Dear Friends of the Shrine of Saint Joseph,
May the grace and peace of the Holy Spirit be with us forever!
It is with great joy that I invite you to celebrate with us as we enter our Centennial year. As we stand on the brink of a momentous milestone, the 100th year of the existence of our beloved Shrine of Saint Joseph, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and awe as we remember our past, rejoice in God’s faithfulness, and are renewed in spirit to God and one another.
When Fr. Thomas Augustine Judge, C.M., founder of the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity, came to Stirling, he sensed that God had a special purpose. He heard God saying to his heart, “I want to inhabit this hill where I can give those who labor and are burdened, both the living and the departed, a place of healing and peace.”
The Shrine has been a beacon of hope, a place of solace and spiritual nourishment for countless souls for a century. From the diverse cultures we serve to the peace that pervades our sacred spaces, the Shrine is more than just a place—it's a testament to God's faithfulness and our collective commitment to serving His children.
Every visitor, every prayer whispered in the hallowed halls of the Shrine, and every smile exchanged on our sacred grounds tells a story—a story of a community united in faith, hope, and love. As we remember our past, we not only celebrate the legacies that have been built but also rejoice in the living legacy we continue to create each day.
"Every Catholic an Apostle." Fr. Judge’s vision has guided us for a hundred years and is as vital today as ever. In a world that can often seem broken, the Shrine stands as a pillar of hope and a source of peace. We are called to be missionary disciples of Christ, to reach out with love and compassion to those on the margins, to be instruments of change in a world that thirsts for hope.
As Director of the Shrine, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of our mission. I have seen lives changed, spirits healed, and hearts set ablaze with the love of Christ. We invite you to partner with us in this life-giving ministry of Christ as we look forward to the next hundred years. Under the abiding presence of the Most Holy Trinity, our work will continue into the next 100 years. Thank you for your continued support. Please know of my prayers for you and your loved ones,
In the Most Holy Trinity,