I have had the pleasure of visiting Trinity Heights a couple of times in recent years. It is well worth the time visit this serene and peaceful shrine. I just saw on social media that the new chapel built on the campus was blessed by the bishop recently. It looks like it is time for another road trip to see this beautiful addition.
There are beautiful churches all across the state of Iowa. This one is definitely worth the stop to visit. You may enter as a tourist, but you will leave as a pilgrim on the journey.
There are some secular sites to visit in the area after visiting our Lord.
The National Farm Toy Museum is worth a stop if you have any connection to agriculture in your background.
Field of Dreams is also nearby.
With snow still in the forecast here in Wyoming, I truly enjoyed the 70 degree temperatures and the green vegetation while visiting Missouri and illinois. The grounds at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows were simply gorgeous.
The above photos give you a glance at the beauty of the outdoor shrine.
This is the view from the altar area looking out.
What will be pass on to those who are following behind us?
Keep the flame of faith burning brightly in your life!
We were passing by Albuquerque, New Mexico recently while on vacation. It was about noon time and our son suggested going to Twisters for lunch. At times like this I realize how difficult it is to keep up with what is impacting the lives of everyone. I had never heard of Twisters. It was then that I received a little schooling from our son about Twisters and “Breaking Bad.”
I will admit that I don’t go to movies. I refuse to pay high prices to watch questionable entertainment. I watch very little television other than the news and a few old reruns of some shows. I prefer to spend my time reading and writing. However, that does sometimes put me at a disadvantage in regard to knowing what is happening in the entertainment world that is impacting God’s people. Subsequently, I do try to pay attention so I at least have a clue. Unfortunately, there are still times when I have no idea about some of these things.
I have never seen “Breaking Bad” and had never heard of Twisters. Despite this absence in my social scene life continued on just fine. As we entered Twisters and walked by “Walter’s Booth” (as noted by the yellow sign with arrows pointing downward), I had to ask about Walter. We had our dining experience at Twisters and I learned a little about “Breaking Bad” before we continued the journey down the highway toward Flagstaff, Arizona.
In my training and formation to be a deacon it was really stressed that the deacon has a foot in the world and in the Church. We are to build bridges of trust between the secular and the sacred. We were instructed to meet people where they are and journey with them on their pilgrimage of faith. I strive to do that without immersing myself too deeply in the cultural antics of the Hollywood elites. In my mind there must be a balance between having a basic knowledge of what is happening in the entertainment industry and crossing a line of decency and entering into immorality. I prefer to err on the side of caution and prudence.
Anthony “Tony” Robbins has a quote that speaks well to this scenario. “All the passion in the world won’t matter if you are running east looking for a sunset.” We can be knowledgeable of the ways of the world, but is it leading us to holiness? If I spend more time immersed in entertainment venues to be in touch with the world, what does that do for my spiritual quest? How does that bring me closer to Christ? I readily accept the fact that there will be times I will be clueless about the “in things” of the world. If I am remaining faithful in my pilgrimage toward Christ I can live with that.
The colors and formations in the Grand Canyon are simply breathtaking.
The beauty is almost beyond description.
How have you encountered God’s presence recently?
I did not take the tour to the bottom of the canyon. My sense of adventure only goes so far.
Binoculars came in handy to examine the landscape a little more closely.
Each direction contained something just a little bit different.
