History of Saint Theresa
OUR NEW CHURCH

As you enter the church your eyes are immediately attracted to the beauty of the altar. The sanctuary cross was hand carved from an oak tree, native to New Jersey. The background panel highlighting the cross is an original design composed of marble mosaic, mixed with smalti-enamel and gold mosaic, and assembled in Pietrasanta, Italy The panel and cross were designed and executed by Renard Panzironi & Sons. The altar of sacrifice, side altars, communion rail and pulpit are of Travertino Noce marble. The predella, the platform on which the altar rests, is of Perlate Royal marble. All combine to make a sanctuary of singular beauty. The hand carved lindenwood stations of the cross and the statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph were executed in Ortisei, Bolzano, Italy.

The stained glass windows of this new edifice are an enormous source of information and inspiration, Let us now tour together these beautiful and symbolic illustrations of Christ, His works, His sacraments, and some of the saints.

The scene of Christ's triumphant resurrection from the dead flanked by familiar symbols of Christ enjoy a place of honor over the entrance to the church. We are reminded that Christ died and arose from the dead so that His church might be born. As St. Paul reminds us "If Christ is not risen, our faith is in vain."

As we move into the baptistery, on our immediate right, we observe the Baptism of Christ. Baptism is where Christian life truly begins. "Unless a man be born again of water and the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:5)

Moving up the right aisle toward the main altar we pause to note Christ's terrestrial representatives, the late Pope John XXIII and his successor Pope Paul VI. Through the work of the Ecumenical Councils Pope John envisioned the reuniting of God's children. At his passing he was mourned by both the Christian and non-Christian world alike. Paul VI has continued this modern crusade.

We are reminded of our Lord's triumphant entrance into heaven in the next window depicting Christ's Ascension. "Then the Lord was taken up into heaven and sits at the right hand of God." (Mark 16.19)

Christ's clemency and forgiveness are symbolized in the scene of Mary Magdalene at His feet. May we be reminded that however often we fall we shall never exhaust Christ's gentle mercy, if only we are truly penitent. "There will be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety-nine just who have no need of repentance." (Luke 15:7)

Christ showing His mercy in healing the sick makes us mindful that he alleviated human suffering to manifest His power to heal our spiritual illness of the soul, sin. "That you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins, arise, take up thy pallet and go to thy house."(Mat. 9:6)

The Miracle at the Marriage Feast of Cana, in the next window, consoles us with the knowledge of the power of our Blessed Mother. At Mary's intercession, Christ saw fit to perform his first public miracle.

St. John Vianney is the patron of parish priests who was known to the people of his time as the great confessor. St. Joseph to whom the Polish and Slavish people have great devotion, is honored next. On to St. Boniface, the apostle of Germany who was noted for his numerous conversions. Just ahead is Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas. The shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, near Mexico City, is one of the most celebrated places of pilgrimages in North America.

In the sanctuary to the right of the main altar we pause for deep reflection on the symbols of the glorious sacraments of Matrimony, Holy Orders and Anointing of the Sick. Inspired by the artistic representation of these outward signs of grace, we move to the focal point of the church, the main altar, where we unite with the priest in offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to God. In the window on the left side of the sanctuary are depicted the three sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Penance.

As we return toward the entrance of the church, we pass the beautiful window of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of the U.S., bringing to mind the unique privilege that Mary enjoyed of being conceived without sin. Seen next is St. Anthony, the wonder worker, revered especially by all Italians; followed by St. Patrick, who did so much to propogate Christ's church in Ireland. We are then greeted by the image of St. Theresa, The Little Flower and patroness of our parish.

The next five windows depict events in the life of our Blessed Mother; the Annunciation, wherein the Angel Gabriel announces to Mary the joyful message that she will become the Mother of God; the holy Family, manifesting all the virtues that should be followed by parents and children today: the Nativity, I bring you good news of great joy...a Savior has been born to you who is Christ the Lord; " the Pieta, culmination of all the sorrows that Mary endured; the Assumption, wherein Mary was bodily taken into heaven and gloriously united with her Divine Son.

"You are Peter." are the words Christ addressed to Simon, symbolically calling His apostle the rock upon which He would build His church. In the next window Christ is shown entrusting the keys of His church to His first vicar on earth.

As we face the rear of the church we view saints which we in the Americas can truly call our own. Tekakwitha was a young Indian girl. When she was martyred at 24 she had been a Christian for only six years but devotion to her among her people began almost immediately. Saint Martin de Porres was a Dominican lay brother. Although Saint Martin had never studied he was frequently called upon by the learned of his order and by Bishops to solve some theological questions. Saint Frances Cabrini was the founder of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart. She was the first citizen of this country to be canonized, to have her sanctity publicly recognized, by the Catholic Church.

At this point of our trip's origin, the Narthex, let us give thanks as we genuflect and take our leave that our Almighty Father in His infinite wisdom, has seen fit to provide for the Catholic community in Kenilworth this truly magnificent House of God.

Click here to see full Floor Plans of the Church's Inside

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