Julia’s Weekly Shrine Round-up: May 1

By Julia Rose
jrose@Marian.org

It's officially May, the month dedicated to Mary! And today is the great Feast of St. Joseph the Worker! Take a moment today to celebrate the Foster Father of the Worker of Workers, the greatest carpenter to have ever lived!

If you haven't joined the millions in reading Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC's worldwide bestseller, Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father, now's the time!

It's official: Fr. Matt is a Navy chaplain
Speaking of reasons to celebrate, yesterday was a very special day on Eden Hill, when Shrine Rector Fr. Matthew Tomeny, MIC, was officially commissioned as a Navy chaplain. The ceremony was presided over by Navy Chaplain Fr. David J. Hammond, CHC, LCDR, USN (above), in the presence of Fr. Matt's proud parents, Nelly and Dr. Patrick, and his sister, Mary.

Father Matt is stepping down as Shrine rector in June, and will head to Rhode Island for training this summer.

“I will continue to be a Marian in the midst of this ministry,” Fr. Matthew said. “I’ll continue to spread the message of Divine Mercy to those in need. I will especially be keeping in mind our Mother Mary, who is the Star of the Sea guiding us to the Lord, keeping us safe under her mantle.”

Father Matthew follows in the footsteps of past Marian military chaplains, including St. Stanislaus Papczyński, Founder of the Marians, and Fr. Donald Van Alstyne, MIC, a retired U.S. Army chaplain.

“Jesus always listens to a mother’s prayer because I’ve been praying for my children since they were little, that they will be called to the religious life,” Nelly Tomeny told me. “God is so good.”

Today is also a First Friday! Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus tonight at 8 p.m. (EST) by tuning in for a talk and devotions, and honor the Immaculate Heart of Mary tomorrow at 11 a.m. (EST), by tuning in for an online talk by Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, on "The Hidden Life of the Holy Family, Part 2," followed by devotions. Join us in person, or watch here on TheDivineMercy.org, on YouTube at our channel Divine Mercy (Official), and on our Facebook page Divine Mercy (Official). You can also watch on our streaming site, DivineMercyPlus.org. 

Guided Outdoor Stations of the Cross resume today and every Friday at 10:50 a.m. Please join us! Details here. 

Remember your mom and enroll in the Mother's Day Novena, starting today! Details here.

A conference to remember!
Hats off (or should I say nurse's cap off?) to Marie Romagnano, MSN, RN, CCM-R, Founder of the official Marian Fathers' apostolate Healthcare Professionals for Divine Mercy, and her team for their amazing work organizing the 21st Annual Divine Mercy Medicine, Bioethics, & Spirituality Conference. 

Two days of fascinating talks have just concluded, and the optional retreat day is today. For a recap of both days, click here.

One particular standout was the talk by Fr. Anthony Gramlich, MIC, and Joetta Dawson on “Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats: How it Heals Post-Abortion Trauma," a new topic for the conference. 

“Abortion doesn't happen in a vacuum,” Joetta explained. "Participants explore what led to this. Through prayer, blessings, the Sacraments, times of reflection on Scripture, and more, incredible healing is possible on Rachel’s Vineyard retreats." For more information, visit RachelsVineyard.org.

With National Nurses Week observed next week, I enjoyed meeting some of the attendees.

It was actually seeing the ad for the conference on the back of the Divine Mercy Weekend brochure that encouraged Eden (left) to attend for the first time! Traveling from St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Dedham, Massachusetts, she was especially excited to meet new people over the course of the two days. "The Shrine is a beautiful place. It’s a nice retreat. It’s a nice place for prayer.”

Phelister (middle) from Sainte Marie Parish in Manchester, New Hampshire, agreed. “This is a place to go when I need peace and quiet and a 'refill.'"

Divina (right) from Holy Name Parish in West Roxbury, Massachusetts, visits the Shrine every month for the First Friday devotions with friends. “It is so uplifting and a holy place. The serenity and the environment itself makes me feel like I’m closer to the Lord.”

One week to go!
Eden Hill is being spruced up top-to-bottom in preparation for next weekend's celebrations: Two days of ordinations! 

On Friday, May 8, Br. Ryan Asensio, MIC, Br. Christopher Orante, MIC, and Br. Ruben Veloz, MIC, will be ordained to the transitional diaconate.

The following day, Saturday, May 9, Deacon Patrick Lynch, MIC, will be ordained to the priesthood!

“I’m excited. I’m at peace,” Br. Christopher says. “I just feel the Lord’s been saying, ‘This is the right time and things are as they should be.’”

Prayers to all! Mark your calendars and plan to watch live at 9 a.m. ET both days. Unfortunately, in-person Mass attendance is closed due to limited space.

More next Friday! Have a great weekend!
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