Dear Family,
As we started with the sanctuary, I believe it is fitting to conclude by explaining the mural on the sanctuary wall. While the mural is particular to St. Patrick’s, the meaning is part of our belief as Catholics in general. In the long history of the Church, it is only a very modern and seemingly short-lived idea to separate the tabernacle from the altar, as I am fond of quoting of the Venerable Servant of God, Archbishop Fulton Sheen, “you cannot have the Sacrament without the Sacrifice.” This union is often expressed by having the crucifix very close to the tabernacle since the tabernacle no longer rests on the altar itself.  
On either side of the tabernacle is one adoring angel, this is a very traditional arrangement but goes beyond devotion, it actually comes from the Old Testament instructions for the temple. In the heart of the temple was kept the Ark of the Covenant which contained Moses’ staff, the tablets of the 10 Commandments and a jar of the manna that God fed them with in the desert. The lid of the Ark of the Covenant had two cherubim facing each other and whose wings extended to touch in the middle. This was called the Mercy Seat. In the book of the Hebrews we are encouraged to approach “the throne of grace with confidence to attain mercy and timely help.” (Hebrews 4:16) 
It is our Lord’s sacrifice on the Cross that won us our redemption and we have the fullness of God’s mercy, likewise His same saving sacrifice is the source of all grace in the world, grace extended to us through the Mass and the other Sacraments. For this reason, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is called the “Tribunal of Mercy” because through this Sacrament we receive the grace of mercy. 
The vines in the mural behind the crucifix are called the “Tree of Life ” which evokes the Tree from which our first parents ate the forbidden fruit. There are many levels of meaning with this mural and this is first, the crucifix undoes the rupture between God and humanity. The fruit in the tree in the Garden of Eden was death. The early Church Fathers often referred to the Cross as the tree because it undid was done by our first parents and so the fruit of the Cross is life; life Given to us through the Sacred Eucharist. 
We can easily perceive that stars on the blue background are meant to evoke Heaven. The Mass, because it is the most perfect form of worshiping God, is the union of Heaven and Earth; the Book of Revelation teaches us this as it shows us the heavenly liturgy. The Cross and spires that rise up into the sky painted there remind us that this union happens via the Cross. The Cross pierces heaven so that we might have a glimpse of God and the life that He desires us to live with Him there. Again, our reception of the Eucharist draws us into that life. 
Someone once commented to me that the readings at Mass should be short so as not to lose people’s attention, that may be true! Any Catholic church is really a book meant to be read, a book which reveals the great love story that is our redemption. The story of God, Who loves us so much He went even to the Cross to make us His.
Your Father in Christ,
Fr. Estrella