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Parish Logo
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In commemoration of the 15th anniversary of the parish’s foundation, Msgr. Gervasio commissioned the Rev. Matthew Mauriello of the Diocese of Bridgeport and a skilled calligrapher to design a parish crest or coat of arms. It will serve as a symbol of our parish and will be used on parish letterhead and other documents.
Encircling the shield is the corporate name of the parish and its year of establishment. It was Bishop John M. Smith who erected the parish in 2005 through the merger of the parishes of Saint Anthony, founded in 1921, and Our Lady of Sorrows, founded in 1941.
The coat of arms contains various images that are associated with the co-patrons of the parish and the titulars of its churches:- The opened book symbolizes the Sacred Scripture, the inspired word of God—the source of the Church’s nourishment and strength. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Word made flesh, listened to the word and mediated on it in her heart. St. Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Doctor of the Church was a zealous preacher and teacher of the Gospel.
- The pierced heart is an allusion to the prophecy of Simeon (Lk. 2:34-35) at the Lord’s Presentation in the Temple that a sword would pierce Mary’s heart, in effect, her spiritual martyrdom. It was the first of Mary’s seven sorrows in the Gospels. The flowers encircling the heart denote her virtues.
- The crossed lilies are symbols associated with both the Virgin Mary and St. Anthony of Padua. They recall their chastity, innocence, purity, and piety.
- Below the shield is a banner on which is inscribed the Latin words: “Vivere Christus Est.” These are taken from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians (1:21) “To Live is Christ” which means that Christ is our focus, our goal, our chief desire. Everything that we do is for Christ’s glory. They are words that might well summarize the mission of a Catholic parish.
- The opened book symbolizes the Sacred Scripture, the inspired word of God—the source of the Church’s nourishment and strength. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Word made flesh, listened to the word and mediated on it in her heart. St. Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Doctor of the Church was a zealous preacher and teacher of the Gospel.