February 9, 2015

Marian Shrine E-Newsletter

Volume 3, Issue 27

Reflecting back on the New Year that started barely a month ago, I want to share with you a few thoughts.

January 1 marked the start of a new calendar year. For many people, it is also symbolic of a new beginning. It represents a new year with a chance to make the coming year better than the last. Many people make New Year's resolutions to do a variety of things, from losing weight to volunteering more time to charities. A resolution is a simple statement that sets forth a decision or determination on a future course of action. In fact you might hear people say that they're resolved to turn over a new leaf in the New Year. What exactly does that mean?

Today turning over a new leaf means making a fresh start. In essence, people are turning the page to a new chapter in their lives-a chapter they hope will be better than the last! The term "to turn over a new leaf" actually refers to turning the page of a book, which dates to the 1500s. From the sound of it one might think that this phrase is related to freshly budding green leaves in the spring, which carries a pleasant image of renewal.

However the implication is that one is turning over the previous page and starting anew on a fresh page. It is often used specifically to describe changes in personal behavior that are made with the goal of being a better person.

In the context of personal behavior, turning over a new leaf can take a number of forms. Many New Year's resolutions are a form of new beginnings with people vowing to make changes in their lifestyles which are intended to be beneficial. People might also vow at any time of the year to make changes in the way they treat others, co-workers or employees with the goal of making their working environments more pleasant, or to change their attitude to authority figures in the hope of getting along better.

Many people are encouraged to do this if they struggle in interpersonal relationships as a way of asking them to think about how their own behavior might be influencing their interactions with other people.

Many New Year's resolutions focus on personal lifestyle changes that people hope will make their futures brighter and better. Some of the most popular New Year's resolutions include eating healthier; exercising more, quit smoking or other unhealthy behavior. Of course, you don't have to wait until a new year to make such changes. Anytime you recognize that changes are necessary is a good time to turn over a new leaf. The sooner you make necessary changes, the sooner you'll see the benefits! "Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." Carl Bard

The starting point!

We've all had quite colorful journeys and certainly enjoyed many wonderful years in our lives. Some turning 40 or 50! Br. Henry is going to be 80 this month. When we were little, every birthday marked a major accomplishment. We learnt to walk; then we learnt to talk; then we went to school and learnt our ABCs.

Everything was brand new. When we graduated high school they told us that we had our whole lives in front of us. Whether we were off to college, exploring the world, or entering the work force or religious life, we began a whole new chapter. Independence.

A starting point!

We can just picture that open highway stretched out to infinity before us, beckoning to a future somewhere out on that horizon that called us to adventure. All that we would become lay out there! In our twenties, as a single young man we were contemplating religious life. How bad could that be, right? Turning 30 was awesome too! It was more or less the time of our ordinations and a step forward in our commitment.

Life was good. We had a position and commanded authority as a Director, a Principal, an

Administrator, a Department Head.

Our life together had just begun. Living community life I realized had its starting trouble but all the same it was a starting point (a starting point that started perhaps on the wrong foot!).

At 50? You're supposed to have accomplished your greatest life's work by now, right?

Achieved all your major goals -Changed the world or the congregation? But what if you're still working on that? What if you're just now starting to figure out what you're really supposed to be doing with your life?

You can say many things about turning 50, but one thing you can't say with a straight face is that you still have your whole life in front of you.

At this point in the journey, life has shown you many of its cards. Not all mind you, but you've got a pretty good grasp on how the world turns. If there are still any surprises, they have mostly to do with learning to change the way you see things.

But something else happened that was very difficult to escape. Much as we hate to admit it, we find ourselves looking around and comparing ourselves to our peers, our Companions and what they have achieved, and how they have risen up the ladder of success (in religious life there are not supposed to be ladders of success), but just total unconditional commitment, the 'Fiat' at our profession.

"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us." Helen Keller

As we turn a new leaf, this New Year is given to us as a 'GIFT' from God with new possibilities, opportunities and a beautiful horizon out there.

How we paint the canvas of our lives depends on how colorful and beautiful I make my life and that of my fellow brothers and communities. It is in my hands to give the right hues and strokes that bring out the best in each one of us.

Wishing you God's blessing on your life's adventure in 2015.

