PRAYING • SERVING • CELEBRATING • SHARING
Three beautifully rendered representations of the Blessed Virgin adorn our church and grounds to help us focus our meditation and contemplation on the great mysteries of God. Take a few moments to pray before these visible reminders that inspire our requests for her intercession as we seek to grow in our faith in Jesus, the Lord.
OUR LADY OF THE SEAS
The statue of Our Lady of the Seas, our patroness, stands in the narthex of our church to greet all who enter. The idea for the design of this statue was conceived by our former pastor, Fr. André Izac, and was developed by him and our parishioners. This one-of-a-kind statue was hand carved and painted by Demetz Art Studio in Ortisei, Italy. It depicts the youthful Mary with sand and seashells at her sandaled feet and the sea breeze blowing through her hair. She holds the globe of the earth for her son whose right hand firmly grasps her hair lest he fall from her arms as he reaches out to touch Hatteras Island, the North Carolina coastline, and the Atlantic Ocean.
THE ROSARY GARDEN
A gift to the parish from the late Richard Bacik in memory of his wife, Carol, the Rosary Garden lies to the west side of the church. It is composed of different colored pavers arranged in such a way as to create the likeness of a set of Rosary beads. The Lord's Prayer, Hail Mary, Glory Be, five mysteries, and Hail Holy Queen are engraved on the pavers, which have at their center a four-foot statue of Mary. Benches are situated to enable the faithful to sit, pray, meditate, and enjoy the serenity of the adjacent Pamlico Sound.
OUR LADY OF GUADELOUPE
The hand-carved wooden icon of Our Lady of Guadeloupe can be seen in the nave of our church. It is a representation of the Blessed Virgin's image that was left on a garment of Juan Diego to whom she appeared four different times in 1531 near Mexico City. The miraculous image on the actual tilma (cloak) has been preserved for almost five centuries in the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. Our Lady of Guadeloupe plays an important role in religious devotionals. She is the national symbol of Mexico, from where several of our parishioners come.