January 25, 2016
Marian Shrine E-Newsletter
Volume 4, Issue 23
Fr. Jim McKenna

How are you? That's an interesting question. This question is asked at least millions of times per day across the globe. Many times the question "How are you?" passes from employee to customer without even being noticed.

Strangers might not even hear the question. Those who notice the question, most frequently answer with a commonly expected response: "Fine" or "Good." When we use a default answer like "fine" or "good" it is we are avoiding connection and/or potential confrontation.

I know at least for me, there used to be a little voice in the back of my mind that said, "They don't REALLY care how I am. She was just being nice. It's her job at the store to ask those questions."
 
Sometimes that was true. I could sense that the person didn't care. But that doesn't change the fact that a part of me was afraid to engage the other person. What did it matter? We'd only talk for 10 seconds anyway. Why bother being open and vulnerable?
It wasn't until a few years ago that I decided to make my best conscious effort to answer "How are you?" honestly. Some days that means I'm wonderful, delighted, having a great day, or simply feeling well.

Other days, I answer more somberly. For example, I'll tell people that I am "Tired,"  "Sad," "Very upset" or "I'm having a really difficult day/week/month/holiday season." Sometimes people don't know how to respond to that.
Answering "How are you?" candidly is out of the norm. Unexpected. Vulnerable. All the things that people usually try to avoid (consciously or subconsciously).

The thing is, when we answer unconsciously with socially expected and accepted responses, we become robbers.
We rob the other person of the opportunity to engage with the world in a more alive way. We rob ourselves of that same opportunity. We also rob ourselves of living presently, consciously, and authentically.

We rob ourselves and others of the opportunity to make new friends, new connections, share our experiences and insights, and most importantly - share our humanity.
It is risky to be vulnerable.

Part of us fears rejection. Part of us worries about what the other person will think if we were REALLY candid about how we are.

Those are normal aspects of our social survival instincts. It's the pack mentality that says "If I don't conform to what I think others expect of me, I might not get what I want. I might be rejected. I might not survive."
It doesn't just happen in supermarkets and stores though. This is most readily seen in social functions with family, friends, and coworkers. It happens in almost every walk of life where "How are you?" is a frequent question.

In those contexts most people rarely answer honestly. "Good" and "great" become cover-ups for the real inner thoughts like "My life is in total shambles and I'm grateful just to be out of the house. Would you please pour me a glass of that wine?"
Being open and candid is not easy. Few of us were given working examples, the tools, and the support to be vulnerable, authentic, and candid.

Fortunately, every day we have an opportunity to change that in a safe way.

Where and how?
The supermarket perhaps!
Next time somebody asks you "How are you?" pause for a brief moment and answer honestly.

See how the moment unfolds. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but I guarantee you this: Do it enough times, and you will experience ever increasing degrees of inner freedom and peace.
 
Why?
Because you're no longer silencing the true essential nature of yourself that WANTS to be authentic and connect with others...
 
God bless you.
In Mary Help of Christians,
I remain,
Fr. Jim McKenna SDB
Director
 
What is Prayer?

Prayer doesn't just happen when we kneel or put hands together and focus and expect things from God
Instead...

Thinking positive and wishing good for others - That is prayer

When you hug a friend - That's a prayer

When you cook something to nourish family and friends- That's a prayer

When we send off our near and dear ones and say 'Drive Safely' or 'Be Safe'- That's prayer

When you are helping someone in need by giving your time and energy - You are praying

Prayer is a Vibration- A feeling - A thought.
Prayer is the voice of love, friendship, genuine relationships.

 
Christian one liners

Don't let your worries get the best of you; Remember, Moses started out as a basket case.
 
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Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited
Until you try to sit in their pews.
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Many folks want to serve God, But only as advisers.
 
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It is easier to preach ten sermons
Than it is to live one.
 
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When you get to your wit's end,
You'll find God lives there.
 
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People are funny; they want the front of the bus,
Middle of the road,
And back of the church.
 
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Opportunity may knock once,
But temptation bangs on the front door forever.
 
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Quit griping about your church;
If it was perfect, you couldn't belong.
 
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We're called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.
 
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God Himself doesn't propose to judge a man until
he is dead. So why should you?
 
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Some minds are like concrete
Thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
 
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Peace starts with a smile.
 
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Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.
 
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Don't put a question mark where God put a period.
 
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Don' t wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.
 
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Forbidden fruits create many jams.
 
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God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
 
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God grades on the cross, not the curve.
 
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God loves everyone,
But probably prefers 'fruits of the spirit' over 'religious nuts!'
 
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God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
 
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He who angers you, controls you!
 
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If God is your Co-pilot, swap seats!
 
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Prayer:
Don't give God instructions, just report for duty!
 
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The task ahead of us is never as
great as the Power behind us.
 
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The Will of God never takes you to where the
Grace of God will not protect you.
 
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We don't change the message,
The message changes us.
 
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You can tell how big a person is
By what it takes to discourage him/her.
 
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The best mathematical equation I have ever seen:
1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.

Laughter the best medicine

Brightness in Action
The Baltimore Police Department, famous for its superior K-9 unit, was somewhat taken aback by a recent incident. Returning home from work, a woman had been shocked to find her house ransacked and burgled. She telephoned the police at once and reported the crime. The police dispatcher broadcast the call on the channels, and a K-9 officer patrolling nearby was first on the scene. As he approached the house with his dog on a leash, the woman ran out on the porch, clapped a hand to her head and moaned, "I come home from work to find all my possessions stolen. I call the police for help, and what do they do? They send a blind
policeman!"
 
Lumberjack
A man comes up to the owner of a lumberjack business and says, "I need a job and I think I'm pretty good."
The owner replied, "Okay, show me what you can do, chop down that redwood over there." The man said okay and left. Five minutes later he came back and was done.
The owner was shocked and asked, "How did you chop that tree down so fast?"
The man said, "I got a lot of practice in the Sahara."
The owner replied, "You mean the Sahara desert?"
"Yes" he said, "or at least that's what they call it now."
 
Wedding Cake Verse
A couple was arranging for their wedding, and asked the bakery to inscribe the wedding cake with "1 John 4:18" which reads "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear."
The bakery evidently lost, smudged or otherwise misread the noted reference, and beautifully inscribed on the cake "John 4:18"... "for you have had five husbands, and the man you have now is not your husband."

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.

Thank you, dear Mary Help of Christians for the many graces granted
to me through the recitation of the 3 Hail Marys. Euphrasia DuPont, NOLA
 
Thank you dear Mother Mary Help of Christians. I prayed for employment from Our Lady's Book and I am blessed with a temporary job. I pray that Mother Mary continues to intercede for me and that Almighty God blessed me always. I pray the three Hail Marys daily.
Valerie Fernandez, Toronto

Our humble thanks to Jesus and Mother Mary for the many favors received throughout our daughter's pregnancy and for blessing her with a healthy baby girl Kaitlyn Elizabeth.
Mr. & Mrs. Anthony, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia


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
 

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
(845) 947-2200