Grotto of the Redemption Shrine - West Bend, Iowa

(CNS photo/courtesy Catholic Globe)

Destination: If this looks familiar, don’t be surprised. We’ve sent you to West Bend, Iowa, before. (See August 2008 in our archives.) What’s new is Bishop R. Walker Nickless of Sioux City, Iowa, has signed a decree making the Grotto of the Redemption a diocesan shrine. It is only the second shrine in Iowa and is the largest grotto in the world. Father Thomas Hart, who is rector of the grotto, is starting paper work to ask the USCCB to make it a national shrine.
Masses are offered at 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday at SS. Peter and Paul Parish, around which the grotto was built.
Why to go:  The grotto, on the National Register of Historic Places since 2001, is a composite of nine separate Grottos, each portraying a scene in the life of Christ, the story of the fall of woman and man, our divine redemption through Christ, and Mary’s presence in the redemptive process. Its builder, Father Matthias Dobberstien commented, “If your messages are carved in stone they are well nigh imperishable. The imperishableness is the outstanding feature of the Grotto.”
As a young seminarian, Father Dobberstein became critically ill with pneumonia. As he fought for his life he prayed to the Blessed Virgin Mary to intercede for him for the grace of health. He promised to build a shrine in her honor if he lived. The illness passed, the student completed his studies and after his ordination he came to West Bend as pastor in 1898. For over a decade, he  stockpiled rocks and precious stones until the actual work of his promise began to take shape in 1912.
Among specimens at the grotto are agate, amethyst, azurite and malachite, barite and barite rose, drusy quartz, calcite, fluorite (found primarily in Southern Illinois), geode (Iowa’s state rock), jasperm petrified wood and quartz.
Extras: The gift shop is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-4 p.m. Sunday. Hours are seasonal, so check the website before going.
(Grand) Kid friendly:  Yes, with plenty of room for exploring, as long as they remember this is a shrine. Climbing the stairs is OK; shouting is not. Taking pictures for school projects is definitely OK.
Info: Address: 300 N. Broadway Ave., West Bend, Iowa 50597  Phone: 515/887-2371  Web site: www.westbendgrotto.com

 - Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld and Tony Carton; CNS contributed to this story
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America - Dubuque, Iowa

(Photos provided/ www.womenandspirit.org)

Destination: The traveling history exhibit that chronicles the role of sisters in shaping America’s health care, education and social justice institutions will be open at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque, Iowa, from Feb. 18 through May 22.
Why to go:  Anyone who remembers sisters in their lives — in a school, hospital or other setting — may enjoy this look at their role in shaping American history.
The exhibit is sponsored by Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) in Association with Cincinnati Museum Center, where it opened in 2009. It is touring museums across the nation, coming to Dubuque from Ellis Island. The next exhibit close to the Diocese of Rockford will be Sept. 2 to Dec. 31 at the Center for History in South Bend, Ind.
According to the exhibit Web site, features of the exhibit include artifacts from hundreds of sister communities including a letter from Thomas Jefferson assuring religious freedom following the Louisiana Purchase
Access: The museum is accessible to the handicapped.
Admission: You’ll need tickets to the museum to see the exhibit, but you’ll also be able to visit other exhibits. Cost for non-members is $13 for seniors 65 and older; $15 for other adults; $10 for children 3-17. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.
(Grand) Kid friendly: The museum and the exhibit are both child-friendly. You can even plan an educational outing using materials for students in first- through 12th-grade, on the exhibit Web site (below).
Info: About the museum: Address — National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, 350 E. Third St., Dubuque IA 52001.  Phone — 563/557-9545. Web — www.rivermuseum.com. About the exhibit: www.womenandspirit.org

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Basilica of St. Francis Xavier - Dyersville, Iowa

(Photo: www.shrineofstbernadette.com)

Destination: The Basilica of St. Francis Xavier is in downtown Dyersville, Iowa. If you plan to chase grounders at the “Field of Dreams” in Dyersville, make sure to drive downtown to see the church under the spires. Dyersville is about 26 miles west of Dubuque on U.S. Route 20.
Masses at the parish are 4 p.m., Saturday; 7, 8:30, 10:30 a.m. in English and noon in Latin on Sunday; 6:30 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday; 5:15 p.m., Wednesday, and 8:30 a.m., Friday.
There are weddings at 1:30 p.m. every Saturday in July, so you might plan your visit around them.
Why to go: Built in 1888, the basilica is a stunning example of Gothic architecture, which was repainted and refreshed in 2000-2001. New 24 carat gold and silver leaf was applied, giving the church its like-new gleam and shine.
In the back are two confessionals, carved of butternut wood. They were built by the Dubuque Altar Company and installed in 1897.
At the sides of the main altar are two of the basilica’s 64 stained glass windows. They depict the adoration of the magi and the resurrection.
In the cross at the end of the restored center aisle are five marble pieces — symbols of the five wounds of Christ — and made from marble that was on the floor of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.  Under the center piece is also a chip from the Grotto at Lourdes, France.
Before you go, check out the basilica Web site for an electronic brochure to guide you on your self-tour.
Access: The front steps could be a bit of an obstacle for some, but once inside the church has a wide center aisle to allow fairly easy movement for anyone.
(Grand) Kid friendly: As with any parish, children are welcome.
Info: Address: Basilica of St. Francis Xavier, 104 Third St. SW, Dyersville, IA 52040. Phone: (rectory office) 563/875-7325. Web: www.xavierbasilica.com

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Grotto of the Redemption - West Bend, Iowa

(Observer photo by Tony Carton)

Destination: Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend, Iowa, is artistry in precious stones and gems, with a message that is timeless. The Grotto wraps around SS. Peter and Paul Church. Sunday Mass is at 10 a.m. and Saturday evening Mass is at 5 p.m. Travel time from Rockford is approximately six hours.

Why to go: The grotto, on the National Register of Historic Places since 2001, is a composite of nine separate Grottos, each portraying a scene in the life of Christ, the story of the fall of woman and man, our divine redemption through Christ, and Mary’s presence in the redemptive process. Its builder, Father Matthias Dobberstien commented, “If your messages are carved in stone they are well nigh imperishable. The imperishableness is the outstanding feature of the Grotto.”

As a young seminarian, Dobberstein became critically ill with pneumonia. As he fought for his life he prayed to the Blessed Virgin Mary to intercede for him for the grace of health. He promised to build a shrine in her honor if he lived. The illness passed, the student completed his studies and after his ordination he came to West Bend as pastor in 1898. For over a decade, he  stockpiled rocks and precious stones until the actual work of his promise began to take shape in 1912.

Special events: The grotto will be outlined in holiday lights from Dec. 1, 2008, through Jan. 6, 2009, and its ice rink will be open for skating  from December through March. Nominal fees apply There is a snack bar inside the warming house. Call 515/877-7465 to verify skating hours.

(Observer photo by Tony Carton)

Amenities: The Grotto is open year round with lighting and music until 10:30 p.m. Its gift shop offers a large variety of special occasion and religious gifts. The Grotto Café is open May–September. Call 515/887-2371 for menu and hours. Tours are offered daily from May 1 through Oct. 16, starting at 10 a.m.; suggested donation $2 to $5. There are 80 campsites available for overnight guests. Fees: $15 per night for campers and $10, tents.

Access: Accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.

(Grand) Kid friendly: Yes, with plenty of room for exploring, as long as they remember this is a shrine. Climbing the stairs is OK; shouting is not.

Info: Address: 300 N. Broadway Ave., West Bend, Iowa 50597 Phone: 800/868-3641 Web site: www.westbendgrotto.com

-- Tony Carton 
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org