We're going to Rome!

(CNS photo/Paul Haring)

The Observer's features and multimedia editor Sharon Boehlefeld will be accompanying Msgr. Gerald Kobbeman and other pilgrims on the Rockford Diocese's official pilgrimage to Italy this April for the canonization of Popes John XXIII and John-Paul II.
Watch here starting April 23 as she reports from the trip.

Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation - Carey, Ohio

(Photos/ www.olcshrine.com)

Destination: For 100 years, the Conventual Franciscan Friars have served this church in the Diocese of Toledo, Ohio. Today’s church sits across the street from the original building.
Mass times vary at the Basilica Church. From Nov. 1 through Palm Sunday, Sunday Masses are at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. From Easter through Oct. 31, Sunday Masses are at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. Year-round, Masses are at 7 a.m., 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays and at 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. weekdays.
Why to go: Pilgrims have traveled to the basilica and shrine since 1875. Devotion to Mary as Our Lady of Consolation goes back to the second century. The shrine website says, “In 1652, the pope fostered devotion to Our Lady under this title by establishing a confraternity. The devotion spread to the United States, and the first shrine to Our Lady of Consolation was built in Carey, Ohio.” The church commissioned a replica of a statue of Our Lady from Luxembourg, which arrived in 1875. In addition to the basilica, there is also a park where pilgrims may stroll, sit and pray.
Amenities: The shrine includes both a gift shop and a retreat house. Hours of the shop are 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. The shop is also open 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Sunday, although it closes during 2:30 p.m. devotions. It also closes from noon to 3 p.m. on Good Friday.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Children are welcome to visit. The retreat house even offers retreats for teens.
Info: Address: Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation, 315 Clay St., Carey, OH 43316. Phone: 419/396-7107. Web: www.olcshrine.com

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

Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo - Carmel, California

(Photos/www.carmelmission.org)

Destination: In California, following the trail of Blessed Junipero Serra, leads travelers to the many missions he founded. Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo is one of those missions.
Masses are offered in the Basilica Church at 5:30 p.m. Saturday; 7:30, 9:15, 11 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Sunday. Weekday Masses are in Blessed Sacrament Chapel at 7 a.m., 12  noon and 5:30 p.m.
Why to go: The Carmel mission is special, in part, because among the history and relics in its five museums is the cell in which Father Serra died. The Basilica Church at the mission is also a registered National Historic Landmark. The museums on the grounds include The Harry Downie Museum, which tells the story of the church restoration and Downie’s role in it; the Munras Family Heritage Museum, which displays keepsakes of an important Monterey family; the Jo Mora Chapel Gallery, where the Serra Memorial Cenotaph is housed; the Convento Museum, which is where Father Serra died. In the basilica, there are dislays of Spanish Colonial liturgial art and artifacts.
Amenities: A museum store offers a variety of religious items.
Admission: Hours are 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. The Mission is closed Easter Sunday and Monday, Thanksgiving, and from Dec. 24 through Dec. 26. Cost is $6.50 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for children over 7, free  for children under 6.
(Grand) Kid friendly: This is a working parish so children are more than welcome, but should be considerate of students at the parish school.
Info: Address: Carmel Mission Basilica, 3080 Rio Road Carmel, California 93923 Phone: 831/624-1271 Web: www.carmelmission.org

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

Virtual Catacombs Tour - Google Maps

(CNS photos)

Destination: You have to travel no further than your computer for a tour of the Catacombs of Priscilla and of Ipogeo di via Dino Compagni, both located in Rome. A collaboration between Google, the Vatican and private owners of the Ipogeo site has resulted in a virtual tour of the catacombs you can take from your home.
Why to go: Nearly 8 miles of tunnels are part of the tour of the Catacombs of Priscilla, and the catacombs of the Ipogeo di via Dino Compagni, located in southeast Rome are privately owned and not open to the public, so the virtual mode is the only way to visit them.
The map (left) shows part of what you might see on Google Maps when you start the tour. The inset photo shows an image that will appear on your computer, use the large arrow at the bottom to navigate around the page. The image (right) is another view of the catacombs.
How to go:  Type the name of either catacomb into your favorite search engine or directly into Google Maps. You should see options similar to the one  in the large image above. Click on See inside to begin your tour.
You’ll need to click and hold your mouse on the screen to navigate around the rooms and tunnels. An arrow will appear on your screen (see inset above) when you can move into another room. You’ll need to release your mouse to click on the arrow, then wait for the image to focus again before clicking and holding your mouse again to “turn around” in the room or hallway.
(Grand) Kid friendly: If you feel at all intimidated by the virtual tour process, invite the grandkids in to help you.
Info: https://www.google.com/maps

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

Blessed John Paul II Relic - Peoria, Illinois

(Photos provided)

