May 30, 2016
Marian Shrine E-Newsletter
Volume 4, Issue 41
Fr. Jim McKenna

Tomorrow we celebrate another Marian feast... The feast of the visitation! Americancatholic.org has a beautiful little article on this feast. It states...

This is a fairly late feast, going back only to the 13th or 14th century. It was established widely throughout the Church to pray for unity. The present date of celebration was set in 1969 in order to follow the Annunciation of the Lord (March 25) and precede the Nativity of John the Baptist (June 24).

Like most feasts of Mary, it is closely connected with Jesus and his saving work. The more visible actors in the visitation drama (see Luke 1:39-45) are Mary and Elizabeth. However, Jesus and John the Baptist steal the scene in a hidden way. Jesus makes John leap with joy-the joy of messianic salvation. Elizabeth, in turn, is filled with the Holy Spirit and addresses words of praise to Mary-words that echo down through the ages.

It is helpful to recall that we do not have a journalist's account of this meeting. Rather, Luke, speaking for the Church, gives a prayerful poet's rendition of the scene. Elizabeth's praise of Mary as "the mother of my Lord" can be viewed as the earliest Church's devotion to Mary. As with all authentic devotion to Mary, Elizabeth's (the Church's) words first praise God for what God has done to Mary. Only secondly does she praise Mary for trusting God's words.

Then comes the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55). Here Mary herself, like the Church traces all her greatness to God.

Wishing you a very happy feast of our Blessed Mother.

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

 
Something to think about

A Tongue Has No Bones.
But It Can Break A Heart.
 
True quote:
Tomorrow Will Come Daily.
But Today Will Come Today Only.
So Finish Your Today's Work Today Itself.
And Be Free Tomorrow.
 
What Is Forgiveness?
It Is The Wonderful Smell That A Flower Gives......
When Its Being Crushed!
 
Do You Know
SMILE and TEARS.
They Meet Rarely.
But When They Meet,
The Moment Becomes UNFORGETTABLE.
 
--Richness is
NOT Earning, Spending or Saving More,
Richness is, When You Need "NO MORE"

 
The Potters Clay

The Master was searching for a vessel to use;
On the shelf there were many - which one would He choose?
Take me, cried the gold one, I'm shiny and bright,
I'm of great value and I do things just right.
My beauty and lustre will outshine the rest
And for someone like You, Master, gold would be the best!
The Master passed on with no word at all;
 
He looked at a silver urn, narrow and tall;
I'll serve You, dear Master, I'll pour out Your wine
And I'll be at Your table whenever You dine,
My lines are so graceful, my carvings so true,
And my silver will always compliment You.
 
Unheeding the Master passed on to the brass,
It was wide mouthed and shallow, and polished like glass.
Here! Here! cried the vessel, I know I will do,
Place me on Your table for all men to view.
Look at me, called the goblet of crystal so clear,
My transparency shows my contents so dear,
Though fragile am I, I will serve You with pride,
And I'm sure I'll be happy in Your house to abide.
 
The Master came next to a vessel of wood,
Polished and carved, it solidly stood.
You may use me, dear Master, the wooden bowl said,
But I'd rather You used me for fruit, not for bread!
 
Then the Master looked down and saw a vessel of clay.
Empty and broken it helplessly lay.
No hope had the vessel that the Master might choose,
To cleanse and make whole, to fill and to use.
Ah! This is the vessel I've been hoping to find,
I will mend and use it and make it all Mine.
 
I need not the vessel with pride of its self;
Nor the one who is narrow to sit on the shelf;
Nor the one who is big mouthed and shallow and loud;
Nor one who displays his contents so proud;
Not the one who thinks he can do all things just right;
But this plain earthy vessel filled with My power and might.
Then gently He lifted the vessel of clay.
Mended and cleansed it and filled it that day. Spoke to it kindly.
'There's work you must do,
Just pour out to others as I pour into you.'

PS: Our Blessed Mother Mary was the Vessel of clay.
 
Laughter the best Medicine

Four old retired guys are walking down a street in London . They turn a corner and see a sign that says, "Old Timers Bar - ALL drinks 10p."They look at each other and then go in, thinking, this is too good to be true. Each of the men orders a martini. In no time the bartender serves up four iced martinis and says, "That'll be 10p each, please."...

They can't believe their good luck. They pay the 40p, finish their martinis, and order another round. Again, four excellent martinis are produced, with the bartender again saying, "That's 40p, please." They pay the 40p, but their curiosity gets the better of them.

Finally one of them says, "How can you afford to serve martinis as good as these for a 10p a piece?" "I'm a retired tailor," the bartender says, "and I always wanted to own a bar. Last year I hit the Lottery Jackpot for £25 million and decided to open this place. Every drink costs 10p. wine, liquor, beer-it's all the same."

"Wow! That's some story!" As the four of them sip at their martinis, they can't help noticing seven other people at the end of the bar who don't have any drinks in front of them and haven't ordered anything the whole time they've been there. Nodding at the seven at the end of the bar nibbling on pretzels, one of the men asks the bartender, "What's with them?"

The bartender says, "They're retired "businessman" from India, They're waiting for Happy Hours.....!!!!! 
 

 
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.


I am very grateful to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mother Mary for protecting and saving me from a terrible motorcycle accident on New Year's day. It was a great miracle that I survived. Felix Castelino, NY

My sincere thanks to Our Lady and Don Bosco for granting us many favors.
Effie, FL 
 
My sincere thanks to Our Lady for the complete recovery of my husband from Chronic constipation. He is well now. Thanks for the successful operation of my granddaughter. She was operated for a small lump on her head. She is fine now. Irene Moran, NJ 

Thank you dear infant Jesus and mother Mary for granting my family a very special favor and many other blessings. A Devotee

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