Biography of Fr. Edward Vattmann

Catholic historian James Hanna has written a biography of Fr. Edward Vattmann, who served as pastor of Findlay St. Michael's and played a vital role in starting Our Lady of Consolation in Carey. Vattmann was later the first Catholic chaplain appointed to the Army after the Civil War, and was a friend of Presidents McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt. More details about the book HERE.

Nazareth Hall, Grand Rapids

13 ABC recently broadcast a segment about the history of Nazareth Hall -- currently a popular wedding venue, but originally a military school and summer camp run by the Ursuline Sisters. You can watch it HERE.

Some earlier photos of the building HERE.

Inside View: the steeple and bells of St. Joseph, Tiffin

A remarkable view, climbing up the inside of the steeple at St. Joseph's church in Tiffin, by SkyView Media.

Click Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STnzA-8s8JY

Year of St. Francis - Franciscan Pilgrimage Sites in the Diocese

Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a “Year of St. Francis” to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death. Three Franciscan sites in the Diocese of Toledo are designated as pilgrimage sites:

• The Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey
• The Portiuncula chapel in Sylvania at the Sisters of St. Francis (Lourdes University)
• The Tiffin Franciscans' Motherhouse Eucharistic Chapel

For full details: https://toledodiocese.org/francis

Relics from St. Carlo Acutis at Rosary Cathedral

 Last Saturday to Monday, St. Carlo Acutis' heart relic was on display at Rosary Cathedral. There was a mass and a veneration service which involved getting blessed by the relic. Here's some photos

History of St. Stephen's Church, Toledo

"The History of St. Stephen's Church (1890s to the 1980s)" by Yolanda Szuch, a detailed history of the East Side Hungarian parish, can be accessed at:

https://archive.org/details/0002-bir-bk05-stst/page/n1/mode/2up

There are many black and white photos, and details of the current church's design by architect Joseph Huber.

Final Mass at St. Michael

 Another church closed. Last time it was Sacred Heart and now it's St. Michael the Archangel North Toledo.It was only fitting that the bishop did the final Mass. 

I was able to attend the final Mass and take some photos.

I've always wondered why there was an opening on this side. My guess is that a bell was at some point inside.

A quite interesting canopy over the cross, haven't seen many churches with that.

The diocesan coat of arms.

St. Michael wasn't the largest or oldest or most detailed church in Toledo, but to many people over 125 years this was their parish. It is sad to see another catholic Church leave, but I think we should be grateful for the catholic churches we do have.