St. Martin of Tours Church - Louisville, Kentucky

(Photo provided)

Destination: If you plan to attend next year’s Kentucky Derby, add a visit to St. Martin of Tours Church to your itinerary. By then, the relics of St. Magnus, a Roman centurion, and St. Bonosa, a young Roman virgin, should be back in their resting places in the church.
Masses are at 8 and 10 a.m. on Sunday and at noon daily. The Sunday noon Mass is in Latin.
Why to go: Since 1902, the bones of the martyrs have rested at the parish. There the bones of the pair, who are believed to have been martyred in the third or fourth century in Rome, are being examined by Philip DiBlasi, an archaeologist who teaches skeletal forensics at the University of Louisville, and four of his students students. Early evidence confirms traditional lore.DiBlasi, who is a member of St. Bartholomew Church, says, “To be a Catholic and to do this is way cool.”
The original church was built on the grounds of a small brickyard in 1853. Today’s church is home to members of 1,000 households in the Louisville area.
Access: Be prepared for some stairs.
(Grand) Kid friendly: This urban church has lots of other art, statues and stained glass windows kids might enjoy seeing. Take a camera or art supplies for them to record their visit.
Info: Address: St. Martin of Tours Church, 639 South Shelby St., Louisville, KY 40202. Phone: 502/582-2827. Web: www.stmartinoftourschurch.org

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

Relics of the Mexican Martyrs - San Antonio, Texas

(Observer photo courtesy
Knights of Columbus)

Destination: If you happen to be in San Antonio this weekend, you’ll be able to see the relics of the Mexican Martyrs, six priests — members of the Knights of Columbus —  at San Fernando Cathedral. They were in Chicago in early May. Plans are under way to expand the tour of the relics through the United States, but the Knights of Columbus are setting up dates and locations. Check their website — www.kofc.org — for updates and more information about the relics.
Why to go: The priests were among 25 martyrs of Mexico’s anti-Catholic persecution during the 1920s and were canonized by Pope John Paul II May 21, 2000. Depicted in the mural (clockwise from top) are Sts. Miguel de la Mora de la Mora, Jose Maria Robles Hurtado, Mateo Correa Magallanes, Luis Batiz Sainz, Rodrigo Aguilar Alemán and Pedro de Jesus Maldonado Lucero. The painting is part of the permanent collection at the Knights of Columbus Museum in New Haven, Conn.
The priests are among those whose stories are being told in the new movie, “For Greater Glory,” in theaters now.
The illustration is a painting by Mexican artist Martha Orozco that features six priests who were canonized by Pope John Paul II on May 21, 2000.
Access: Be prepared for the stairs.
(Grand) Kid friendly: The cathedral, which was founded in 1731, is used to visitors, including kids.
Info: Address: San Fernando Cathedral, 115 Main Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205. Phone: 210/227-1297. Web: www.sfcathedral.org

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

Shrine of Our Lady of Charity - Miami, Florida

(CNS file photo/Archdiocese of Miami)

Destination: In 1961, not long after Cuban refugees began fleeing Fidel Castro’s new regime, one of their first acts of gratitude after reaching U.S. shores was to thank Our Lady of Charity the patroness of their homeland. An image of Our Lady of Charity (right) arrived from Cuba on the day 30,000 refugees gathered to celebrate her feast day at the old Miami Stadium. In 1967, construction started on a Miami shrine to house the statue.
Masses are at noon Monday through Saturday and at 3 and 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Why to go: The shrine, funded largely by Cuban refuges, still serves the faithful in Spanish. The website, in fact, is labeled in Spanish — Ermita de la Caridad — Santuario Nacional. In addition to celebrating the Cuban devotion to Our Lady of Charity, one of the key elements of the shrine is a large mural behind the altar that illustrates the history of Cuba — from the voyages of Christopher Columbus (left, bottom corner), who sailed under the flag of Spain — to the 20th century. It also features a central image of Our Lady and the child Jesus.
In the photo, the late Bishop Agustin A. Roman of Miami stands outside the National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity in Miami.
Amenities: A gift shop at the shrine is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Access: Be prepared for the stairs into the shrine.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Outdoor sites are always fun for kids, but there will be some pilgrims in prayer.
Info: Address: Shrine of Our Lady of Charity, 3609 South Miami Ave.,  Miami, FL 33133. Phone: 305/854- 2404, 305/854-2405. Web: http://www.ermitadelacaridad.org (Choose English or Spanish on the home page, but keep in mind that many pages appear only in Spanish.)

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

Salesian National Shrine Mary Help of Christians - Stony Point, New York

(Photos provided)

Destination: Property aquired to train male aspirants in the 1940s is now  the Salesian National Shrine Mary Help of Christians.
Masses are at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Sunday; noon, Monday through Saturday, followed by the rosary.
Why to go: The Hudson Valley site is actually home to several outdoor Marian Shrines, including the domed shrine dedicated to Mary Help of Christians. A shrine is dedicated to Salesian founder, St. John “Don” Bosco and another to St. Padre Pio.
The Becchi House on the site is an authentic replica of Don Bosco’s birthplace in Italy.
Its pavilion chapel was finished in 2006. There is also a Stations of the Cross path featuring life-sized statues.
Amenities: A picnic ground is available, and there is a bookstore and gift shop.
Access: Most of the walkways appear fairly easy to navigate.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Outdoor sites are always fun for kids, but there will be some pilgrims in prayer.
Info: Address: Salesian National Shrine Mary Help of Christians, 174 Filors Lane, Stony Point, NY 10980. Phone: 845/947-2200 Web: www.marianshrine.org

