DECEMBER 2009

stained-glass window depicting the Holy Spirit. Rosaries
and fresh flowers left behind by worshippers
adorn the space. Originally, the grotto was to be unheated
but it was decided near the end of construction
to add heaters so it is comfortable during the
winter months.
Landscape architect Michael J. Dul, who
owns an eponymous fi rm in Birmingham, designed
the grotto and its landscaping. The original
plan, he noted, was to place a much smaller
grotto next to St. Thomas’ rectory. When that
plan was scrapped, “I was happy,” he said. “It’s
now more with the land.”
Dul said he came up with the design concept
while dining at a restaurant, then sketched it on a
placemat to keep the idea fresh in his mind.
“I took a cue from the land. The whole idea is that
you walk into the hill, in a sense. It kind of waves in
with that whole environment,” he said. “Inside the
chamber in the tower, you’re kind of in the womb of
the hill and feel very secure and meditative.”
Atto Construction in Bloomfi eld Hills, owned
by Richie and Steve Atto, was one of the contractors
involved with overseeing the project. “It was
a major project and I know people wondered what
took so long, but you get so much done and then
you have the winter months,” said Steve Atto.
“It was a long process with people donating their
SPIRITUAL continued on page 28
PHOTOS BY RAMIZ ROMAYA
DECEMBER 2009 CHALDEAN NEWS 27
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