December 8, 2014
Marian Shrine E-Newsletter
Volume 3, Issue 19
Fr. Jim McKenna

Everything began with a Hail Mary. From when Don Bosco met Bartholomew Garelli on December 8, 1841, the Feast of the Immaculate became the Birthday of the Oratory for the entire Salesian World. 

The Immaculate dominates the oratory experience.  Some providential coincidences led Don Bosco to attribute to Her a special intercession at the beginning of his work. All of our great initiatives began on the day of the Immaculate; he would state (BM-XVII).  The paradigm was the oratory.  Don Bosco made the Immaculate a lively presence among the boys of Turin. Mary is felt by the educators and the young as a living, motherly, and powerful presence who gives them security and hope.  Mary Immaculate, as the ideal of purity, exerts an attraction among the young.  She helps them to grow as human beings and in the faith, to be strong and not give into the temptation of being superficial Christian men and women, but to live responsibly and to always seek more and more what is above. 

 

I will give you a Teacher! The story of our religious Family was enriched through the years by an intense love for Mary.  Where there is Mary, there is a future; there is openness to broad horizons that go beyond planning, beyond individual fatigue.  Where there is Mary, there is listening to Jesus; there is a home and a family where the new light of reciprocal trust, so needed today, shines forth.

Mary received the Word of God with her whole being so that He would take on flesh and be the light for all humanity.  In her, faith showed itself full of fruitfulness, a bearer of Life.  Pope Francis assures us that Mary is always near us and precedes us on the journey.  From the start of his pontificate, Pope Francis has shown his great love for the Madonna.  Brothers and sisters, I leave you.  Thank you for your welcome.  Pray for me and we will see each other tomorrow.  I want to go pray to the Madonna so that she may take care of Rome. This is how he ended his discourse on March 13, 2013, after his election as the Bishop of Rome.  

 

Mary is the woman of listening, of decision, of action.  Mary knows how to listen to the voice of God, to the actual facts, and to understand their meaning.  Mary listens, meditating on everything prudently, in her heart.  She takes the necessary time to understand, to ponder, to concretize what is said to her.  Mary is not in a hurry.  She is not overcome by the moment nor is she dragged along by events.  But when she sees clearly what God is asking of her, what she must do, she does not delay, does not hesitate, but goes quickly.   

 

Re-reading the history of our Institute with faith, we see that Mary has been the inspirer of the enterprise and also the Mother of our community vocation and the Teacher of our spirituality. It is necessary to take her into our home without fear in order to continue the journey in the Church and among the young and to be a home that evangelizes.

 

Yours in Mary Help of Christians,  

I remain,

Fr. Jim McKenna SDB

Director 

 

Walking with the Church

With the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Mary 21st November 2014, the church inaugurates the YEAR OF CONSECRATED LIFE in the world.

Let us acknowledge this gracious gift of life as we
are called to be like Jesus, totally God oriented and People oriented. Let us reflect on his words "Who is my Mother and who are
my brethren?...Whoever does the will of my father i
n Heaven is my mother, sister and
brother."(Matt.12: 47, 50)

As Pope Francis invites us to 'WAKE UP THE WORLD' during this year of 'Consecrated life'
which extends until 2nd February 2016, let us make
it point to reflect on our own religious life and enrich ourselves by participating in some renewal seminars, programs and courses.

Laughter the best medicine

A senior citizen drove his brand new Porsche to 100 miles an hour.  Looking in his rear view mirror, he saw a police car behind him.  He floored it to 140, then 150... then 170...  Suddenly he thought, I'm too  old for this nonsense! "So he pulled over to the side of the road and waited for the police car to catch up with him,  The officer walked up to him, looked at his watch and said, "Sir, my shift ends in ten minutes.  Today is Friday and I'm taking off for the weekend.  If you can give me a reason that I've never heard before for why you were speeding, I'll let you go."
The man looked very seriously at the policeman and replied, "Years ago, my wife ran off with a policeman, I thought you were bring her back."
The cop left saying, "have a good day, sir."

It was raining hard and a big puddle had formed in front of an Irish pub.
An old man stood beside the puddle holding a stick with a string of the end and jiggled it up and down in the water.  A curious gentleman asked what he was doing.
"Fishing" replied the old man.
Poor old fool thought the gentleman, so he invited the old man to have a drink in the pub.
Feeling he should start some conversation while they were sipping their whiskey, the gentleman asked,
"And how many have have you caught?"
"You're the eighth", replied the old man.
 
 
Devotion to 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.


I am grateful to Our Lady for all the favors received, especially for having received healing from my sickness through the recitation of the 3 Hail Marys. Mary, NY

 

My sincere thanks to Our Lady for her protection during the time I was feeling upset and unwell and after praying the 3 Hail Marys I began to feel much better. Mrs. Guzman, SC 

 

On my way home from work I got into an accident. The car ahead of me stopped suddenly. I braked in time to avoid colliding with the vehicle but the vehicle behind me crashed into

me. It could have been dangerous but I came out without a scratch. I am grateful to Jesus and Mother Mary. I always recite the "Our Father" and "3 Hail Marys" every morning before I leave for work. Venny Vincents, NJ 


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 [email protected].

 

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: Day Retreats, Weekend retreats, Don Bosco Summer Camp, Eucharistic Adoration, Friday night Lenten Dinners, 50/50 raffle, 350 club, Rosary Madonna Statue. Rent Lomagno Hall, Rent our Banquet Hall.

 

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

[email protected].


 

PS

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