The stained glass windows of St. Laurence were created by Hill Country artist Dennis Roberts and depict verses from the bible.
The Resurrection Window(South Window)
The main window over the sanctuary portrays the Resurrection account from all four Gospels: Mark 16:1-20, (women entering the tomb, young man in white); Matt 28:1-2, (dawn, rising sun, earthquake); Luke 12:1, (women carrying spices); John 20:5-8, (strips of linen, burial cloth folded). These individual design elements are tied into one design with the help of two symbols, shown here in abstract, from the early Church. The legendary phoenix is an ancient emblem of immortality that in Christianity became a symbol for the Resurrection. The furca, or fork, is a medieval symbol for the Trinity. Inverted as shown here, it expresses salvation descending from above and spreading over the world. Note that the Risen Christ is ascending to the right hand of God the Father; the tomb (death) is on the Father’s left and the rising sun (victory over death) on His right, signifying the separation of sheep and goats in the Final Judgment; and in the grouping of three crosses, only one is touching the center cross, symbolizing the thief on the cross who recognized Jesus as the Messiah.
Sermon On The Mount(East Window)
This window illustrates the Sermon on the Mount from the Gospel of Matthew, with Christ and his disciples. On the far left, are the stone tablets, burning bush and lightening to depict Christ’s proclamation, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law of the Prophets… but to fulfill them.” The design in the far right corner illustrates the Wise & Foolish Builders in Matt 7:24-27. The descending dove, symbolic of the Holy Spirit, envelopes the entire window emphasizing the omnipresence of God. The open book is symbolic of God’s Word going out to all mankind and the circle represents the perfection of God and his everlasting and eternal nature.
Woman At The Well(West Window)
The illustration in this window is based on John 4, the Samaritan Woman at the Well. On the far left, is the temple and mountain referenced in John 4:19. On the right side of the window is the running water flowing from the cross, symbolic of what Christ told the woman in John 4:13, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst.” The Holy Spirit is illustrated as the descending dove. Two hands descend from above holding the globe (circle), symbolic of God’s love and care for us in His hands.
Pentecost Window (North Window)
Fr. Drew Wood, pastor of St. Laurence, provided the inspiration for the newest of the stained glass windows, added during the church expansion in 2008. His devotion to the Blessed Mother and his commitment to discipleship are both apparent in this window depicting the resplendent power of Pentecost as described in the Acts of the Apostles. The Holy Spirit is illustrated as the wings of a dove descending on all those gathered. An explosion of spiritual fire surrounds Mary and the apostles with grace and love. In Acts 2:36, St. Peter said, “Therefore let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified,” and all who believed received the Holy Spirit. The sacrifice of our Lord is depicted in the wheat (bread) and grapes (wine) of the Eucharist. Filled with that same Holy Spirit, we leave Mass to change the world.