Holy Apostles Semnary [6/81]

Arrived a little early for my class at Holy Apostles College and rested outside the chapel at this monument. I teach and English Pronunciation class for Vietnamese brothers and sisters and Colombian seminarians here as a volunteer on Wednesday mornings. I have never seen such an 'in your face' statement as this; gives thought to the ongoing battle of doctrines and the question of life.

Center Church [5/80]

Visited Center Church for the first time today at Envisionfest 2013 in Hartford. There were tours going on but just wanted to get a feel for the interior and have private time.

Our Lady of Good Voyage [4/79]

I happened upon this chapel on the Boston waterfront while walking from the ICA Museum to dinner in Chinatown. It was beginning to get dark but the door seemed open so I visited the beautiful little space. This is the St Vincent de Paul Waterfront Chapel on 65 Northern Avenue.

This statue of Our Lady of Good Voyage is in the vestibule and welcomes all from 11:30am to 7:00pm. I was able to light a candle here.

Our Lady of the Rosary [3/78]

Our Lady of the Rosary, an Italian National Catholic Parish, is located adjacent to the Farmers' Market in the Little Italy section of San Diego. This hidden gem is full of beautiful statues and stained glass. I prayed and lit a candle at the foot of this statue.

San Diego Farmers' Market

Self-Realization Fellowship Retreat and Hermitage [2/77]

This center was founded in 1937 [my birth year] by Paramahansa Yogananda. He brought India's ancient science of meditation to the west in 1920. The Golden Lotus Temple was located here from 1938 to 1942 when it started to slip from its foundation. The temple does not exist here now but a new temple was built nearby and is in use today. The Meditation Gardens, however, do exist and are very beautiful, well kept by the city and visited by thousands of people. On the beautiful sunny day that we were here in what is now called Swami's Park, there were many meditating in the private little garden groves. The view of the ocean from the height of the cliff is astounding.

heavenly vista [1/76]

On my birthday I flew to San Diego for the weekend to visit the UCSD campus at La Jolla. On the second leg of my journey, MSN to SAN, I viewed the above from my window seat. The Delta computer had changed my seat from aisle to window and I was squeezed in for a few hours. If the seat change had not happened I would not have seen this beautiful heavenly vista. What a wonderful way to start the second year of my odyssey! 

update...

I reached my goal of 75 entries for places of worship before my 75th birthday! Now for my birthday on September 5, 2013, I will start again and try for 76. This way I will have a continuing blog and the search will go on for more places to pray; my redefining of places of worship.

Peace Pagoda in Grafton, NY

Brevard College Bell Tower [75]

This was the first and the last; the first place we visited and the last. I prayed here for my grand daughter as she enters her first year of studies at Brevard College. I know she will do well as she is very motivated, smart and the Brevard community will take care of her. On moving day there were representatives from many on the area churches on hand to welcome the students and also to help them move into their new living accomodations. The Bell Tower at the entrance to the college is a symbol of the care and guidance they offer the students.

Cathey's Creek Baptist Church [74]

On a drive outside the city limits we found this country road with a sign and cross. It was the most charming oasis of peace. We went back there several times but never saw anyone worshipping This Baptist Church at Cathey's Creek was one of the last places we visited.

Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd [73]

Saw this beautiful church driving from campus to our hotel. We had to go see it and stand in the roadway to take a picture. The stark crosses and their contrast with the wood and stone make it stand out for all to see. This Lutheran Church is a landmark in the city of Brevard.

St Phillip Episcopal Church [72]

Visited Brevard, North Carolina and spent some time visiting churches and places of worship. Mainly I wanted to finish my goal of 75 before my deadline, September 4, 2013.

St Philip Episcopal Church epitomizes the Main Street in Brevard; old, stately and southern. It is a very sturdy looking and welcoming structure.

Urban Prayer [71]

Driving home via Park Street I heard some very amplified Christian Music. At the corner of Washington and Park there was a mission activity going on. Under banners proclaiming 'Cristo Te Amo' [Christ loves you!] there a was musical group set up. Joyous Christian music was being sent out into the community and through the traffic. Pastor José Vega preached between each set of musical selections.

