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There's no doubt about it, we live in the age that has evolved from just sound, to sound with visual accompaniment. We're way past the age of the old radio that was once the center piece and permanent fixture in our home. True it was cumbersome, with wires sticking out of the back and big valves inside that glowed mysteriously, yet we got all the news we needed and much of the entertainment too. And yet it's not much more than twenty or thirty odd years ago that even the transistor, having succeeded in ousting it's big brother, has also faded out into oblivion.
With the advent of digital technology, our 'gizmos' for listening to sounds and watching moving images has become smaller, lighter, more powerful, more flexible and above all portable. They come now in all shapes and sizes and in a bewildering array. They are not forbiddingly expensive so they're within reach of practically everyone. Even young children now frequently have their own 'cell phones' with their particular 'apps' attached for their entertainment. The bulky valve radio and the unassuming transistor radios were certainly great inventions but they are of a bygone era.
Yet, as with so much else, we can get too much of a good thing. I was struck by that one day last week as I walked around the basketball and baseball fields on the shrine property. It was one of those glorious days when you feel it's good to be alive. As I topped the small mound near the baseball field my ears were suddenly assaulted by a car-stereo thumping out noise (not music) at full blast. A group of youngsters had come for a game of basketball, sitting as if mesmerized in a wash of - what I called noise but what they called music, which drowned out all the delicate sounds of those hallowed grounds.
Apart from my own irritation at having my peace disturbed, I began to wonder if those youngsters had any idea what they were missing on that glorious day. Did they not notice the little bluejays warbling madly in the thickets nearby? Would they not be enthralled by the little cardinals amidst the thick brush of those surroundings? or the shy tweet of the sparrows twittering around in the shrubs nearby? Had they never been soothed by the rhythmic tick-tick of grasshoppers? Had they ever tasted the peculiar comfort and wholeness that comes with stillness and silence?
We do need some quiet if we are to live life to the full. It is important for us to have times alone. Jesus knew that: he regularly sought out quiet places where he could be by himself, and at times he wanted to be alone for longer spells. How else was he to be attentive to the voice of his Father?
Perhaps you remember Elijah in the Old Testament? He was to meet God on the holy mountain, Horeb, but wondered how he would recognize him? A great storm came but he didn't find God there. Then came an earthquake, but God didn't reveal himself in the earthquake. Then came a fire, but again God didn't show himself in the fire either. Finally there came the sound of a gentle breeze, and Elijah 'covered his face with his
cloak.' He found God in the whisper of the wind.
Have fun this summer. And spend some time strengthening your relationship with your Creator, Savior and Sustainer.
God bless you!
In Mary Help of Christians,
I remain,
Fr. Jim McKenna SDB
Director
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Put on Christ
The U.S. flag is the prime symbol not just of the nation but also of its values. But there are those who engage in "flag waving" or who "wrap" themselves in the flag, dramatic and showy but without an actual, personal commitment to "liberty and justice for all." Without such commitment, pseudo patriotism means nothing. In Colossians, Saint Paul says, "As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience," all rooted in Christ. Can people tell from watching you that you are clothed in Christ?
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 Motivation from within
By Denis Waitley
Motivation is a contraction of motive and action. An inner force that compels behavior, it comes from within, not from any external circumstance. You know where you're going because you have a compelling image inside, not a travel poster on the wall, a financial statement with a big bonus, or a slogan in the hall.
The performance of many externally motivated individuals begins declining as soon as they win contests of one sort or another. I've personally witnessed this among Super Bowl champions and World Cup teams that lost the incentive to maintain their excellence after winning the cup, the honors, and the cash.
If you're really committed to peak performance and leadership, you must motivate yourself from within. Studies of achievers show that inner drives for excellence and independence are far more powerful than desire for wealth, status or recognition.
