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Window of the Month
Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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Window

Building Name: First Presbyterian Church

Studio Name: Connick (Charles J.), Ltd.

City: Pontiac

Window Shape: 2 (rectangle)

Date of Window: 1954

Subject/Title of Window: Parable of the Talents

Brief Description of Subject: As viewed from the outside, the space for this aisle window extends quite a bit higher. For viewers inside the Church, a balcony obscures vision of the middle part. This window makes up the lower part and is called "Parable of Talents". The upper portion of this space is the window called "Initials of Jesus Christ/Celtic Cross/Anchor Cross".

Just after Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, he took his disciples to the Garden of Olives and prophesized about His second coming. In Matthew 25, Christ uses three parables to answer questions about this second coming (Last Judgment). This is the second of the three and answers the question, "How must you prepare for the Last Judgment?" It is known as the "Parable of the Talents". A "talent" is a large weight of gold or silver used in coinage. It is from this parable that the English word "talent" means an ability or aptitude.

Parable: The lord of an estate is going on a long journey and entrusts his money to three servants until he returns. The first receives five talents, the second, two talents, and the third, one talent. The first two servants go off to invest the talents while the third buries the talents he received as he is afraid to lose his lord's money. When the lord returned, he settles the accounts with them. Each of those who invested the talents were successful in doubling the lord's money and he said to each of them "Well done, good and faithful servant ... enter thou into the joy of the lord" (Verse 25 KJV). The lord was not pleased with his servant that had buried his talent and was only able to return what he was given. For him the Lord said, "Cast ye the unprofitable servant into utter darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Verse 30 KJV).

According to instructions given to Connick Associates by the donors, "The theme of the East (Oliver) window is to be the "Parable of the Talents," with emphasis particularly upon the idea of fidelity. The 'Well done thou good and faithful servant' should be the prominent idea."

Description of window by Connick Associates:
"The Oliver memorial is devoted to the Parable of the Talents, with its lesson of fidelity. At the center, the master delivers his goods unto his servants before leaving on his journey. At the left, the one who received five talents trades for profit; --- 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant.' At the right, he brings his gains to the master, --- 'Enter thou into joy of the lord.'

The colorful foliated field provides a rich pattern in support of this theme, with symbols of the white lily of purity in smaller medallions above and below."

The maker's signature appears at the bottom of the left lancet as "Connick Associates 1954 Boston."

Inscriptions: Well done thou good and faithful servant
Enter thou into the joy of the Lord. S. Matthew 25:23
Given by Robert S. Oliver and Anna Mae Corwin Oliver


Height: 7'

Width: 6'10"

Parable of the Talents
Parable of the Talents
Well Done Good and Faithful Servant
Well Done Good and Faithful Servant
Master Delivers the Talents
Master Delivers the Talents
Enter Thou Into Joy of the Lord
Enter Thou Into Joy of the Lord
Signature
Signature
The Parable of the Talents outside
The Parable of the Talents outside

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