August 17, 2015
Marian Shrine E-Newsletter
Volume 4, Issue 3
Fr. Jim McKenna

It has often been pointed out that a beneficent Providence sends into the world at precisely the most opportune time those specially chosen-and therefore specially gifted souls-who are to bring to it healing, strength, and newness of life. Examples abound, and the birth of John Bosco, who was destined to be the Apostle of the nineteenth century, at a most opportune moment, is but one more instance, even if a specially striking one. John Bosco came into a devout Catholic family of peasant folk on 16th August 1815, born just at the passing of the great Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, as though she, too, his future patroness and intimate guide, had sent him as a gift to the world, which through him might be brought nearer in mind and heart to her Divine Son; and perhaps not without significance was he named John, for in some ways he was both a Precursor and an Evangelist, preaching the Gospel of truth, of virtue, and of duty.

John was one of those gifted boys to whom all things come with surety and ease. He was sturdy in growth, stronger than most boys of his age, quick at learning, and had a memory that seemed to retain with the utmost facility all that he read or studied; and yet withal was modest, frank, unassuming, and ready to assist everyone, both at home and outside. For such a promising boy the paths of study and intellectual attainment were surely open; he desired to become a priest, particularly that he might instruct other boys, whom he already perceived to be much neglected, and like sheep without a shepherd.

John Bosco, affectionately known as 'Don' Bosco was a man ahead of his times. He was wholeheartedly committed to poor and troubled youth and revolutionized educational practices and approaches to youth spirituality by harnessing the power of peer-mentoring and meeting young people in activities where they were most comfortable.

At a time when teacher and student were expected to remain distant from each other, where discipline was rigid and punishment harsh, Don Bosco modeled his educational system on an extended family where good and Christian learning was to happen in an environment of familiarity, spontaneity, trust and joy. He felt that the key to forming honest citizens and good Christians was in loving relationships, lived out through the use of reason, religion and loving-kindness.

Challenged by reality, inspired by dream-visions, animated by his enduring closeness to God, he responded innovatively to gift the young with a sense of realism and hope through joy-filled practice of their faith. He responded to the particular needs of his place and time but left an attitude and system geared for adaptation to the future (Peter Carroll).

 

"To dream the impossible dream..." sums up the hope we carry deep within us. Realizing that dream is an inner drive which eventually leads us to happiness. Yet often this potential to think 'BIG' and follow our dream remains suffocated until the right moment comes along and our courage kick starts us into life.

  The growing realization of what the dream, at the age of nine, was about and his unique

ability to be at ease with the young who were homeless, illiterate and in need, spurred him on. He progressed from Sunday catechism classes in a local-field, to a daily trade school in an adapted shed. Young people flocked to him for education and shelter.

  He fought for the rights of and proper working conditions for, apprentices. His fame and his work spread. Acceptance replaced rejection and people began to see John Bosco not as someone deranged, but as an extraordinarily holy man.

He was making the seemingly impossible, possible. Salesian spirituality has love, kindness and generosity at its core. It is a practical, service-based love of God and neighbor - especially for the marginalized and those in need. It is creative, optimistic, joyful, encouraging and life giving.

 

Two Hundred years later the dream lives on. That gift or charism given by the Holy Spirit to John Bosco still flourishes in many parts of the world today. Salesian priests, brothers and sisters still take this spirit to the remotest places on earth. The charism inspires them to bring God's love to the young in an unique way, especially to young people on the margins and fringe of society, so that they can rediscover their dignity and uniqueness as children of God.

Today a vast variety of works around the world - schools of all kinds; working with street children and homeless young people; youth clubs; missions, retreats, parishes, etc. - gives testimony to its power and inspiration. Today we try to dream their dream anew.

  The Salesian way of life still attracts men and women to the religious life. Also many lay people from all walks of life are attracted by the Salesian spirit, and work with great generosity for young people in differing situations. They are all supported by the traditions, insights and stories of the congregations. Many young people volunteer to give one or two years working in Salesian projects throughout the world.

 

Working at a Salesian institution, be it a school, a parish, a technical institution or an institute of higher learning or a college is an invitation to share in and become part of a rich spiritual and educational tradition that has love as its key motivation. Don Bosco's work began when he touched the hearts of the homeless abandoned youngsters on the streets of Turin more than two centuries ago. His work continues today in the work of each and every member of the Salesian family as we work for youngsters entrusted to our care. Therefore, each of us also has a responsibility to ensure that this Salesian Spirit is lived with energy and vigor.  

  

In Mary Help of Christians,

I remain,

Fr. Jim McKenna SDB

Director 

  

 
Walking with the Church

Q. The Bible (Revelation Ch. 14) states that Heaven is home to 144,000. Where
are all the others? This problem has troubled me for many years.

