If You Build It, We Will Come

Last Sunday our family hopped on a coach bus that our parish sponsored for a mini pilgrimage of sorts. A smooth ride, plenty of snacks, a church tour, Mass and a picnic with plenty of food were all provided at NO EXPENSE to any parishioners that wanted to attend. Lest you think our little country church is swimming in cash and you wish you could join St. Bart's ASAP, rest assured that this was the first event of this kind that has been offered. Quite nice though for our family of four.

I would highly recommend though, if you are within even a few hours drive of Sts. Anne & Joachim Catholic Church in Fargo, ND that you consider it very worth the drive. Afterward, a picnic and playground time for the kids should definitely be included at Lindenwood Park.

It was quite clear to me that a lot of planning had been put into this whole complex that besides the church itself includes a rectory, parish offices, social hall and gathering space. I'm also saying that a ton of work was put into beautiful liturgical planning of this church too. That was what I was looking at even more than the beauty and ideal use of the space. The rector took us all on a tour and pointed out so many corresponding symbols throughout the church. Had we not been invited for a full tour, my eye may not have been drawn to the simple complimenting features.

This parish also has a Sudanese Mass on Sundays and it had been planned ahead of time that we would be a part of that Mass. I couldn't even take photos to share. It would not even begin to share the sounds of that Mass. The songs were all sung in Sudanese with these beautiful voices. Far outnumbered, we were drawn into the solemn prayerfulness of this unique experience. It was a wonderful part of our pilgrimage.

I've put together a few collages of the church, but they hardly do it justice. I thought you might appreciate them though in case you have not seen this church or wouldn't be anywhere in the vicinity.

Inside the main body of the church



Daily Mass Chapel and Divine Mercy Eucharistic Adoration Chapel



Mural put together in five different pieces that is on the back wall of the sanctuary: God the Father & Angels at the top; the presentation of Mary on one side of the arch and the presentation in the temple of Jesus on the other; St. Joachim & Anne at Mary's Annunciation (with the angel above them whispering to them of Mary's birth) and the Annunciation with St. Joseph and Mary embracing.