National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi - San Francisco, California

(CNS photo/Dan Morris-Young,

Catholic San Francisco)

Destination: The National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi was the first parish established in San Francisco, in 1849. The church, which was closed for a time after the 1989 earthquake, was declared a national shrine in 1999.
Masses at the shrine are held daily at 12:15 p.m. Monday through Saturday, there  is an 11 a.m. rosary, noon Angelus, and 3 p.m. Chaplet of Divine Mercy. There is also Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after Mass on Friday, and Benediction at 3:15 p.m.
Why to go: The shine, which is “located in San Francisco’s historic North Beach district, bears witness to Christ at the heart of the beautiful city named for the Poverello of Assisi,” according to its Web site.
Although Father Junipero Serra had already established a mission at the spot that would become San Francisco, by the time of the California Gold Rush, it was serving mostly Spanish-speaking Catholics from Mexico and Spain. U.S. Army and Navy officials “appealed to the bishops in Hawaii and Oregon, and to the Archbishop of Baltimore. The bishop of Portland in Oregon sent two priests from the Pacific Northwest, and U.S. troops stationed at the Presidio built a small shanty to serve as a church,” the Web site explains. The first Mass was held June 17, 1849.
Most recently, the church has opened a 78-percent scale, rock-for-rock, stone-for-stone, fresco-for-fresco replica of St. Francis of Assisi’s tiny Porziuncola church near Assisi, Italy. A rare rock from Assisi, Italy (see photo on page 1), which was used more than 800 years ago when St. Francis and his followers built the church where the Franciscan order was born, was installed on the altar of the replica.
Ammenities: The Franciscan Centre Gift Shop is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m.– 5 p.m.
Access: Visitors will find that busses stop within a block of the church, and there are several city parking lots within  a six-block radius of the church. It is San Francisco, so parking is at a premium. And the church is near the financial district, so walking in the area is safe.
(Grand) Kid friendly: If yours is a family trip, children should behave as they would in any church. 
Info: Address: 610 Vallejo St., San Francisco, CA 94133 Phone: 415/983-0405. Web: www.shrinesf.org

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld 

Send your Catholic destinations ideas to SeasonedObserver@RockfordDiocese.org.

St. Paul the Apostle Church - Sandwich, Illinois

(Photo provided)

Destination: St. Paul Church in Sandwich is the only Rockford Diocesan church named soley for St. Paul, whose Jubilee Year is half over this month.
Masses at the parish are held Saturday at 5 p.m.; Sunday at 8 and 10:30 a.m.; Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.; and Wednesday through Friday at 8:30 a.m. There is a Spanish Mass at 12:15 p.m. on the third Sunday of the month.
Vigil/holy day Masses are at  5:30 and 7 p.m./8:30 a.m., 7 p.m. Sacrament of reconciliation is at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Why to go: A focused trip to learn more about your faith or a person of faith is called a pilgrimage. The traveler or student on a pilgrimage — a disciple — tries to achieve greater intimacy with a person or event which has had great impact on the church and the world.
For thousands of years, faithful of all religions have made pilgrimages to shrines. During this Year of St. Paul, Pope Benedict XVI has offered special indulgences for travelers to Rome and other sites designated by local bishops. Bishop Thomas Doran has included St. Paul Church as an official pilgrimage site in the Diocese of Rockford. Visitors who attend Mass, go to confession and receive Communion are eligible for the indulgence.
Special events: St. Paul Church can’t promise record-breaking numbers of pilgrims, but does plan special events throughout the year. There are plans for a showing of the “Eucharistic Miracles” display early this year. Call for details.
Access: There are a few steps, but there is also a ramp for wheelchair access.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Absolutely. In the photo, Father Jack Heraty and children from St. Paul Parish welcome pilgrims during the holy year. 
Info: Address: 110 N. Eddy St., Sandwich, IL. 60548. Phone: 815/786-9266.

--Compiled by Elsie Campbell Morrisey 

Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org.

