Sculptured Concrete & Glass Screen - St. Cecilia's
The sculptured concrete and glass screen is located behind and above the altar. The theme is dominated by seven large circles in concrete. These bind together the Easter Vigil, the Eucharist and the Passion.
The seven circles remind us of the binding power with which the Holy Spirit guides the Church. By a distinctive colour scheme each circle signifies a gift of the Holy Spirit - Wisdom, Knowledge, Fortitude, Counsel, Piety, Understanding, and Fear of the Lord.
Christ is robed in ruby, signifying the suffering and in His hands is the Broken Host. The hands reach out over the Penal Rock in the act of offering the Gift to man. We recall with gratitude that the first sacrificial table in Western Australia was the Mass-rock at Albany.
On the right-hand side panel, the Follower or Server longingly accepts this most excellent of the sacraments, and he offers the Chalice to Christ for consecration - this act symbolises the Laity's participation in the Liturgy of the Mass.
The teachings of Christ as contained in the Four Gospels of the Evangelists are depicted by their symbols. St Matthew the Angel, St Luke the winged Ox, St, John the Eagle, whilst the winged Lion represents St Mark. Above the ox is the symbol of Rome's authority, the Papal Crown with Crossed keys. These keys are those to the Kingdom of Heaven, and this accounts for one being in gold and the other in silver.
Through sin, we all become Prodigal Sons and as the parable relates, we all return. St. Luke CH. 15, verse 32 "He was lost but is found." The Prodigal Son, guided and encouraged by the Gospels, returns - his staff is held by the paw of the Lion of St. Mark. Above him is seen the Ten Commandments with their influence depicted by radical lines - the blue signifies Devine Love, the flames recall that Moses received the Tablets on Mount Sinai.
The Easter Vigil - [to the left of the sanctuary]
The circle surrounding the Paschal Candle symbolises the stone being rolled away from the Sepulchre. The Angel's wings are a reference to the Gospel of St. Matthew and the Angel of the Resurrection. Alpha and Omega - the Beginning and the Ending - appear on the Candle. In the Flame there are three flames which symbolise the Holy Trinity - Three in One. One Paschal Candle descends into the Baptismal Waters as it does when the water is blessed and Satan's works and power [ the Serpent entwined in the thorn growth] are renounced.
The Passion - [to the right side of the sanctuary}
St. Cecilia is prostrate beneath the foot of the Cross with the axe cuts at the neck and three fingers extended - the face is turned away. The raiment is soft gold, while palm branches, symbolic of martyrdom, fold above her.
The Tau Cross in blue for Devine Love has the red nails thrust through it as they were thrust into the Hands and Feet of Christ. Extending from the concrete circle are Thorns and the Flowers of the Passion. There are five of these representing the Five Wounds. Ruby is the colour symbolising the Passion. St. John Ch. 15 Verse 13 - "Greater love than this no man hath - that a man lay down his life for his friends ... You are my friends."