The Building Committee, wanting to express a Biblical Theme in all the stained glass chosen for the church, selected the image of the Good Shepherd to be one of the dominant pieces of artwork in Holy Spirit Church. The Clerestory provides light to the inner space of the nave and sanctuary and is designed as a cruciform. Each of the four arms measures 16 feet wide, 112 feet long and 60 feet above the finished floor. The stained glass windows in the clerestory each measure 8 feet wide and 23 feet high. The Good Shepherd is located on the north side of the nave directly above the Nativity.

In loving Memory of

Marguerite M. Woods

by the

Edward Woods Family

Pope John Paul encouraged people many times to find life to the full by following Jesus as he said words like this, “Do not be afraid to open the doors to Christ…” In Palestine the shepherd brought the sheep into the sheepfold every night. It was a circular stone wall with an opening or door where the sheep entered. Once the sheep were inside for the night the shepherd slept in that opening or door all night. The sheep could not get out without stepping over the shepherd’s body which meant they would not get out at all during the night. Jesus is the gate, anyone who enters through him will be safe, and will go freely in and out and be sure of finding pasture. Others steal and kill and destroy but Jesus is the Good Shepherd.

Exerpt from a  homily  delivered in Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Maryland.

Copyright © Fr. Tommy Lane 2013

Construction photos of the clerestory.