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Happy Easter! Here in the USA, it is a wonderful spectacle to note the gradual transition from the cold, dreary days of winter to bright, sunlit, warmer days with the advent of the season of spring. The bare trees, the dull, misty days and the seemingly lifeless and silent countryside, is now bursting forth with new life, plants in full bloom and birds chirping cheerily. It serves as a powerful reminder of how in all circumstances of our lives we need to have hope, be it when all seems hopeless in our personal lives, or when relationships in community sour, or even when our efforts in the mission seem to bear no fruit! We have reason to hope for Christ has been raised from the dead and is with us through His Spirit. The Gospel tells us that when the first disciples went forth to preach "the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message" (Mk 16:20). The same thing happens today.
Perhaps a quote from Pope Francis will serve to make this point more forcefully. Here are two of his statements, taken from his Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium: "If we think that things are not going to change, we need to recall that Jesus Christ has triumphed over sin and death and is now almighty. Jesus Christ truly lives" (EG 275). "Christ's resurrection, is not an event of the past; it contains a vital power which has permeated this world. Where all seems to be dead, signs of the resurrection suddenly spring up. [...] In the midst of darkness something new always springs to life and sooner or later produces fruit. [...] Such is the power of the resurrection, and all who evangelize are instruments of that power" (EG 276).
My wish and prayer for each of us, dear friends of the Marian Shrine, is that we may re-discover the source of our faith and hope in the Risen Lord and allow His Word and His Spirit to move our wills and our hearts to manifest it in our lives.
A Happy and Joy-filled Easter to you and to all our collaborators! God bless you
In Mary Help of Christians
I remain,
Fr. Jim McKenna SDB
Director
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Upcoming Event
April 1 82nd Anniversary of the canonization
of Don Bosco
carried out
by Pope Pius XI on Easter Sunday, 1934, linking
Don Bosco with
the glory of the Risen Christ.
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY
9 am - hymns by Fr. Pat
9.45 - welcome by Fr. Jim McKenna SDB
10 am - Mass
11.45 am - Lunch Break
1.30 pm - Reflections by
Fr. Patenaude
2.15 - Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Recitation of Rosary
Chaplet of Divine Mercy
Benediction
4 pm - Blessing of articles and dismissal
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 HOPE - WHEN ALL SEEMS LOST
The 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens looked highly promising for Paul Elbert Hamm who did end up as the reigning world champion - the first U.S. athlete ever to win a world all-around title. But it wasn't 'roses, roses, all the way!' At that meet Hamm began well in the first three events and held a first place lead in the all-around by .038 points. Then, unexpectedly disaster struck. During his pole vault performance, having under-rotated and missed his landing, he found himself sitting down and almost fallen off the platform! This was a 'cardinal sin' in gymnastics and Hamm paid for it dearly by being pushed down to the twelfth place. It was pretty clear to all from his reaction to this misfortune that he knew he had blown his chance of making history! Undaunted, Paul Hamm saw his uncalled-for blunder as a chance to demonstrate the difference between mediocrity and genius. He decided that the most sensible thing to do in that situation was to put his fall behind him and move forward, giving his best effort to what was left and to finish strong. In the next event, his great performance on the parallel bars coupled with the struggles of his competitors, helped him to move into fourth place in the all-around, with his last and strongest event left to play out - the high bar. Paul calmly determined to capitalize on this positive turn of events. Convinced that he was a master of the high bar, he worked out a highly technical routine so as to earn the most points possible. In this final event Paul was the last to perform and all eyes were glued to him as he approached the bar. One could not help palpably sense his purposeful energy, focus and determination as he drew near it and when he had finished, his accomplishment was electrifying indeed! Even before his score was revealed, one could see on his face that in his own mind Paul knew that he had won, regardless of the outcome. He came back from a crushing mishap on the vault and proved to himself that he could execute beyond obstacles and setbacks. In one of the most dramatic comebacks in sports history he won the gold medal in the men's all-around by 0.012 points, becoming the first U.S. athlete to ever win the Olympic title. He showed the world what it means to finish strong! Lesson from Life and for Life Have you ever noticed in your own life and perhaps in that of others too, that no sooner a person sets out to do something positive and beneficial he meets with innumerable obstacles? Actually these difficulties only serve to highlight one's faith in oneself and deepen it, for if at this juncture one does not really believe in oneself or lacks a firm strength of purpose, the negative outcome can well be predicted. The Gospels give us the classic case of the four friends who bring a paralytic friend on a stretcher hoping to plead with Jesus for his cure (Mk 2:1-12). Imagine their surprise, disappointment and frustration when they reach the place only to find it impossible to get the paralytic in before Jesus. What would you have done in such a situation? Many in such circumstances would perhaps have decided to wait outside until the session indoors had ended and then attract Jesus' attention as he left the place. After all, he would not remain in that house for ever, would he? All they needed to do was to position themselves in a strategic spot and ensure that they did grab the first opportunity that came their way. Some others might have decided to return some other day, or meet Jesus at another location. But recalling Jesus' track record of moving around frequently and having large crowds around him, they would probably have concluded that this would be a pretty risky decision - they might end up never meeting him and indefinitely forfeiting their chance of a cure. Still others might have just sat there and cursed their luck or fate, or blamed their failure on others while a few perhaps might even have opted to return home dejected and beaten. But not these four - they were made of sterner stuff and were more resourceful, as the story reveals. And weren't they amply rewarded by the gift Jesus gave their friend: not only healing, but also forgiveness! Blind Bartimaeus is another example: strongly chided by all around for calling out aloud after Jesus, he is asked to keep quiet, possibly because he wasn't one who was 'on the way' like the others. Whatever it be, having lost his eyesight perhaps due to his own fault, he was not one who would let this golden opportunity slip by - he might never again get the chance of meeting with Jesus who, he was convinced, was the only one who could cure him of his blindness. His perseverance obtained for him the desired reward!
