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parish Logo descriptionThe center image is, of course, that of St. Christopher bearing the child Christ across the river. The saint's gaze is one of adoration facing the Lord, while Jesus' gaze is one of comforting love facing you, the viewer. St. Christopher's staff is at an angle, showing that he is in motion through the river as on a journey.
Moving clockwise, we see the image for Mary as a sign of our community's devotion to our Blessed Mother.
Below that is the image of the stag, which symbolizes our Diocese of Tucson.
On the left side is the image of the mountainous desert, similar to the image found for the, recognizing our community's presence in Marana and the Arizona high desert.
Above that is an image that symbolizes both the sun the Eucharist (IHS). Jesus in the Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith and must always remain the center of our parish life here at St. Christopher. He is the light that shatters the darkness of the world, as the sun shatters the dark night. -
To Be A Saint Christopher!A reflection on what it means to “be a Christopher”—a spiritual and practical meditation on carrying Christ in our lives:
1. To Be a Christopher is to Carry Christ in the Ordinary
Christopher’s legend reminds us that serving Christ is not always dramatic. It is often in small acts—helping a stranger, encouraging someone who feels lost, or showing patience when the world is unkind. We carry Christ when we choose love over indifference, forgiveness over bitterness, and faith over fear.
The story of the Christ Child growing heavier as Christopher crossed the river is symbolic:- The closer we come to Christ, the more we feel the weight of love, responsibility, and sacrifice.
- But at the same time, we find that His grace carries us when our strength runs out.
2. Being a Christopher Means Facing the River
The river represents the challenges that test us—life’s uncertainties, responsibilities, and even doubts. Christopher didn’t stay on the shore. He stepped into the water because he trusted, he knew, and faithfully undertook the burden of his calling to serve.
Being a Christopher means:- Crossing with courage as we carry Christ.
- Trusting God is carrying us in the middle of the strongest current, and at the foot of the shore.
- Every “crossing” we make—we bear Christ burden because Christ bears our burden for us.
3. It’s About Who We Carry
Christopher’s name means “Christ-bearer,” but the truth is:We carry Christ when we carry our neighbors.
When we feed the hungry, comfort the grieving, or forgive those who wrong us, we bear Christ. When we pray for our enemies, we bear Christ. It’s exactly what Jesus taught:
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)When we try to love, forgive, and serve as Christ calls us to, the “weight” feels heavy because:We are called to bear not just our own burdens but to help carry the pain of others.Christ’s love is demanding—it asks for selflessness, patience, and perseverance.“It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20)We offer our small strength, and He multiplies it. We step into the river, and He walks with us.4. A Christopher Spirit at Work and Home
Being a Christopher means carrying the spirit of faith into the world where it’s needed most—our workplaces, our families, and our communities. It is about being a bridge, a servant, and sometimes a steady shoulder for someone else’s burden.St. Christopher’s story is not about how strong he was, but how grace transformed his strength.Alone, Christopher could not bear the weight of the Christ Child.St. Christopher’s willingness—his desire to serve—reveals a deeper truth:“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)The world needs Christophers—people who serve not for recognition, but because they carry Christ in everything they do, seeing Christ in everyone they meet.5. The Crossing
Christopher’s crossing is an image of our life’s journey. We are all moving toward the far shore—the Kingdom of God.- The more we love, the more we may feel the weight of the world.
- But when we meet Christ face-to-face, we’ll discover He was with us the whole way, turning every act of service into a step toward eternity.
We do not carry Christ alone; He is carrying us.Like Christopher, our strength is in serving others, through which we find His grace flows abundantly giving us the strength to reach the far shore.Be a Saint Christopher: A Christ-Bearer!