The J. Paul Getty Museum Getty Center - Los Angeles, California

(Photo provided/Getty Center)

Destination: If you’re about “to motor west,” consider a stop to see the J. Paul Getty Museum Getty Center.
If you’d like to go to Mass before your visit, about a mile away is St. Martin of Tours Church (11967 Sunset Blvd.), where Masses are 7 and 8:15 a.m. weekdays; 5:30 p.m. Saturday; 7:30, 9, and 10:30 a.m., 12 noon and   5:30 p.m. Sunday.
Why to go:  Drawn primarily from the Getty permanent collection, the exhibit includes Medieval Bibles, missals, choir books, breviaries and psalters (Psalm books), many illuminated with vivid pigments and gold. According to a press release, the exhibit explores three aspects of religious life: both public and private devotion, and devotional literature.
Access: Strollers and wheelchairs are available at the center; baby backpacks aren’t allowed. And keep in mind, there are two Getty facilities and this exhibit is at the Getty Center in LA. Both are near the San Diego Freeway (I-405), so check for roadwork detours before you go. Public transportation is also available.
Admission: Free, but parking is $15. Hours are 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday (through Sept. 21) and Saturday.
(Grand) Kid friendly:  Prepare for your visit by checking the website’s tips for families before you go.
Info: Address: The Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90049.  Phone: 310/440-7300. Web: www.getty.edu

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

Editor's note: The exhibit of religious art that inspired this Destination, “The Art of Devotion in the Middle Ages,” has long since closed. The museum required that we remove the art illustrations two years after we were given permission to publish them, but we've left their descriptions in the article. We also have removed exhibit-related special events.

Catholic Churches - London, England

(CNS photo/Alessia Giuliani, Catholic Press Photo)

Destination: The peal of church bells across London for three minutes beginning at 8:12 a.m., July 27, signaled the beginning of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games had begun in England’s capital. If you’ve been planning a vacation abroad  to coincide with Olympic events, you may want to visit one of several Catholic Churches that will host hospitality centers, at least, until Aug. 12.
Masses will vary at each church, so check as you go.
In the photo, young people surround Pope Benedict XVI outside Westminster Cathedral in central London during his September 2010 visit to the city. When you visit, you may also want to see the Anglican Westminster Abbey, but for Mass, you’ll want the cathedral.
Where to go: St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Grove Crescent Road, Stratford E15 1NS, stands just a quarter-mile east of the Olympic Park. It is run by the Franciscan Friars Minor. Two large marquees fitted with big screen televisions stand in the church parking lot to broadcast all events live. Free refreshments were to be offered 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Mass will be celebrated daily at 12:15 p.m., and from 9 a.m. til 6 p.m., daily, there will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
St. Catherine of Siena Church, 177 Bow Road, E3 2SG,  also will be open for adoration 6 p.m.-midnight and St. Anthony’s Church at Forest Gate, E7 9QB, from midnight-9 a.m. St. Catherine of Siena parishioners will also be handing out free bottles of water and votive candles to passersby.
The Marist-run parish, Notre Dame de France Parish, 5 Leicester Place, WC2H 7BX, in the heart of London’s West End entertainment, shopping and dining district, is planning a “Praise Marathon” from 3 p.m., Aug. 4 through Aug. 5. This church offers Mass in English and French.
Access: Your biggest problem may be traffic.
(Grand) Kid friendly: It’s the Olympics, after all.
Info: Web: Diocese of Westminster — www.rcdow.org.uk; Diocese of Brentwood — http://dioceseofbrentwood.net; www.catholic2012.com; www.morethangold.org.uk;  @catholic2012.

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

Editor's note: Many of the sites that were available during the Olympics may be out of service, but you can always check the Diocese of Westminster site at http://rcdow.org.uk/ for more information.

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