February 22, 2016
Marian Shrine E-Newsletter
Volume 4, Issue 27
Fr. Jim McKenna

'
...Let us...love one another...' 1 John 4:7 

Love is slow to suspect but quick to trust; slow to condemn but quick to justify; slow to offend but quick to defend; slow to expose but quick to shield; slow to reprimand but quick to empathize; slow to belittle but quick to appreciate; slow to demand but quick to give; slow to provoke but quick to help; slow to resent but quick to forgive. Jerry Cook talks about a church where the people make the following pledge to each other: 'I'll never knowingly say or do anything to hurt you. I'll always, in every circumstance, seek to help and support you. If you're down and I can lift you, I'll do that. If you need something and I have it, I'll share it with you. If I need to, I'll give it to you. No matter what I find out about you, no matter what happens in the future - either good or bad - my commitment to you will never change. And there's nothing you can do about it.'

1 Corinthians 13:7  says love: (1) 'Believes all things.' When someone you care about is called into question, love says, 'That's not the kind of person they are; that's not what they meant.' (2) 'Hopes all things.' Love sees people not just as they are, but as they can be through God's grace. And if you let Him, God will download that kind of love into your heart. (3) 'Endures all things.' The Greek word for 'endure' is a military term. It means driving a stake into the ground. It's like saying, 'I'll stand my ground in loving you.'

Today, take the love that God has given to you, and give it to others.

God bless you.
In Mary Help of Christians,
I remain,
Fr. Jim McKenna SDB
Director 
 
Upcoming Event

February 25 

Salesian Saints:
St. Bishop Louis Versiglia & St. Callistus Caravario

On 13 February 1930 Fr. Caravario was in Shiuchow to accompany Bishop Versiglia on his pastoral visit to the Linchow mission. Some young boys and girls went with them; they had been studying in Shiuchow. On 25 February a group of Bolshevik pirates stopped the bishop's boat, wanting to take the girls. Bishop Versiglia and Fr Callistus stopped them. They were taken by force and ultimately shot, but before they were killed they heard one another's confessions. Their last breath was spent for their beloved China.

Pope Paul VI declared them martyrs in 1976, John Paul II declared them Blessed in 1983
and canonized them on 1st October 2000

 
Know your Bible - Part 1

How many books are in the Bible?
The Bible contains 73 books, divided among the Old and New Testaments.
 
How many books are in the Old Testament?
There are 46 books in the Old Testament.
 
How many books are in the New Testament?
There are 27 books in the New Testament.
 
What does "testament" mean?
Testament means "covenant" or "contract."
 
Who wrote the Bible?
The Bible was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit by over 40 different authors from all walks of life: shepherds, farmers, tent-makers, physicians, fishermen, priests, philosophers and kings. Despite these differences in occupation and the span of years it took to write it, the Bible is an extremely cohesive and unified book.
 
Which single author contributed the most books to the Old Testament?
Moses. He wrote the first five books of the Bible, referred to as the Pentateuch; the foundation of the Bible.
 
Which single author contributed the most books to the New Testament?
The Apostle Paul, who wrote 14 books (over half) of the New Testament.
 
When was the Bible written?
It was written over a period of some 1,500 years, from around 1450 B.C. (the time of Moses) to about 100 A.D. (following the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ).
 
What is the oldest book in the Old Testament?
Many scholars agree that Job is the oldest book in the Bible, written by an unknown Israelite about 1500 B.C. Others hold that the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible) are the oldest books in the Bible, written between 1446 and 1406 B.C.
 
What is the youngest book in the Old Testament?
The book of Malachi, written about 400 B.C.

What is the oldest book of the New Testament?
Probably the book of James, written as early as A.D. 45.
 
What is the youngest book in the New Testament?
The Book of Revelation is the youngest book of the New Testament, written about 95 A.D.
Laughter the best medicine

Assets and Possibilities
A personnel officer in a large firm was interviewing an attractive miss. She answered all the usual questions: name, address, work experience. "Have you any physical handicaps?" she was asked.
Her eyes widened and her looks rounded in surprise. "Oh no, sir," she responded, "they have always been assets!"
 
House Rules
The neighborhood dogs were romping together one day when Scottie came along. "Heavens,
Scottie, what's wrong with you?"
"I feel awful. I'm nervous, can't sleep, have no appetite."
"You ought to see a good vet."
"Oh, I've seen them all, and they all say the same thing: "Nothing wrong organically.'"
"Perhaps you should see a good psychiatrist."
"Oh, I couldn't - you see, I'm not allowed on couches."
 
Unadulterated Diagnosis
The doctor diagnosed the Anglo-Indian colonel's illness as hydropsy. What was that? Too much water in the body, the doctor explained. The whisky drinking colonel was indignant. "But I've never drunk a drop of water in all my life, doctor!" he paused.
Then sadly, he concluded: "Must have been the ice."

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.

After an exhausting day out my children and grandchildren returned home only to find we did not have the keys to our house. All efforts to open the house had failed. After praying the 'Hail Mary' the lock suddenly snapped open. We were all stunned. The lock was perfect and there was nothing wrong with it. We are sincerely grateful to Our Lady for her intervention. Mrs. J. Villegas, CT 
 
I was not well and Mother Mary saved me. All my reports are clear. Ted Garcia, CT 

My sincere thanks to Our Lady Help of Christians for many favors received.
Norman Paul, SC

I have received numerous favors through the faithful recitation of the 3 Hail Marys, I am sincerely grateful to our dear Mother for all her blessings. Thank you so much dearest Mother for the many favors received through your intercession.
Antonieta Simoes, Macao, South China
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



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