Since the Middle Ages, multi-colored stained glass windows have been used in churches.  Bible scenes and images of the Saints provided meaningful visual aids to people who could not read or write or those with different languages.  The beautiful art, formed from Bible readings, helped them to meditate and to pray and continues to do so for us today.

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THE GOOD SHEPHERD

DONATED BY JOHANNA MORRISEY & CHILDREN

"I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away-and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.  The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep.  I am the good shepherd.  I know my own and my own know me.  Just as the Father knows me and I know the Father.  And I lay down my life for the sheep.  I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.  I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice.  So there will be one flock, one shepherd.  For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again."

 In the early Church, the figure of Christ as the Good Shepherd was a prominent image. This image is seen often in early Christian art. Clearly, it had great meaning for the early Christians since it often appeared, painted or sculpted, in the catacombs and on sarcophagi and baptismal fonts. Clearly, our ancestors in the Christian faith were moved by this image of Jesus. These effigies by the first generations of Christians show us that the image of Christ as the Good Shepherd was an image of faith that touched their hearts in a special way. 
Every year, on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, the Church’s liturgy presents to us the figure of Jesus, the “Good Shepherd.” 

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St. Michael the Archangel

Revelation 12:7-9

Michael Defeats the Dragon

DONATED BY CHARLES GRIESEMER

And war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.  The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world - he was thrown down to the earth and his angels were thrown down with him.

   St. Michael is an angel, and the leader of all angels and of the army of God. This is what the title "Archangel" means, that he is above all the others in rank.  St. Michael has four main responsibilities or offices, as we know from scripture and Christian tradition.  The first is to combat Satan.  The second is to escort the faithful to heaven at their hour of death.  The third is to be a champion of all Christians, and the Church itself.  And the fourth is to call men from life on Earth to their heavenly judgment.

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St. Aloysius
Patron Saint of Catholic Youth
DONATED BY PAUL GRAF

The design of this window depicts St. Aloysius as he is often depicted - clad in a jet black cassock and snowy white surplice, gazing beatifically at an elegant crucifix.  In his other hand he is grasping a lily, the symbol of his religious chastity.

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St. Patrick
Patron Saint of Ireland

DONATED BY THE JOHN MURPHY FAMILY

The image of a bearded man wearing a mitre and carrying a staff or crozier has become almost synonymous with the patron saint of Ireland, in particular when his vestments are green and adorned with shamrocks and a snake slithers around his feet.

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The Assumption of Mary

DONATED BY JC SMELZ

 & CHILDREN

The bodily assumption of Mary at the end of her life
    

At her death, Mary, the mother of Jesus, was assumed body and soul into heaven. This could happen, did happen, and indeed, had to happen because Jesus himself is risen from the dead in his human body. The Eternal Father did not allow his faithful Son to undergo corruption. This Jesus who was crucified — God has raised him up and exalted him at his right hand in glory. (cf. Acts 2:22-36) And so it was fitting, indeed necessary, that the divine Son should in the first place associate with himself in glory the woman from whom he took his human soul and body as the instruments of our salvation.
     And since here below Mary was associated so intimately with all the mysteries of our salvation, at her Assumption into heaven Jesus crowned her not only with glory but also with power; He has placed His Mother on His right hand and has given her the power, in virtue of her unique title of Mother of God, to distribute the treasures of eternal life.
     We do not worship Mary. Worship belongs to God alone. However, just as we honor our own mothers, we honor Mary the mother of Jesus, and seek her prayers on our behalf.

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St. Joseph & the Child Jesus

DONATED BY
 H.S. GRIESEMER

Saint Joseph with the child Jesus is gloriously portrayed in this stained glass window. The husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the foster father of Christ, he is the only saint who had the unique privilege of raising the Savior from infancy till youth.
      Joseph emptied himself of self - and became filled with the love and life of God. He gave himself fully to God through accepting his unique and specific vocation as a guardian of the Redeemer. The child Jesus, God in the flesh, was given to Joseph. A Carpenter, Joseph taught this child how to work with wood. That was, after all, what he had to give. During these so-called "hidden years" Jesus was with Joseph and Joseph was with Jesus. 

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The Sacred Heart of Jesus

donated by 

john griesemer

Stained glass windows that depict the Sacred Heart of Jesus depict the physical heart of Jesus to represent his divine love for humanity.  The Sacred Heart is depicted as a flaming heart shining with divine light, as a heart pierced by the lance wound, surrounded by a crown of thorns, or bearing a cross and bleeding.  The Sacred Heart stresses the central Christian concept of loving Jesus, the wounds and crown of thorns allude to the manner of Jesus' death, and the fire represents the transformative power of love.

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Christ the Teacher

donated by b.ford

Revelation 3:20

Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me.

These words form the basis for the beginning of Mother Teresa’s “I Thirst” meditation, in which Christ confirms His yearning for the soul:  It is true. I stand at the door of your heart, day and night. Even when you are not listening, even when you doubt it could be Me, I am there: waiting for even the smallest signal of your response, even the smallest suggestion of an invitation that will permit Me to enter.

Symbolism.
Christ is depicted as the Good Shepherd. He knocks on the "door" of our heart. The absence of any outside knob or latch on the door indicates that one must open one’s heart to Christ from within — He will not force His way inside.

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St. Cecilia
Patron Saint of Musicians
DONATED BY MARGARET MORRISSEY

You will often see St. Cecelia portrayed playing a musical organ, piano, mandolin, violin or harp in stained glass church art.  She married and converted a pagan Valerianus, his brother, and their executioner, which caused the prefect Turcius Almachius to order their death. She sang praises to God as she was beheaded. She was a most venerated martyr in the ancient Church.

