Saint Therese of Corcoran’s Stained Glass Window – A Labor of Love

Barb Hemberger • December 12, 2024

Our newest Twin Cities senior living community, Saint Therese of Corcoran, is stunning. In so many ways. As you walk in the main entrance, you can feel its vibrancy, energy, warmth and light. This is no whisper-quiet environment – by design – and early reviews seem to reflect that our residents, family and staff are enjoying the common spaces and their new apartments.



But perhaps the most stunning aspect of this new community has yet to be revealed, the Father Mycue Chapel, named after one of the Saint Therese founders, Father Gordon Mycue. When completed later this year, the chapel will beautifully combine the old with the new and provide a unique place for spiritual care and worship.


While the chapel is still under construction, one of its most impressive elements – the soaring stained glass window – is now complete. The 21-foot tall window dominates the western-facing wall of the chapel and is visible from County Road 116. 


It was designed and created by local stained glass craftsman, Wayne Norton of Plymouth. Following is the first in a series of stories about the Corcoran chapel.

Wayne Norton has been plying his trade in his basement studio for the past 15-20 years, and during that time has created stained glass for 30 different senior living communities, one of which is the large stained glass window at Saint Therese of Woodbury.



“I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for seniors,” said Norton. “My parents moved into a senior community and I saw their quality of life dramatically improve after they did. I got to see that it was all about care and love.”

Wayne Norton with a sheet of glass

Concept sketch for the window

He was approached by Saint Therese early on in the development stage of Corcoran and worked with staff and architects, Pope Design Group, to refine and then finalize the design which is 21 feet tall by 12 feet wide.


The design showcases St. Therese of Lisieux, the inspiration for our organization name, standing in a garden illuminated in a ray of light.



“From my research, I came to understand that St. Therese’s life was filled with love for others. The concept of the beams coming down from heaven and the dove floating in the beam, to me represent the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. As the light reaches and shines on St. Therese, she is being blessed by God and surrounded by flowers which were a joy to her. This is a peaceful and serene moment in nature created by God being enjoyed by St. Therese.”

The actual creation of the window entails countless steps, including:

  • Creating the pattern (there are over 2,000 pieces of glass).
  • Purchasing colored stained glass sheets (58 different colors/types were used).
  • Dividing the overall window into six panels for installation purposes and cutting each piece of glass.
  • After that, each piece was painstakingly secured into the larger whole with strips of lead came (over 315 feet).


The pattern that Wayne used for the individual pieces of glass

  • All of the joints were soldered (26 lbs. of solder used).
  • Grout was worked around all pieces. Each side had to be soldered, grouted, cleaned and polished.
  • Due to the size of the windows, horizontal and vertical bracing bars were then added.
  • Finally, the windows were cleaned, polished and crated for delivery.



The intricate installation happened on November 26 with Norton and a crew of four helping put the panels in place. Local cable channel CCX Media was on hand to cover the story which aired on December 5. In total, the project took Norton over 2200 hours, spread over 16 months. He started “cutting glass” in July 2023 and as mentioned, finished in late November.

As for the donation aspect, Norton has constructed the window at a much lower cost than Saint Therese could do otherwise, and he has donated a significant portion of his time.


“I look at stained glass as my way to give back to God, for what I’ve been given through life,” said Norton.



Next in this series, a story about the generous donation of liturgical objects for Saint Therese of Corcoran, from a Catholic church in Hopkins.

Stay Connected


Search All Posts


About

At Saint Therese, our heartfelt purpose since 1968 has been a people first approach to living well by providing senior care and services where every life we touch feels welcomed, respected, and heard. We achieve this by doing ordinary things with extraordinary love every single day. Contact us to learn more. 

