The Stained Glass Windows

History of the Stained Glass Windows

In 1980, St. Ann’s Pastor Father Clarence Guerreiro, SS.CC. was stationed in Hemet, California. A fellow priest and artist, Father Bill Moore, SS.CC., painted a picture of the Prodigal Son as a birthday gift for Father Clarence, SS.CC.. “It struck me at that time that this would be perfect for stained glass,” said Father Clarence, SS.CC..

In the mid 1990s, Walter Judson, the owner of a stained glass and mosaic tile studio in California, and his wife Karen, were visiting O‘ahu when they spotted an article in the daily newspaper about St. Ann Parish building a new church. Karen encouraged her husband to call the parish.

After hours of discussion and study with Father Guerreiro, SS.CC., the artist began sketching designs for three stained glass panels, each with a series of images on a single theme.

Father Moore, SS.CC. filled his sketches with Hawaiian touches such as pictures of taro, breadfruit, and ahi. Each detail was researched by Father Moore, SS.CC. and reviewed by Father Guerreiro, SS.CC.

After designing and redesigning the work, he finally got a call from Father Guerreiro, SS.CC.. “Put your brushes down,” the pastor said, “it is there.”

Stained glass was not Father Moore, SS.CC.’s medium, so Judson worked with him to “translate his original work into the finished windows.” The project overseer from Judson Studios, Abdel Kebir, helped him render his designs into glass.

The collaboration between artist and craftsman was fruitful. “We were always talking about color and about creative ways to depict scenes,” Father Moore, SS.CC. said. “Abdel and I were inside each others’ heads. He was right in sync and in total harmony with what I thought.”

“He is a master craftsman and he just put his whole heart into this,” the priest said. “It helped make it extremely exciting to have someone else who was so enthused about the project.”

From the first sketch to final windows, the work took two years.

Pele

The volcano, or “Pele” window, presents an image of a powerful creation. The lava flows down–claws of fire–and the sky coughs up smoke. The window is full of fire.

Eve

The window of Eve shows her standing alone, without her man, in the garden. She is partially hidden by the ulu and taro plants.

Fallen from the tree on the ground lies her “forbidden fruit,” a breadfruit. The hints of water in the background are a reminder that from the beginning, water is a holy substance and all life comes from the sea.

Saint Ann with Mary

In the next window, little Mary, the future mother of Jesus, stands with her mother Saint Ann. Saint Ann is depicted teaching Mary to read from the Jewish scriptures, the scroll being emblazoned with the Star of David. Her visage reminds us to enjoy the present and look forward to the future with faith and courage.

The Blessed Mother amidst the landscape of the Pali

Our Blessed Mother

The next three windows depict our Blessed Mother, the Immaculate Heart, almost literally attached to her beloved islands. Her shoulder and veil move right into the landscape of the Pali. Here, earth, sky, and water merge in ever-changing harmonies, reminding us of the holiness of God’s creation and our rebirth through the waters of Baptism. “God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good.” (Genesis 1:31)

The Two Fish

The first window shows two fish swimming in an expanse of cool blue water.

Moses

The next window shows Moses, the great lawgiver. He stands determinedly with his arms tautly embracing his God-given laws, shown here symbolically broken and pieced back together. This divinely chosen leader, although disappointed with his piece, is not to be deterred. He has been to Mount Sinai.

St. Damien with leper, Father with prodigal son

Prodigal Fathers

The next two windows are “mirrors” of one another, each portraying “prodigal fathers.”–Saint Damien and the father of the prodigal son. Saint Damien is shown welcoming a person afflicted with leprosy, who lets him be his crutch–back home to God’s love. The now elderly and ailing priest has seen it all and his face is full of understanding and compassion.

The father from Luke’s Gospel story blesses his returned and robed son, while the elder son, full of resentment and judgement is literally “squeezed out of the picture.” The bamboo background found in both windows both honors this precious and valuable plant, and suggests by way of design a release from captivity.

Jesus

As is true with Mary, the Sacred Heart of Jesus is one with His islands, and these last windows are charged with the life and light of Jesus–heart ablaze, yet finally resolved into the dark mysterious water, the source of all life.

images of water, intersecting palm trees, disciple offering bread

Symbol of Christ

The intersecting palm trees from an “x,” the ancient symbol of Christ, and a symbol–like the cross–with universal meaning.

Washing of the Apostle's Feet

The first three Gospels tell of the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper, with Christ’s instructions to “do this in memory of me” (Luke 22:19).

The Gospel of John bypasses this event, and instead tells us of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples. He instructs them “as I have done for you, you should also do” (John 13:15). The window shows Jesus washing the foot of one of the apostles, His arm is that of a hard-working man and his face asks us “will you do this?”

Multiplying of Fish

To the right, the window shows the miracle of the loaves and fishes, as told in all four gospels. The Hawaiian woven basket contains bread and fishes. The bread appears to be “flying” out of the basket, and the two fish are tuna. The disciples had asked Jesus to send away the crowd of 5000 to find something to eat. In reply, Jesus instructed them to “Give them some food yourselves” (Luke 9:13). To the left, a disciple (any of us) offers bread for the taking.

The true test of stained-glass windows is that they live gloriously in the sun and die beautifully in the darkness.

The Stained Glass Windows of St. Ann’s Church

History of the Stained Glass Windows

The Feminine Windows

The panels of the Church’s right side are referred to as the “Feminine Windows.”