News from American Catholic

Sedona chapel chosen top Arizona 'wonder' in online poll

SEDONA, Ariz. (CNS) -- Built on the red rocks near Sedona, the Chapel of the Holy Cross draws between 30 and 60 people for Taize prayer every Monday night. The chapel, which St. John Vianney Parish administers, is a popular stop in Arizona's second most popular city for tourists and it was just named the top "Wonder of Arizona" in a statewide vote. When a reporter visited the chapel July 9, two days after the vote, there were more than 50 people -- including visitors from Illinois, Maryland and even Canada -- on hand for the prayer service. "People who come aren't all Catholic," said Betty McGinnis, who leads the music during the service and is parish administrator at St. John Vianney. Visitors to azcentral.com, the Web site of the Arizona Republic daily newspaper, voted on the "7 Wonders of Arizona" over the last few months. Marguerite Brunswig Staude, a devout Catholic woman, designed the small chapel and believed in finding God through the arts. Her original plans were for a cathedral, but after moving to Sedona with her husband in 1941, she modified the design. Construction on the Chapel of the Holy Cross began in 1955.


Now that is great that a chapel would call such attention to itself, people of all religions and faiths. How wonderful! (And Arizona has the Grand Canyon!)Let us pray that people will come to know the Lord through this place. Here in Omaha, we have the Holy Family Shirne, and it is such a blessing. I have visited there a few times and I leave changed each time. It is a truly beautiful place. The Holy Spirit is felt there. Thank you to Matt, Denise, my dad, and Susie (who are just some of the volunteers that work and keep the Holy Family Shrine running day to day. God Bless you all!