March 2, 2015
Event News Title
Volume 3, Issue 30
Fr. Jim McKenna

During this Lenten season one of the common themes that keep coming to us through the Word of God is that of conversion and repentance. You might be tempted to "switch off" as it comes to us once more this year. We are more likely not to want to face the fact that we are in need of conversion and repentance which becomes a prerequisite for forgiveness. Often the very thought of being forgiven seems to sound demeaning and the idea of forgiving sounds condescending and so we withhold the latter while ignoring the former. It was this quote that led me to this editorial and it went like this: "Anger makes us smaller while forgiveness forces you to grow beyond what you are."

Why the theme of forgiveness you might ask? Because to forgive and to know oneself forgiven, is a life-changing, life-giving gift. Unless you witness it in a real and concrete way you will never be convinced that it is one of the greatest gifts we can give not only to others, but also, and more importantly, to yourself. This may sound selfish, but the reality is that if we cannot forgive ourselves, the harsh words we once spoke in anger or the wrongs we consciously committed against another human being, we reduce ourselves to something that is less than human, less than grace-filled, less than Christ like.

To forgive calls us to grow to new heights, it calls us to chart new waters, to go beyond ourselves and be all that we can be. It calls us to heal the wounds that hold us back from forgiving that one friend or relation who hurt us once upon a time. It gives us the excuse to stay in our comfortable shell, righteous in our indignation whenever a certain person is mentioned.

Sometimes we hold on to hurts or words spoken in anger for years and years. Even with elderly parents I am often saddened by the lack of forgiveness they experience. Often adult children, in many cases parents themselves, have major issues, again often no longer relevant, with their parents. If you are sensitive and even truthful to yourself you will see that in your own family and you will be amazed because the hurt felt seriously damages themselves, and often leads to terrible guilt when a parent dies.

Does Christ not call us to do better? Can we not forgive and move on? Should we not forgive and make allowance for the person who we feel wronged us? After all, we can only change ourselves; we cannot change any other human being. I am responsible for my behavior and how I live a Christian life. So forgive! Learn to forgive.

Take the steps to forgive yourself. But especially take the steps to forgive that one person who you really feel has hurt you, even wounded you deeply, and then witness the changes that forgiveness brings about in your life.

 

God Bless you,

In Mary Help of Christians,

I remain,

Fr. Jim McKenna SDB

Director 


Mary
challenged
the system and
the soldiers and
remained at the
foot of the Cross
demonstrating
invincible hope.

 

Walking with the Church

Q:My pastor made a regulation that anyone who arrives in Mass after the Gospel is not allowed to take Communion. According to him, the reason is that Jesus is "the Word made flesh." Therefore we must recognize Jesus in the Word before we recognizehim in holy Communion. Another priest, who is a professor of liturgy, has another opinion. He said that people who arrive late in Mass with a valid reason (for example, an unusual traffic jam, attending sick children, etc.) should not be denied Communion. Could you please give a clarification on this matter?
- B.E., Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia
A: I would agree more with the second priest: that someone who arrives late out of no fault of their own should not be denied Communion.
I also consider it unwise to set any barrier point; I continue to insist that the faithful should assist at the whole Mass.
It is quite possible that some members of the faithful could begin to see the Gospel as the cutoff moment and feel comfortable in habitually arriving for the second reading, thus assuring that the Mass is "valid."
It is true that the Mass is a whole and that we must first recognize Jesus in the Word before we recognize him in the Eucharist. But this would include the entire Liturgy of the Word and not just the Gospel. Also, while there is some certain logic in choosing the Gospel as such a moment, the reasons given are not sufficiently well grounded from the
theological, canonical and moral standpoints to support such a blanket impediment to receiving Communion.
The pastor has a duty to direct and inform the consciences of the faithful entrusted to him. And while I disagree with his suggesting the Gospel as a demarcation point for
receiving Communion, it is at least clear that he his trying to perform his sacred duty.
Therefore, the onus of the decision whether or not to receive Communion, in this particular case of a late arrival, falls primarily upon the individual Catholic rather than upon the pastor who can hardly be expected to be attentive to every late arrival.
It is therefore incumbent on those arriving late to examine their conscience as to the reason behind their tardiness. If the reason is neglect or laziness, then they would do better attending another full Mass if this is possible. Even those who blamelessly arrive late should prefer to assist at a full Mass although they would be less bound to do so in conscience.
At the same time, there are some objective elements to be taken into account besides the reason for lateness. Someone who arrives after the consecration has not attended
Mass, no matter what the reason for his belatedness. Such a person should not receive Communion, and if it is a Sunday, has the obligation to attend another Mass.
It is true that Communion may be received outside of Mass, so Mass is not an essential prerequisite for receiving Communion. This would not, however, justify arriving just in
time for Communion at a weekday Mass, as all of the rites for receiving Communion outside of Mass include a Liturgy of the Word and one should attend the entire rite

