We are still waiting to move dirt to begin the church. Currently, both the general contactor and the architect are ready. Thus we are moving slowly through the permission stage of the Diocese of Knoxville. On Wednesday, April 25 we meet with the building committee. They approved the building. Now the next, and hopefully, the last meeting, will be May 11 with the financial committee to approve the loan that will be needed. In the meantime, we sent out a letter requesting a large donation to 135 Catholic legislators and 24 Senators and numerous Catholic celebrities. Hopefully some will have mercy on us and send more money. Also, our annual yard sale is this week. Last year we made $5,000. We would like to equal that or surpass it again this year.
So while we are waiting, like a pregnant woman in her ten month, I had the opportunity to lead a pilgrimage to the sacred shines of Mexico. During this pilgrimage we carried many petitions and placed them on the altar of the shines where we celebrated Mass. We finally left them at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Among these petitions was the success in building our church for the community of St. Teresa of Kolkata Catholic Church.
Thus, enjoy this little photo journey with me. Pray at each photo as if you were there for the building of our church.
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| First stop was our Lady of Zalopan and a room dedicated St John Paul II |
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| First of many Cathedrals visited, this is in Guadalajara |
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| Mural of the story of Saint Toribio Romo |
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| The garment in which St. Toribio was wearing when martyred |
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| The tree marking the death of the martyr of St. Pedro Esqueda |
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| Relic room to the twenty five Mexican martyrs |
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| A chapel dedicated to St. Joseph within the hotel compound in Guanajuato |
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| The Cathedral in Guanajuato |
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| Mass at Cristo Rey |
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| Inside the cathedral of St. Francis in Queterero |
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| Inside the first mission Jalpan founded by St. Juniper Serra |
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| The veneration of the first class relic of St. Juniper Serra |
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| Outside of the church in Jalpan |
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| After Mass in the sacristy of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe |
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| Within the compound of the Basilica |
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| Inside the main basilica with a view of the original Tilma |
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| St. John Paul II was my personal companion on the pilgrimage |
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| St. John Paul II - co-Parton of the diocese of Knoxville and the Sacred Heart, the name of the cathedral of Knoxville |
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| Under the church where Juan Bernandino, the uncle of Juan Diego, was healed |
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| The Cathedral in Mexico City |
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| One of the main doors |
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| St. John Paul II and Our Lady of Guadalupe .. his cape is made of keys |
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| Outdoor image of indigenous honoring the Virgin |
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| Our final visit to the Basilica |
All of the Cathedrals were buillt between the 1600 - 1700's. The Diocese of Knoxville just build its first Cathedral after 30 years of being a diocese. And we are trying to build the first Catholic church ever in Maynardville, TN.
