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Stained Glass Memorial Window Conveys Peace, Hope and Remembrance
JAMAICA, NY - In 2009, the students of the Aquinas Honor Society of the Immaculate Conception School, in Jamaica Estates, designed and created a stained glass memorial window that now hangs over the schoolyard entrance.
The work, entitled the Peace and Hope Memorial, was created with artist Ernesto Mendoza and family to honor the families and victims of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.
The Aquinas Honor Society is composed of academically-gifted students from grades six through eight. The students received a grant from the Alive in Hope Foundation to create the piece.
Breaking down the colors and symbols
In the left corner of the window, brilliant colors of red, yellow and orange glass with jagged shapes were used to represent chaos, sin, despair and economic woes. A rosary representing the power of prayer draws viewers into a field of blues and greens, with a more composed pattern. The calmer shades of blue are the colors of the Blessed Mother Mary. The green color refers to the season of Spring, and a rebirth of hope. The image of the Holy Spirit, in the shape of a dove, holds an olive branch in its mouth.
Through the assistance of the Fire Department of the City of New York, three pieces of steel from the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center were used to form the leaves. Carved in low relief are images of the school logo - ICS, the Passionist shield of the priests of the parish and the words PEACE and HOPE. The letter H was made to resemble the image of the Twin Towers. They were created by Gray Glass of Queens Village.
The words Sisters of Saint Joseph, founders of the Immaculate Conception School, was engraved on the window. Also engraved were these names: Emerita “Emy” De La Pena, Firefighter Carl Bedigian, Hector Tamayo, Frederick Varacchi and Deputy Chief Orio Palmer, Battalion 7. All were taken on 9/11 and have a connection to the Immaculate Conception Parish and the Aquinas Honor Society. To honor all who perished and fought to save lives on that fateful day, the students have engraved the phrase ALL ARE REMEMBERED onto the window.
The window has been completed with Artist in Residence Ernesto Mendoza and his family who guided and trained the students in the art of Stained Glass making.
To mark the 10th anniversary of 9/11, the students raised funds to place a bronze plaque next to the Memorial Window so that its meaning would not be lost over time. They composed the text for the plaque and will unveil the plaque -- as well as have it blessed at a prayer service -- on Friday morning, September 9, with all students from the school at 8:10 a.m.
The text inscribed on the plaque reads as follows:
In 2009 The Aquinas Honor Society won a grant to create a unique stained glass window for their school Guided by Artist Ernesto Mendoza and family, the students created the symbolic design and called it the “Peace and Hope Memorial.”
The design depicts prayer in the form of the rosary. In the left corner sharp, jagged red and orange pieces of glass depict the problems of humankind: greed, fear, poverty and hunger. Moving right a softer pattern emerges depicting the power of prayer. The colors turn to various tones of blues and greens representing hope and rebirth. The cross displays the emblem of the Passionist Congregation. The dove, representing peace, holds an olive branch, whose three leaves are made from pieces of steel from the World Trade Center Twin Towers given to the students by the New York City Fire Department. The students names are hidden in the design. The names of a few of those lost on 9/11 and connected to the Aquinas Society, appear in the design. Finally to honor all those lost, “All are remembered” is engraved on the right. It was dedicated and blessed in April of 2009.
The Peace and Hope Memorial
In 2009 The Aquinas Honor Society won a grant to create a unique stained glass window for their school Guided by Artist Ernesto Mendoza and family, the students created the symbolic design and called it the “Peace and Hope Memorial.”
The design depicts prayer in the form of the rosary. In the left corner sharp, jagged red and orange pieces of glass depict the problems of humankind: greed, fear, poverty and hunger. Moving right a softer pattern emerges depicting the power of prayer. The colors turn to various tones of blues and greens representing hope and rebirth. The cross displays the emblem of the Passionist Congregation. The dove, representing peace, holds an olive branch, whose three leaves are made from pieces of steel from the World Trade Center Twin Towers given to the students by the New York City Fire Department. The students names are hidden in the design. The names of a few of those lost on 9/11 and connected to the Aquinas Society, appear in the design. Finally to honor all those lost, “All are remembered” is engraved on the right. It was dedicated and blessed in April of 2009.
The Aquinas Honor Society
Immaculate Conception School, Jamaica Estates, NY
September 11, 2011
Photos courtesy of Carl Ballenas, Aquinas Society Moderator - (718) 523-1876.
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