Walking where Jesus walked is a life-changing experience. As a pilgrimage to the Holy Land may not be possible for many, two seasonal exhibits at the Holy Spirit Center in Norwood bring the experience close to home.

Through immersive displays with meticulously designed sets, lighting, music and—during the Advent season—volunteer actors who bring the streets to life, you can experience the Holy Land while meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary. During Advent, you’re invited to “The Joyful Mysteries and Walk through Bethlehem” exhibit, and in Lent, to the “The Sorrowful Mysteries and Stations of the Cross in Jerusalem” exhibit, the latter remaining open through October.
“We’ve been wanting to do something like this for years,” said Andrea Pferdmenges, who organized the project with two other volunteers, her sister Christy Rieder and Scott Froendhoff.

A Vision Comes to Life

For years, the Holy Spirit Center has marked Christmas in a special way, like with the 16-foot Star of Bethlehem atop the 90-foot bell tower. The immersive Bethlehem and Jerusalem exhibits grew from that tradition, expanding the center’s commitment to bringing the story of Christ to life.

“It’s amazing how it all came together,” said Dan Green, the center’s director.

Rieder and her sister became involved at the Holy Spirit Center in 2020 when Rieder sought an open Catholic gift shop during the COVID-19 pandemic; she found one there. Her conversation with an employee led to her signing up for a volunteer opportunity, prompting Pferdmenges to enlist as well. The sisters were inspired by a Protestant church’s “Back to Bethlehem” event and, with Green’s blessing, they launched the “Streets of Bethlehem” exhibit in 2022, which first took shape in a hallway on the main floor.

“We felt called to do this,” Pferdmenges said. “We’d never seen anything that truly transports people back to Bethlehem—to the original story, to the birth of Christ.”

After the initial exhibit ended, it was moved to a permanent space in the center’s basement, the former site of the seminary’s bowling alley.

Divine Providence at Work

Once planning for the permanent location commenced, Froendhoff stepped up to help. Though previously part of a prayer group at the center, he hadn’t visited in years. On a fateful visit back one morning, he met Judy Zarick, the center’s Director of Development & Communications. When he mentioned his experience in set design for high school theater, she introduced him to Pferdmenges, and he joined the project.

The streets of Jerusalem exhibit first appeared in 2024, enabling visitors to walk through a re-creation of a Jerusalem marketplace, journeying with the Stations of the Cross along the way. The exhibit is punctuated by many paintings from Cincinnati artist Holly Schapker.

“The Jerusalem exhibit is so powerful,” Froendhoff said. “It’s very spiritual. You feel like you’re literally walking through the marketplace like Jesus had to do, carrying his cross.”

Pferdmenges emphasized its prayerful nature.

“It’s not just Stations on the wall. This is the backdrop of His life and what He really went through.”

A Labor of Love

All three volunteers credit the Holy Spirit for inspiration and for bringing these exhibits to life. Their prayerful approach includes time spent in the Holy Spirit Center’s perpetual adoration chapel before brainstorming each next phase.

“This is no kudos to myself, no kudos to my sister or Scott,” Rieder said. “It is above us. It’s everybody who has ever volunteered there,” from the building’s opening through the 10 years it sat vacant. Rieder added, “There’s no pride in this project. There’s love in this project.”

“The Sorrowful Mysteries and Stations of the Cross in Jerusalem” exhibit is open now, to all ages. The experience is free, although donations are encouraged. To schedule a visit, call the Holy Spirit Center at (513) 351-9800.

This article appeared in the April 2025 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here.