Shrines

For the past three (3) weeks I have been working in the Utica, New York area. It was a four (4) hour drive for me each way. I drove there on Sunday evenings and returned home each Friday afternoon (arriving in early evening).  Needless to say, my weekends were too quick and my apartment is something of a disaster from unopened mail, etc.

My first week in Utica, I discovered an old fashioned Catholic book and religious goods store Trosset Church Supply. I purchased a study guide for the Book of Jeremiah (among a few other items). The bible study that I am using is covering the last part (Chapters 30 to the end) during this prelude to Christmas.

The Book of Jeremiah is probably the most difficult book of the Bible that I have read. It is arranged by topic rather than chronologically. However, I think this post election time is a perfect opportunity to read Jeremiah (or any of the prophets).

Somewhat related, and rather mysterious, I found a used volume (#5) of The Interpreter's Bible containing Jeremiah. Our local grocery store has several shelves of used books at the exit and I found it there. When Richard tried to pay, they told him they were not accepting money ($1) at that time but requested that we leave another book. So I later dropped off one.

One of our Utica contacts told us about the Saranac Brewery. My colleague really wanted to take a tour but unfortunately, they only did tours on Friday and Saturday afternoons. I did drive to the location and checked out the store but didn't buy anything. The store is located in a fabulous Victorian house next the brewery (which reminded me of the ones in Clevo years ago).

While driving around the neighborhood, I came across an impressive looking church. It turned out to be a Roman Catholic church, Saint Joseph & Saint Patrick. When I saw a woman enter, I decided to follow. When I got in my jaw dropped and I nearly cried at how beautiful it was. Filled with scenes on the wall and ceiling, stained glass windows, statues, and old fashioned alter with communion rail, and enormous pipe organ. On the walls were life sized 3D wooden stations of the cross. This church claims to be the home parish of the recently canonized St. Marianne Cope.

Suddenly, as I was taking in the beauty, the lights went on and people started to come in. When I learned that mass for the eve of All Saints was going to start in a bit, I decided to stay in hopes of hearing the pipe organ.

The mass began with the litany of saints (appropriately). Again, my tears started to sneak out as this one that you don't hear much in a RC church any more (particularly if you no longer attend). Essentially, the first half of the mass was an old fashioned mass. But when the priest started talking about Jesus and the Eucharist, it was time for me to leave.

Two weeks ago, on my way home, I "accidentally" got off the Turnpike one exit too soon and found myself driving toward the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Stockton, MA. At first I couldn't find it and was ready to just get back on to the Turnpike. But just after telling God that if He wanted me to go to the shrine He'd have to give me directions, I spotted a sign that lead me there.

My first stop was the gift shop (naturally). I really wanted some stickers of the Divine Mercy (see above). As you may know, I am not a "Jesus person" but I think there is something so cool and bizarre about the picture of Jesus with the laser beams shooting out of his chest. Too bad they didn't have any such stickers. But I did get a few various decals for my car.

After the gift shop, I stopped at the church/shrine and looked around. It is a gorgeous little church, filled with paintings, statues, stained glass, etc. A great place for quiet contemplation and meditation. Fortunately, I arrived during a lull between events when almost no one was there. So I was able to look around without disturbing anyone. In the back of their prayer book was a map showing about 50 noteworthy items in the church.

This Friday on my way home, I stopped at the Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs in Auriesville, NY. It is right off the NY Thruway. I had seen at while driving past the previous week. I stopped at a truck stop and asked for directions to "the shrine" and found it without any difficulty. As usual my first stop was the gift shop/visitor center. It was huge but I only bought a few postcards of the newly canonized, St. Kateri Tekakwitha.

I drove around the grounds and walked around the inside of a large church called (oddly), the "Coliseum." It is a church in the round with an altar that looks something like a Lincoln log fort (see below). Since the building was not heated, I did not stay longer than a few laps around.

 

On my way to the post office to mail the post cards, I noticed signs for the Kateri Shrine but pointing in a different direction than the Shrine of Our Lady of the Martyrs. Confused, I nonetheless followed the signs and came upon a totally different shrine, the National Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Shrine. Unfortunately, it was closed for the "season." I walked around a bit to get a flavor. Like the other nearby shrine, it looked like a nice place to come for quiet meditation and contemplation.

 

 

And so, in closing, as I drove home I reflected on all these shrines and churches and wondered what it all meant. There is surely some value in reflecting on saintly lives and pondering the wonderful art and architecture of these churches.  On the other hand, the immensity of the sky is something I find as awesome evidence of a power that is beyond our imagination and comprehension.

 

 "The heavens declare the glory of God,

and the firmament proclaims His handiwork.

Day pours out the Word to day,

and night to night imparts knowledge;

Not a word nor a discourse

whose voice is not heard;

Through all the earth their voice resounds,

amd to the ends of the world, their message."

Psalm 19, 1-5