National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe At Marytown -- Libertyville, Ill.

Destination: The Observer featured the National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe in a Destinations article Oct. 3, 2008, but since one of our editors visited recently, we thought it could be time for a refresher. 

The shrine is run by Conventual Franciscan Friars consecrated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The area is also home to the National Center for the Militia of the Immaculata and the Kolbe Holocaust Exhibit. 

Mass is held at the shrine at 10 a.m. (English) and 6 p.m. (English and Spanish), Monday-Friday; noon, Saturday; and 9 and 11 a.m. (English), Sunday. 

Photo: Above -- A visitor prays in Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at the national shrine. (Observer photos/ Amanda Hudson)
Below -- A photo in the Kolbe Holocaust exhibit depicts a carving of Jesus on the cell wall of Auschwitz, made by a fellow prisoner of St. Maximilian Kolbe. 

Why to go: Marytown frequently hosts events, including retreats, touring exhibits and more. Moreover, the bulletin we picked up announced 2022's class dates for consecration preparation. These classes offer opportunities for preparing for consecration to Mary and becoming part of the worldwide Militia of the Immaculata movement, connecting in part to St. Maximilian Kolbe’s great devotion to Mary. 

The classes will be held Aug. 6 and Nov. 12, 9-10:30 a.m., in Founders Hall. These are free, and are not a series. To register, call Deacon Tom Gaida at 847-367-7800 ext. 246 or email tom@KolbeShrine.org

Accessibility: The shrine is accessible to those with limited mobility. Parking is free.  

(Grand) Kid friendly: Of course! All ages are welcome. The shrine has plenty both inside and outside for young ones to explore. 

Info: Address — National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe, 1600 W. Park Ave., Libertyville, IL 60048
Phone — 847-367-7800
Website — https://kolbeshrine.org/

— Megan Peterson compiled this story with information provided by Amanda Hudson. 

Send Destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Immaculate Conception of The Blessed Virgin Mary - Panna Maria, Texas

(Photo provided)

Destination: Should your travels take you to Texas, you may want to plan a stop to see the oldest Polish Catholic Church in the U.S., Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Panna Maria, Texas. The town’s name, by the way, means Virgin Mary.
Masses are offered in English now at 9 a.m. Sunday; 5:30 p.m. Monday; 7:30 a.m. Tuesday-Friday, and 5 p.m. Saturday.
Why to go: While Texas may not have as many folks of Polish descent as other parts of the country (including our own Rockford Diocese), the settlers of Panna Maria were among the first. And the town is proud of its heritage. The parish is one of the historic highlights on its website. (Don’t be surprised that it isn’t a parish-only site, but it is the one listed by the Archdiocese of San Antonio.)
The first settlers left Upper Silesia, Poland on Sept. 26, 1854, led by Father Leopold Moczygemba. The 150 Polish immigrants arrived in Texas on Christmas Eve the same year. At the spot of what would become Panna Maria, Father Moczygemba celebrated a midnight Mass of Thanksgiving under the town’s now-famous Oak Tree. Several groups of Silesian Polish immigrants followed them in the years soon after the town was founded.
On Aug. 14, 1855, Father Moczygemba blessed the cornerstone of the church. On Sept 29, 1856, he consecrated the parish, the first permanent Polish Catholic church in the United States. The community also founded the first Polish Catholic school a few years later.
The original church burned down after being struck by lightning on Aug. 15, 1875. A new church was built within two years and remains in use today.
Special events: A Homecoming Turkey Dinner is held on the second Sunday of October every year. The turkey is cooked over open wood fires throughout the night before. Meals are served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Panna Maria Hall.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Absolutely.
Info: Address —  Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Farm Road 81, Panna Maria, TX 78144
Phone — 830/780-2748
Website — http://www.pannamariatexas.com
— Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send Destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org