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August 25, 2014
Marian Shrine E-Newsletter
Volume 3, Issue 4 |
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Why do Christians-especially active Christians-and people who do more than their share of good in the world sometimes seem to have more than their share of troubles?
This little story explains:
John and Samuel were friends. One day, John asked, "Sam, how come you're a Christian and yet you have all these troubles and trials and tribulations? I don't even believe in God, haven't ever stepped into a church for a good many years, and yet I don't any troubles, and certainly not as much as you do!" "Well, John, I don't know. I guess I'll have to think awhile before I can answer that one," Sam answered. So he thought and though but the answer didn't come quickly, in the meanwhile John mocked him and gloated over the fact that Sam couldn't come up with an immediate answer. But Sam continued to be friends with him, irrespective of the taunting.
A few days later the two went duck hunting. John shot into a flock of ducks, and several fell into the shallow water of the pond from where they had just flown. Some of them were dead, but others were just wounded. John knew from experience that sometimes the wounded ducks will get up and fly off again if you don't grab them quickly. So, as Sam ran to the spot where the ducks had fallen, John called out, "Bag the live ones! Bag the live ones! Don't worry about the dead ones! You can collect them later!"
When Sam came back with the ducks, he had a smile on his face. "I think I've got the answer to your question!" he said. "You see, I'm a live one! The Devil is afraid I'm going to get away, so he tries to bag me first. You...well, you're a dead one. He's already got you, so he's not a bit worried about what you're going to do!"
And that's just the way it is with us. The Devil can't get us back once we're saved - we're the Lord's forever! But he sure tries hard to keep us from being active Christians. But don't let his attacks slow you down or hinder you, because if you keep persevering, you'll win the battle and receive the reward that the Lord has waiting for you!
God bless you. In Mary Help of Christians, I remain, Fr. Jim McKenna SDB Director |
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Saint of the Day
St. Louis IX
Louis IX was born in Poissy, France in 1214 to Louis VIII and Blanche of Castille. He succeeded to the throne at the age of twelve under the regency of his mother. On his twenty-first birthday he assumed full kingship. He was well known for protecting the French clergy from secular leaders and for strictly enforcing laws against blasphemy. Louis generally remained neutral in international disputes. However, because of a dispute between the Count of Le Marche and the Count of Poitiers, in which Henry III supported the Count of Le Marche, he was forced to go to war with England. In 1242 Louis defeated Henry III at Tailebourg. After the war, he made restitution to the innocent people whose property had been destroyed. He established the Sorbonne (1252) and the monasteries of Rayaumont, Vavert, and Maubuisson. Louis led two crusades, the Sixth and the Seventh Crusades. He was captured and imprisoned during the Sixth (1244-1249). At the onset of the Seventh Crusade in 1270, Louis died of dysentry. Boniface VIII canonized him in 1297.
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 Ceferino Namuncura
26th August
Ceferino Namuncurá was born on the 26th August 1886 at Chimpay, on the banks of the Rio Negro. His father, Manuel, last great leader of the Araucane Indian tribe, had surrendered three years earlier to troops from the Argentine Republic. Manuel Namuncurŕ sent Ceferino, after he had wander ed free on the pampas for eleven years, to study in Buenos Aires, so one day he could defend his own people better. The family spirit in the Salesian school brought him to love Don Bosco. The spiritual dimension of life grew in him and he began to yearn to become a Salesian priest to evangelize his people. He chose Dominic Savio as a model, and over a period of five years, by his efforts to adapt to a totally new culture, he himself became another Dominic Savio. He was exemplary for his piety, charity, in his daily duty, and for his self-sacrifice. The boy, who had found it so difficult to "get in line" or "obey the bell", little by little became a true model. As Don Bosco would have wished, he was exact in his fulfillment of his duties of study and prayer. He was a referee at recreation: in any dispute his word was accepted. The care with which he made the Sign the Cross was striking, how he thought about each word; he encouraged his friends with this example teaching them to make it slowly and with devotion. In l903 (he was sixteen and a half years old, and his father was baptized when he was 80). Bishop Cagliero accepted him as an aspirant at Viedma, the centre for the Vicariate Apostolic, to begin his Latin studies. Because of his poor health, the Salesian bishop decided to take him to Italy so he could follow up his studies seriously and in a more appropriate atmosphere. In Italy he met Don Rua and Pope Pius X, who warmly gave him his blessing. He went to school in Turin and then to the Salesian College, Villa Sora, in Frascati. He studied so hard he was second in his class. But an illness not diagnosed in time, perhaps because he did not complain about it, became life-threatening: tuberculosis. On the 28th March 1905 he was taken to the Fatebene fratelli Hospital on the Tibertine island in Rome. But it was too late. He died peacefully on the 11th May. From 1924 onwards his mortal remains were laid to rest in his own village, at Fortín Mercedes, where crowds of pilgrims come to visit. Declared Venerable 22 June 1972; beatified 11 November 2007 in the pontificate of Benedict XVI. |
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 Laughter the best medicine
Conductor Problem
The symphony musicians had little confidence in the person brought in to be their new conductor.
