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Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption


Cam42

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Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption

All,

Some of you know, most of you don't; I am the marketing and public relations coordinator for the Grotto Shrine in West Bend, Iowa.  I've been in this position for awhile and it has been a wonderful outlet for my Catholicity.  I am able to put my degrees to work daily and it has bolstered my own faith, working closely with Bishop Nickless and the Rector, Fr. Tom Hart.

Here is a question though.  We are looking for new ways to approach millennials and post-millennials.  We offer guided tours from May through October and we do have a museum, plus an educational piece on the semi-precious stones which are encased in the Shrine itself.  However, I feel like I could be doing more.

1.  We have Mass available on Monday -- Wed. -- Friday at 8am (Father is also in charge of a parish 13 miles away, which has Mass on Tues. and Thurs).  Weekend Mass is available Saturday @ 5pm and Sunday @ 10am.  We do accommodate tours with Mass if they request it (both OF and EF).  Confessions available.
2.  We will beginning the recitation of the Liturgy of the Hours daily at 9am for morning prayer and 3pm for evening prayer daily this spring.
3.  I currently lead a Catholic Bible Study on Tuesdays at noon.
4.  We have Stations of the Cross during Lent (weather permitting).
5.  And we pray the rosary daily.

Those are all good and well, but is that what draws people?  I do know that the message draws people, but I am looking for something I haven't seen or thought about.  Any help would be appreciated and nothing (within reason) is off the table for ideas.  A link is at the top.  Thanks in advance.

Edited by Cam42
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Can't help you, but I did not know the shrine, so I did the virtual tour. How fascinating ! The statue are very traditional, while the background (in woods, in quartz, etc...) give a very modern/contemporary feeling. The stable is very touching. Also, the virtual tour is well done ! I see your website is in english, spanish and deutsch. If you ever want a translation in French, I can do it for free with pleasure. It was really magic to be able to experience the grotto from my computer ! 

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I always recommend adult education. Most people are starved for it. A bit like RCIA, but less formal, open to Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Topics advertised in advance. 

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6 hours ago, CatherineM said:

I always recommend adult education. Most people are starved for it. A bit like RCIA, but less formal, open to Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Topics advertised in advance. 

pretty much. I mean there's things for teens and young adults who are already married off and/or have kids, but nothing for people in my peer group who haven't tied the knot. Not to be all like "wah wah there's nothing for ME :,(), but since you asked . . . I'd like to go to a talk or a seminar or something where I can just sit and listen and learn. KInd of like TedX but less stupid ;)

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I second CatherineM (as I do on most topics!) and Ice_nine on adult education, with a twist. Put it online, too. 

Personally, I'd suggest mini-courses (four weeks each? two meetings/lessons per week?) on maybe each of the sacraments, each of the Gospels, the major epistles, various saints, The Year of Mercy might be a good one to start with, Church history - especially American Church history! - various devotions (Divine Mercy, Sacred Heart, Mother of Perpetual Help). You'll probably want to customize the topics to your specific focus there at the shrine. 

At any rate, video-record each presenter/presentation and make them available online somehow. There might be some income from it, if you do it right - pay per view or something like that. If the shrine doesn't need the money (which I can't imagine) you could build an online video library. 

Just some thoughts. 

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When I was that age and totally unattached to a job or family, I did not wake up until about noon and the evening didn't even get started til 9PM, I would have some evening or night activities.

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These are all good ideas so far.  I'm logging all of the information and will research all of it.  Thanks for your input so far.  Don't stop though, I'm always looking for new ideas.

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