DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun -- Tucson, Ariz.

(CNS photos/Nancy Wiechec)

Destination: Despite the May 29 fire (see the June 9 Nation/World section) that severely damaged the adobe structure and frescoes by artist Ted DeGrazia in the Mission in the Sun, it’s still well worth visiting the late artist’s Gallery in the Sun outside Tucson, Ariz.
Masses are not offered in the nondenominational Mission in the Sun that DeGrazia built in 1952 to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe and Jesuit missionary Father Eusebio Kino (see painting, right). There are Mass options in nearby Tucson, though.

LEFT: “Altar Valley Padre Kino Entrada 1687.” It is part of the Padre Kino Collection at the gallery.


Why to go: There are six permanent collections at the gallery, among them DeGrazia and Padre Kino, Retrospective Collection, and DeGrazia Paints the Yaqui Easter.
This year, the rotating collection, “The Way of the Cross”
 remains open until Aug. 30.
The influence of DeGrazia’s Catholic upbringing — he stopped practicing as an adult — are evident in the many Catholic and Christian themes in his work.

George Maki, and his son, Chris, take in Ted
DeGrazia’s Way of the Cross series at the
DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun. The artist painted
the series in 1964 for the Newman Center
at the University of Arizona.

The mission was the first structure he built on the 10 acres in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains. His home and galleries came later. His original “Little Gallery” now hosts exhibits of visiting artists, a tradition begun by his wife, Marion, after his death in 1982.
Hours: The gallery and grounds are open daily, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Of course.
Info: Address — DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, 6300 N. Swan, Tucson, AZ 85718 n    Phone — 520/299-9191 n   Website — http://degrazia.org/mission-in-the-sun/l

— Sharon Boehlefeld compiled this story.
Send Destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Mission of San Xavier del Bac - Tucson, Arizona

(Photo provided)

Destination: The Jesuit missionary and explorer, Father Eusebio Francisco Kino, first visited area that would become the Mission of San Xavier del Bac 1692.  Eight years later in 1700, Father Kino laid the foundations of the first church. He named it San Xavier in honor of his chosen patron, St. Francis Xavier, the illustrious Jesuit “Apostle of the Indies.” The present church was built between 1783 and 1797 by the Franciscan Fathers Juan Bautista Velderrain and Juan Bautista Llorenz. Francisan Friars continue to serve at the mission.

Masses at the mission are held at 6:30 a.m. Monday-Friday in Juan Diego Chapel; 8:30 a.m. Tuesday-Friday; 5:30 p.m. Saturday; 8 a.m., 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Sundays from October through May. (Sunday Masses are one hour earlier in the summer.)

Why to go: If you visit the southwest, this is a stop worth making, both for its religious and historic value. As one of the oldest Catholic Churches in the U.S., it  represents a landmark of the faith in the continent. It also demonstrates the melding of the several architectural styles — Moorish, Byzantine and late Mexican Renaissance — with the traditional building materials of the Tohono O’odham, the native Americans for whom the mission was founded.

Restoration and maintenance work over the last 20 years has returned much of the building to its original beauty, both inside and out. The harsh desert climate, however,  demands continual attention to the state of the buidlings. An ongoing fund drive helps pay for the upkeep, so donations are happilly accepted from visitors.

Amenities: A gift shop is open daily (except Easter and Christmas) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Among items in the shop are crafts from the Tohono O’odham, renown for their fine basket work.

Access: The site is fairly easy to get around, but there are not a lot of paved areas on the grounds.

(Grand) Kid friendly: There is plenty of room for walking on the grounds, and kids are welcome at the site, but there are no special areas for them.

Info: Address: 1950 W. San Xavier Road, Tucson, AZ 85746-7409. Phone: 520/294-2624. Web: www.sanxaviermission.org

--By Sharon Boehlefeld

Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org