By Barb Hemberger August 29, 2025
“There is no timetable for grief; it unfolds in its own way, in its own time.” – Unknown On August 30, we pause to honor Grief Awareness Day—a reminder that grief is both universal and deeply personal. At Saint Therese senior living communities, grief is not an abstract idea. It is woven into the daily lives of residents, families, and caregivers alike. To better understand this journey, we spoke with five of our pastoral care directors, who accompany people through life’s most difficult transitions. At Saint Therese, we are proud to have full-time pastoral care directors in our communities, ensuring that compassionate spiritual support is always present. Their reflections remind us that grief is not something to “get over,” but something to live with, honor, and grow through. Grief in Daily Life at Saint Therese Each director shared that grief extends beyond the moment of death. It includes the loss of independence, the decline of health, the move into senior living, or even the passing of a fellow resident or staff member. Duane Bauer of Saint Therese of Woodbury emphasized the importance of normalizing grief. “What would it be like if you didn’t grieve your spouse? We grieve because we were in relationship. A new normal has to come out of it.” His role, he says, is to listen more than talk, to walk alongside without judgment, and to create sacred moments of farewell such as “sacred sending” rituals for families and staff. John Ilkka at Saint Therese of Oxbow Lake speaks about grief as a deeply personal and non-linear process. He emphasizes that there are no “magic words” to take away someone’s pain. Instead, his role is to listen, provide space, and reassure people that whatever they are feeling is valid. “The simplest thing is, whatever you’re feeling is ok. Grieving takes time, and it’s hard work,” he shared. For John, honoring grief means letting people lead the way—sometimes needing presence, sometimes needing space—and always being authentic. Beth O’Hare-Fisher at Saint Therese – IHM Senior Living often encounters grief during visits, when new residents open up about the loss of a spouse or sibling. She organizes Circles of Sharing, where residents gather to name and remember those who have died. For her, the key is acknowledging loss and affirming feelings without rushing the process. Mollie Dvorak of Saint Therese of Corcoran speaks passionately about anticipatory grief—the mourning that begins even before a loved one passes. She uses books like Tear Soup: A Recipe for Healing After Loss, and The Invisible String to help residents and staff process emotions. For her, grief is not something to fix, but something to witness with compassion. Mary Lou Swinerton of Saint Therese St. Mary of the Woods adds that grief is a life event that encompasses the whole community. “It requires that we recognize that our Saint Therese community is bigger than our specific place. The entire community—residents, families, and staff—grieve. We must recognize this collective grief, name it, and honor it. It may be a sudden death of a resident’s son across the country, a memorial service for a resident’s loss, or even the bittersweet moment when someone leaves the community to be closer to family. Journeying with residents and staff in grieving means understanding that grief is not a one-size-fits-all event.” Together, these directors show us that grief is not just about endings—it is also about presence, memory, and care. Gentle Practices for Navigating Grief From these conversations, five guiding practices emerge: 1. Give Yourself Permission Grief doesn’t follow a timetable. It can show up as sadness, anger, relief, or even laughter. Whatever you’re feeling is valid. 2. Tell Your Story Sharing memories of a loved one keeps their presence alive. Whether in a support group, a circle of remembrance, or over coffee with a friend, storytelling helps heal. 3. Lean into Community As Duane noted, grief is less overwhelming when shared. Find a faith group, a grief support circle, or simply a trusted listener. 4. Practice Self-Care Grief can exhaust body, mind, and spirit. Be gentle with yourself. Rest, eat well, pray or meditate, and allow space for your own healing. 5. Embrace the “New Normal” Life after loss will not be the same—but in time, it can hold meaning again. The journey is not about “moving on,” but about moving forward. A Shared Journey At Saint Therese, grief is not something to be avoided. It is something to be honored—with listening ears, compassionate presence, and rituals of remembrance. As our pastoral care directors remind us, grief is a sign of love, and love always has the final word.
By Barb Hemberger July 29, 2025
At Saint Therese of Woodbury , a unique group of residents gathers twice a year not just to sing—but to connect, inspire, and celebrate the joy of music. The Saint Therese of Woodbury Choir, the only choir across all Saint Therese communities, offers two one-hour concerts each year—one in December with a Christmas theme, and a second during the summer. This year's summer performance, held in June, was called “ Music from the Movies ” and featured beloved classics including Que Sera Sera, The Bare Necessities, Tuxedo Junction and Singin’ in the Rain. Residents and guests filled the chapel for a heartwarming program filled with nostalgia, harmony, and connection. Founded in 2018 by Therese Stecher , a lifelong pianist and retired critical care nurse, the Woodbury choir started with just 10 members and has now grown to 24 dedicated singers. “The biggest fear people have is they haven’t sung in so long, they think they can’t do it,” Stecher says. “But the muscles that control the vocal cords—you just need to work them.” Stecher arranges each songbook specifically for aging voices and emphasizes that this is not simply a singalong group. “We’re here to learn a show,” she says. “The expectations are high, but the reward is even greater.” The choir practices for months before each performance.
By Barb Hemberger July 21, 2025
Discover how the Saint Therese Auxiliary’s six-decade legacy of volunteerism and community support will live on through two lasting endowment funds.