Catholics invited to travel along Pilgrimage Path

Catholics interested in celebrating the year 2000 don't have to wait until January to start. The "pilgrimage path," a tour of churches created by parishioners of Our Lady of Grace Church in Ballston Lake, makes it easy to begin marking the jubilee year right now.

Lois and Joseph Bena, Renew 2000 coordinators for Our Lady of Grace parish, were working on the Renew program there when it occurred to them that celebrating the year 2000 should involve more than just joining a faith-sharing group.

"We looked into other ways the parish could celebrate -- making the year 2000 uppermost for the whole year, not just for the six weeks we do Renew," Mrs. Bena explained.

Visiting

"We thought people might be interested in visiting our heritage, having the pursuit of Jesus in mind, not just an interest in architecture," said Mrs. Bena.

The couple decided to create a "pilgrimage path," a group of churches that Catholics could visit to honor their beauty and heritage.

Developing a list

Soon, the pilgrimage path included 36 sites around the Diocese, from Little Falls to Hudson. The Benas finally cut off the list, not because there weren't other parishes worthy of inclusion, but because they hoped to publish a pamphlet about the pilgrimage in time for Renew 2000 "Sign-Up Sunday" in September.

The finished pamphlet includes a paragraph on each church, describing its architecture and history. Phone numbers and Mass times are also provided for pilgrims who want to visit for a liturgy.

Mrs. Bena remarked that even she and her husband haven't managed to visit all of the churches on the list yet, but they hope to do so by the end of 2000. Already, she said, the pilgrimage path has given them a profound insight.

"It isn't the architecture," she explained. "We found more beauty in the people's sacrifices. The sacrifice all these people made to create such a beautiful place -- they honored their God so much!"

More to do

Catholics can try reciting the official Renew 2000 prayer, joining a Renew group or purchasing a special Christmas ornament created by the parish. The ornament features the Madonna and child, and reads, "Our Lady of Grace 2000."

Mrs. Bena noted that after addressing parishioners at Mass about the pilgrimage path and other celebrations, people snapped up extra copies of the Renew prayer and inquired about faith-sharing groups.

On the path

"When the new millennium comes in January, it'll be snowy and icy," Mrs. Bena explained. "We wanted to present this ahead of time."

The Renew coordinator said that she and her husband "just love" the pilgrimage path, and have grown closer and learned about the Church by visiting other parishes.

"We're seeing other communities who may worship a little differently, but it's just as holy," she said. "I can't believe what a beautiful thing came from such a small idea."

(For copies of the "pilgrimage path" booklet or list of ways to celebrate the year 2000, call the Benas at 399-0486.)

(10-07-99) [[In-content Ad]]