Blessing of the Blossoms and Farms Planned – Have Your Farm Included

It’s that time again. Despite the pandemic and all it entails, Mother Nature continues to move forward into spring, which means cherry blossoms will be popping out, which means the 2020 Blessing of the Blossoms is coming right up.

As with every event these days, there are a few changes to this year’s Blessing of the Blossoms, but never fear, it is indeed happening. In fact, along with the Blessing of the Blossoms, there will also be a Blessing of the Farms – complete with holy water.

Instead of the usual gathering at Chateau Chantal, this year’s blessing will take place online – but you WILL have the opportunity to get a piece of cherry pie delivered to you curbside at Chateau Chantal! Here’s a photo from the 2016 Blessing of the Blossoms at Chateau Chantal.

WHEN & WHERE

This year’s Blessing of the Blossoms will take place on Sunday, May 17, 2020, 1 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Since we are not able to gather together as in recent years – due to COVID-19 restrictions – there will be a live stream of the Blessing of the Blossoms service at St. Joseph’s website and on their Facebook page.

ABOUT THE SERVICE

The service will include an opening song, a poem, remarks by Chateau Chantal’s Bob Begin, and a song by OMP resident Mike Norton (“The Impossible Dream” – the perfect song for these times!).

St. Joseph’s Father Rexroat will also give a greeting, some scripture readings, and a general blessing to everyone. After the service at the church, he will then leave to do a circuit of the farms and vineyards, blessing each one along the way with a prayer and holy water.

The Friedrich Tower near Chateau Grand Traverse was once the site of the Blessing of the Blossoms.

FREE CHERRY PIE – CURBSIDE

Beginning at 1:30 p.m., Chateau Chantal will be offering cherry pie slices delivered to you curbside at the chateau, 15900 Rue Devin on the Old Mission Peninsula (off Center Road, before you get to Kroupa Road if you’re heading north).

This is a great way to be part of this historic event, get out and about, and still maintain that all-important social distancing.

GET YOUR FARM OR VINEYARD INCLUDED

So far, the farms and vineyards include Chateau Chantal, Brys Estate, Lardie Farm, Old Mission Creek Vineyard, the Lyon Farm, Ochs Orchard, Bonobo Winery, Buchan’s Blueberry Hill, and Johnson Farms.

If you would like your farm or vineyard included, please contact Kay Allen, St. Joseph’s business manager, at (231) 421-7310, ext. 4, or email [email protected], by Wednesday, May 17.

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