June 29, 2015
Marian Shrine E-Newsletter
Volume 3, Issue 46
Fr. Jim McKenna

It's been said by many that we are not human beings having a spiritual experience, but rather, we are spiritual beings having a human experience. If we take this to heart, it also reminds us that our bodies are the vehicles by which we interact with the world.


Seems obvious, but it's easy to forget. We don't make anything happen in our lives without doing something. We must take some form of action in the world to manifest them.

This also means our emotions have a much more important role in our lives than most of us give credit to...

Our bodies are made of electricity and chemicals. These are very real physical energies that need to be moving. When they are blocked, it creates cesspools within our bodies where the energy becomes stagnant and ineffective.

This is true whether the emotions are joy and happiness or sadness and anger. No matter what the emotion, it must be fully experienced in order for its energy to be released from the body.

At first glance, it may seem to be a good thing if "joy" or "happiness" were stuck in your body. However, the thing to remember is that if emotions are not experienced and allowed, then they will become repressed or suppressed. Yes, even your happiness and joy can become repressed or suppressed.  Take for example a child who is experiencing wonderful joy and delight, but his mother is depressed. Instead of allowing and appreciating his happiness, the boy learns that it's "not okay to be happy." Over time he experiences happiness less frequently and with less intensity.

 

It's also important to note the difference between experiencing and expressing.

There have actually been studies that showed people who express their anger physically (such as hitting pillows) are more likely to have more severe anger issues.

Therefore, the answer isn't necessarily expressing emotions. Though since emotions expressed are amplified, in the case of positive emotions like happiness and joy, expressing them can be a significant benefit.

Regardless of whether the emotion is expressed however, the key is to simply experience those emotions. This is a skill that few people have mastered. It simply means that we are totally present, in our bodies, and accepting of whatever emotion is flowing through us. We don't deny or reject our experience.

For example, if we were feeling anger it isn't necessary that we yell, scream, or hit pillows. What is necessary is that we fully feel the anger flowing through our bodies. That we are fully in touch with our experience. This can apply to fear, jealousy, and other 'negative' emotions.

 

The same is true with happiness and joy.

As an extreme example, suppose you were at a funeral and you had spent some time completely remembering how much joy that person brought to your life. In fact, it's so much happiness that you feel overflowed and almost compelled to laugh or jump up and down. Still, this might not be the most appropriate time to express happiness in that way when people all around you are sobbing with tears. It might be disruptive.

Many of us would tell ourselves we "shouldn't" feel happy in that moment. But that's not true.

Happiness would be what's happening. It would be real and very true to us. Therefore, the best thing we could do is totally own and accept our happiness. Appreciate it.

In other words, don't suppress or reject your inner emotional experience simply because the outer-world context might not be able to appropriately hold and value your inner experience.

Ultimately, what we strive for is a balance in fully experiencing our emotions and expressing them appropriately.

 

Wishing you Gods Blessings,

I remain,

In Mary Help of Christians,

Fr. Jim McKenna SDB

Director


 

Short Stories

 

 He asked are you-"Hindu or Muslim"

Response came- I am hungry

 

The fool didn't know it was impossible-

So he did it.

 

"Wrong number"- Said a familiar voice.

 

"They told me that to make her fall in love I had to make her laugh. But every time she laughs, I am the one who falls in love."

 

8) We don't make friends anymore, We add them. 

 

This Summer

 

During holidays, instead of taking kids to movies or shopping, please try to do the following activities:

 

1. Go to the nearest bank and show them the functioning of the banks, how ATM's work and the responsibility of saving. 

 

2. Take time out and visit a nursing home and spend time with those folks. 

 

3. Take them to the rivers, seas, oceans and teach them how to respect nature.

 

4. Give them a saplings and ask them to plant them and water them and see them grow.     Encourage them by saying that they will be presented with gifts for their good deeds.

 

5. Perform blood donations in front of them, and explain to them the need for it. Be a hero (role model) for them.

 

6. Take them to a children's hospital and show them the difficulties the patients are going through. Tell them how difficult it is to go through this process of pain if you are sick.

 

7. Let them spend time with their grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins. Let them experience the affection and good times of being with the family.  

 

8. Take them to the nearby police station, court, jail. Explain to them the punishments rendered to the inmates because of their wrong doings. This will make them aware of the bad things they should stay away from.

 

9. Make them sit by you and ask them what their needs are and satisfy some of the useful ones and explain them which ones are essential and which ones are not. Give them a feeling that you are there for them.

 

10. Take them to a places of worship and pray with them. Help them develop a conscience. 
 
Laughter the Best Medicine

 

Husband to wife - Today is a fine day. Next day he says : Today is a fine day. Again next day, he says same thing - Today is a fine day. Finally after a week, the wife can't take it and asks husband - since last one week, you are saying this "Today is a fine day'. I am fed up. What's the matter?

Husband : Last week when we had an argument, you said, "I will leave you one fine day." I was just trying to remind you......

 

A cockroach's last words to a man who wanted to kill it :

"Go ahead & kill me, you coward. You're just Jealous Because; I can Scare your wife & you Cannot!!!"

 

 

"A man stood outside of his house after a bitter divorce and he noticed a crate of beer bottles.

He took out an empty bottle and smashed it onto the wall swearing, "you are the reason I don't have a wife".

He smashed the second bottle, "you are the reason I don't have children".

He smashed the third bottle, "you are the reason I don't have a job".

When he took the fourth bottle, he realized that the bottle was still sealed and full of beer and he said to the bottle, "you stand aside, I know you were not involved".

 

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 Mary for all your blessings. Paul Abernathy, NJ

 

Thank you dear Mother Mary for granting me a successful operation for the removal of a pituitary tumour and other favors granted to me and my family. Do keep us under your protection. Fiacre, GA 

 

Thank you dear Lord Jesus and Mother Mary for curing me of a bad shoulder pain and for many other favors received. Mrs. Spinola Paul, London


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].


 

 

Fine Print

 

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

www.marianshrine.org 

(845) 947-2200