April 13, 2015
Marian Shrine E-Newsletter
Volume 3, Issue 36
Fr. Jim McKenna

I recently had one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I was driving home from a hardware store one afternoon, when my car started to choke and sputter, and not long after completely died out on me. I barely managed to coast into a gas station, glad only that I wasn't blocking traffic and would have a somewhat warm spot to wait for the tow truck. Before I could make the call, I saw a woman walking out of the building, and it looked like she slipped on some ice and fell. So I got out to see if everything was okay with her. When I got there I realized she was a young woman who looked really haggard with dark circles under her eyes. She dropped something as I helped her up, and I picked it up to give it to her.

It was a nickel. At that moment, everything came into focus for me: the crying woman, the ancient Suburban crammed full of stuff with 3 kids in the back (1 in a car seat), and the gas pump reading $19.95... She said amidst sobs that she was driving to Virginia and that things were very hard for her right now. I said, 'So the Lord heard your prayer and sent me to help.'  I attended to her immediate needs while she told me her name, that her parents lived in Virginia, that she was going down to live with them and try to get back on her feet there. As I was walking over to my car, she observed, 'I guess you are like an angel or something!?' To which I shyly retorted: 'At this time of the year angels are really busy, so sometimes God uses regular people.'

It was so incredible yet exhilarating to be a part of someone else's miracle.

And of course, when I got to my car it started right away and got me back to the Shrine with no further trouble.

I couldn't help recalling the text "Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved," nor marvel at the truth that, had I not stopped to investigate what was wrong with the woman who had fallen, things would have been quite different both for her and her children and also for me!

 

This little incident reminds us that God's call missioning us need not, nor does, always come while we are in Church or at prayer. His text message comes to us anywhere, anytime He finds someone who is in need and we are around and ready to help. The important point seems to be that we are eager and open to listen to his call, even if it means re-arranging our own schedules to accommodate the new task. It is true that we do not always respond positively to his strange calls to mission, but when we do, we certainly leave the world a far better place than it was before. In some mysterious way we become the 'good Samaritans' of the modern world!

 

What seems to prevent people from collaborating with the Lord more generously is their preoccupation with their own agendas and needs. These are not necessarily selfish or self-centered in the sense that they crowd out other possibilities. It is just that one can get so caught up with one's present 'business' that one fails to recognize the opportunity to reach out to another. Possibly another related reason would be that we believe that we are alone, having to fend for and take care of our needs all by ourselves... or that if we don't take care of ourselves, we will be stranded and out on a limb.

Often we would realize though, that deferring our own satisfaction in order to reach out to someone in trouble (even when and especially when not specifically asked) is the surest way to enlist God's help in our own most pressing needs.

 

The help we are called to render again need not always be financial or material. It could also be spiritual in the sense of advising someone who finds him/herself at a crossroad in life or career, consoling or befriending a person teetering on the

brink of life deluged by suicidal thoughts, inviting another to a change of life that is more in keeping with God's designs - the possibilities are endless; what is most important is that we see ourselves called and also equipped for the job.

 

God Bless you.

In Mary Help of Christians,

I remain,

Fr. Jim McKenna SDB

Director


 

Walking with the Church

What is the meaning of the
Angelus and why do we say it in the morning at 12 noon and at 6 pm?

The recitation of the 3 Hail
Marys was a pious custom
practiced by the people to honor Our Lady in her singularly exalted role as the Mother of God.
This was done towards evening, usually, as the bell rang when religious in local monasteries were chanting that part of the Divine Office called Compline.
Through the years this practice was expanded to include a morning recitation, then another at noon. Later, holy details from the scene of the Annunciation -
during which moment the
incarnation took place - were inserted before and after the Hail Marys, and a closing prayer was
attached. This is the form of the angelus that we say today.


 

The Bus Passenger
Author Unknown

The passengers on the bus watched sympathetically as the attractive young woman with the white cane made her way carefully up the steps. She paid the driver and, using her hands to feel the location of the seats, walked down the aisle and found the seat he'd told her was empty.

Then she settled in, placed her briefcase on her lap and rested her cane against her leg. It had been a year since Susan, thirty-four, became blind.

Due to a medical misdiagnosis she had been rendered sightless, and she was suddenly thrown into a world of darkness, anger, frustration and self-pity. Once a fiercely independent woman, Susan now felt condemned by this terrible twist of fate to become a powerless, helpless burden on everyone around her. "How could this have happened to me?" she would plead, her heart knotted with anger. But no matter how much she cried or ranted or prayed, she knew the painful truth her sight was never going to return. A cloud of depression hung over Susan's once optimistic spirit. Just getting through each day was an exercise in frustration and exhaustion. And all she had to cling to was her husband Mark.

Mark was an Air Force officer and he loved Susan with all of his heart. When she first lost her sight, he watched her sink into despair and was determined to help his wife gain the strength and confidence she needed to become independent again. Mark's military background had trained him well to deal with sensitive situations, and yet he knew this was the most difficult battle he would ever face. Finally, Susan felt ready to return to her job, but how would she get there? She used to take the bus, but was now too frightened to get around the city by herself. Mark volunteered to drive her to work each day, even though they worked at opposite ends of the city.

