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July 2021 - E-Edition
Read Free Online at AlabamaLedger.com
Alabama Ledger
FROM THE PUBLISHER BRANDON K. PIERCE
Thank you for taking time to read the Alabama Ledger’s inaugural E-Edition and what I hope will become the first of many “Traveling Alabama” articles. People who know me personally, have said many times that I never stay at home. This statement was true before the COVID-19 pandemic and will mostly likely be true in the future. However, over the past several months I have spent more time at home with my family, gardening, and even learning to prepare what some folks refer to as good ole southern cooking. But my kitchen skills are a topic for another time. A s things related to COVID-19 are improving, many people, including myself, have started venturing out in search of new places to visit. Last month, I had the honor of visiting The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, which is located in a beautiful rural area just outside of Hanceville and a few miles south of Holly Pond and Alabama Highway 278. Imagine driving up a winding county road, with white fencing lining each side of the street, and at the end of the road there is a gated entrance that leads to one of the most amazing churches you will ever see. The Shrine of The Most Blessed Sacrament at Our Lady of The Angels Monastery is truly as beautiful as you just imaged. Yes, the winding county road and fence do exist and the grounds and buildings on this sacred site are exquisite. The Shrine was consecrated (which means to declare something holy or dedicated to a higher purpose) in 1999 and has been described as a place for people of all faiths to visit and experience the Lord’s presence. Founded by Mother Angelica, the Shrine is also home to the Poor Clare Nuns of Perpetual Adoration (P.C.P.A). Historical writings note that Mother Angelica, born Rita Rizzo in 1923, along with four other nuns were the founding sisters in Alabama. In May 1962, Mother
Angelica, Sister Raphael, Sister Joseph, Sister Michael, and Sister Assumpta left the Sancta Clara Monastery in Canton, Ohio for their new adventure in Alabama that started after Mobile’s Archbishop Toolen extended a “Ya’ll Come” invitation. After raising money for the new Alabama Monastery through the “St. Peter’s Fishing Lures” project, the nuns were able to establish their first location in Irondale. To help keep the monastery running, Mother Angelica came up with the idea for the “Lil ‘Ol Peanut Company”. In 1981, Mother Angelica launched the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) with a budget of only $200. Today the ETWN is listed as the largest religious media network in the world, and it reportedly reaches a quarter- billion people in 140 countries. It also has numerous radio and newspaper outlets, including the National Catholic Register. After several years in the Birmingham area, Mother Angelica was convinced that the nuns needed more space and a quieter location more conducive to contemplative prayer and decided on the current location in Hanceville.
Two years after the Shrine’s consecration, Mother Angelica suffered a severe cerebral hemorrhage and she never fully regained her ability to speak. She passed away in 2016. Mother Angelica touched many lives in Alabama and around the world. Her forethought in establishing The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville has led to a sacred place that is a must see and should be added to everyone’s bucket list. The Shine hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. everyday. Visitors are welcome to explore the grounds and join in regular scheduled activities. This includes daily masses at 7 a.m., and various other events including Shrine tours at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday. One word of advice, if you plan to enter the Main Church you will need to wear appropriate attire. Shorts and sleeveless shirts are not permitted inside. If you have a special or unique place in Alabama that you would like to see in the "Traveling Alabama" section in the future, please let me know. I am always up for a new adventure! You can email your ideas and locations to AlabamaLedger@gmail.com.
How to contact The Sports Ledger, LLC & Alabama Ledger EMAILS
The Sports Ledger, LLC Established in 2006 MAILING ADDRESS PO BOX 175 Albertville, AL 35950
Alabama Ledger - Established in 2020 Home Owned, Operated, and Published by The Sports Ledger, LLC
TheSportsLedger@gmail.com AlabamaLedger@gmail.com READ FREE ONLINE AT www.thesportsledger.com www.alabamaledger.com God Bless America!
PUBLISHER Brandon K. Pierce MANAGING EDITOR Myra W. Pierce
TELEPHONE 256-506-7368
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