Immaculate Mary

In honor of the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we gave the shrine at our house a freshening up.

This statue of our Blessed Mother and the structure that houses her, originated in Tensleep Canyon at Fr. Cyril Hmelovsky’s cabin. Fr. Hmelovsky was the forever priest in Worland who baptized Mom and later baptized me. When he passed, Grandpa inherited the shrine and erected it on the hill at Neiber for all the world to venerate. 

We call her Our Lady of the Intersection because she watches over Hwy 20 where the South Flat and Gooseberry Creek roads intersect. Years ago there was a fatal accident here, which gave rise to the need for her intercession. Especially in the summer, a lot of travelers, for work and play, cross her path. Mary has done a good job of keeping this corner accent free since this shrine has been her. 

About 17 years ago, we reinforced the structure with some 2 7/8", allowing it to withstand the Wyoming wind. 

That was about the last time it was painted as well. Since we recently painted the house, it was time to spruce the shrine up too. 

So we scraped and knocked off the old paint as best we could.

And then got after the new coat. 

We like to keep it the same color as our house on the hill. 

One thing about painting old outdoor lumber, it will give you a chance to do it again in the future. We just painted where the blue was pealing, with a paint and primer combo. Once it dried, it matched just right. 

The statue itself needed a little TLC. Birds like to build a next on the structure behind her. Consequently, her head is often their perch. I doubt she minds. 

So we scrubbed her all up. 

Muy bien. 

Our Lady of the Intersection, pray for us!

Good stuff. People love passing by our Blessed Mother, knowing that she is watching over us. In reality, all we are doing is taking serious the Scripture verse that all generations will call her blessed (Luke 1:48). I love Mary. She has helped me through so much. True devotion to Mary is following in our Lord’s footsteps who totally entrusted Himself to her. When we behold our Mother (John 19:27), as Jesus commanded, we stay peaceful as children and are giving the guidance to carry out the Father's will. May Mary, not only lead us to Jesus, may she also bring out Jesus in us. Let's ranch.