It had been a long time since I had been to this little stone church in the Irish Hills of Michigan. And, to my surprise, they were dedicating their new altar the day I decided to visit on August 5, 2012. What a beautiful ceremony it was, especially if a dedication of that kind was something you have never experienced before.
St. Joseph Shrine has a lot of memories for me because it was a destination spot my Aunt Anne used to bring me to when I was very little. We lived in Wayne at the time and she would drive us out to the Irish Hills. We would see the dinosaurs, go to Stagecoach Stop, jump on the trampolines (that are no longer there), and stop by the Stations of the Cross behind this historical church. The stations are still there and are in various stages of repair. When you go to the church you will see a cemetery that leads to a set of stairs going down the hill behind the church, on the lake side. If you have never been, it really is a nice way to spend the afternoon, be silent for a while, and take in the beauty - both man made and natural.
On this Sunday I had the opportunity to put my kayak in the water and paddle a bit before church, put my boat back in my truck, and drive down the road just a bit to park for church. If I wanted to, I could have paddled my boat right up to the church property, and get to the church from the shore where the Stations of the Cross are located. I have done that in the past and it is a great little stop.
And, the best part about it, the people here make you feel welcome. I encourage you to stop by if you are in the area and let me know what your experience was!
Pat Deere
LINKS:
Photos From St. Joseph Shrine Altar Dedication
Photos of the outdoor Stations Of The Cross at the Shrine