The Inner Drive
Behavioral scientists have found that independent desire for excellence is the most telling predictor of significant achievement. In other words, the success of our efforts depends less on the efforts themselves than on our motives. The most successful companies, like the most successful men and women
in almost all fields, have achieved their greatness out of a desire to express what they felt had to be expressed. Often it was a desire to use their skills to their utmost in order to solve a problem. This is not to say that many of them did not also earn a great deal of money and prestige. William Shakespeare, Thomas Edison, Estee Lauder, Walt Disney, Oprah Winfrey, Sam Walton and Bill Gates all became wealthy.
But far more than thoughts of profit, the key to their success was inspiration and inner drive by creating or providing excellence in a product or a service. All were motivated by the desire to produce the very best that was in them.
Go for the Inner Applause
The late Ray Kroc, a former neighbor of mine who founded McDonalds Corporation when he was in his 50s, stressed the importance of people working for the inner satisfaction, not just for the money. Ray said most people find it difficult to associate applause with their work when they can't hear literal applause -- but the important applause should come from within. It is the faster heartbeat, the pride and satisfaction of accomplishment.
Kroc told the University of Southern California's Business School that the first thing a business executive needs is love of an idea.
If you don't love your concept, drop it. If you prostitute yourself at an early age by taking a job where the money is, you'll be working for money all your life. Loving their work is particularly important for younger people. If they lose that love early, they may never grow to anywhere near their potential for self-actualization.
Hire People Who Have Empowered Themselves
An inner drive for excellence motivates you always to be the best you possible can in whatever you do. Leaders and managers should take special note here. They must be careful in their use of external motivators -- money, perks, prestigious offices and titles -- in trying to inspire their team members and employees. Enduring motivation must always come ultimately from within the individual.
That's why empowerment and vision are so crucial to team performance and quality. Their power and their vision, not those of the leader, must compel team members. Interviewing potential members, you should look for internally motivated individuals who hold their work important for its own sake, who love their field or their industry, who seek the exhilaration of testing their limits and contributing to the world. Be wary if they show more interest in your compensation package than in their contribution package.
Commit to achieving peak performance and leadership, by motivating yourself from within!
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 Laughter the Best Medicine
Inspiring Music A minister was preoccupied with thoughts of how he was going to ask the congregation to come up with more money than they were expecting for repairs to the church building. Therefore, he was annoyed to find that the regular organist was sick and a substitute had been brought in at the last minute. The substitute wanted to know what to play. "Here's a copy of the service," he said impatiently. "But you'll have to think of something to play after I make the announcement about the finances." During the service, the minister paused and said, "Brothers and Sisters, we are in great difficulty; the roof repairs cost twice as much as we expected, and we need $4,000 more. Any of you who can pledge $100 or more, please stand up." At that moment, the substitute organist played the national anthem. Lost Balloon A man is flying in a hot air balloon and realizes he is lost. He reduces height and spots a man down below. He lowers the balloon further and shouts: "Excuse me, can you tell me where I am?" The man below says: "Yes you're in a hot air balloon, hovering 30 feet above this field." "You must work in Information Technology," says the balloonist. "I do," replies the man. "How did you know?" "Well" says the balloonist, "everything you have told me is technically correct, but it's no use to anyone." The man below says, "You must work in Management". "I do" replies the balloonist, "but how did you know?" "Well", says the man, "you don't know where you are, or where you're going, but you expect me to be able to help. You're in the same position you were before we met, but now it's my fault." |
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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.
Thank you, Mother, for keeping my family safe and in good health. Keep us always under your mantle. Patsy Serrao, NY
My sincere thanks to Jesus and Our Mary Help of Christians for blessing my daughter with a baby girl after her marriage. I prayed for a baby girl and Jesus and Mama Mary heard my prayers. A.Simpson, NJ
In May 2012 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It is almost four years now and I am in good health. I thank Jesus and Mother Mary very much for being with me all through my treatment and every moment till today, I can feel her presence. B.V. FL
My sincere thanks to Mary Help of Christians for my mother, Priscilla Faleiro's successful eye operation and healing of her retina. Avellino Faleiro, ME
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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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