Catholic symbols: Peacocks and clubs?

Factual Questions
21

tomndeb:

The church was built in 1958. I checked the cornerstone.

delphica:

Not a bad theory. It is a mostly Italian Parish with some Irish and Polish thrown in. I should point out that the windows do repeat.

Maybe I should ask a priest there about the history of the church. When I took the pictures, it was Saturday evening and they were having a Bazaar in the school parking lot (about 1/2 a block down the road. Therefore Mass was delayed and the church was completely empty with nobody around, so there was nobody to ask.

I don’t get out that way too often, though.

Thanks for all of your thoughts.

22

From “Another 101 Good Ideas For Finding New Converts”
by Fr M. E. Shipley and Fr B.F. O’Hanrahan
Simplicitas Press, New Jersey 1962

and I quote:

<<32 - Mysterious Stained Glass Windows

That durned repair due to those pesky altar boys playing baseball when they should have been chanting a Jubilate, may turn out to be a friend in disguise. Have your local stained glass repairer slip an “oddity” of design into the window (Be sure to check with your arch-deacon first!).

Such unexpected but everyday items as a saxophone, a roulette wheel, or a telephone can be integrated into your design in a way that most regular parishioners won’t notice, but that will provoke keen enquiry from visitors.

Those weddings full of unbelieving office friends, those funerals with distant un-churched relatives, can pay off big. They may ask their catholic friends at first, or even consult reference books. But in the long run, only you, the parish priest can enlighten them.

And when they do come round asking, just invite them into your study for “a cup of tea” and then it’s only two or three hours of steady talking and we’re “a mick the richer” as dear old Sacristan O’Hara used to say!

33 - Faces on Pancakes

Here’s a fun activity! Just get>>

Now the club sign isn’t actually mentioned but I do find it an interesting coincidence. Do be careful when you visit that priest won’t you, LateComer?

Redboss

23

It is, of course, widely acknowledged that I am an unreliable source.

R

24

Maybe the “club” was really a trefoil. Perhaps it’s just decorative and filling the space until someone makes a big donation to get a theme window (whatever) in memory of their deceased spouse, parents, etc.

I never have seen or heard of peacocks as a significant element in Roman Catholic iconography before. Maybe they were used because the artist liked them and —if they were in color— because of some color scheme situation.