Northern Ariz. church installs stained-glass depiction of the Holy Family

By Catherine E. Hanley
The Catholic Sun

WILLIAMS — A stained-glass window depicting Jesus, Mary and Joseph will overlook Catholics attending Mass at St. Joseph Church after a crew worked 12 hours to install the artwork May 8-9.

“The new window is a visual representation of the Holy Family on the day 12-year-old Jesus was found in the temple,” said Fr. William Kosco, the pastor.

In the depiction, Mary is holding words from Psalm 84 — “Happy are those who dwell in Your house” — a message that welcomes all those who enter the church, Fr. Kosco said.

John Minieri, director of Real Property and Facilities for the Phoenix Diocese, suggested replacing the stained glass window after finding excessive weather damages during an inspection.

The erosion created a safety hazard, Minieri said, and recommended the window be replaced as soon as possible.

The new window cost $72,000. Not knowing where the money would come from, Fr. Kosco turned to prayer.

The northern Arizona priest implemented second collections and started receiving donations from a wide variety of places.

In the triangular shaped window, St. Joseph is represented with his arms reaching over Jesus and Mary, demonstrating his protective role of the family.

John Augustein, native of Williams and member of the parish council for many years, said he’s glad to see improvements being made.

“Being born and raised in Williams my family has been a part of the Catholic Church for many generations. We’ve seen good changes, met wonderful people and enjoyed our parish,” he said.

“These present changes are necessary and are happening at the right time. It’s good work,” Augustein added.

The church selected a rendition submitted by Bovard Studio in Iowa and relied heavily on local businesses. The William S. Baptist Construction Company took down the existing window earlier this month.

Parishioners also offered to volunteer their time in related upgrades such as painting the outside of the church and other activities as needed.

In addition to replacing the window, other previously scheduled improvements are on going. Fr. Kosco is having the church’s interior painted, is upgrading the lighting and is renovating the confessional.

“Forgiveness and healing is so important to the life of the Church,” he said. “People need a holy and quiet place to become at peace with themselves and God.”

Carmen Reyes, a local decorated veteran of four wars and artisan wood sculptor, is adding a top border to the confessional. He selected lime wood to carve 10 Biblical images of people who received forgiveness and healing from Jesus, including St. Peter and the Leper and the Roman Centurion.

Reyes carved the symbol of the Lamb of God at the center of the border. Artist Gail Schimberg in Prescott made drawings for the confessional images.