Laughter the best medicine

FORREST GUMP GOES TO HEAVEN

 

The day finally arrived. Forrest Gump dies and goes to Heaven.. He is at the Pearly Gates, met by St. Peter himself.  However, the gates are closed, And Forrest approaches the gatekeeper.

St. Peter said, 'Well, Forrest,
It is certainly good to see you. We have heard a lot about you. 
I must   tell you, though, that the place is filling up fast,  And we have been administering  
An entrance examination for everyone.   The test is short, but you have to pass it before you can get into Heaven.'

Forrest responds, 'It sure is
good to be here, St. Peter, sir.  But nobody ever told me about any entrance exam. I sure hope that the test ain't too hard.  Life was a big enough test
As it was.'

St. Peter continued, 'Yes, I
Know, Forrest, but the test is only three questions.
  
First:
What two days of the week begin with the letter T?
  
Second:
How many seconds are there in a year?

Third:
What is God's first name?'

Forrest leaves to think the questions
over.  
He returns the next day and sees St. Peter, who waves him up, and says, 'Now that you have had a chance to think the questions over, tell me your answers.'

Forrest replied, 'Well, the
first one -- which two days in the week begins with the letter 'T'?
Shucks, that one is easy.   That would be Today and Tomorrow.'

The Saint's eyes opened wide and
He exclaimed, 'Forrest, that is not what I was thinking, but you do have a point, and I guess I did not specify, so I will give you credit for that answer.   How about the next one?' asked St. Peter.

'How many seconds in a year?

Now that one is harder,' replied Forrest, 'but I thunk and thunk about that, and I guess the only answer can be twelve.'

Astounded, St. Peter said, 'Twelve?

Twelve? Forrest, how in Heaven's name could you come up with twelve seconds in a year?'

Forrest replied, 'Shucks, there's
got to be twelve: January 2nd, February 2nd, March 2nd...

'Hold it,' interrupts St.
Peter.  'I see where you are going with this, and I see your point, 
Though that was not quite what I had in mind....but I will have to give you credit for that one, too. Let us go on with the third and final question.
Can you tell me God's first name'?

'Sure,' Forrest replied,

'it's Andy.'

'Andy?' exclaimed an exasperated
and frustrated St Peter.

'Ok, I can understand how you
came up with your answers to my first two questions,  
 But just how in the world did you come up with the name Andy as the first name of God?'

'Shucks, that was the easiest
one of all,' Forrest replied. 'I learn't it from the song,
ANDY WALKS WITH ME,
ANDY TALKS WITH ME,
ANDY TELLS ME I AM HIS OWN.'

St. Peter opened the Pearly Gates,
and said: 'Run, Forrest, run.'


 

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.


I am sincerely grateful to Our Lady for all the favors granted to me through the faithful recitation of the 3 Hail Marys. J. Pacheco, NY

 

My sincere thanks to Our Blessed Mother who cured me of a slip disc after the prayerful recitation of the 3 Hail Marys. Juanita, FL 

 

My husband never leaves home without praying the 3 Hail Marys. On May 26th this year his car was hit by a trailer and pushed on to a divider. I am certain that he was saved because of the 3 Hail Marys.  Mrs. Ramos, 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 [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].


 

Quote

"One's philosophy is not best expressed in words; it's expressed in the choices one makes. In the long run, we shape our lives and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our responsibility."
~Eleanor Roosevelt

Your Inspiration For Today!
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart."
~Helen Keller

 



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www.marianshrine.org