Roger Hornsby of the L&R Art Studio is responsible for conceiving and designing the stained glass windows. The 24 clerestory windows are a pictorial representation of salvation history.
Beginning with the Old Testament on the left as you come in the main entrance:
The First Window: This illustrates the creation of all things. We see the hand of God bringing forth night and day, land and sea. The seasons, animals, and land, and finally man and woman are created in His image. The creatures of the skies and all the plants and animals are represented.
The Second Window: The fall of man. We see the angel as he expels Adam and Eve from the Garden of Paradise. A tree-like form of living fruit seemingly surrounds the angel, while Adam and Eve leave in despair toward a planet-like form which appears dead. A small symbol of a lily (Mary) pierces the serpent's head, illustrating the prophecy in Genesis 3: 24, 15: "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers. He will strike your head while you strike his heels."
The Third Window: God's first cleansing of the earth and His mercy. We see the Ark of Noah, surrounded by water amidst the rain. At the lower left side are a pile of logs representing Noah's offering of praise and thanks to God.
The Fourth Window: One of the greatest acts of faith is pictured as Abraham, by God's request, had tied and bound his beloved son Isaac and was about to slay him. But the Lord intercedes, as an angel stops him. The Lord then promises Abraham that he will multiply his people as the multitude of the stars. We see as secondary symbols the ram which Abraham offers up to God, and the sticks forming a cross, symbolic of the Lord's supreme sacrifice for us.
The Fifth Window: A portrayal of miracles and visions as told by Jacob and Joseph. Displayed here is the vision of Heaven open to the people by their faith in the Lord, and interpretation by Joseph of seven years of wealth and growth and seven years of famine, and his warning to the Pharaoh who puts him in command of everyone. The erect shaft of wheat on the lower right side reflects an early dream of Joseph as well as his command received later.
The Sixth Window: This reflects Moses as he receives the Ten Commandments, God's formal law, the mount behind and the burning bush. Also in the lower right are pictured the Pharaoh, who is oppressing the people; the plagues, frogs, blood-red water, hail, darkness, locusts, etc. Above shows the sea as it is opened to the people of Israel for their journey to the promised land (mercy).
The Seventh Window: The law as it was formally established unfolds as we see an arrow at left (flowering staff), a symbol of praise and prayer to the Lord. At the right is Joshua with the rams horn. Also are pictured the seven branch candlestick (menorah) with the center candle bringing forth a flame with the Chi Rho symbol (the glowing light of promise), representing Jesus, the light of the world, as will be revealed later. This candle seemingly sits on a monogram base of Mary -M- which is supported by the wings of angels below. These are in adornment of the tablets as they sit within the Ark of the Covenant.
The Eighth Window: This shows God's grace in strength and bravery. Samson destroys the temple of false gods, and David stands with staff and slingshot. We look down upon a large spear, suggesting the fallen foe Goliath, while the smaller spears represent the Philistine army. Below are the harp and music given through the psalms, which also reflect by the staff the theme "The Lord is my Shepherd," etc. Surmounting all is a large crown with lineal motions going in both directions, God's guidance and grace. Finally, we see the head or jaw bone of the donkey with which Samson also fought in God's name for victory.
The Ninth Window: The coming Resurrection is illustrated with Elijah as he is raised to Heaven by the fiery chariot, Elisha below receiving the cloak as his future assurance to the people. A tongue of fire comes down to reflect the holocaust of the Lord's fire which consumed the oxen on the pyre to prove to the people the one true God. Twelve stones (the twelve tribes of Israel) support the altar-like setting.
The Tenth Window: God's wisdom through the scripture of Solomon is depicted. We see the baby claimed by two women; the one at the left pleads for the baby not to be cut in half, while the one on the right who is outside the lineal form of God's grace turns away and is ready to allow it to happen. Solomon blesses and gives the child to its rightful mother. The lamps of knowledge signify God's all knowing and ever knowing knowledge. "I am the beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega."
The Eleventh Window: This reflects the early defenders of the Lord's faith; Daniel at the right; Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego in the fiery furnace. All are protected by the angel-like wings which encompass them and ward off the lions and the fire. The triangular form represents the Holy Trinity.
The Twelfth Window: This is the last window in the Old Testament series design and connects the later parts of the Old Testament with the New. Mary, the Immaculate Conception, is surrounded by the sun and moon. The sun relates from Maachi 3:20. She is surrounded by the twelve stars, symbolic of the twelve tribes of Israel, her genealogy "Tree of Jesse". She is second Eve, Mother of God through the Tree of Life. Secondary symbols reflect Issiah's prophecy, "a lamb shall sleep with lions". The Prince of Peace imagery is expressed. Mary's foot, as the rock, crushed the serpent's head to fulfill the promise of God (2nd window symbol). The large crown, which is the theme used by the prophet Ezekiel, and representing God's absolute majesty, is pictured. There also, surrounded by wings and in vision, is the prophet.
