Sinsinawa Mound - Sinsinawa, Wis.

(Observer photo by Tony Carton)

Destination: Sinsinawa Mound, located in southwest Wisconsin, is home to more than 600 Dominican Sisters who are dedicated to preaching and teaching the Gospel. While visiting, attend Sunday Mass at 10:30 a.m. with the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters in Queen of the Rosary Chapel.

Why to go: Located on 450 acres of lush woodlands, orchards, vineyards, fields, gardens, and a walking labyrinth, Sinsinawa Mound offers an ideal atmosphere for personal reflection, group retreats, and more.

Since its founding in 1847 by Father Samuel Mazzuchelli, OP, over 3,200 women have taken vows as Sinsinawa Dominicans before departing their Mound home, inspired, to preach and teach the Gospel in the United States and throughout the world.

The Mound houses the Mazzuchelli Exhibit, a display of Mazzuchelli artifacts, including his writing desk, chalice, chasuble, and penance chain. Pope John Paul II declared Mazzuchelli venerable in 1993, beginning a process that may lead to declaring Father Samuel a saint.

Every day, Sinsinawa Kitchens bakes hundreds of loaves of cinnamon bread, caramel rolls, and dinner rolls, zucchini bread, white, wheat, raisin, and health breads. Most are sold to customers visiting Sinsinawa Mound or shipped nationwide from www.sinsinawa.org

There is also a bookshop and art gallery.

Walk the labyrinth and discover a new, yet ancient way to pray and meditate.

Special events: On Sept. 25, celebrate the 25th Annual Women’s Awareness Day featuring breakout sessions, meals, and the keynote, “Comedy Sportz,” stand up improv comedy.

Side trip: Consider a guided scooter Pie Ride. Depart Fever River Outfitters at 525 S. Main, Galena, any Friday at 10:30 a.m. on a 50cc motor scooter and arrive at The Mound when the fresh baked pies are coming hot from the ovens at Sinsinawa Kitchens. Learn more at www.feverriveroutfitters.com or call 815/776-9425.

Access: Accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.

(Grand) Kid friendly: Yes, with plenty of room for exploring.

Info: Address: 585 County Road Z, Sinsinawa, WI 53824-9701. Phone: 608/748-4411 Web site: www.sinsinawa.org

-- Tony Carton
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 

Holy Hill Shrine - Hubertus, Wis.

(Photo provided)

Destination: Holy Hill Shrine in Hubertus, Wis., is a peaceful, great place to visit for a day-trip or as a side-trip during a stay at Milwaukee. Daily Mass is at 11 a.m.

Why to go: This Shrine of Mary Help of Christians offers opportunities and settings for prayer and for walking or hiking on 435 acres. It is located on the highest elevation in southeast Wisconsin, so the view is great. A long-time tradition at Holy Hill has been to walk and pray the Stations of the Cross, winding up a paved (with stairs) path from the bottom of the hill to the second level chapel.

The shrine was elevated to the status of a minor basilica in 2006. Its newly-renovated upper church is bright and filled with stained glass windows portraying Mary’s life and her charisms. Mosaics of St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross, above the two side altars, point to the shrine’s relationship with the Discalced Carmelite friars who came to the Hill in 1906 at the invitation of Milwaukee’s Archbishop Messmer.

Even before the building of the hill’s first log chapel, pilgrims left crutches, leg braces and canes at Holy Hill, and the practice is continued today by pilgrims who believe that God has healed them through the power of intercessory prayer.

Special event: The 34th annual Arts and Crafts Fair will be Sept. 20, 2008, when more than 200 artists and craftsmen will participate. Admission is $4 for adults (children 12 and younger may attend for free).

Amenities:  The Holy Hill Café is open every day for lunch from May 1-Oct. 31 and on Friday, Saturday and Sunday the rest of the year. Sunday brunch buffet is served year-round from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Simple, overnight accommodations are available in the retreat facilities.

Access: An elevator makes the church accessible. Enter through the front glass doors that lead to the shrine gift shop and go to the right to the elevators. But the retreat facilities are not accessible.

(Grand)Kid friendly: Yes. A picnic area is located at the beginning of the stations — walk down or drive to Station Way Road just east of the shrine’s main entrance on Rte. 167.

Info: Address: 1525 Carmel Road, Hubertus, WI 53033. Phone: 262/628-1838 Web site: www.holyhill.com

-- Amanda Hudson
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org