In Mary Help of Christians,

I remain,

Fr. Jim McKenna SDB

Director

Walking with the Church

"Mass said with priest facing east at original high altar (free-standing Novus Ordo altar remains in middle

of sanctuary but not used)."

While the rubrics of Paul VI's

missal foresee the possibility of celebrating Mass facing east, they do ask that there be only one main altar and that insofar as possible

the altar should be free-standing so that it can be incensed all around.

The priest could still celebrate facing east, but it would be more correct to celebrate the present

Roman rite using the new altar and not the old high altar

The Happiness Habit
by BJ Gallagher

"Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be," Abraham Lincoln once wrote. I've long thought so, too. Happiness seems to be a habit as much as anything-a habit of attitude, a habit of responding to life, a habit of action.

I recall seeing a sign in a manager's office a number of years ago. It read:

"Happiness is available. Help yourself."

I loved the double meaning-"help yourself" as if a big bowl of happiness was sitting on his desk, like a bowl of jelly beans, and all you had to do was dip your hand in and help yourself-and "help yourself" as in "take action on your own behalf." It reminded me of one of my all-time favorite books, Happiness is a Choice, by Barry Neil Kaufman. Barry and his wife had a baby boy, their third child, who was diagnosed as autistic. At first, the couple was devastated-they thought their lives were ruined and their child doomed to a hopeless future. But once they worked through their initial reaction to the diagnosis, they made a huge choice: They decided to be happy. They said, "We can let this situation drag us into depression and self-pity, OR we can decide to love our child, make a nurturing family for him, and have a good life together. They chose the latter.

They rejected the advice of doctors who told them to put the child in an institution and move on with their lives. Instead, they completely redesigned their home and their lives to meet the needs of their autistic toddler. He couldn't meet them in their world, so they met him in his. They sat on the floor and played with him, mimicking his shrieks, whoops and wild gestures. Bit by bit, they were able to build rapport with their son, teach him new behaviors, and coax him further and further into normalcy.

The boy grew and thrived under his parents' unconditional love, patience, and teaching-it was a long, challenging process, but he graduated from high school, then college, with honors. And throughout those challenging years, Barry Neil Kaufman and his wife chose to be happy. They made it a habit.

How do you make happiness a habit? Simply choose it. Again and again. Habits are formed by repeating the same thing over and over again until it becomes the normal way you behave. Scientists tell us that if you repeat something consistently for 21 days, it will become a habit.

So if you want to really feel the Power of Positive Doing, start by making happiness your new habit.

Laughter the best medicine

Apology Letter

Lisa, my co-worker at the travel agency, needed to send a letter of apology to a customer whose trip was a complete fiasco from start to finish. I reminded her of a similar situation a year earlier and dug out the letter I'd written then.

"All you have to do," I told her, "is to change the details, the date, and the name."

She looked it over and smiled wryly. "We won't even need to change the name."

Parting Words

A pastor was leaving his area and was saying farewell to his congregation at the Church doors for the last time. He shook the hand of an elderly lady as she walked out.

She said "Your successor won't be as good as you."

"Nonsense", said the pastor, in a flattered tone.

"No, really", said the old lady,"I've been here under five different ministers and each new one has been worse than the last."

Captain Comeback

I worked in the biology department at a local State College. The Maritime Institute also

stationed at the college, employed a licensed boat captain to man its research vessel. It was common knowledge that the captain couldn't swim. When newcomers learned of this, they would approach him about it.

"Is it true?" one of them asked incredulously. "You, a boat captain, can't swim?"

"No, I can't," he replied. "Can pilots fly?"

The 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.

My sincere thanks to Our Blessed Mother for blessing me with a normal healthy baby girl and for a safe delivery. Thank you dear Mother all the favors and blessings received.

Mrs. Rachel Martin, France

My brother and sister-in-law, Brandon and Veronica were gifted with a child Gabriella after 7 years. Suddenly a month later the child contracted meningitis. Our entire family had recourse to the three Hail Marys and the baby was healed. We are sincerely grateful to Our Lady for all the graces granted to us.

A Devotee

Thank you dear Mother Mary for all the graces received through the faithful recitation of the 3 Hail Marys. A. Simoes, PA

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: 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

mckennasdb@yahoo.com.

Our ministry is only possible with your help. Visit our website: www.marianshrine.org to donate.

Marian Shrine

174 Filors Lane, Stony Point, NY 10980