Churches I have Visited: St. Augustine Catholic Church, Minster, Ohio

Over the years, as we would pass through Minster, Ohio on our way to our place on Grand Lake St. Mary's, I'd notice the twin spires of town's Catholic Church.  This church is part of a grouping of churches known as "The Land of the Cross-Tipped Churches".  And while I had always been aware of so many churhes in this area, St. Augustine has always stood out... and has been on my list of 'churches to see'! So finally, on Saturday, as we drove home from Maria Stein, we decided to stop and attend the 5 O'Clock Mass.  And I'm so glad we did.  Here are the few pictures I was able to take:

I am a huge fan of artwork in churches.  Some would say that it's not "good" art.. which I understand in theory.  Yet, there's something about traditional art that illustrates our Catholic faith so very well.  Not surprisingly, I much prefer "traditional churches" to the modern churches that have been built in recent years.  The Mass was awesome, and the parish seems to be thriving and alive with families.  I have to confess to feeling a bit "envious" when we left.  More more information, click here: St. Augustine Catholic Church

Churches I have visted: The Shrine of the Holy Relics in Maria Stein, Ohio

Russell and I joined a pilgrimage to The Shrine of the Holy Relics in Maria Stein, Ohio with members of the Fairborn Knights of Columbus and the Daughters of Isabella, Marian Circle 911, also from Fairborn. Our intention was to pray for Religious Freedom as mentioned in my previous blog.  The Shrine is just over an hours drive.  While I've always heard about the Shrine, this was my first visit.  Here are a few pictures I took:

There is so much to see, and it's well worth the trip.  I definitely plan on going back.  What a wonderful place to come and pray.

Churches I have visted: St. Joseph Catholic Church - Pittsfield, MA

As I recently shared in another blog, I traveled to Pittsfield, Massachusetts a couple of weeks ago to attend my 35th reunion at Miss Hall's School.  I flew home Sunday afternoon, and being Pentecost Sunday, I wanted to attend Mass in Pittsfield.  The church, St. Joseph Catholic Church - The Mother Church of the Berkshires, was a few blocks from my hotel, and so I walked! That was something new for me, and had it not been chilly and misty, I would have enjoyed the walk! Here are the three photos I took on my iPhone:

The Mass was lovely.  Msgr. Shershanovich's homily was thought provoking and meaningful.  I wish the day had been sunny and clear, but the church was very warm and welcoming on such a cold and dreary day.  It seemed to me that Christ's light was definitely shining here.

Churches I have visited: St. Barbara Catholic Chuch - Dearborn, Michigan

I traveled to Dearborn, Michigan in August of 2012 to attend the Daughters of Isabella International Convention.  Both the opening Mass and the closing Mass were held at St. Barbara's Catholic Church which is incredibly beautiful.  Here are some pictures I took with my iPhone.

A Parish of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit MI, St. Barbara's parish was founded in 1924.  The churent church was built in 1955, and has Masses in english and in polish. I particularly loved the state of the Baptism of Jesus, which also serves as the Baptismal Font.  As you walk around to the back, you will find Jesus in his tomb.  My photos do not do it justice.  I could have spent hours here.  Sadly, as we were leaving after the closing Mass, we were told that this church was possibly going to be closed.  I pray that's not the case.

Churches I have visted: St. Mary Catholic Church - Dayton, Ohio

Celebrating 153 years as a Catholic presence in East Dayton, St. Mary's Catholic Church is spectaculary beautiful.  I took these pictures when the Daughter's of Isabella toured the church during the Christmas season in 2010. 

St. Mary's Church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.  Below is a photograph of the outside of the church as found on Wikipedia:

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