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

Shrine Church of St. Anthony of Padua - New York, New York

(Photo by Amanda Hudson)

Destination: Religious and movie-making history meet in New York City at the Shrine Church of St. Anthony of Padua. The church is located four blocks south of Washington Square Park on the corner of Houston and Sullivan streets, in Greenwich Village one step into the SoHo neighborhood. It is close to New York University, Chinatown and Little Italy areas.
Masses are Saturday, 5 p.m. and Sunday, 9 and 11 a.m.  Weekday Mass is offered at the rectory across Sullivan Street from the front doors of the church.
Why to go:  The church is the oldest existing Italian parish in the United States and the second Italian parish ever founded here. The building is the first parish church built by Italian immigrants in the U.S. Franciscan friars staff the parish, as they have since it began.
For 142 years, it has ministered to Italians, as well as jazz musicians, beatniks, artists, actors and, now, the rich and famous living in the area. Even a saint was a member: St. Francis Xavier (Mother) Cabrini. once taught in the parish’s religious education program.
The church boasts a Jardine Pipe Organ that was built around 1888, when the church was erected. It was built as opus 933 by George Jardine and Sons Organ Company of New York. From its beginning, it was considered to be both historic and grand. It was overhauled in the 1950s with some parts changed and some compromises made. The church has kept up with repairs and tuning, with some major work done in recent years including a rebuild of the organ console into a state-of-the-art modern organ console by the John Klauder Organ Company.
Special events: On weekends from March to mid-December, you can enjoy St. Anthony’s Market on the Houston Street sidewalk. The market, called a “best find” in one book and featured in an article entitled “The Best Place to Look Like A Movie Star for under $15,” also has been written up in Vogue, New York Magazine and other publications.
Access: Didn’t look handicapped accessible, like most all of New York. Everywhere are lots of stairs.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Kids will like the “movie wall” inside the church. They may recognize scenes from “Godfather II,” “Moonstruck,” “Men in Black,” and other movies shot there.
Info: Address: Shrine Church of St. Anthony of Padua, 154 Sullivan St., New York City, NY 10012. Phone: 212/777-2755 Web: http://stanthonynyc.org

- Compiled by Amanda Hudson

Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral - Indianapolis, Indiana

(Photo provided)

Destination: This year’s Super Bowl and any year’s Indy 500 aren’t the only reasons to visit Indianapolis. Regardless of your reason for going, plan a stop at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral.
Masses are 5 p.m. Saturday, 10:30 a.m. Sunday, 8 a.m. Monday-Friday and 5:15 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday.
Why to go:  The parish was established in 1892, two years before Rome authorized the move of the diocesan see from Vincennes, Ind.,  to Indianapolis. The new parish was on its way to becoming a cathedral. Originally served by its 1890s chapel, the cornerstone to today’s church was laid in 1905.
Three of the cathedral’s pastors eventually became bishops — two for Indianapolis and one for Evansville, Ind.
The church was renovated in the 1980s, a process that was completed in 1986, followed by chapel renovations in 1992.
If you visit, consider leaving a donation for the The Cathedral Soup Kitchen. It has been feeding the hungry of Indianapolis since the Great Depression of the late 1920s through the 1930s, when parishioners handed out peanut butter sandwiches to the needy. Today, there is a seven-days-a week meal program that feeds 3,200 meals a month, and a food pantry that helps 1,080 households a month. 
Access: There are steps leading to the golden front doors of the this urban church.
(Grand) Kid friendly: As usual, inside a church, children will want to be on their best behavior.
Info: Address: SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral, 1347 North Meridian St. Indianapolis, IN 46202-2302. Phone: 317/634-4519. Web: www.ssppc.org

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

Pope John Paul II Cultural Center - Washington, D.C.

(CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec)

Destination: Catholics from around the country and the world can learn about the heritage left us by Blessed John Paul II at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center. The Knights of Columbus announced that they would purchase the center during their annual meeting last August. Plan your visit during the week, though, because the center is only open Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Tours can be arranged for other weekdays. (See contact information, below.)
Masses are held Tuesday and Thursday at 11:30 a.m.
Why to go:  The center sits on 12 acres in a part of the Washington, D.C., known as “Little Rome” or “Little Vatican.” Other Catholic institutions of note in the area are the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and The Catholic University of America,  the headquarters of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, Trinity University, Providence Hospital and the Franciscan Monastery and Commissariat of the Holy Land.
The center cost $75 million to build and the property has been valued at $37.7 million. It opened in 2001 with financial backing from the Detroit Archdiocese.
A Papal and Polish Heritage room features photos, videos, artwork and memorabilia from Blessed John Paul’s life, from his childhood through his papacy. Other displays include gifts from world dignitaries, vessels from Masses celebrated by Blessed John Paul II and other reminders of his lifetime.
The Knights plan a variety of exhibits for the center, including displays on the life and legacy of Blessed John Paul and on the Catholic heritage of North America.
Access: Navigating the grounds should not be a problem.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Children of all ages will enjoy a visit to the center. It's a usual stop for diocesan youth groups who go to the annual January March for Life.
Info: Address: Pope John Paul II Cultural Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 4471, Phone: 202/635-5400. Web: www.jp2cf.org

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