OUTSIDE ENVIRONMENT (18) - The grounds have a desert theme. Boulders are placed throughout the entrance area. The Stations of the Cross are on some boulders. The stations are made of decomposing granite and epoxy. The models are specially made for our parish. The theme for the Christian is the invitation to follow Jesus into his death and resurrection. The last three stations before the entrance doors show the death of Jesus and his burial. The radius layers of bricks and concrete encompass the Blessed Sacrament Chapel (round chapel) with the tabernacle at the center of the property. In the future more statues of saints will be added to show the communion of saints inviting us to become the family of God. Our first statue outside is St. Jude. The entrance glass doors are etchings that show Jesus with the children. The waters of life flowing throughout the front lead to the tree of life. On the inside of the glass by the tree of life are the words to the 1st psalm. The leaves represent the community and the branches represent Christ.

NARTHEX - (3) The gathering space is 3000 square feet. The parish believes in hospitality and the gathering of people to have fellowship before and after mass. The space is warm and welcoming and can be used for many other functions.

DOORS - The copper doors represent the theme of earth, wind, fire and water, the elements through which mankind has historically encountered God. The door to the left is the tree of life, the center door is wind and clouds symbolizing the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove. The door to the right represents fire and rebirth. Underneath all the doors is flowing water. The doors are Philippine mahogany wood with the rich red color representing the passion of Christ.

BAPTISTRY (4) - The documents of the church talk about having the baptistry at the entrance of the church to show an entrance into the community. Twelve boulders represent the 12 apostles. The circle represents God with no beginning or end. The large candle is called the paschal candle. Every baptized person receives a candle as a faith symbol to be a light to the world. Immersions are celebrated at Easter time. The small pool to the left is for infant baptisms. People are asked to bless themselves as they enter and leave the church as a reminder of their baptism. Above the baptistry is a skylight. Blue and white represent the water of life. One also sees a community of angels welcoming the newly baptized and doves which represent the Holy Spirit. The colors of orange and yellow represent earth, as the Spirit comes to earth.

SOUND AND LIGHT BOOTH (14) - is behind the music area. The lighting has about 250 presets.

SHRINES (11 & 12) - to the left and right of the altar are shrines for statues. On the south side is a statue of the Blessed Mother. To the north is the Holy Family. In the narthex will be a statue of St. Patrick and the Risen Christ.

BLESSED SACRAMENT CHAPEL (1) - is located in the sanctuary, behind the large etched glass wall. The sanctuary lamp is at the very top with rays coming down representing the Holy Spirit. The leaves represent the community and the branches represent our unity in faith. We are connected by our common faith.

Inside the chapel to the left is beautiful stained glass that represents shafts of wheat with a lily growing out symbolizing resurrection. One steps away from the window and sees not the lily but a dove, symbol of the Holy Spirit.

The tabernacle is in the center. It is in the shape of the tree of life. It is three sided. Mahogany, white maple (resurrection) and purple heart (passion) are the woods used. The glass above the tabernacle are leaves and branches. Certain times of the day the leaves change colors to green and yellow. A solid copper cylinder contains the Blessed Sacrament. Above is a stained glass skylight representing the crown of thorns. Orange and purple colors signify Christ's suffering and green and yellow speak of new life. The back window is palm leaves used throughout the bible. The Holy Spirit comes down pushing the palms aside.

AMBO (9) - The ambo is where the Word of God is proclaimed. The three trumpets are placed in the front to show the joyful proclamation of the Word. It is adjustable for the different heights of the proclaimers. The ambo is placed near the crucifix to show we proclaim and preach Christ crucified. Also everything in the building including the ambo leads us to the altar.

PROCESSIONAL CROSS - made of solid mahogany wood. The base is in the shape of a boulder. On the "rock" of our faith are the names of the saints. Many of the saints' names are from surrounding parishes to show our unity of faith with them. Inside the cross is another cross that is white maple to symbolize resurrection and on the outer edges is purple heart wood to represent the blood of Christ. When the processional cross is removed it leaves the outer shell of the cross to symbolize the hollowness of death and it is given meaning by the cross when placed back in.

REREDOS WALL (10) - is made of tiffany glass. All the lead is clad in copper. The corpus is hammered copper and is placed on a tree. St. Paul calls the cross a tree of life. A desert scene represents our region. The lighting behind the glass gives different scenes for different liturgical seasons.

The PRESIDER'S CHAIR is where the celebrant leads the liturgy, placed appropriately so that it is visible to all in the congregation.

SIDE STAINED GLASS - to the left of the reredos wall is glass that represents earth and fire. The glass to the right represents water and wind.

AMBRY (6) - To the left of the baptistery is where the holy oils are kept. These oils are blessed by the Bishop during holy week. They are used for baptisms, confirmations, and for the sick.

RECONCILIATION CHAPELS (5) - The doors on each side of the baptistery are the reconciliation chapels. You may open the doors to look inside. They are to be a place of welcome. People may celebrate this sacrament face to face or behind a beautifully embroidered screen. They are placed next to the baptistery to symbolize the reconciliation to the community. Sin separates us from each other and the sacrament brings us back.

SANCTUARY - The Sanctuary seats 1200 +. The seating is antiphonal (facing each other). It is an ancient form of seating to see the face of Christ in each other. The Sanctuary teaches the most sacred sign in any church building are the people. Intimacy in our building is important to our parish family. No one is more than 70 feet away from the altar. The music area is placed in the midst of the assembly. The music ministry is to inspire the community to sing and participate fully in the liturgy.

ALTAR (8) - The altar is made of mahogany wood, which will become darker over time. The altar weighs 700 lbs. The base is made of walnut, representing strength. The altar is round to show that the altar belongs to the baptized and is approachable from all sides. The three angels symbolize the heavenly food we are about to receive. At the same time our liturgy is celebrated, the eternal banquet is celebrated in heaven.

DAILY MASS CHAPEL (16) - seats about 170 + people. The parish took its sacred furnishings from our old building and moved it to our chapel. The stained glass is from our old building. The entrance doors speak of Melekizadeck and Abraham, two important figures in the Old Testament. Melekizadeck being a priest, offers a sacrifice to God and Abraham offers true faith to God. The chapel is also used for small weddings and funerals.

We welcome you to our parish and if you need further information, please go to our parish office.

St. Patrick Catholic Community
10815 N. 84th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
(480) 998-3843
www.stpatricksscottsdale.org