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Explanation of the Coat of Arms

Coats of arms date back to medieval times when knights on battlefields used them as a way to distinguish allies from enemy soldiers. ÌýThey continue to be used for educational institutions, state seals, even the Great Seal of the United States. ÌýThey are widely used in the Catholic Church. ÌýEach Pope, Bishop, and Diocese has a distinctive coat of arms. ÌýHeraldic artist, Rev. Guy Selvester, designed the original St. Brigid/Our Lady of Hope coat of arms. ÌýKathryn Casey updated it to its present look. ÌýÌý

The shield is divided into four parts by the cross of Christ. ÌýThe upper left part represents St. Brigid’s Parish. ÌýIt depicts the woven cross of St. Brigid of Ireland, patron of the Parish. ÌýThe upper right part shows a tree with roots, trunk, branches, and leaves. ÌýThe uprooted tree represents the generations of families served by the school. ÌýThe lower left part contains books and an illuminated lamp, which represents learning and knowledge. ÌýThe lower right part represents Our Lady of Hope Parish. ÌýIt contains the initials A and M for Ave Maria, Hail Mary in Latin. ÌýThe crown symbolizes the queenship of our Blessed Mother Mary over heaven and earth. ÌýThe shield rests on a ribbon containing our motto, faith, family, knowledge.