The First Window: Portrayed is the Annunciation, as the Angel Gabriel sent forth by God, announces to the Virgin Mary, that through the Holy Spirit she is to give birth to the Messiah. The rays sent forth by the Holy Spirit encompass her. Mary is greeted by her cousin, Elizabeth.
The Second Window: The Nativity, Incarnation of our Lord. We see the Christmas Star as it sends its light downward to the Christ Child. The shepherds are told by an Angel. Crowns depict the Wise Men coming toward the Holy Family.
The Third Window: Our Lord's Baptism. The HOly Spirit is seen above, from which a lineal form surrounds Christ, as St. John is seen holding the shell and droplets of water pour forth. At left, (2) Symbols relate the forms of Baptism through desire and martyrdom.
The Fourth Window: This is a composition of two important events in the early public life of Christ. The devil offers Christ worldly possessions, which are rejected by His statement, "Man does not live by bread alone." We also see Him as He selects his followers, the Apostles.
There are four windows in the next bay:
The First Window: Christ gives us examples of His grace and power of God, the Father. He cures the blind man, raises Lazarus, as the two sisters look on in prayer, and heals the leper.
The Second Window: We now go to the writing, prayer and parables. In relationship to Moses, Christ sets forth his New Commandments: Love thy neighbor, love God. He teaches in the parable of the mustard seed that "The Kingdom of God is a mustard seed. When it is sown, it will grow up and become greater than all herbs. Its branches shall shelter the birds of the air." We see the tree like a form reaching out to a Chi Rho, while below its branches, a bird lies in its shadow, in rest and comfort. Below the Sower sows his seed, some on barren ground, some in the burning sun, some in the thorns and bramble, but most on the fruitful earth.
The Third Window: The Last Supper. Our Lord institutes the first Holy Communion. We see the twelve Apostles as Christ blesses the Chalice. Judas, at the lower right, looks away, unable to partake. He holds the bag of silver and a hangman's noose. At the lower left, we see the Host and other Eucharistic symbols of wheat and grapes.
The Fourth Window: The completion of our Lord's earthly teachings and meaning of his presence. In it, we see: the Crucifixion; His sacrifice for us to be redeemed; His Mother and St. John, at His left, in His last moments; a bolt of lightening, as it rents the veil of the Temple; the skull, at the foot, a symbol of Golgatha; at the right, the seamless cloak and dice; at the top, the sun as it is eclipsed, and the moon on the right.
Into the last four windows:
The First Window: The Resurrection, as promised by God, Our Redeemer Jesus Christ, as He arises on the third day. The Angel, on the left, announces His body is no longer entombed. The banner of his Victory, seemingly comes forth from flames, before a crown of thorns, but now as a crown of glory.
The Second Window: The Pentecost. Mary, surrounded by twelve cross like forms, symbolic of twelve Apostles. We see the Holy Spirit and the tongues of fire, of the Spiritual grace given to the disciples and Mary and all those who follow in Spirit of our Lord. We also see six small building like forms, suggesting all peoples of the world.
The Third Window: This depicts the Saints, as they have followed in the name and faith of Jesus Christ and are shown here as a tree like form - The "Tree of Life". The branches form around the various Saints. Again, we relate to parts of the World - St. Rose of Lima, South America; venerable Kateri Tekakwitha - Lily of the Mohawks, North American Indian; St. Francis Xavier, on the lower right, as he spreads the gospel throughout Asia; St. John Vianney - Cure d'Ars, heroic parish priest of Europe; and lastly, St. John Chrysostom, early Bishop of Africa, Doctor of the Church, founder of early Orthodox faith. All carry or have symbols of their respective teachings.
The Last Window: A small depiction of the Church - our Church - Holy Name. It is shown, at the lower right, as rays pour forth from a large Chalice and Host. At the upper right, we see Our Lord, as He guides us through life and sends forth His graces. A priest lifts a host upwards, in the Mass of today. Lineal motions encompass and lead five other symbols upward, symbols of the five other faiths. This represents a hope of the ultimate reunion with God, perhaps eventual reunion of all faiths and peoples.
The Blessed Sacrament Chapel has three faceted windows with the theme of Holy Eucharist. The one, at the left, shows the all seeing eye of God, from which the Manna and seeds of life come forth; the second window, a cross, host, chalice, wheat, and grapes; and the third window shows the breads, or small Easter rolls, and the fish, in which the word in Greek spells out Jesus Christ.
The faceted windows in the organ area will carry out a musical theme, denoting the praise of God.