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Guy Finley writes a story called "The Devil's Plan For Destruction"
The chief devil calls together every possible evil entity that is in range of his magnetic voice and says, "How can we interfere up there in the world that dwells between ours and the Light we despise? What can we do to further deceive human beings? We must keep them living in the dark, unaware of the Light that wants to release them from our influence. I want something so evil, so sinister, that no one will know what happened. Who's got a good idea?"
That instant the flames of all the little imps gathered there in the smoldering dark go dim; they're afraid of their leader, who will fry them for failing. A day later, as planned, they all return with a few ideas, although nothing spectacular. Then, out of nowhere, one tiny imp hops on the shoulder of the chief devil and whispers something in his ear. A second later, and *kaboom* flames shoot out of every pore of the chief devil as he shouts, "Ah! I have the plan in hand!"
He looks around at all of his lieutenants, each of whom is assigned to certain individuals on Earth, and gleefully instructs them: "I want you to go up there and slowly spread among the sleeping masses the idea of 'tolerance.' Do whatever it takes to succeed. Convince them that this idea is their own, and that they should start teaching that learning to tolerate each other is the same as loving one another. Oh yes! This is my best deception yet! It's a real killer!"
I think, the meaning is within the word "tolerance."
Most people PRETEND to like (or love) others, when really they're just "putting up with" a person because they feel they have to.
This creates a split in the heart ~ people feeling negatively towards a person, yet acting nicely. Tolerance lacks integrity because it pretends to express kindness when kindness is not actually felt.
In other words, tolerance is a form of subconscious (and sometimes conscious) hypocrisy.
But someone might argue that it is often the most practical or pragmatic mode of behavior... especially with people that we do not particularly like or care for... to avoid confrontations and conflicts from arising.
I think that in childhood, "tolerance" was necessary for survival. As adults, we perceive it as necessary because we're unwilling to engage in confrontations or conflicts that would disrupt our life significantly.
In other words, we continue to be hypocrites because the discomfort of conflict and disruption is greater than the inner drive to align our conscious and subconscious minds with our actions.
For some people integrity in all aspects of life becomes more important than comfort... and when that happens, it's both scary and incredibly transformative.
God bless you.
In Mary Help of Christians,
I remain,
Fr. Jim McKenna SDB
Director
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Something to think about
Are we earning to pay builders, interior designers, caterers and decorators?
Whom do we want to impress with our highly inflated house properties & fat weddings? Do you remember for more than two days what you ate at somebody's wedding? Why are we working like dogs in our prime years of life? How many generations do we want to feed? Most of us have two kids. Many have one. How much is the "need" and how much do we "want"? Won't our next generation be able to earn? Can we not spare one days a week for friends,family, self and God? Do we spend 5% of our monthly income in rejuvenating our self? Why can't we enjoy simultaneously while we earn?
Spare time to enjoy before you have slipped-discs and large prostates. We don't own properties, we just have temporary name on documents. God laughs sarcastically, when someone says, "I am the owner of this land."
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 Pope Francis on Don Bosco Vatican City State, June 21, 2015 (ZENIT.org) by Deborah Castellano Lubov Pope Francis has stressed that just like Don Bosco, today's Salesians face the challenge of how to take care of young people. Despite having scripted remarks, the Holy Father called his prepared remarks "a little formal," laid them aside, and spoke off the cuff to Salesians gathered in Turin for some 30 minutes. Francis was addressing the Salesians and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Turin's Basilica of Mary Help of Christians during his two-day pastoral visit to the northern Italian city.
St. John Bosco--commonly referred to as Don Bosco--founded the Salesians, along with their sister order the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. Don Bosco is considered Turin's most famous and known saint. Throughout Francis' remarks, he acknowledged how the economic crisis has robbed the youth of work and has stressed how--through following the example of their founder--their religious orders can help. In response to this difficulty, he underscored the power of 'Salesian creativity,' which, he stressed, "must take in its hands these challenges, educate, and carry joy." The Holy Father suggested that kids on the street, however, are in need of an 'emergency education.' Salesians--the Pontiff stressed--must help poor young people learn skills. He stressed how in the midst of an economic crisis, jobs are immediately needed. He urged the Salesians to use intelligence and creativity to help educate the young people so they can find work. Approximately 40 percent of the youth in Italy are unemployed. The Holy Father also exhorted them to give poor young people food: "You can't pray on an empty stomach." The Pontiff discussed three specific aspects of the charism of Don Bosco: his trust in divine Providence; his vocation to be a priest of the young, especially the poorest among them; his loyal and active service to the Church, particularly to the Pope. The Argentine Pontiff with a great devotion to Mary explained, "We cannot understand Don Bosco without his mother, Mama Margherita." He stressed that his mother educated him as he would educate others himself. Pope Francis concluded, calling on the Salesians "to proclaim to all the mercy of Jesus, making 'an oratory' of every place, especially the most inaccessible; bearing in the heart the 'oratorian' style of Don Bosco and aiming at ever greater apostolic horizons,' and lauded the many living religious institutions living "that today are living the charism of Don Bosco to share the mission of taking the Gospel to the furthest reaches of the peripheries." | |
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 Laughter the Best Medicine
WOMAN: Do you drink Beer?
MAN: Yes
Woman: How many Beers a day?
Man: Usually about 3.
Woman: How much do you pay for your beer?
Man: $5 which includes a tip
Woman: And how long have you been Drinking?
Man: About 20 years, I suppose
Woman: So a Beer costs $5 and you have 3 beers a day which puts your spending $15 each day and each month at $450. In one year, it would be approximately $5400 ...correct?
Man: Correct
Woman: If in 1 year you spend $5400, not accounting for inflation, the past
20 years puts your spending at 10,800 correct?
Man: Correct
Woman: Do you know that if you didn't Drink so much Beer, that Money could have been put in a step-up interest savings account and after accounting for compound interest for the past 20 years, You could have now bought a Ferrari?
Man: Do you drink Beer?
Woman: No
Man: Where's Your Ferrari?
When Bush was the president, in one of his many trips, he encountered a man with long hair, wearing a white robe and sandals, holding a staff. President Bush went up to the man and inquired, " aren't you Moses? " The man didn't answer and just stared ahead. Unperturbed, Bush again said " Moses! ", this time rather loud. The man didn't answer and just stared ahead. This continued another two times and the federal agent accompanying Bush asked what was the matter. Bush pointed out to the man asking, " doesn't he resemble Moses? You have a check on him, now. " The agent walks up to the man and asks, " excuse me, are you by any chance, Moses? " " Yes. I am. " came reply. " That was the US president who was talking to you earlier. ." Moses cut him short, gently whispering, " ...the last time I spoke to a bush, I spent 40 years wandering in the desert!"
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 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.
My sincere thanks to Our Lady Help of Christians, Don Bosco and Dominic Savio for the safe delivery of my daughter Ivy and for the gift of a baby girl after twelve years. Mrs. Marie Goes, FL
My sincere thanks to dear Mother Mary and Don Bosco for curing my granddaughter and grandson of their sickness. A Devotee, TX
My belated thanks to Our Lady, Don Bosco and Dominic Savio for the gift of our 2 children and for many favors granted. H.B. Couto
Thanks to Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and the Blessed Virgin Mary for helping my son get a job and for the successful operation of my husband. I prayed the 3 Hail Marys everyday. Gladys Vargas, NY
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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
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Marian Shrine
174 Filors Lane, Stony Point, NY 10980
(845) 947-2200
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