From the archives of the Little Sisters of the Poor, Mullen Home…
Looking at old photographs during the past year, our Little Sisters had noted a beautiful old grotto of Our Lady which had previously stood on the grounds by the building that is now the maintenance shop (See previous blog, “A Taste of Heaven”.) That grotto had had to be removed years ago due to a paving project required by regulations for better emergency access to the building. It was the great desire of our Little Sisters to have a grotto once again, where all could pray and honor our heavenly Mother, as so many Residents and Little Sisters no doubt have done in the past.
After Mass on July 16, the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, we saw this desire fulfilled as our Residents and Little Sisters gathered outside around the newly-finished grotto of Our Lady at the northeast corner of the Home for a ceremony of blessing and dedication. Several Knights of Columbus in full regalia added solemnity to this occasion, representing all of the Knights–to whom we are grateful for organizing and carrying out this project. The blessing was given by our chaplain, Fr. Timothy Kremen, O.S.M. The statues of Our Lady and St. Bernadette were dedicated to the memory of Monsignor Harley Schmitt, a deceased Resident and former chaplain of the Home, and the grotto itself was dedicated to the memory of the late Monsignor Francis Morfeld, devoted brother of our Resident Rosemary Sunderland. This project was made possible by kind gifts given in memory of these two beloved priests, and a plaque placed in front of the grotto reminds us to pray for the happy repose of their souls. A light shining on Our Lady and St. Bernadette during the night reminds us that Mary continues to watch over us always.
A Dream Fulfilled: Dedication and Blessing of Our New Grotto