OUR CHURCH
The Symbolism of the Artefacts in St Bernard’s Church
The ‘St Bernard’ Windows:
The three stained glass windows each tell a story :
• our parish community,
• St Bernard of Clairvaux and
• the Cistercian monastic life that he lived in France early in the 12th Century.
The background pattern linking the windows is from the tiled floor of a Cistercian Monastery.
The FIRST window has a strong image of the Paschal Candle: the light of faith central to our parish life. Some ideals of our parish life - community, love, hope, prayer, worship, justice, acceptance and compassion are highlighted. Parish community members of all ages are shown under the protection of Mary, to whom Bernard had great devotion. The lower half of the window sketches the history of the parish - the original site on High Street, Belmont, some significant dates in the life of the parish church, the landmark cross that has marked our parish centre since 1964 and the architect’s sketch of this church.
Original design, interpretation & production of windows : Christopher John, Phoenix Glass, Selby
Research for St Bernard windows : Fr Michael Casey OCSO, Tarrawarra Abbey, Yarra Valley.
First & second window donated by : O’Keeffe family, in memory of Jim & Dorothy O’Keeffe
The SECOND window includes a representation of a contemplative Bernard in Cistercian habit. Other images include an illuminated manuscript of the introduction to Bernard's ‘Steps to Humility’, one of his many writings and sermons. The window also shows Bernard's seal, bearing in Latin the words 'Seal of Bernard Abbot of Clairvaux'. Bernard sought God through contemplation, prayer and simplicity of life and his natural energy, charisma and spirit of reconciliation enabled him to revitalise the church in Europe. The final image relates to Bernard's vision of Jesus, reaching down from the crucifix to embrace him.
Original design, interpretation & production of windows : Christopher John,
Phoenix Glass, Selby
Research for St Bernard windows : Fr Michael Casey OCSO,
Tarrawarra Abbey, Yarra Valley.
First & second window donated by : O’Keeffe family, in memory of
Jim & Dorothy O’Keeffe
The THIRD window shows a Cistercian monastery typical of many founded throughout France by Bernard. The 'hours' of the Divine Office, which regulated the day of a Cistercian monastery are listed around the top. The prayer to Our Lady, in Latin, says, "through you, we can reach the Son, 0 blessed channel of grace, giver of life, mother of salvation". Bernard was a prolific writer and preacher and is shown writing and teaching the novices. The hallmarks of a Cistercian monastery are prayer, community and manual work such as farming and cutting wood for building. The Salve Regina, a hymn to Our Lady, Queen of Heaven in Gregorian chant, was sung daily by monks in Bernard's time and is still part of the Divine Office today.
Original design, interpretation & production of windows : Christopher John,
Phoenix Glass, Selby
Research for St Bernard windows : Fr Michael Casey OCSO, Tarrawarra Abbey,
Yarra Valley.
THIRD window donated by : Stokes family
HOLY WATER FONT
The holy water font at the entrance to the formal worship area,
imitates the baptismal bowl on the sanctuary. As we sign ourselves
with blessed water, we are reminded of our baptism. We are bathed in
natural light here, a reminder of the presence of God in each of us and
in our faith community.
Original design, interpretation & production: Christopher John, Phoenix
Glass, Selby
Glass: Wathaurong Glass & Arts Pty Ltd
Donated by: Vergona family, in memory of John Robert Vergona
Australian Blessing painting in the Narthex
Prayer & Artwork : Betty Pike and Marian Lunnie.
An Australian Blessing
May you always stand tall as a tree
Be as strong as the rock Uluru
As gentle and still as the morning mist
Hold the warmth of the campfire in your heart
And may the Creator Spirit always walk with you.
River of Life Window
The ‘River of Life’ window at the eastern end of the Narthex, features a shining
Cross. The incomplete fish represent us. In the cosmic circle, the fish are transparent,
clothed with the spirit; they take a solid form as they enter and journey along the turbulent
River of Life. This flows around the foot of the Cross, with Christ, represented by the
one complete fish, at its centre. Finally, at death we are swept up once more into life with God in eternity.
Original design, interpretation & production : Christopher John, Phoenix Glass, Selby
Church shape
The overall shape of the church and the skylight over the entrance to the worship
space, suggest the ‘River of life’ artwork and fish motifs featured in the church.
Architects: Smith & Tracey, Hawthorn.
Builders: E J Lyons, Geelong.
Fish Symbol
The fish is a powerful symbol of early Christianity. Jesus once told his apostles that
they would be ‘fishers of men’. When early Christians gathered, they would use the
fish symbol as a secret way to identify one another.
Granite engraving designs : Christopher John, Phoenix Glass, Selby
Granite engraving : Bartlett Brothers, Elliminyt and Geelong
St Bernard Sculpture
St Bernard on the exterior wall was originally commissioned for St Bernard’s
Church in High St Belmont and relocated to this church. The sculpture is
formed out of copper. The blue-green-grey patina is a natural oxidising process.
Wathaurong People - Rock and Totem Poles
A rock and totem poles in the garden, acknowledge the Wathaurong People as first custodians of this land. The indigenous artist is not named, as he has since died. since died.
Bluestone Steps
Two bluestone steps from the first church built on High Street in 1914 form the threshold here. They remind us of the history of our parish and members of our community, whose faith, stories and hard work helped shape St Bernard’s.
The plaque between the two bluestone steps. The inscription reads,
“Since 1914, Parishioners have walked over these bluestone steps. As
you pass this threshold be assured always of a very warm welcome.
St Bernard’s community 2003.”
Church Spire
The original Cross spire from High St Belmont, now stands at the corner of
Reynolds and Fryers Roads, a link with our past, marking the sacred ground
of church, school, parish house and parish office. Its shape is reflected in the
Cross in front of the church.
New Beginnings
In 1997, St Bernard’s Parish purchased six acres of land, which included the former South Barwon Secondary College in Reynolds Road Belmont. The two parish primary schools, St Bernard’s & Mercia moved into the converted school building in June 1998, joining together to become Clairvaux Catholic School. Parish staff relocated to renovated offices at the Fryers Road end of the school building in 2002. St Bernard’s Church Belmont was built fronting Fryers Road Highton
The Past
The former St Bernard’s site in High St Belmont and was sold and is marked
by a stone and commemorative plaque on the corner of High and Regent Sts.
