church, which could seat 175 people, was built in 1912. Built for the sum of $7000, the original church had no pews or electricity. This window was in the Sanctuary and was in memory of Captain Walter R. Lawson who died in the war in 1923.

Reflection: Do I remember to pray for those who walked in faith before me, who worked so very hard to establish and build faith and church that I may pray in freedom and beauty, and in a most beautiful, comfortable church?

AMEN

Please take a few more minutes and meditate on the beautiful windows depicting the joyful mysteries in the Chapel.