A. The earlier Chapter 7 of
Revelations also mentions the 144,000 but quite clearly indicates that this number refers to the elect of the Jewish people from all the
tribes of the people of Israel. It does not mean that only 144,000 would be saved. The writer also points out
that apart from these he saw a great crowd impossible to count from
every nation, race, people, language standing before the throne and the lamb.
Some people who take everything in the Bible literally say that the
number spoken of is the number that will be saved. They seem to forget or obviously do not
understand that among ancient people large numbers were
frequently symbols of an
unmeasurable infinite time, so a large number of people, such as 144,000, would represent an infinite number of people -
impossible to count.

 

The Assumption

The Assumption of Mary was the bodily taking up of the Virgin Mary into heaven at the end of her earthly life. The Church teaches as
dogma that the Virgin Mary' having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory'. This doctrine was defined by Pope Pius XII on November 1, 1950, in the Apostolic Constitution Munificentissimus Deus.
The Assumption is a major feast day, commonly celebrated on August 15th. In many Catholic countries, the feast is also marked as a Holy Day of obligation. The Catholic feast of the Assumption is celebrated on August 15th and the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholics celebrate the Dormition of the Theotokos (the falling asleep of the Mother of God) on the same date, preceded by a 14 day fast period.
Orthodox tradition is clear and unwavering in regard to the central point (of the Dormition): the Holy Virgin underwent, as did her Son, a physical death, but her body - like his - was afterwards raised from the dead and she was taken up into heaven, in her body as well as in her soul. She has passed beyond death and judgment, and lives wholly in the age to come. The resurrection of the body - has in her case been anticipated and is already an accomplished fact.
Many Catholics believe that Mary first died before being assumed, but they add that she was miraculously resurrected before being assumed, while others believe she was assumed bodily into heaven without first passing through death.
The Assumption is important to many Catholics and Orthodox Christians as the Virgin Mary's heavenly birthday. Her acceptance into the glory of heaven is seen by them as the symbol of the promise made by Jesus to all enduring Christians that they too will be received into paradise.
We make a difference between Jesus entry into glory and Mary's going into heaven.
We call Jesus leaving this world his Ascension into heaven, since he was raised by
his own power, whereas Mary was taken into heaven not by her own power, but by
the power of God. This is why we call Mary's leaving the world Assumption rather
than Ascension into heaven.
Mary not only reminds us of our destiny, but, while on earth, she also showed us
how to reach that destiny. The way she showed us was one of faith, saying always
yes to God's will, accepting his plan in our lives.
By always doing the will of the Father, she allowed him to overshadow her ordinariness and do great things in her. If we follow the same way, God will do mighty things in and through us also.

 

Laughter the best medicine

Some humorous ads

 

Advertisement In A Long Island Shop: Guitar, for sale....... Cheap...........no strings attached .

 

Ad.. In Hospital Waiting Room: Smoking Helps You Lose Weight ... One Lung At A Time!

 

Seen on a bulletin board: Success Is Relative. More The Success, More The Relatives.

 

When I Read About The Evils Of Drinking...I Gave Up Reading.

 

My Grandfather Is Eighty And Still Doesn't Need Glasses... He Drinks Straight Out Of The Bottle.

 

Sign In A Bar: "Those Of You Who Are Drinking To Forget, Please Pay In Advance."

 

Sign In Driving School: If Your Wife Wants To Learn To Drive, Don't Stand In Her Way.

 

The Surest Sign That Intelligent Life Exists Elsewhere In The Universe Is The Fact That It Has Never Tried To Contact Us.

 

Sign At A Barber's Saloon In Detroit: We Need Your Heads To Run Our Business.

 

Sign In A Restaurant: All Drinking Water In This Establishment Has Been Personally Passed By The Manager.

 

Sign On A Famous Beauty Parlor Window: Don't Whistle At The Girls Going Out From Here. She May Be Your Grandmother!

 __________________ 

   

 

A man approaches a beautiful woman in a Shopping Mall

"Miss, please, I lost my wife in the store. Would you mind if I talk to you for a few minutes?"

"Why?"

"Because every time I talk to a beautiful woman, my wife appears from somewhere"

The Devotion of the Three Hail Marys

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.


Most loving Mother thank you for the many favors received through the
recitation of the 3 Hail Marys. A child of Mary, NY

 

Our sincere thanks to Jesus and Mother Mary, through the faithful recitation of the 3 Hail Marys we have been blessed with so many favors. Manny, PA 

 

On the 21st July 2014, my daughter met with an accident on her way back from work. She fractured her right hand and had bruises on her forehead and leg. She was unconscious for two days but she has since recovered and is in perfect health. Her handbag was handed over to me by the police. Everything was intact except for her Rosary which was inside a thick leather purse. The beads were all  broken. It seems Our Lady took the impact of the accident. We are most grateful for her protection. Mrs. Monteiro, NC


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

www.marianshrine.org 

(845) 947-2200