Their fears were realized at the very first rehearsal. The cymbalist, realizing that the conductor did not know what he was doing, angrily clashed his instruments together during a delicate, soft passage.
The music stopped. The conductor, highly agitated, looked angrily around the orchestra, demanding, "Who did that? Who did that?"
Never Be Late
A local priest was being honored at his retirement dinner after 25 years in the parish.
A leading local politician and member of the congregation was chosen to make the presentation and to give a little speech at the dinner.
However, he was delayed so the priest decided to say his own few words while they waited:
"I got my first impression of the parish from the first confession I heard here. I thought I had been assigned to a terrible place. The very first person who entered my confessional told me he had stolen a television set and, when questioned by the police, was able to lie his way out of it. He had also stolen money from his parents, embezzled from his employer and taken illicit drugs. I was appalled.
"But as the days went on I learned that my people were not all like that and I had, indeed, come to a fine parish full of good and loving people."
Just as the priest finished his talk, the politician arrived full of apologies for being late. He immediately began to make the presentation and said: "I'll never forget the first day our parish priest arrived. In fact, I had the honor of being the first person to go to him for confession."
Moral: Never, never, NEVER- EVER be late
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 Devotion of the 'Three' Hail Mary's
The devotion of the THREE HAIL MARYS is a very simple yet most efficacious devotion.
Everyday, recite Three Hail Marys, adding the invocation: "O Mary, My Mother, keep me from mortal sin." Many people recite the Three Hail Marys as part of their morning and night prayers. To practice this devotion in time of danger, stress, special need or temptation, is a sure means to obtain Our Lady's help.
Thank you Jesus and dear Mother Mary for curing my brother of his fever
and joint aches, through the recitation of the Flying Novena and the 3 Hail Marys. Do continue to shower on us your spiritual blessings. Peter, NY
Our grateful thanks for the safe delivery and the gift of a normal baby boy to our daughter on 8th June 2014. Every test during the pregnancy indicated that all was not well with the unborn child, but we continued the fervent recitation of the three Hail Marys and this baby is truly a miracle from God. Thank you Jesus, Mother Mary and St. Dominic Savio for your love and protection during the entire pregnancy. Marie, PA
Our sincere and heartfelt thanks to our dear Jesus and Mama Mary for numerous favors received and blessings bestowed on our family through the daily recitation of the 3 Hail Marys in the morning and the night. Keep us, dear Mother always under your mantle of blue. Chris, ME
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In Closing
Dear devotees of Our Lady and Don Bosco,
If you have received a miracle through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother, we would like to hear from you. Email us at MaryShrine@aol.com.
Bookstore hours: Monday - Saturday - 10 am to 5 pm, Sundays: 12 - 4 pm
Weekday Masses: 12 noon. Confessions on weekdays begin at 11.30 am.
Sunday Masses: 11 am and 12.30 pm
Other activities: Retreats, Don Bosco Summer Camp, Rent Lomagno Hall, Banquet Hall, Eucharistic Adoration, Friday night Lenten Dinners, 50/50 raffle, 350 club, Rosary Madonna Statue.
MEMORIES
Remember a Loved One: Engrave plaques on Wall of Memories, adopt a Tree, Engrave blocks on Walk of Honor, All Souls, All year Candle lighting, Holiday (Christmas and Easter), Flowers, Schedule a Mass, Bell Chimes.
MASS INTENTIONS
To offer a mass intention, please write to
Fr. Jim McKenna SDB
174 Filors Lane,
Stony Point, NY 10980
mckennasdb@yahoo.com.
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Help!
We need a new furnace! Our ministry is only possible with your help. Visit our website: www.marianshrine.org to donate.
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