Hope Chapel
Hope Chapel History
In 1998, the chapel was named in memory of Father Arturo's mother. The inscription on the plaque reads:
"To honor our pastor, Padre Arturo Bañuelas for his ministry to our parish. We dedicate this chapel in memory of his mother Esperanza (Hope) Bañuelas"
Crucifix
The chapel houses the crucifix from the old church originally located in the school gym.
Mission: New Humanity
In this window, the first community of disciples, men, and women, gather, overcome by the Spirit of the living God. The disciples have tongues of fire on their heads, embracing this Spirit and mission. The Blessed Mother (in blue robe), model disciple, is at the center of this community of faith, signifying her prominent role in the life of the Church. In red and carrying the keys, Peter is pointing as leader to the church's mission that continues today. The Spirit empowers the Church to be a community of disciples of the "new heaven and earth."
The window has a Pentecost motif. In the upper left-hand corner, behind the torn curtain of the temple, is a shadow scene of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. From Jesus' death and resurrection is born the possibility of new life and the call to proclaim this promise as the Church's mission.
In the lower-left-hand corner are symbols of the sacraments of initiation: water and oil. Baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist initiate us as full members of the Body of Christ and into Christ's mission of building a "new heaven and a new earth."
The lower-right-hand corner shows the church planting the seeds of evangelization. As St. Paul says, we plant seeds, and God makes them grow.
In the upper-right-hand corner, in very joyful and bright colors, is a banner depicting the Church's mission: the new humanity.
Madonna and Child
In Christian art tradition, the image of Mary and the Child signifies her role as mother and symbol of love, faith, and devotion. It emphasizes her physical and spiritual connection to Jesus, highlighting her role as mother and figure of reverence. It also symbolizes purity by emphasizing her role as a chosen vessel for the Son of God.
Blue is associated with Mary's purity and role as the mother of God. Pink is connected to the Holy Spirit or the spiritual union between Jesus and Mary.
St. Martin of Porres
He was a Dominican friar noted for his work with the poor in Peru. He founded orphanages and hospitals to help the poor. A very humble servant of God, he is also known as the patron saint of Interracial Justice.
St. Therese of Lisieux
19th-century French saint and a Doctor of the Church. Carmelite nun at the age of 15 and died at age 24 from tuberculosis. Famous for her autobiography, Story of a Soul.