About Our Church
Sanctuary (referred to as the Holy of Holies in the Jewish faith)
The tester (above the altar) depicts a dove, representing the Holy Spirit. Around the dove are 4 figures representing the four evangelists: Mark (lion) wrote for persecuted Christians. Matthew (the person) wrote for Jewish converts to Christianity. Luke (bull) wrote so that governments would respect Christianity as a legitimate religion. John (eagle) wrote in the light of the Church’s reflection on the Good News of Jesus Christ. These creatures are presented in Rev 4:6-8.
Ten Symbols on the Back Wall of the Sanctuary
These symbols represent:
Grapes – Precious Blood of Jesus Christ
Fish – Jesus called fishermen to be fishers of men (Mt 4:19), Jesus fed the 5,000 (Mt 14:17) with 2 fish, and after the resurrection and before the ascension, Jesus told the disciples, from the shore, where to cast their nets.
Hand from the Cloud – signifies God’s blessings, God’s desire to touch our hearts.
Alpha & Omega – First and last letters in the Greek alphabet. These symbols remind us that Christ is the “beginning and the end.”
Chi-Ro – Two Greek letters, XP, a monogram representing the Greek spelling of “Christ”. A symbol for Christianity.
Star – The star of Bethlehem. It symbolizes the coming of the Mag, Jesus’ “epiphany.”
IHS – The first three Greek letters of the word “Jesus.”
Vine – “I am the vine; you are the branches. (Jn 15:5)
Trinity – a geometric symbol, the hand represents the Presence and Will of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit- Three persons, one God. Without beginning or end-
Wheat – Symbol of the Eucharist, the Body of Jesus Christ, the bread of life
Windows
The Façade or principal front, entrance, of Saint Bruno is of St. Bruno, patron of the parish. The stars are his six followers. The left window shows the saint’s great piety and virtue of prayer, while the right is of the cardinal virtues (Faith, Hope, and Charity).
The nave windows are in the interior, central part of the church, where the congregation is accommodated. On the Mary Altar side of the church, the windows depict the Joyful Mysteries. The small window, closest to the Mary altar, depicts worship and the sacrifice of the Mass.
On the tabernacle side, the windows portray the Glorious Mysteries. The smaller window represents satisfaction and the Holy Spirit.
Sanctuary windows, on the Mary Altar side, depict the” Perfect Oblation”, the ultimate sinless sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. While the tabernacle side pictures the Sorrowful Mysteries.
Bell Tower – Our Lady of Guadalupe
The Bells: Each bronze bell, which calls us to worship, has a name inscribed on it. The largest bell has “I am Joseph” in honor of the foster father of Jesus; the second bell, “I am Mary” in honor of the Blessed Mother. The third bell, “I am Huge,” is in memory of the first bishop of Greensburg; and the fourth and smallest bell, “I am Methodius,” is in honor of Saint Methodius, patron saint of Father Method, who was pastor during the construction of Saint Bruno.
Saint Benedict appears on the outside of the church overlooking the Mary Grotto and parking lot.
Stations of the Cross: The fourteen Stations of the Cross markers are positioned between the stained-glass windows on both sides of the church.