(Observer photo by Amanda Hudson)

Editor's note: The Year of St. Paul is long over, and the indulgence is no longer available, but the church, renamed St. Paul the Apostle Parish in 2009, is still well-worth visiting. The historic pre-Civil War building has been moved, burned and restored -- twice -- since then. The new address is 340 W. Arnold Road, still in Sandwich. Mass times have changed, too. Learn more at the parish Facebook page, St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, or on its website, http://saintpaulscc.net/. (Updated Jan. 30, 2015)

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


 

National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows - Belleville, Illinois

(Photo provided by Our Lady of the Snows)

Destination: The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville is maintained by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. The Oblates were founded in France by St. Eugene De Mazenod in the year 1816. One of the largest orders in the world, it has grown to 4,500 priests and brothers serving in 71 countries. Oblates first arrived in North America in 1841. Work on the Belleville shrine began in the summer of 1958.
Our Lady of the Snows offers Masses in English at 7:30 a.m. and  11:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday, at 5 p.m. Saturday, and at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Spanish Masses are offered at 7 p.m. Sunday. A variety of other services are offered; check the Web site.
Why to go: Devotion to Mary as Our Lady of the Snows is one of the oldest practices of the church. It has direct ties to the legend about a marvelous snowfall in Rome in 352 A.D. The Illinois shrine features a number of devotional areas, many of them in beautiful outdoor settings. One is Annunciation Garden (above), which stands  on a hill overlooking the Main Shrine.
Special events: The shrine will host the Way of Lights daily, 5-10 p.m., Nov. 21, 2008, through Jan. 4, 2009. The lighted displays on the grounds tell the story of the birth of Jesus. Indoor activities including an interactive Children’s Village, puppet show, Christmas tree and  wreath display, community choirs, and more. Admission is free.
During Advent, Las Mañanitas will be marked with an 11:30 p.m., Dec. 11, serenade to Our Lady at Guadalupe
Hill, followed by a midnight Mass at Our Lady of the Snows Church. The celebration ends with pan dulce (Mexican sweet bread) and hot chocolate.
Amenities: A gift shop, hotel and restaurant on the grounds make short and long visits easy to plan.
Access: With retirement living facilities on the grounds, accessibility is important for residents and visitors.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Check out the play area in the Children’s Memorial Garden, where there are plenty of ways to burn off “car-ride” energy, and colorful pictures of the seven days of creation.
Info: Address: 442 South De Mazenod Dr., Belleville, IL 62223-1023. Phone: 618/397-6700 or 800/682-2879. Web: www.snows.org

--Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld

Send Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Marytown - Libertyville, Illinois

(Observer photo by Tony Carton)

Destination: Marytown, a community of Conventual Franciscan Friars consecrated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, is a place of prayer and Eucharistic Adoration.It is home to the National Center for the Militia of the Immaculata, the National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe and its Kolbe Holocaust Exhibit, an overnight retreat house and pilgrimage destination, a conference center with full dining facilities, the largest Catholic gift shop and bookstore between Chicago and Milwaukee, 14 acres of outdoor shrines, and the offices of Immaculata magazine and Marytown Press.
Marytown invites the public to participate in all liturgical and devotional events. Mass: 7 a.m. and noon, Monday-Friday; 7:30 a.m. and noon, Saturday; 8:30 a.m., Sunday.
Why to go: Through God’s grace, Marytown is becoming one of the most vibrant centers of Catholic renewal in the Midwest.
Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament chapel at Marytown is one of the most beautiful religious sites in America. Patterned after the Roman basilica, St. Paul Outside-the-Walls, its breathtaking stained glass, mosaics and marble work offer spiritual symbolism that instructs and inspires its visitors while drawing every pilgrim’s focal point to the 5 feet, 2 inches tall monstrance above the high altar.
During the Jubilee Year 2000, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops designated Marytown as the National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe honoring the Polish saint and Franciscan priest, patron of journalists, families, prisoners, the pro-life movement, those afflicted with chemical dependency, eating disorders, and the media communications. The Kolbe/Holocaust Exhibit commemorates his life of charity and heroic death in the Auschwitz death camp.
Special events: Retreats for men, Oct. 31-Nov. 2, and for women, Nov. 28-Nov. 30. MI Teen Village meets every third Wednesday of the month; contact lrawls@miyouth.org or call 630/404-0138
Amenities: Bookstore and gift shop offers a large variety of religious gifts and literature. Open 9-5 Monday-Saturday, 9:30-3:30 Sunday.
Access: Strollers and wheelchairs are welcome to the  non-smoking environment with ample, free parking.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Absolutely, with plenty of room for exploring and interesting things to find. It is not unusual to find friars willing to teach even the most proficient budding soccer star how to really play the game.
Info: Address: 1600 West Park Ave., Libertyville, IL 60048-2593. Phone: 847/367-7800. Web: www.marytown.com

--Tony Carton

Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

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