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On Tuesday 31st May 2005, a new stained-glass window was unveiled in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. The window, a gift from the Sisters of Mercy, was designed and made by the internationally-renowned artist Joseph Nuttgens. Set in the context of the Last Supper and Our Lord washing the feet of his disciples, the window celebrates the Sisters' works of mercy on Tyneside.

[Click to enlarge]

The window's centre light features that first Eucharist just before Our Lord leaves the table to wash the disciples' feet. The window's other two lights beautifully illustrate the principal ways in which the Sisters of Mercy through their ministry have put into action Our Lord's commandment to love, depicting them going about their work in this parish.

Above the three lights, the depiction of a rose, a shamrock, a thistle and a daffodil illustrate that these Walking Sisters of Newcastle have carried out their work not in isolation but in union with the whole Institute of Mercy throughout Britain and Ireland as well.

About the artist...
		Joseph Nuttgens studied at the Central School of Art and the Royal College of Art. After teaching in schools, art colleges and at Wormwood Scrubs Prison, he came back to stained glass through working for Patrick Reyntiens as manager of his studio between 1978 - 82, involved mainly on John Piper's windows for Robinson College, Cambridge, and the Benjamin Britten Memorial in Aldeburgh Church. Later, in his own studio, he made the John Betjaman Memorial window for Farnborough Church (Berks) to John Piper's design. Since 1982 he has designed and made many stained glass windows - for large church projects, including restorations, for schools, offices, as screens for interiors and for intimate house windows. His most notable works include Durham Cathedral's Millennium Window and 'The Fire Restoration' Window in The Royal Private Chapel of Windsor Castle (based on a theme chosen by Prince Philip).