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Fr. Andrew A. Stapleton (1909-1917) was a native of Ireland and was a principal of a school in India before coming to Peoria and being ordained as a Catholic priest. He was appointed pastor of St. Mary, Delavan, in 1905.  In 1909, he organized St. Joseph Parish, Hopedale, and the church was built under his direction in 1911.  
He served as pastor of both St. Mary and St. Joseph until August of 1917.

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Fr. W.J. Burke (1917-1926) came to pastor the church in 1917 and served until his death in February, 1926.  Then,  Fr. Stanislaus Pryzbysz (1926)acted as pastor until August of that year, when the newly appointed Bishop H. Schlarman assigned a permanent pastor to the parish.

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Fr. W.M. Graham (1926-1940) During his years as pastor, Fr. Graham made extensive repairs to the exterior of the church.  It was also during this time that the Parish celebrated it's 25th Anniversary.  A High Mass, assisted by the children's choir directed by Sister Francis of Peoria, was held on June 21, 1936.

With the help of the Sisters of Notre Dame, from St. Patrick's in Peoria, Fr. Graham also started Catechism classes that were taught for 2 weeks during the summer for the children of St. Mary and St. Joseph.  He would drive to Hopedale to transport children to Delavan Grade School.  Because there were so many, some would ride on the running boards of his car.

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Fr. Graham was succeeded by  Fr. R.O. Barnett (1940-1957) who had been serving as an assistant pastor at St. Patrick's in Lincoln. During his 17 years, the parishioners came to love him for his zeal and faithful service to the church. The people in the community also had a great respect for him due to his work with the Boy Scouts. In 1950, he was among the speakers at the annual Confraternity of Christian Doctrine that was held in Peoria. He was assigned to St. Mark's Parish in East Moline in 1957.

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Fr. James J. Fay (1957-1961) was very quiet, an excellent spiritual counselor, and loved Lorayne Rossi's spaghetti on Sundays. He was instrumental in bringing the catechism classes back to the church and taught throughout the school year.  

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For a short period of 9 months, Fr. John H. Schwarz (1961)served as administrator for the parish. The parish then numbered about 48 families from Minier, Mackinaw, and Stanford, as well as Hopedale. Although the number of families wasn't large the territory of the parish was extensive.  

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When  Fr. Louis M. Condon (1962-1971) was appointed pastor, both parishes were in a state of insolvency.  Within a year, all debts were liquidated.

During his 10 years, Fr. Condon was the Catholic Chaplain to the patients at the Hopedale Medical Complex.  He spent much of his time visiting folks of all faiths.  He was a member of the Delavan Rotary Club, an active member of the Peoria Duplicate Bridge Association, and the Peoria YWCA.  He was also a protagonist in the Ecumenical Movement and on special occasions participated in joint services with other churches.  In 1971, he was assigned to St. Joseph's in Kewanee.

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Fr. David F. Roche (1971-1973) who was born in Peoria, was pastor until he was assigned to be Chaplain at Mercy Hospital in Urbana.

 

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Fr. Thomas R. Brajkovich (1973-1977) was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and ordained in the Peoria Diocese in 1961.  He was instrumental in the remodeling of the church and it's re-dedication in 1975.
 

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Fr. Brajkovich was succeeded by  Fr. William Ryan (1977-1979).  Fr. Ryan was born in Chicago and ordained in 1959.  He left to co-pastor St. Patrick's in Ottawa.

 

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Fr. Paul J. Meismer (1979-1985) was born in Peoria and ordained in 1969.  He was an avid hunter and ourdoorsman. He left in 1985 to pastor St. Patrick's in Sheffield.

 

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Fr. Kevin J. Zerull (1985-1990) served the parishes until 1990 when he was assigned to OSF St. Francis Hospital in Peoria.

 

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Charles R. Robards (1990-1992) was instrumental in getting the church air conditioned.
 

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For a short period of time,  Fr. David Kipfer (1992), was assigned to the parish.  He was born in Peoria and ordained in 1988.  He was reassigned as pastor at the Cathedral in Peoria, where he was also the Director of Vocations
 

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Fr. Donald R. Henderson (1993-1995) was born in Peoria and ordained in 1970.  He left to pastor St. Philomena in Peoria.

 

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Fr. Edward S. Kopec (1995-1997) was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and ordained in 1992.  During his tenure, the arch around the cross was installed and the Tabernacle altar was built.  He was assigned to St. Joseph's in Colfax in 1997.
 

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Fr. Gregory J. Jozefiak (1997-2000) was born in Chicago and ordained in 1992. He was instrumental in revitalizing a youth group and worked well with the younger generation. He was assigned to the Pekin Federal Prison as Asst. Chaplain in 2000.

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Fr. Gerald J. Verdun (2000-2012) was born in Pontiac, IL and ordained in 1972.  He was an avid traveler and has told many stories about the trips he has made to the Holy Land.
 

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Msgr. Timothy Nolan (2012-2022) was born in Wenona and ordained in 1992.  He was assigned to St. Mary's in Canton in 2022 and also serves the Peoria Diocese as the Episcopal Vicar for the Diaconate.

 

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Fr. Michael Adrie, SMA (2022-2023) was born in Ave-Afiadenyigba, Ghana and ordained in 1992. 


 

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Fr. Geoff Horton (2023-present) was born in Norman, Oklahoma, and ordained in 2008. He currently serves as pastor for the newly formed Parish of St. Isidore consisting of St. Mary (Delavan), St. Joseph (Hopedale), and Immaculate Conception (Manito).