To the side of the music there were several booths set up. One had free food, one free clean clothing all sorted by size/gender and one offering individual prayer and prayer books. I meditated, prayed left a card with a donation to the cause. What a beautiful sight showing there are so many caring people in the city of Hartford.

blognote: The activity was sponsored by the Iglesia Pentecostal de Díos on 1841 Broad Street.

St Patrick Cemetery [70]

This little cemetery is next to the St Patrick Church in East Hampton. My uncle and aunt, Jack and Ruby, are buried here; one tragic after another. Jack was Major in the Nathan Hale Fife and Drums. Aunt Ruby's funeral procession walked from the church to the cemetery with the entire fife and drum company playing. It was a very moving ceremony. At Uncle Jack's funeral his mace was put to rest along with the interment of his body. I will always remember the drums beating. They are  buried here together.

St John Fisher Church [69]

I have driven by this church, St John Fisher, so many times and admired the architecture. Was not able to enter it today but did pray at the statue of St John Fisher.

Angel Roadside Memorial [68]

Caught this one the other day but couldn't stop so went there on Wednesday. A beautiful sunny day and a very personal message on this roadside memorial. Would love to hear the story behind this. I pray for the lost soul.

The First Unitarian Society of Schenectady [67]

Took a tour of The First Unitarian Society building designed by Edward Durrell Stone. What a beautiful building, circular and peaceful. The facade is striking.

The plans to restore it to its original shape show an entrance way that incorporates structure and nature. I hope they will be able to manage the restoration.

Grafton Peace Pagoda [66]

Meditated today at the Grafton Peace Pagoda in upstate New York. It was a long journey on a gorgeous sunny day. The road to the pagoda was washed out so the only way up there was on a long, winding, dangerously muddy path dotted with many man-made rock meditative structures.

The stupa was immense and I walked around it clockwise three times: ground, terrace and sculpture level. There were bas-relief sculptures telling the story of Buddha and his lifetime.

After leaving my card with a carving in the meditation garden, I meditated in the temple itself which was in a nearby building.

This was a terrific experience and well worth the trip. Sometime I would like to return and take part in one of the services.

blognote: I heard about the Peace Pagoda from someone I met on my Central Europe trip in October. I was able to visit and share a tasteful Japanese lunch.

Roadside Memorial in the Woods [65]

Passed by this roadside memorial driving through the backwoods of Connecticut going from hither to yon. It is so simple and fits in beautifully in the nature setting. It makes you wonder who this person was and how special his family/friends thought him to be. What a wonderful statement.

Nôtre Dame Cathedral [64]

Didn't get inside this trip but did stop and pray at the doorway of Nôtre Dame. The line to get in was down the street. The outside is still impressive after so many visits. I remember walking through the church and even once attending High Mass.

Basilica Sacré-Coeur [63]

On our day trip to Montmarte we visited the Sacré Coeur Basilica. The weather was beautiful and the sun shone on our journey. This was the only church in which I had time to pray this trip. We dedicated the whole trip to the memory of Jean [grandmother and mother-in-law of my guests]. She would have so enjoyed being with her grand daughter and the daughter-in-law that she never got to meet.

I lit a candle and prayed at the golden statue of the Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception. This is my favorite even though the church is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

St Edmund's Retreat Center @Ender's Island [62]

Vowed to restart my prayer vigil, so I made a visit to St Edmund's Retreat Center on Ender's Island. What a beautiful place. The day was brisk and very sunny with traces of spring here and there. The views are outstanding, especially backing up the grand Stations of the Cross.

There is a seaside chapel to the Virgin Mary where I left my card along with others' gifts of shells, coins, prayers and flowers. The church is a gem. I lit a candle there and prayed for peace

renewal...

I stopped at 61! Somehow after my trip to central Europe and several visits to the cemetery, I have not been able to continue my quest of praying at 75 sites before next September 5th. The anniversary of Jean's death [2/10/2005] has strewn my path with apathy. Starting this coming week as spring begins to come on strong, I will continue my journey. Tomorrow I visit the cemetery again to leave chocolate on the gravesite. Sunday I will go to church and be with family. Next week I will start to live again...