Have you ever made a trip to the EWTN studios?

[I_thirst_4_YOU]

Has anyone ever been on retreat to the EWTN studios?–or the shrine?

If so I need your help to find out some info. Did you like it? What you recommend that I do? What would you have done differently?

How far apart is the shrine from the studio?

Where should I stay?

What else is there to do around there?

should we stay closer to the shrine or the studio?

Thank you,

God love you

 

[DJgang]

Hello!

I have never been to the EWTN studios, but would love to. There are people in my parish that volunteer down there for tours, etc.

The Shrine is in Hanceville AL, the Studio is in Irondale AL…

I would say at least a hour drive between them.

If you stay closer to the Shrine, you can stay in Cullman. At the Shrine all there is to do is Adoration, attend Mass, go to confession, the Rosary, Chaplet with the nuns and the gift shop. Then you can drive into Cullman and vist Ave Maria Grotto and even come see my church in Cullman which is beautiful!

Then, if you really wanted to spend a day of non-churching (you know what I mean) you can visit the Space and Rocket Center right up the interstate, about an hour north of Cullman.

I’ve been seriously thinking about asking if a group from CAF wants to meet at Irondale one day. I would like to go to Fr. Pacwa’s show one night. Or even Marcus Grodi’s.

Anyway, get on the phone and just call them, it says on the website that you can call them and they’ll help you figure out a schedule. Or maybe come the next time we have a EF Mass out at the Shrine that will be televised…those are fun!

Oh, and you must go to Mass at the Shrine at noon during the week and meet Father Fox.

 

[SheaCrowley]

Hi

I haven’t been there yet. But I have been to the new studios and center for CatholicTV in Boston, MA. That was a great experience. We attended daily Mass which was broadcast live and then had a tour of the studios. I’d highly recommend it. We live out of the area so we stayed over in Burlington, MA as the Boston hotels were pricier. We are going back to CatholicTV when a friend is ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross

 

[SaintJoanOfArc]

Well I live in AL, so I’m close by to them both. One of my best friends actually lives just down the street from the shrine… so I went to visit her over spring break and we took a stroll around. Confession with Father Dominic = most amazing experience of my life! He has a gift, really.

Unfortunately when I went it was Holy Week and they had closed a few of the buildings… but definitely check out the downstairs (shroud of Turin replica is quite interesting).

They’ve turned many of the cute little houses along the road to the shrine into guest houses, most of which are named after Saints, and there are several hotels in the area too. Here’s what they list on the site olamshrine.com/shrine_pilgrimages.html (click on accommodations).

I’d recommend checking out St. Bernard’s Abbey while you’re there if you have the time. About 15 minutes away (in Cullman). You can check out the Ave Maria Grotto (Mini Jerusalem)… I think I was more impressed with it when I was about 9, but after going back recently it’s still pretty awesome.

There’s not much else in Hanceville/Cullman (although I did see a house that had buried a school bus in the ground to serve as a tornado shelter… might be the most ‘redneck’ thing I’ve ever seen.) Might make a good photo op

I haven’t been to Irondale in about 10 years though, so I can’t really recall much. Oddly enough the thing I remember most about that was a wonderful confession there too. Anyway, close to Birmingham (but there isn’t much to do there except maybe check out the Galleria or the Summit for shopping… oo Cheesecake Factory at the Summit Delicious!) Anyway, Tuscaloosa is just a short trip away! Visit the Bear Bryant museum! Hmm football is almost a 2nd religion in this state.

But the Shrine is absolutely beautiful and everyone is so friendly Hope you have a wonderful time! I’ll let you know if I think of anything else!