Jesus the Good Shepherd: He replaces the “I” in “Parishes.” That is His call for all disciples, to deny ourselves (our “I”) in order to let Jesus be our Lord and Savior. Jesus stands at the door, the open side of the church. He is the Gate that keeps predators out and welcomes His sheep in. His posture and holding of the staff also bespeak of strength and protection as well as hospitality and “come on in.” His feet are obscured by the words “on the prairie” as if Jesus is leading His sheep through green pastures.

One Church: Though there are six parishes and a school as part of Parishes On The Prairie Area Catholic Community, we all belong to the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. The cross on the steeple is the highest thing for it is through the Cross that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, lays down His life for His sheep. The roof offers shelter from the storms of life; it is a refuge in times of trouble. It is also a gathering place for Christians to pray and worship together, thanking God for all good things.

The Holy Spirit: The Dove is not perched. He is flying as a symbol of His divine activity in our lives and in the life of the Church.

One Flock – One Shepherd: These words from John 10:16 are the tagline for our community of parishes. Jesus explains that He has other folds that He must also attend. What is a fold? Think of the fold of a curtain. Each fold belong to the same curtain. In the world of shepherding, there were often several folds (holding pens) for a single flock of sheep. So too, each of our parishes is like a fold in the one flock of Jesus Christ. We belong to One Flock and we have One Shepherd! These word are under the logo because they lay the ground work for our life together as Parishes on the Prairie.

In our Father’s hands,
🙂 Fr. Greg

“I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd.”
~ John 10:14-16 ~