An Amazing Summer: New Building Addition Grand Opening, Building Blessing, National Eucharistic Procession at the CEC and Chapel Dedication Mass with the Bishop!!

The Lord continues to richly bless the ministry of the Catholic Ecology Center! When we say yes to the Holy Spirit, hold on tight because God will use you in amazing and unexpected ways. It would be an understatement to say that the last 3 and a half years of the Catholic Ecology Center has been incredible. With our humble beginnings purchasing a Girl Scout Camp in 2021, to over 7000 people visiting the CEC in 2023, it has been amazing to see all the ways our mission is connecting to Christ and His creation and making a home for Jesus at the CEC.

National Eucharistic Pilgrimage Stops at the CEC

It was truly an honor to have the CEC as a stop in the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. Prior to their stop at Holy Hill, the Eucharistic van and perpetual pilgrims arrived at the CEC shortly after noon. Over 200 faithful pilgrims awaited Jesus’ arrival. We began with adoration in our new Holy Family Chapel followed by a procession through the beautiful prairie lined road that meanders its way through the CEC property. This procession ended at our amphitheater where we enjoyed a Holy Hour of Adoration accompanied by the singing of the faithful but also that of the birds! Adoration was followed by benediction and procession back to the main CEC building saying the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

Grand Opening Celebration and New Building Blessing

We completed our 3500 square foot building addition in June and held a weekend of open house celebrations that included a blessing of the building. Nearly 300 hundred people attended that weekend to tour the new facilities which include the Holy Family Chapel, Welcome Area, Frassati Breakout Room and Outdoor Viewing Deck. Attendees learned about our focus on sustainability within the building’s energy, water conservation and building materials. They also learned the rich history of the statuary, stained glass and paintings that reside in our Chapel. Thanks to Father Michael Joseph for doing our building blessing and Andy Gilicinski of Charism Photography, LLC for his photography. More about our building addition grand opening and blessing can be found in the Catholic Herald Article HERE

Holy Family Chapel Dedication and Consecration of the Altar

Bishop Schuerman came to the Catholic Ecology Center to bless and dedicate our new Holy Family Chapel, as well as, consecrate the new altar. If you have never been to a new Church dedication, it is truly a special ritual with profound spiritual richness not found elsewhere. We are humbled by all the generous people who made this building a reality and are excited to see how the Holy Spirit will continue to use our ministry and this new Chapel to draw souls closer to Him.

As Bishop Schuerman remarked in his homily, “The Catholic Ecology Center is truly a sacred place.”