Traveling has brought many changes to our lives; mostly good. One in particular is Sunday Mass; generally a different church each week. Some churches are modern and very large while others are small and non-descript. Then there are the ones with historical significance.
One in particular is Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Grand Portage, MN. The community is at the most northern point of the North Shore of Lake Superior, almost to Canada, with a population of just under 600. Our purpose for staying in the area was to take a day trip to Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
That said, we figured we would not find a Catholic Church in the area. But we searched anyway and sure enough found Holy Rosary with a noon Mass on Sunday. The church sits on a hill with a cemetery next to it. There is very limited parking at the church; we parked down the hill and walked up.
From the outside, the church appears like many others, wood frame painted white. Once inside we realized how incorrect we were – this is a log church. In fact, it is the oldest continually operating log church. The Sunday we attended Mass at Holy Rosary there were approximately 25 parishioners (a daily mass count in a small south Louisiana parish).
That is not what made that Sunday special. It was being included in Sr. Rose’s 50th celebration of her vows as a nun. After Mass we were invited to join others in the sacristy for food and fellowship. Nothing special about that except we were treated to fresh herring cakes – caught and made by a parishioner’s husband. I think we could have eaten the entire plate of the cakes.
Herring Cakes – Oh So Good…
Sister Marie Rose Messingschiager, CDP is the director of Indian Ministry for the Diocese of Duluth. The primary mission is to be “at-one-with the Indian people”. This includes being a listening presence and to promote Catholic Indian celebrations.
This Sunday took on a special meaning of fellowship. We thank the parishioners of Holy Rosary, Father Seamus Walsh and especially Sr. Rose for including us in their celebration.
Sr. Rose and John
Church and Cemetery
Church interior
Original interior walls
Original Facade
