Two Churches
Joining as
ONE Family
Together in Love
Holy Family Church Building the Kingdom of God for 128 Years
In 1928 our current church building was constructed of brick and stone. Just as our original church building our new church is an image of God's abiding presence with His people and welcomes us to a safe place to share the beautiful Catholic Liturgy that is the center of our existence. SYMBOLS The entrance to our church contains many symbols that teach us the story of salvation. Symbols are a way to tell a story. From the early church to modern times, symbols are often the way our faith was communicated and taught. Symbols are used to teach Biblical truths to those unable to read, as a secret sign among persecuted faithful and as a way to memorialize our beliefs.
ANGELS ~ He will give His Angels guard over you to protect you in all your ways.
PELICAN ~ The figure of the pelican is common in Park Slope Churches. St. Francis Xavier has a Stained Glass image and St. Augustine has a mosaic in the sanctuary. This image is based on the legend that in times of famine, the mother pelican plucks open her breast and feeds her young on her own blood. During the 13th century, this figure became widely used in Christian art to represent Christ's voluntary sacrifice of atonement for us all as well as the Eucharist because it represents Christ's Blood and provided spiritual nourishment.
ANGUS DEI ~ The Lamb of God. St. John the Baptist referred to Jesus as the Lamb of God indicating that Jesus would be the sacrificial lamb who dies for the sins of Mankind. The Banner indicates that through His death & Resurrection the Risen Christ has triumphed over death and sin.
HOLY SPIRIT ~ The dove is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. When John baptized Jesus in the Jordan river the Spirit descended in the form of a dove as the Father said... "This is my Beloved Son..." The nimbus (halo) around its head indicates that the dove is the Holy Spirit - a member of the Trinity.
THE CHURCH ~ A ship is a symbol of the church, based on the ark of Noah, which carried God's faithful to safety through the flood. Also, Jesus' calming of the storm helped to make the boat a symbol of safety and refuge
against the stormy waves of the world.
A ship additionally indicates the Church's missionary journeys throughout the world.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW ~ is represented by the image of a man or an angel and denotes Christ's human nature. The Gospel according to Matthew begins with the genealogy of Jesus telling of Jesus' human roots. \
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK ~ is represented by a winged lion. A lion in the King of the Beasts denoting royalty & power and is a symbol of Christ the King. Also the Gospel according to Mark begins with "A voice crys out in the wilderness". In the wilderness you can hear the roar of the lion for miles.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKE ~ is represented by an oxen. The ox represents Christ as the sacrificial victim and denotes the priestly character of Christ's mission. Also the Gospel according to Luke opens with the story of Zechariah the Priest, who offers a sacrifice of a bull on behalf of the Jewish Nation.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN ~ is represented by an eagle. John's Gospel soars to the heavens, just as an eagle soars above the earth and begins with the "In the beginning was the Word" and creation.
THE GARDEN OF EDEN ~ The account of the fall of Adam and Eve is represented by a serpent and a tree. The serpent is understood to be Satan and the tree is the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, one of the two trees from which Adam & Eve were not to eat from.
NOAH'S ARK ~ The Ark was a boat built by Noah under God's direction to save his family and the animals from the flood. Noah's Ark denotes God's judgment on sin and His promise of salvation for His people.
THE SACRIFICE OF ISAAC ~ Abraham was willing to sacrifice his only son for love of God, but God provided a ram as a substitute.
God's provision of a ram as a substitute sacrifice for Isaac is an important symbol of Christ who was the sacrifice for our sins.
THE MENORAH ~ The 7 branched Candlestick represents the Holy Spirit and the 7 Gifts of the Spirit. Wisdom ~ Understanding ~ Counsel ~ Might ~ Knowledge ~ Fear of the Lord and Delight in the Lord. It also reminds us of God provision for us in the story of the Maccabees and the miracle of the lamp oil.
More to follow......
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