Virgin Mary Goes to the Podiatrist!

Well, figuratively. The story is rooted in Trinity's stained glass refurbishment program, which has taken place over the past 7 years. The setting: The teen-aged Jesus teaching in the Temple.

It seems that when the stained glass window depicting the scene was restored a few years ago, there was a particular piece of glass that fit perfectly into it's space whether it was forward, backward, upside down or sideways. That piece happened to have been the Virgin Mary's right foot. We rededicated the refurbished windows after their return, and even prepared a booklet on them for the re-dedication. And then one Sunday, parishioner and choir member John Nowacki pointed out an interesting anomaly: Mary's right foot was backwards! Her toes were connected to her right ankle, and her right heel faced forward. Could it have been the work of a prankster at the factory, or was it a mistake? We will never know.

Several of us, including yours truly, actually thought it might be interesting to leave it that way as a curiosity factor or for a clue on a scavenger hunt. But we are stewards of these very valuable stained glass windows for future generations. So when Stained Glass Resources of Massachusetts arrived on Wednesday to remove some windows in the office building, Mary and her foot and the rest of the cast of characters portrayed in the window were loaded on the truck for the delicate surgical procedure of resecting her right ankle. She is expected to make a full recovery and be able to stand again in about 5 - 7 weeks.

Have a blessed Day! Don