Julia’s Weekly Shrine Round-up: 12/19

By Julia Rose
ShrineofDivineMercy.org

Statues around Eden Hill are sporting snow caps, including Jesus and St. Faustina! And there's a new addition to the Eden Hill snowscape this week: the Christmas crèche!

Beautifully displayed right in front of the Our Lady of Eden Hill Fountain, the Nativity scene is a representation of the joy and anticipation we feel as we approach the end of the third week of Advent. As Fr. Matthew Tomeny, MIC, said in his homily on Gaudete Sunday, “When we look to the Divine Mercy Image, we can see that in that darkness of the background of the Image. Jesus is coming, and He is the light which conquers all darkness.”

We can’t wait to finally place Baby Jesus next to Mary and Joseph next Thursday!

Watch Episode 3 of "Journey through Advent" with Fr. Anthony Gramlich, MIC on the "O Antiphons."

Christmas Cheer
A festive Christmas party was held for employees in the St. Faustina Center, and many of my co-workers put on their Sunday best or their most colorful costumes.

What's on their minds and hearts as Advent closes and the Christmas season begins? 

“My Christmas wish this year is that the Lord blesses those families that go without. And for a healthy pregnancy for me and my baby," says Jacqui Morris (center), Major Gifts Officer in the Mission Advancement Office.

“I pray for the health of my wife," says Peter Markavage (left), "so my Christmas wish would be good health for her.” Peter is the friendly voice on the phone answering all of your questions!

As for the Grinch, a.k.a. Amy Fish of the Shipping Department (who is packing all of the ShopMercy Christmas orders!), well, she brought a smile to everyone present, reminding us about the central theme of the Fourth Week of Advent: LOVE. Let us all hope our hearts grow three sizes bigger as we remember the "reason for the season": Jesus!

Remember to send your prayer intentions to the Divine Mercy Intercessory Prayerline 24/7. Please call (800) 804-3823 or send your requests online.

The Christmas/Infant of Prague Novena is under way. Please join us! And the Mother of God Novena begins on Dec. 23.

A Christmas Memory
While Katy Killiard first joined the Accounting Department in 2011, she has a long history with the Shrine. She grew up in Stockbridge knowing Shrine organist Br. Ken Galisa, MIC as well as Shrine artist Fred Leuchs (who actually gave her a small piece of stained glass!). In fact, when the Marians first moved to Eden Hill, her mother and grandmother used to do their laundry!

Katy remembers exploring the grounds as a kid, and even taking swimming lessons in the pool that used to be here (now the St. Faustina Center).

“When I saw the job advertised at the Shrine, I was like, ‘I would so love to be back there,’” Katy says (the photo above was taken before the recent snow!). “I grew up coming up to this property…and every day I drive up here, just thinking, ‘I can’t believe I work here!’”

Over the course of 14 years, Katy has loved learning more about the message of Divine Mercy, growing a deeper understanding for what she describes as “the compassion, forgiveness, and the grace of God.” Eucharistic Adoration in particular has become a precious part of her week every Friday.

Reflecting on Advent, Katy has a beautiful memory to share. One Christmas Eve when she was in her teens, Katy had to work a shift at the Red Lion Inn (at the bottom of Eden Hill), so her father offered to bring her to the Midnight Mass at the Shrine. Despite a massive snowstorm , they were determined to go! After Mass, because it was so snowy, the Marians invited everyone to stay for coffee. By the time Katy and her father made it home that night, it was 3 a.m., just in time to put the presents under the Christmas tree! 

“Even to this day, that’s still one of my best memories,” Katy says. What a beautiful story!

Mass & Festivities
Christmas is only six days away! Please join us at the Shrine for Mass! On Christmas Eve, there will be a Silent Holy Hour of Adoration beginning at 11 p.m., followed by Midnight Mass (not livestreamed). Be sure to come early as seats will fill up quickly!

On Christmas Day, three Masses will be offered: 9 a.m. (livestreamed here and on Facebook), 10:30 a.m., and 2 p.m. Please note, Confessions will not be offered at 1 p.m., but rather at 3:30 p.m. 

The Divine Mercy Gift Shop is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Visit by Dec. 23 for those last-minute gifts!

And while here at the Shrine, be sure and visit the Welcome Center, which features beautiful new signage, thanks to Tim Ryan, our Pilgrim Coordinator (above left). He's greeting here longtime Shrine supporters, volunteers, and neighbors Frank and Angela Rizzo.

Two special Shrine events tomorrow, Dec. 20: Fr. Chris Alar's "Explaining the Faith" talk on "The Jewish Origins of Christmas," live (and livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook) at 11 a.m., and

Movie Night in Memorial Hall, featuring one of Pope Leo XIV's favorites: "It's a Wonderful Life." Festive refreshments will be offered. Please join us!

Gardening Angel
I'd like to shine a spotlight on another amazing Shrine employee, Dottie Callahan from Sheffield, Massachusetts. At all times of the year, except when snow is on the ground, you'll spot Dottie planting flowers or pulling weeds in her role as Shrine gardener. During the recent tour of the Marian Residence, she was handing out hot cocoa and tasty cookies, greeting everyone with her lovely smile.

Dottie worked at the Divine Mercy Gift Shop and as a receptionist before settling into her current role. Her favorite place on Eden Hill is the Way of the Cross, with the life-sized bronze Stations. She feels blessed to bring “peace, tranquility, and beauty” to the Shrine with flowers and plants. A bonus is meeting pilgrims as they pass by and hearing their stories.

Dottie says her work at the Shrine has strengthened her faith.  “Since I’ve been coming to the Shrine, I’m always asking Mary to intercede in my life, whereas prior to coming to the Shrine, I didn’t do that,” Dottie says. “That definitely came from the Shrine, from the priests here taught me, ‘God’s your Father, but you need your Mother.’”

With gifts and decorations on our minds in anticipation of Christmas, Dottie highly recommends giving a gift to the Baby Jesus: a good Confession. Spiritual preparation should be the top priority if we truly are to joyfully receive Jesus on Christmas Day!

Gingerbread Cheer
And in a last display of Christmas spirit, a Gingerbread Contest was held for employees! Four departments competed, including mine: Editorial/Communications, Graphic Design, Mission Advancement, and Donor Development. Here are the entries, with Pope St. John Paul II looking on:

And the winner was... "Christmas at the Beach," crafted by the "elves" in Donor Development!

Congratulations! And now it's time to eat the entries...

Merry Christmas, everyone! See you again on Dec. 26! 
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