Destination: A first class relic of Blessed John Paul II is arriving in the Diocese of Peoria soon for a short visit. You’ll only have two chances to see the relic, Nov. 18 and 19.
Why to go:  The relic — a vial of Blessed John Paul II’s blood encased in a golden book of the Gospels  — is being brought to Peoria by the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary. It is “the official relic used in advancing his cause for canonization,” according to Bishop of Peoria Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, in a letter to Bishop David J. Malloy.
The Diocese of Peoria is one of just three dioceses to host the relic; the other two are in Florida.
“Our celebration with his relic not only honors the memory of this great man,” Bishop Jenky says, “but also prepares our local church to celebrate his future canonization.”
The canonization of Blessed John Paul II, along with Blessed John XXIII, is set for April 27, 2014, at the Vatican.
Photos show the Cathedral of the immaculate Conception in Peoria (above) and the John Paul II Catholic Newman Center in Normal (below).
Visit details:  Nov. 18, 2013 — A Votive Mass, during which the relic will be displayed, will be offered at the cathedral at 7:15 p.m. After the Mass, you will have an opportunity to individually venerate the relic. Holy cards with Blessed John Paul II’s image will be given out to be touched to the relic, thus creating third class relics.
 Nov. 19, 2013 — Mother Adela Galindo, foundress and superior of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary, will travel with the relic to the ISU Newman Center and will speak to the students at 6:30 p.m. A rosary is planned, with refreshments to follow.
(Grand) Kid friendly: If you can bring children or grandchildren, it will be a rare opportunity to learn about relics of the saints.
Info: Address: The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 607 NE Madison Ave., Peoria, IL 61603 Phone: 309/682-5823 Web: http://www.cdop.org/pages/ACathedral.aspx
Address: John Paul II Catholic Newman Center: 501 S. Main St., Normal, IL 61761 Phone: 309/452-5046 Web: http://www.isucatholic.org/blessed-john-paul-ii-relics.html

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

Basilica Shrine of St. Mary - Wilmington, North Carolina

(CNS photo/EWPhotography,
courtesy Diocese of Raleigh)

Destination: The Vatican has recognized the history of St. Mary Catholic Church in Wilmington, N.C., and its prominent place in the Catholic community and the wider community by designating it a basilica. Raleigh Bishop Michael F. Burbidge announced that the church, dedicated in 1912 by Cardinal James Gibbons of Baltimore, will now have the title of the Basilica Shrine of St. Mary.
Mass is offered at 5:30 and (English) 7 p.m. (Spanish) on Saturday; 8, 9:30, 11 a.m. (all English), and 12:30 p.m. (Spanish) on Sunday; 7:30 a.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.
Why to go:  St. Mary is a minor basilica, one of about 70 in the United States. A church designated as a minor basilica must be a center of active and pastoral liturgy with a vibrant Catholic community. The Wilmington basilica also  has unique historical and architectural importance.
Pope Pius IX created the apostolic vicariate of North Carolina in 1868. St. Mary Church was designated a pro-cathedral when it was dedicated in 1912, although it did not become the cathedral for the Diocese of Raleigh, when it was established in 1924.
Fashioned in the Spanish Baroque style, its features include a central dome, as well as twin towers, with each tower capped by a cupola. The church seats 485 people. In addition to the main altar, it has two other altars, dedicated to St Anthony and to the Sacred Heart.In 1974, the church was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. In 1994, it was recognized by the American Institute of Architecture and Religious Art. In 2005, the city of Wilmington named the church a local historic site.
Amenities: A gift and book store is open 4-7 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m-1 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Friday.
Accessibility: There are some steps to negotiate.
(Grand) Kid friendly: It’s an active parish attached to a school, so kids are always welcome.
Info:  Address: Basilica Shrine of St. Mary, 412 Ann St., Wilmington, NC 28401.
Phone: 910/762-5491. Web: http://thestmaryparish.org

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

Maternity BVM Parish - Bourbonnais, Illinois

(Observer photos by Sharon Boehlefeld)

Destination: There are several reasons you might be in the neighborhood of Maternity BVM Parish in Bourbonnais. You might pass it on the way to Bears Camp next summer. You might be in the area for the Sugar Creek Symphony and Song opera festival, an August event. Or you might at anytime be on a personal pilgrimage to visit important places in the life of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. Any option is good reason to visit the parish or go to a weekend Mass.
Mass is offered at 7:30 a.m. weekdays; 4:30 p.m. Saturdays and 7:15, 9 and 11 a.m. Sundays.
In the photo (right), a plaque on a sundial near the grotto includes the name of Fulton J. Sheen. His college class donated the sundial to the parish (left).
Why to go:  The lovely interior of the 1850’s church, its French history clear in its design, has recently been refreshed. The parish traces its history to 1837 when priests began to say Masses for early French-Canadian settlers. Eventually, the first parish became the campus church for St. Viateur’s College (later Viator), Archbishop Sheen’s alma mater. History rooms behind the altar feature cases of artifacts and lots of framed photos and other memorabilia. Father Richard Pighini, CSV (in photo at top), has recently begun a drive to replace the church organ to ensure the parish’s tradition of excellent liturgical music remains intact.
Accessibility: There are a few steps to negotiate, but the grotto is level.
(Grand) Kid friendly: It’s an active parish attached to a school, so kids are always welcome.

Info:  Address: Maternity BVM Church, 308 E. Marsile St.,  Bourbonnais, IL  60914. Phone: 815/933-8285 Web: www.mbvmchurch.org

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