New stained glass window completes Holy Family's panel

Friday, Feb. 20, 2015

OGDEN — With the Feb. 14 blessing of a stained glass window dedicated to Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Holy Family Parish in Ogden celebrated the completion of the windows that line the church walls.

The celebration started with a Mass officiated by the Most Reverend John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City. Father Patrick Elliot, pastor of Holy Family Parish, was the concelebrant.

The newest window, which depicts Mother Cabrini, the patron of immigrants, was donated by Tony and Lucinda Perez, both long-time parishioners of Holy Family, who come from a family of immigrants themselves.

 After Bishop Wester welcomed everyone to the church that Valentine’s Day, he referred to the fact that Saint Frances Cabrini was an Italian religious sister who founded the Sisters of the Sacred Heart. In 1889 she immigrated to New York City with six sisters of her order. Her ministry grew; she founded orphanages, schools and hospitals throughout the United States, South America and Europe. She became a major support for immigrants in the U.S.

“As she did, we now welcome everyone to our Church. … We must follow her example,” said Bishop Wester.

After his homily, Bishop Wester blessed both the window and the Perezes.

“It’s a joy to be here today to bless this beautiful stained window,” Bishop Wester said. To the Perezes, he added, “I appreciate your generous donations and contribution to the Church. As I bless this image, I bless you, too.”

When Holy Family Catholic Church was built in 2008, a set of windows depicting the Luminous Mysteries was installed on the street side of the building. To complement them, Fr. Elliott encouraged his parishioners to donate windows for the other side of the church. 

Over the past seven years, various parishioners donated the five windows in honor of saints.

The window depicting Saint Stephen was donated by Deacon John Thaeler and his wife, Marcy, in honor of the diocese’s permanent deacons. 

The window depicting Saint Rose was donated by Rose Petersen.

Two years ago, the Saint Benedict window was installed, donated by the parishioners in honor of the Sisters of St. Benedict who had served in Utah until 2013.

In 2012, the parish’s Knights of Columbus Council donated a window honoring Father Michael J. McGivney, the organization’s founder.

Now, with the window of St. Francis Cabrini, the wall of stained glass windows at Holy Family Church is complete.

“It is an honor, and we are very grateful to be able to contribute to our parish,” the Perezes said.