THE FIRMNESS OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST
“As the world spins, the Cross stands firm.”
-St. Bruno the Carthusian, c.1030-1101
Since 2017 we have claimed these words of St. Bruno, the eleventh century contemplative and founder of the Carthusians, as a motto and defining spiritual truth about our parish. I have been encouraged and even amazed at how much these words have resonated with parishioners, guests and neighbors alike. Many people have shared with me about how much these words mean to them. Perhaps the force of the phrase comes from the fact that they flow from the heart of a saint who knew from experience the “peace which passes understanding” for those who live beneath the Cross (Phil 4:7).
In this month of July which is dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus, we discover beneath the patronage of the Cross our source of peace and firmness which comes in the company of St. John the Beloved Disciple and of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Beneath the Cross all disciples of Jesus are redeemed and become children of Mary and are thus united within the family of God. The saints all gather beneath the Cross and so we claim the other patron saints of our parish, among them: St. Anthony of Padua, St. Clement of Rome, St. Hedwig, St. Helena, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Faustina Kowalska, St. John Paul II to name a few. They are united among themselves, and they invite us into community, stability and mission for our neighborhood and city. With the eyes of faith we can recognize that our 2013 parish merger was an providential impetus towards greater unity and concerted action, towards coming to know each other and fostering greater connection across the traditions of our campuses.
We are pleased to share the new logo for our parish as well. It is a noble Cross which evokes strength, elegance and tradition. Its several outlines remind us of the overlapping and concentric histories that our individual churches lived in this neighborhood which have been gathered into the strong center of the Cross. There will be various formats of our new logo but the Cross will always be consistent in its form and stability. The accompanying fonts have also been carefully chosen to compliment the power of the Cross and reflect the classic and universal dimensions of Roman Catholicism in all her manifold expressions. The form of the Cross is both a beautiful and terrible reminder of God’s faithfulness and our unfaithfulness, of His Mercy and of our sinfulness, and of the incredible lengths our God would go to save us in His Son. All our potency and vitality as a parish comes from Christ’s Cross; it is our only hope.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Suzy Turbenson, the graphic designer responsible for our logo. I would also like to thank Maria Zownirowycz, our parish Communications Coordinator, who has been a great help in preparing the new logo to be deployed. Their involvement with this process has been a true labor of love! It is my hope that this new logo will help express the identity of our parish for years to come and radiate the confidence and strength we have as lifelong disciples of our Crucified Lord. May it also remind others that there is room beneath the Cross for all to find a home, for the Church is not a highly selective club but as wide as the world.
Ave Crux, spes unica! Hail, O Cross, our one hope!
-Fr. Howe, Pastor