– Excerpts taken from Pray of St. Francis of Assisi.
Today was full of rain, then snow, high winds and probably not a day to venture off to the high mountain area. Well, that is exactly where my pilgrimage began. Is there a place out there that has an evening service? Yes! Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish • 1505 W. White Pine Canyon Rd. • Park City, Utah 84060 • Phone: 435-649-9676. www.stmarysparkcity.com - There is a 5:30pm mass that is only scheduled from Labor Day to Memorial Day.
I was about 8 minutes late, which was not bad considering the snow storm. Just off the main road you will see a large brown church with a tall steeple. This church has a beauty all its own. It’s nestled amongst tall pines, which you can smell the minute you get out of your car along with the very fresh air. Take a few deep breaths – for this is pure mountain air and it’s exhilarating! As we entered the double glass doors we were in the foyer. Keep walking forward and there is a very large.
Father Stanislaw Herba aka Father Stan, gave a wonderful homily that hit home and was very eloquently said. As I listened, I could feel his passion to draw his congregation together during this meaningful Lenten Season. The Music Ministry was comprised of talented people of many different ages and was a delight to hear them. Off to the right of the church is a wall of large windows which allowed so much light to enter along with a peaceful background.
As I entered back into the foyer I was greeted by Fr. Stan and explained to him about my pilgrimage and let him know that his church was my 1st stop. He was so nice to speak with and was impressed about my undertaking. Fr. Stan is going on, what I consider, the “real” pilgrimage to the Holy Land with a group in September. I handed him a little bag of homemade cookies along with my pilgrimage/visiting card and wished him a wonderful evening. He gave a warm smile, thanked me for the cookies, visiting and wished me a safe trip home. I left with a feeling of spiritual and emotionally uplifting and with a sense of peace.
Thank you to Father Stan, the deacon and parishioners of this beautiful church for making The Church-Hopper feel welcome. May God continue to bless you all.