Obstacles in our Lives!
How do we handle the obstacles that we come across in our own life's journey? Do we treat them as stepping stones to glory, or merely as immovable mountains blocking our way to success? These blocks could be a power failure just when we have something urgent to complete, or a puncture precisely when we are already late and rushing to catch up with an appointment. In this connection we need to recall the experience of the women in St. Mark's gospel. Desiring to anoint the body of Jesus, they go to the tomb taking with them the spices they had prepared. But, their one big preoccupation along the way was: 'Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?!?' Yet, on arriving at the tomb they found that the stone, which was a large one, had already been rolled away posing no obstacle at all for them to enter in! (Mk. 16:1-4). Who else could have done them that favor except the Risen Lord himself? And isn't he present in our lives too rolling away the obstacles that we presume are in our path preventing us from experiencing the fullness of life that he brought us? To proceed unhesitatingly in life towards the goal set for us by the Lord, we need first of all to believe in the power of Christ's resurrection. He himself reminds us 'Do not be afraid, I have overcome the world ...behold, I make all things new!' How often have we claimed this victory that Jesus has obtained for us, and actually placed within our reach?
What a different kind of life would we not have if we believed in the ultimate, total and final victory of Jesus, our Savior and brother! Would not the new world that he established be a visible reality around us? Rather, we have allowed the forces of evil to dominate us and have remained like the people of the Old Testament still awaiting the coming of the Messiah, simply because we do not have the courage to believe all that Jesus tells us! Could things be different from now on? It is worth remembering that this is a personal choice that each person needs to make. No one else can step into our shoes and do it for us! Wake up - and take the plunge. |
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 Laughter the best medicine
Better Preaching
After the visiting preacher finished, a woman came up and said, "You were much better than the preacher we had last Sunday. He spoke for an hour and said nothing."
"Thank you," the visiting preacher replied.
"Yes," she continued. "You did it in fifteen minutes."
Drum Problem
There was once a small boy who banged a drum all day and loved every moment of it. He would not be quiet, no matter what anyone else said or did. Various attempts were made to do something about the child.
One person told the boy that he would, if he continued to make so much noise, perforate his eardrums. This reasoning was too advanced for the child, who was neither a scientist nor a scholar.
A second person told him that drum beating was a sacred activity and should be carried out only on special occasions. The third person offered the neighbors plugs for their ears; a fourth gave the boy a book; a fifth gave the neighbors books that described a method of controlling anger through biofeedback; a sixth person gave the boy meditation exercises to make him placid and docile. None of these attempts worked. Eventually, a wise person came along with an effective motivation. He looked at the situation, handed the child a hammer and chisel, and asked, "I wonder what's inside the drum?"
Collection
One Sunday, I was in my friend's church. He had invited me for a thanksgiving service, and when it was time for offering, the offering basket was passed around. Despite the Pastor's preaching, charge and emphasis to give quality offering, I still hurriedly, carefully and secretly pulled out $5 bill from my pocket and dropped it in the offering basket. Just then, the person behind me tapped me on the shoulder and handed me a $100 bill. I smiled, how generous, then majestically I looked around and put the $100 in the basket and passed it on then I turned back and thanked d man specially for being so generous. But the man replied "don't mention, be more careful next time, it fell from your back pocket". |
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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.
Many thanks to Mother Mary for the graces and blessings showered on us. Thank you for a job and for saving me when I had an heart attack. Abraham McArthur, NJ
My sincere thanks to God our Father and Mother Mary for curing me and giving me another chance at life. Arnold Soares, NY
My granddaughter developed a growth on her scalp which just wouldn't go away. Since the tests would not reveal much, wWe were frightened and turned to Mother Mary and prayed before the Blessed Sacrament. It eventually disappeared and there has been no sign of it again. We are most grateful to Our Lady for this favor. Rita & Fly, Long Island, 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
Confessions on weekdays begin at 11.30 am.
Weekday Masses: 12 noon.
Sunday Masses: 11 am and 12.30 pm
Other activities: Day Retreats, Weekend retreats, Don Bosco Summer Camp, Friday night Lenten Pasta 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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