09/27/2026
The Mystery has been solved. Check out this great story shared by Trish Ernzen & Pat Kielty šš»
"Heres the story about how that little "holy cave" came into being. About 34 years ago, my friend, Pat Kielty and I noticed this little cave in the side of the rock. Since it was close to the Christmas season, it struck us that it would make a cute little creche. Shortly after that, we came back and arranged a little 3 piece nativity set in the cave. We hoped maybe people would notice and said a prayer that it would spread a little Christmas blessing if they did. We were thrilled to see that someone had noticed and even made little additions. I'm not sure what exactly was left that first year, but I think it might have been a candle and a holy card. We decided to pick the nativity set up around the feast of the Epiphany which marks the end of the church's Christmas season.
Over the next years, we would try to get our little nativity set up around the beginning of Advent and then pick it up around the Epiphany. That first little set was so pretty...a pearly blue and white. Well, someone else thought it was pretty too because after the 3rd or 4th year, when we went to pick it back up, it was gone!! We were pretty sad that someone would steal something that was meant to bring a little spirit. We decided that whoever would do such a thing must have been in need for some Christmas spirit to come their way, so we said a prayer for them and bought a new set for the next year. This new set included some shepherds, kings and animals. We've used this same set over the next years. The most interesting thing is that people would leave little holy trinkets, medals and rosaries there throughout the year, thus making it a "holy cave."
Anyway, each Advent, we'd trek down to the trail, gather a few pine branches as we walked west off the Budd trail crossing to the spot. After we moved the articles left by others, we'd cover the bottom with our pine sprigs and nestle the figurines in among them trying to get them in there just right. Then we'd say a prayer that those who passed by might be blessed. I'm not sure but I don't think we ever missed a year completely, but this past year when we went, someone else already had their set situated in the "holy cave." Not wanting to take their joy and wonder away, we said our little prayer and returned back to our car happy that someone cared enough to be sure the tradition carried on!! We haven't been back to that area since to know what's in place now, but the Good Lord willing, we will be sure to check it out come November!!
I want to say thanks to those who stopped to look and even thought to add their touch to this little "holy cave" through the years. And thanks Matt Heitz for the question and Connie Wilgenbusch for tagging me which allowed this little story to be shared. I pray that this little holy cave will always be a sign of Jesus' presence in our world, even in the places we least expect it! And may we all continue be blessed because of it! Amen."
Thank you for sharing! This treasure along Heritage Trail will continue to be a great stopping point to fill us with wonder, curiousity of who leaves these items in the cave.
