Dec. 10, 2004

Tom and Mary Abbott nearly skipped the dedication of the stations of the cross at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse on Thursday because they heard rain was in the forecast.
But after participating in the hourlong blufftop dedication service led by Archbishop Raymond L. Burke of St. Louis, the Warrens, Wis., couple said they were glad they came.

"It was a good thing to do for Advent," Mary Abbott said.

The Abbotts were among an estimated crowd of about 500 people who turned out for the event, which Burke said was "one more significant event in the building of the shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe."

Burke, who flew in from St. Louis on Thursday morning, was late getting to the shrine because his plane was delayed. The service, scheduled for 10 a.m., started about 10:45 a.m.

"I thank all of you for your patience, and I hope your feet won't get too cold," Burke told the assembled crowd, many of whom had waited more than an hour for the outdoor service to begin.

The shrine, which was founded by Burke in 2000 when he was bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse, dedicated its first buildings — the Pilgrim Center and Our Lady of Good Counsel Votive Chapel — on Dec. 12, 2002.

Groundbreaking for the church, which is being built at the top of the 80-acre wooded site, was held last spring. The church is expected to be completed sometime in 2006. The $25 million to $30 million project also is to include a catechism center, a rectory and a convent. The project is being paid for through private donations.

The bronze sculptures for the 14 Stations of the Cross, which are set in a circular path near the site of the church, were designed and crafted by artist Anthony Visco of Philadelphia. Visco said he met in November 2003 with Burke and other shrine board members and was so inspired by the project that he began sketching the sculpture designs on the plane ride home.

Because the stations are meant to be seen close up as well as at a distance from the blacktop walking path that leads to the church, Visco said he tried to keep the design simple, using mostly only one other key figure involved in each scene with Jesus on his journey to the cross.

"I tried to keep it simple and rich at the same time," Visco said.

Burke, who left La Crosse in January to become archbishop of St. Louis, said Thursday he has no idea how long it will be before a new bishop is named for La Crosse.

Meanwhile, it was apparent that Burke's outspoken stance on prolife issues continues to endear him to many of the La Crosse diocesan faithful.

Tony and Sheryl Rozewski of Prairie du Chien, who moved from the Milwaukee area seven months ago, came to the dedication Thursday especially to see Burke, even though they had never met him. They also brought all five of their children, who range in age from 2 to 10.

"The Holy Spirit sits right on his head," Tony Rozewski said. "He's spirit-filled, you know."