At first, this comforted Susan and fulfilled Mark's need to protect his sightless wife who was so insecure about performing the slightest task. Soon, however, Mark realized that this arrangement wasn't working; it was hectic, and costly. Susan is going to have to start taking the bus again, he admitted to himself. But just the thought of mentioning it to her made him cringe. She was still so fragile, so angry. How would she react? Just as Mark predicted, Susan was horrified at the idea of taking the bus again. "I'm blind!" she responded bitterly. "How am I supposed to know where I'm going? I feel like you're abandoning me."

Mark's heart broke to hear these words, but he knew what had to be done. He promised Susan that each morning and evening he would ride the bus with her, for as long as it took, until she got the hang of it. And that is exactly what happened. For two solid weeks, Mark, military uniform and all accompanied Susan to and from work each day. He taught her how to rely on her other senses, specifically her hearing, to determine where she was and how to adapt to her new environment.

He helped her befriend the bus drivers who could watch out for her, and save her a seat. He made her laugh, even on those not -so- good days when she would trip exiting the bus, or drop her briefcase. Each morning they made the journey together, and Mark would take a cab back to his office. Although this routine was even more costly and exhausting than the previous one, Mark knew it was only a matter of time before Susan would be able to ride the bus on her own. He believed in her, in the Susan he used to know before she'd lost her sight, who wasn't afraid of any challenge and who would never, ever quit. Finally, Susan decided that she was ready to try the trip on her own. Monday morning arrived, and before she left, she threw her arms around Mark, her temporary bus riding companion, her husband, and her best friend. Her eyes filled with tears of gratitude for his loyalty, his patience, his love. She said good-bye, and for the first time, they went their separate ways. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday...Each day on her own went perfectly, and Susan had never felt better. She was doing it! She was going to work all by herself!

On Friday morning, Susan took the bus to work as usual. As she was paying for her fare to exit the bus, the driver said, "Boy, I sure envy you." Susan wasn't sure if the driver was speaking to her or not.

After all, who on earth would ever envy a blind woman who had struggled just to find the courage to live for the past year? Curious, she asked the driver, "Why do you say that you envy me?" The driver responded, "It must feel so good to be taken care of and protected like you are." Susan had no idea what the driver was talking about, and asked again, "What do you mean?"

The driver answered, "You know, every morning for the past week, a fine looking gentleman in a military uniform has been standing across the corner watching you when you get off the bus. He makes sure you cross the street safely and he watches you until you enter your office building. Then he blows you a kiss, gives you a little salute and walks away. You are one lucky lady."

Tears of happiness poured down Susan's cheeks. For although she couldn't physically see him, she had always felt Mark's presence. She was lucky, so lucky, for he had given her a gift more powerful than sight, a gift she didn't need to see to believe - the gift of love that can bring light where there had been darkness.

God watches over us in just the same way. We may not know He is present. We may not be able to see His face, but He is there nonetheless!

Be blessed in this thought: "God Loves You - even when you are not looking."


Laughter the Best Medicine

Parking Solution

A pastor of a two-church parish had to drive every Sunday

morning about 4 miles from the 9:30 service at one church to the 11 o'clock at the other. He would often find the parking lot of the second church full, and be forced to park down the road and race to the church on foot. The problem was finally solved when he selected a parking spot near the side door of the church and posted a sign that read, "You Park - You Preach.

 

Summer Job Hunt

My brother wants me to find him a summer job. He asked me to check with my boss, my friends, my business associates.

Then he asked me to run off 100 copies of his resume, call up the employment agencies, and write an ad for the Positions Wanted section of the newspaper.

I asked him what he wanted to call himself in the ad.

He said, "A self-starter!"  

 

Directions

A friend was thinking about buying a new house in the country and asked me to come out and look at it. We found the town, but we couldn't locate the road. We drove over to city hall, where a community get-together was going on, and asked around, but no one had heard of the road. Even the policemen and fire personnel were stumped.

We went in to city hall and consulted a map, with no luck, until finally one young man came

to our aid. He pointed to the map, showing us exactly how to get there. I thanked the young man and asked if he was with the police or fire department.

"Neither," he replied. "I deliver pizzas." 


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.


Thank you, dear Mother for always answering my prayers. Please bless me as I start my new job and bless all my loved ones too. Mrs. F. Gomez, GA 

 

My husband accidentally dropped his wallet on his way home while refueling his car. It contained his work ID, his driving license and Credit Cards. On receiving the news I

immediately prayed the 3 Hail Marys with deep faith and that same evening 3 good Samaritans came by with the wallet and all the contents safe. I thank you Oh, Mother for all the graces you always grant your children. Aurelia Fernandez, New Mexico 


 

 
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].


 



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Marian Shrine

174 Filors Lane, Stony Point, NY 10980

www.marianshrine.org