Statues of Mary

The Madonna with Infant statue, also known as “Our Lady of the Smile,” is located in the chapel of the church behind the votive candles and next to the statue of Saint Joseph. These statues came from Ortisei, Italy. The “Our Lady of the Smile” statue was a gift from Brenda and Paul Starr in 1980. The statue of St. Joseph came sometime later.

“Our Lady of the Smile” was originally housed in the interim church, now our parish hall. Beginning January 31, 1992 and continuing until July of that same year, this statue “wept” in the interim church numerous times in front of hundreds of astonished witnesses. At times, the flow of tears was so heavy that it splashed off the arm of the Child and formed puddles on the floor.

St. Joseph, Madonna with Infant
Votives Today, “Our Lady of the Smile” seems to be a magnet for pilgrims and parishioners who offer their prayer requests to God through His Mother, as evidenced by the many lighted votive candles. The left hand of the Madonna statue is extended outward and has been rubbed to a gold color by people reaching out to touch her hand.

Statue of Mary
During the weeping statues events, Father Bruse received correspondence from all over the world. Some letters included money and Father Bruse did not think he should keep any money given to him due to this phenomena. In Father Bruse’s eyes, the Blessed Mother was giving a sign for all mankind.

The statue was not obtained by Father Bruse until after the weeping phenomenon had ended.

The tall statue of Mary at the south wall of the church was donated to the parish by Father James Bruse. The statue was made in Italy, and it is identical to the Blessed Virgin Mary statue in Tihaljina, Medjugorje. The face of the statue is frequently found as a picture on prayer cards. The face is particularly lifelike and beautiful.

Memorial to the Unborn
Across the parking lot in front of the Parish Hall is the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Memorial to the Unborn that was installed in the spring of 1995 by the parish’s Knights of Columbus Council at the suggestion of the then Grand Knight, Leon De Cerb. It serves as a reminder of the deaths of the millions of unborn children as a result of abortions. Parishioners are very active in the Pro-Life movement. They pray the rosary every month outside a local abortion clinic. Every year the Parish Pro-Life Committee arranges transportation to enable parishioners to participate in the National Right to Life March in Washington, DC.