School's patron saint in glass

Artist tries to capture sense of mystery

By ANH HOANG
WCR Staff Writer
South Cooking Lake

Staff, students and parents gathered in the school's gymnasium, Dec. 19, to unveil a new stained glass representation of the school's patron saint.

"I wanted to capture a sense of mystery, of God and innocence of childhood," said artist Brenda McLachlan.

The three-by-five foot window took about two months to complete and is valued at $4,000. It also features an oxen, which represents the sacrificial nature of Christ, said McLachlan.

The framed window will be a welcoming sight for visitors and complements the school's entryway.

"There's a small alcove that used to house a payphone, we'll hang it there," laughed principal Ed Mayville. The stained glass "will be in a very prominent place, you can't miss it. It will look great there."

He added the piece will reflect the school's "continuing efforts to preserve our Catholic image."

For the jubilee year, the school focused on three themes - faith, hope and charity. For the last theme, the students participated in a penny drive for the Christmas Bureau.

But throughout the year, the parent council had discussed a more notable project for the school. A special jubilee plaque and coat of arms were thrown onto the ideas list before the stained glass was settled upon.

McLachlan was recruited for the project, not just because she was a long time stained glass artist whose work has been showcased in art shows and churches throughout the archdiocese, but also because she was a parent of two students at the school.

"For me as a child when (light from) the stained glass fell on my shoulder, that was like God touching me," she said. "Stained glass is a powerful medium. I want people to experience that."

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