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The Season of Lent is upon us. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting. Following the example of the Ninevites, who did penance in sackcloth and ashes, our foreheads are marked with ashes on Ash Wednesday to humble our hearts and remind us that life passes away on earth. We remember this when the priest who imposes ashes says: "Remember that thou art dust, and unto dust thou shall return."
The traditional English translation of the admonition that the priest delivers to each and every one of us---young or old, male or female, rich or poor ---as he makes a cross of ashes on our forehead reminds us that none of us can escape death---- and judgment. We don't know when it will come, though for many of us it will come when we least expect it. That's why both Scripture and the Church have always taught that we need to prepare ourselves every day. We have plenty of second chances in our lives.
While we decide on our Lenten penances, The Three T's might help us decide something on a personal level in our journey with Jesus. Let us examine three areas and see where and how we can give, as Blessed Mother Teresa said: "Give until it hurts!
Time!
Give of your time to others. Start in our families and in our communities because charity begins at home.
Talents!
We all have talents. Lent is time to conquer our laziness and work diligently to cultivate our God-given talents. "Better to wear out then rust out."
Treasures!
If you have an excess of food, clothing, money and material possessions, give and give. You are giving to Jesus in the poor!
'Vita communis poenitentia maxima,' this quotation from St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), a French abbot and the primary builder of the reforming Cistercian order, means, "Living in Community is my greatest penance."
Why is it so important in your life and mine?
It is the same community that brings us meals when we are sick or injured. It is the same community that we beg for prayers when things are not going well in life. It is the same community that offers the Blessed Sacrament regularly for our soul sustenance even when we are not present. It is the same community that offers you and me God's love when the world is telling us that love and faith in God does not exist. Yes living in community, rubbing shoulders day in and day out, is indeed a penance.
The beauty, however, of living in a faithful community, is that it is built around the "Bonds of Affection" between a God who loved the world so much that He gave His Son to die on a cross - for you and for me.
Let us not forget the figure of Mary during our Lenten journey and let her accompany us on this path of conversion and faith.
My dear friends of the Marian Shrine, if we can choose to live out these proposals with generosity of spirit, this will be the most holy of all our Lents. We will be able to live out the fullness of the Paschal Mystery--to suffer and die with Jesus so that we will rise with Him in the glory of the Resurrection!
Wishing you a Holy Season of Lent.
God bless you.
In Mary Help of Christians,
I remain,
Fr. Jim McKenna SDB
Director
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 When I say "I'm a Christian"
When I say that 'I am a Christian', I am not shouting that 'I am clean living.I'm whispering 'I was lost, but now I'm found and forgiven.'
When I say 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.
When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.
When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect.My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.
When I say 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain.I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.
When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou, I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow!
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 Laughter the best medicine
Irish
The rain was pouring down. And there standing in front of a big puddle outside the pub, was an old Irishman, drenched, holding a stick, with a piece of string dangling in the water.
A passer-by stopped and asked, "What are you doing?"
"Fishing" replied the old man.
Feeling sorry for the old man, the gent says, "Come in out of the rain and have a drink with me."
In the warmth of the pub, as they sip their whiskies, the gentleman cannot resist asking, "So how many have you caught today?"
"You're the eighth" says the old man.
Freezer Order I have my own system for labeling homemade freezer meals. Forget calling them "Veal Parmigiana" or "Turkey Loaf" or "Beef Pot Pie." If you look in my freezer you'll see "Whatever," "Anything," "I Don't Know," and, my favorite, "Food." That way when I ask my husband what he wants for dinner, I'm certain to have what he wants." Curve Hand A guy was on the side of the road hitchhiking on a very dark night and in the middle of a storm. The night was rolling on and no car went by. The storm was so strong he could hardly see a few feet ahead of him. Suddenly he saw a car coming toward him and stop. Without thinking about it, the guy got into the back seat, closed the door and then realized there was nobody behind the wheel! The car started slowly; the guy looked at the road and saw a curve coming his way. Scared, he started to pray begging for his life. He hadn't come out of shock, when just before he hit the curve, a hand appeared through the window and moved the wheel. The guy, paralyzed in terror, watched how the hand appeared every time right before a curve. Gathering his strength, the guy finally jumped out of the car and ran to the nearest town. Wet and in shock, he went to a restaurant and started telling everybody about the horrible experience he went through. A silence enveloped everybody when they realized the guy was serious. About half an hour later, two guys walked in the same restaurant. They looked around for a table when one said to the other, "Look John, that's the dummy who got in the car when we were pushing it" | |
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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 uncle was diagnosed with cancer of the urinary tract and the doctors initially decided to remove the bladder. My family was greatly troubled and prayed to Our Blessed Mother very fervently. We were led to another hospital and we found that the infection had not spread at all. We sincerely thank our dearest Mother from the bottom of our hearts. Michael Miller, Stony Point, NY Thank you Mother Mary for giving me my dream job. Doreen Ivy, Tampa, FL Heartfelt thanks to Jesus and Mary for curing my father of a rare eye ailment and also healing me of cysts I had under my eyelids. Lorna, PA | |
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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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