Dana Johnson and Mallory Jurgensen
The Holy Family Shrine, located in the beautiful bluffs overlooking the
Platte Valley between Omaha and Lincoln, is the brainchild of four devout
Catholics. Through the intervention of the Holy Spirit, these individuals were
able to achieve their dream of creating a place of worship for travelers along
Interstate 80. The simple and modest design of the Shrine suggests how visitors
might live to obtain the beauty and harmony of Godıs will.
The
Shrine, completed in July of 2002, was funded solely by donations. For nearly two years, the four
visionaries, Father Matt Gutowski, Anna Louise Micek, and the architects Jim
Dennell and David Ciaccio, were in search of the perfect site to build what
they had aspired. After a long search, they came across what they thought would
be the perfect place, but knew they needed $85,000 in order to purchase the
land. One month before the cash
was due, an anonymous donor came forward with the money needed to purchase the
24-arce site located in southwestern Sarpy County. Even to this day, donations pay the Shrineıs expenses from
month to month.
In
addition to the chapel, which seats 130, the Shrine also features a visitorsı
center, labyrinth and courtyard.
When entering the visitorsı center, located underground, guests can
follow a stream of water that leads you from a sculpture of Christ, along the
outdoor walkway and then into the chapel.
Much of the Shrineıs architecture is filled with symbolism. Guests enter through a tomblike entry
and then come to the chapelıs trusses, which interface, symbolizing wheat
waving in a field. There are also
plans for a meditation path to be built along the property that will include
the Stations of the Cross.
The
Shrine, which is dedicated to the Holy Family, has had visitors come from all
50 states and more than 17 different countries, and has an average of 100
visitors each day. The Shrine is run by volunteers of all ages. They perform tasks that range from
picking weeds to giving tours to the visitors. Gloria Flynn, a devoted volunteer at the Shrine, commented
on what the Shrine has meant to her.
³The Holy Family is so meaningful and inspirational to me for family
matters in my life, that the peace and serenity of the chapel enhances these
times.²
The
ability to receive the Blessed Sacrament has been made available for the
visitors. Catholic masses are held
there every Saturday at 9:30 a.m.
Members of the Marian faculty and staff ended their spring retreat last
Monday, April 26, with mass in the chapel.
The hope of the Holy Family Shrine is to give those that visit a special
experience of the presence of the Lord.
³Build and they will come,² a famous quote by Mother Theresa, was an
inspiration as to what the Holy Family Shrine was envisioned to become.
Hours:
M Sat
10 am 5 pm
Sun 12
- 5 pm
23132 Pflug Rd.
Gretna, NE 68028
332-4565
Directions:
I-80 at Exit 432
1.5
miles south on Hwy 31
1 mile west on Pflug Rd.