HSCP Logo
Our logo shows the three main symbols of the Holy Spirit.
Dove
The image of a dove is a sign of salvation and of peace. In the Old Testament, it was a dove that signaled the end of the flood (Gen 8:8-12). They were saved from the waters and peace returned to the land. When Jesus was baptized, the heavens were opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in the form of a dove (Mt 3:16; Mk 1:10; Lk 3:22; Jn 1:32). The waters of baptism cleanse and save us from original sin, bringing God’s peace into our soul.
(Window from St. Mary, Osmond)
Fire
Fire is a symbol of God’s loving presence. In the Old Testament, God made covenant with Abraham in the form of a burning torch (Gen 15:7), spoke to Moses from the burning bush (Ex 3:2), guided the Israelites with a column of fire (Ex 13:21), and sent down fire to consume the holocaust offered by Elijah (1 Kgs 18:38). When the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples at Pentecost he did so as tongues of fire over each of their heads (Acts 2:3-4). Jesus said, “I have come to set the earth on fire” (Lk 12:49). The image of fire represents God’s glory and the intensity of his love that burns away all impurity and inflames us with his very life.
(Window from St. Peter, Newcastle)
Wind
Wind represents the invisible movement of the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament, a mighty wind moved across the waters at creation (Genesis 1:2) and God blew into man and woman the breath of life (Genesis 2:7). Elijah found God’s presence in the whispering wind (1 Kings 19:12). At Pentecost the Spirit also came in the form of a strong wind (Acts 2:2). Like wind, spirit is invisible. However, we can still see the effects of wind, of how it acts upon things like trees. It is the same with the Holy Spirit. We cannot see him directly but can see the effects or fruits that the Holy Spirit produces in us.
(Window from St. Joseph, Ponca)
In the logo, the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove is the source of God’s spiritual movements and inspirations, represented by the curling lines of wind. These lines of wind trace the relative locations of our parishes to each other across our part of northeast Nebraska.
Just as we are so used to experiencing natural wind moving across our land, so too we call upon the Spirit’s supernatural wind to blow across our communities to guide us by his inspirations. The location of each parish to each other is also marked with a tongue of fire, as the Spirit comes to rest upon each of us. There are seven tongues, one for each parish, but even more important, one for each of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:1-3).
Come, Holy Spirit, Come!