Julia’s Weekly Shrine Round-up: Jan. 23

By Julia Rose
ShrineofDivineMercy.org

The snow continues to pile up here on Eden Hill, and one Marian Helper (above) found a creative way to beat the bitter cold! If you’re planning a visit this winter season, be sure to bring your hat and gloves (and maybe a face mask) — you’ll need them!

On the March
I was privileged to spend yesterday in Springfield, Massachusetts, where the bishop of our diocese, Bishop William Byrne, celebrated Mass for the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children at St. Michael's Cathedral. Afterwards, we marched to Springfield City Hall, showing solidarity with everyone in Washington, D.C., today for the National March for Life (including Fr. Tyler Mentzer, MIC, and our Marian postulants!).  

In his homily, Bishop Byrne spoke of a man named Andy from North Dakota, the 11th of 14 children in his family, whose mother refused to abort him upon hearing he had Down syndrome. Because of Andy, his brother actually became a priest!

“The call for us today is to gather together and celebrate the precious gift of life, to stand up in a world for the Andys who don’t have a voice, but you and I do," Bishop Byrne said. "No human is a burden. All life is a treasure. That’s our call today, to defend life, to let the world know. To call them to repentance means to call them to joy, to light, and to love. And so as we gather this day to walk the streets of our town, let the world know that Andys matter, everyone, including you and me.”

Amen! It was a great experience — and I was joined by my two sisters, Ruby (8) and Maggie (10), both students at St. Mary's School in Lee, Massachusetts!

We're on Day 6 of the Novena to the Marian Renovator, Blessed George Matulaitis, leading up to his feast day on Jan. 27. Please join in!

One unsung hero among many
The National Shrine is open every day of the year, whatever the weather. Who keeps everything spic and span (and this time of the year shovels all the walkways and plows the driveways and parking lot as early as 5 a.m.)? Our amazing maintenance crew of 8, our true unsung heroes.

And the longest-serving member of the crew is Joe Hughes, who joined the Shrine staff in 1999. A native of nearby Pittsfield, Joe has a boatload of stories to tell!

“When I was in Boy Scouts as a kid, we used to come down here to Eden Hill once a year to camp. I loved the place," he recalls. “I worked in carpentry for a while and then this job came along. I just love it here. Everyone in our crew brings something to the table, and that makes it a great place to work."

Over the course of Joe’s 27 years here, he has witnessed how Eden Hill has evolved, including how Divine Mercy Sunday has exponentially grown in popularity! By far the largest Divine Mercy Sunday he can remember was in 2000, the year that St. Faustina was canonized. “It was crazy busy," he says, "and it’s been crazy busy ever since!”

Like his namesake saint, Joe is a skilled carpenter. You can admire his handiwork all over Eden Hill, including the altar, lectern, and cabinets in the St. Faustina Center, and cabinets and bookshelves in the Divine Mercy Gift Shop.

He's proudest of his altar for the Mother of Mercy Outdoor Shrine, which is broadcast around the world by EWTN on Divine Mercy Sunday. “You could be the greatest carpenter in the world, but are you on TV once a year? Because I am!” he says, proudly.

Take a well-deserved bow, Joe, along with the rest of the maintenance crew!

Our monthly Healing Mass
On the last Thursday of the month, a Healing Mass is celebrated at the National Shrine at 7 p.m. This month, on Jan. 29, the celebrant with be Fr. Jason Lewis, MIC.

I've never been to a Healing Mass, so I asked Fr. Jason what participants can expect. “People can expect a unique encounter with Jesus, the Divine Physician, and Mary is close by," he says. "We always see Christ’s power demonstrated concretely in the ways He desires to touch people’s hearts, lives, and their physical needs.”

All are welcome to attend the Healing Mass. More details here.

Don't miss this week's "Explaining the Faith" talk by Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, tomorrow at 11 a.m. ET This week's topic: “The Incredible Story of St. Damien of Moloka’i.” Join us in person or online (YouTube and Facebook).

Your New Guide!
Please welcome a new employee at the National Shrine: Amanda Parramore, our visitor guide. In her role, Amanda will welcome pilgrims, answer questions, and assist in any way to make their visit more enriching and memorable. She's part of the team including Aggie Bourque, volunteer and events coordinator, and Tim Ryan, pilgrim coordinator.

Amanda will also oversee the two confraternities associated with the National Shrine: the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary and the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception. (More on these in a future round-up!)

A recent convert, Amanda's introduction to the message of Divine Mercy happened in France! While studying abroad, she was introduced to the Divine Mercy Chaplet by a friend. At the time, she was new to the Catholic faith and had just began praying the Rosary, and found she really enjoyed also praying the Chaplet. Imagine her surprise when she learned that the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy was just 20 minutes away from where her mom had just moved to in the Berkshires!

“This place is so special," Amanda says. "It's beautiful to see the reverence that the Marian Fathers have for the Eucharist and every part of the Mass. Now for me to serve the Lord in this way is such a blessing, especially because I love the Shrine so much and the Divine Mercy message. It's such a gift to be able to help people connect better with Jesus and Mary and support all the wonderful things happening on Eden Hill.” 

Welcome aboard, Amanda! If you have a question, contact her at (413) 298-1116 or e-mail aparramore@Marian.org. 

Stay warm, everyone, and watch out for that polar vortex! Have a great weekend, and see you next Friday!
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