Our new stained glass window at the welcome desk in the narthex was designed and created by Eugene artist John Rose. John’s work is featured at the Hult Center, Eugene Public Library, University of Oregon, and LTD’s downtown bus station, among other public and private locations in Eugene and around Oregon. We are honored to have such a distinguished local artist create a new window for St. Mary’s.
The window depicts Mary with one hand stretched out to the viewer while her other hand is place over her heart. She is surrounded by representations of nature, including native plants and insects.
The outstretched arm is meant to invoke welcome while the hand over her heart calls to mind her love and compassion.
The images of nature remind us of God’s creation and its goodness, especially the beautiful natural world that surrounds us here in the Willamette Valley. Look especially for the camas and the Fender’s blue butterfly among other plants and insects in the window.
Including local floral and fauna reminds us that Mary is not just a person of history from halfway around the world, but as our namesake and one of the saints in the great cloud of witnesses she matters to us in this time and place.
There is also a sense of whimsy and fun with the insects in the window. Can you find them all? Kids (of all ages) enjoy finding them. They remind us of the joy found in all living things and within the life of faith.
