Thursday, June 21, 2012

Catholic Churches

Our Wedding Day
Five children, a little less hair and a few pounds later…
10 Years of Marriage - at St Stephen CC
We've been happily married for 10 years. So much has happened in that time, and looking back it's been 85% wonderful and the rest becomes hazier to remember every year. I must say, I LOVE visiting the church we were married in, as it still holds that same classic beauty. We recently visited there for our nephew's baptism. Tom is his Godfather. The second cousin to join the family, just a few months younger than our little guy.

Here are some more views of the church…
Church of St Stephen
The altar used for celebrations of the new mass.
Church of St Stephen
One confessional remodeled for a pieta statue.
Vincent Michalek BaptismVincent Michalek Baptism
Elegant light fixtures and wall paintings. Choir loft, where most of those who can sing sit. Most parishioners are German or Polish, which means on parish festival weekend - you'll here some psalms in polka music!
Vincent Michalek Baptism
Saint Stephen, pray for us.
Saint Stephen Catholic Church

Our new home parish, much larger, is very lovely in a different way, as it is architecturally wonderful.
Saint Henrys Catholic Church
Saint Henrys Catholic Church
Saint Henrys Catholic Church
Honestly it feels very warm in there from friendly parishioners, great homilies, beautiful adoration chapel, large picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe (many Hispanic parishioners), lovely baptismal font, and tabernacle upfront where you can see it! It's the ONLY parish we've attended where all our kids behave. When they don't, they have a nice child care area or open foyer to bring them into.
Our Family 2012

Other parishes have been simplified, and Cathedrals remain grandiose.
Saint Joseph Catholic ChurchCathedral of Saint Paul

In Orlando, Florida there is a beautiful church built just to hold all the Catholic Parishioners that visit the local attractions. It is visitor funded. It's a must visit kind of place! The Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe.
Basilica Mary Queen of the Universe
Basilica Mary Queen of the UniverseBasilica Mary Queen of the Universe

Basilica Mary Queen of the Universe
With one of the most beautiful, awe inspiring adoration chapels I've ever seen.
Basilica Mary Queen of the UniverseBasilica Mary Queen of the Universe
Basilica Mary Queen of the UniverseBasilica Mary Queen of the Universe
Basilica Mary Queen of the Universe
And around the inside and outside are more things to see.
Basilica Mary Queen of the UniverseBasilica Mary Queen of the Universe
Basilica Mary Queen of the Universe
Basilica Mary Queen of the UniverseBasilica Mary Queen of the Universe
Basilica Mary Queen of the Universe
Basilica Mary Queen of the UniverseBasilica Mary Queen of the Universe

But I must say, some of the most reverent Masses I've attended have been much more simple in design…
VBS 2009VBS 2009
Because the focus is all on Jesus!
Holy Eucharist
That's our favorite.

1 comment:

  1. Hi! visiting from Catholic Bloggers Network. I too am mother to 5. Wow, I love beautiful catholic churches like that. I love your little sketches! I am an artist too, in my not-so-spare time. God bless!

    ReplyDelete

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