Our Lady of the Hill Grotto
Cathedral is excited to share plans to build a grotto on the Hill as place for prayer and reflection. As a Holy Cross School that dedicates itself to providing a welcoming school environment through its countless staff members, who pride themselves in supporting students through their academic and spiritual life, Cathedral hopes to continue to strive towards achieving its goals.
This project was made possible by the generous support of Ryan Hasbrook '92.
By providing a safe, supportive, and challenging learning environment that enables students to achieve their goals, all while embracing the teachings of Jesus, Cathedral continues to incorporate many new additions to its campus such as a grotto.
Cathedral hopes to use it as a way for students and staff to take time away from the harsh realities of the difficult academic, athletic, and social aspects they may be enduring. Serving as a symbol of spiritual retreat and reflection, grottos can be appreciated for their beauty of quiet contemplation.
The faith, a crucial component in the lives of many throughout the world, provides meaning, support, and guidance that Cathedral hopes can be strengthened through the Grotto. Mr. Neeson recalls the first time he felt a passion for the faith saying, “I fell in love with my faith at the grotto at Notre Dame. It was maybe the first time I saw the full beauty of the Catholic church coming to offer prayers to one location. I sat at Notre Dame’s grotto for an hour and saw every demographic (single, married, families, widowed, every age range and skin tone represented) as people came to light a candle. I think it would be cool to have the same impact on our campus for our community.”
Cathedral breaking ground on the grotto on May 13. Mr. Nelson says, “Having the Grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes only further connects our Holy Cross connectivity, as the University of Notre Dame has their grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes as well.” The Grotto will have a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, and a fountain, and the grotto itself will contain candles to light.
As a part of a larger effort to create a more welcoming campus environment that supports the religious and cultural values of Cathedral’s school community, the Grotto serves as a way for students and staff to pray, meditate, and reflect.
The grotto hopes to become a true part of Cathedral and to make Cathedral a more welcoming place for students. Campus Ministry Director, Mr. Neeson says, “Having a beautiful area that is easy to access allows for students, parents, or community members to sit and relax, or sit and pray is a welcome addition at any time here at Cathedral.”
Mr. Neeson says, “I’d like to see more people just be present to the beauty of our campus. We’re so blessed at what we have each day we show up to the Hill. Having a grotto at the entrance should allow for more people to know of a space to pray, or a space to reflect that is open to all.” The Grotto is made possible by the generosity of Ryan Hasbrook, a Cathedral alumni, who graduated from the Cathedral in 1992 and donated the funds to make the grotto come to life.
Rolly Landeros, Cathedral’s Chief Operating Officer, who is in charge of the Grotto establishment, says, “The Grotto has been in the Cathedral Master plan since 2022 and the intent was to have a place on campus other than our chapel for reflection and reverence for our blessed Mary, mother of Jesus”.
Father Geoff Mooney blessing the location where the Grotto is going to be located. Mr. Neeson says, “Cathedral was dedicated to Our Lady (Mary, the mother of Jesus) from the beginning. Having a space that helps bring people closer to her son is so important. Mary always points people back to her son.” Candles will be found in the Grotto as a visual representation of one’s prayers and also a way to remind others of Jesus who is the light of the world. (Photo by Cathedral Instagram)
The religion department and other staff members at Cathedral are very excited for the Grotto as well. Religion teacher, Mrs. Kasberg, says, “I am most excited about adding another spiritual place on campus. Other than the chapel, we don’t have another place dedicated solely to prayer and reflection. That’s not to say we don’t have many sacred spaces on campus – we do! Any place that reminds you of God here on the Hill is sacred.”