Innisfail's Our Lady of Peace parish is celebrating a special day on June 20.
Not only is the Icon of St. Joseph the Worker arriving in the Innisfail parish from Olds and Rocky Mountain House, but new sanctuary lights will be operational, and a grotto dedicated to the Virgin Mary will be unveiled.
“This is a good time for our parish,” said Father Tom Puslecki, pastor of the local Roman Catholic Church. “I am pleased that the St. Joseph the Worker Icon will be in our parish. We will be able to grow as a faith community together with the archdiocese as we pray for the blessing of St. Joseph.”
Puslecki noted that there would also be a travelling historical display entitled Jubilee 100, A Wonderful Transformation with the icon at the church.
Our Lady Of Peace parish unveiled a grotto, dedicated to the Virgin Mary in a special mass celebrated by Father Joe, pastor of Red Deer's Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Puslecki and his congregation plan to plant a small flower garden around the stone grotto, which will be additionally dedicated to unborn children at a later date.
“The story of the grotto is a miracle,” said Puslecki. “A couple of months ago, I woke up one night from a dream which included the Virgin Mary, and knew we had to build a grotto in Innisfail, but he did not know how.”
The priest went on to say that during a coffee with a member of his congregation, Laurier Mainville, he mentioned the grotto.
“As soon as Father Tom mentioned Mary, I had to tell him about my vision,” said Mainville. “I had a visitation so strong that every time I closed my eyes, I could see a man with long flowing hair in a brown cloak in front of a grotto. He was telling me how to build the grotto we are building now.”
Mainville rushed to the home of Verne Heartly, a carpenter by trade, to tell him about his vision.
“Laurier sat in my home for four hours telling me how to build the grotto,” said Heartly. “I finally told him to draw me a picture of what he saw, and he did. Once I saw the picture, I knew how to build the grotto.”
The pair of builders said work began three weeks ago on the grotto and it was scheduled to be completed for June 20. They had faith it would be.
Puslecki agreed with the assessment of the grotto builders.
“There are miracles everywhere,” said Puslecki. “All we have to do is look for them, and listen for His voice.”
Father Tom reflected on the arrival of St. Joseph and the dedication of the grotto.
“It is very interesting that St. Joseph, the father of our Saviour, will be coming to a church devoted to Mary, his wife,” added Puslecki. “It is a reunion of sorts.”
Information on Our Lady of Peace can be found at www.oloppinnisfail.com or by calling 403-227-3932.
