Marian Helper Fall 2014

W hen our Provincial Superior, the Very Rev. Fr. Kazmierz Chwalek, MIC, asked me to serve as the new “Father Joseph, MIC,” my first thought was, “There’s no way I could ever accomplish what Fr. Michael Gaitley [MIC] has done.” Father Mike is one of the best visionaries I have ever worked with, including my work with top business executives. His accom- plishments read like the litany of a polished executive after a long tenure, yet he served as director of th e Association of Marian Helpers for little more than three-and-a-half years. During his tenure here at the Marian Helpers Center, we have greatly improved our outreach for evangelization, operational effectiveness, and financial bottom line. These accomplishments have enabled us to offer more religious materials and services to our Marian Helpers, keep our operations functioning, and support the ministry and cost of living of our religious community. With Fr. Mike’s laser-like focus on evan- gelization, he wrote four bestselling books (C onsoling the Heart of Jesus, 33 Days to Morning Glory, The ‘One Thing’ Is Three, and ‘You Did it to Me’ ) that laid the foundation for Hearts Afire: Parish-Based Programs from the Marian Fathers (HAPP ® ). These program s have set many hearts on fire with love of God and neighbor and are transforming entire parishes and even dioceses. In fact, many people have let me know how making their consecration to Jesus through Mary — using HAPP’s 33 Days to Morning Glory program— has renewed their lives spiritually. In his continuing role as director of the Office of Evangelization and Development, Fr. Mike can now focus his ener- gies on developing more evangelization initiatives and writing more books on solid Catholic teaching. Speaking of evangelization, read our cover story on the Marian Missionaries of Divine Mercy and their road trip. This is a new ministry established by Mark Middendorf o f Lighthouse Catholic Media and pastorally supported by Fr. Mike. It’s drawing young men and offering them opportunities to serve the poor through corporal and spiritual works of mercy. In fact, th e Marian Missionaries h ave already given away more than one million Divine Mercy images, pamphlets, and prayer- cards to the poor through fundraising and donations. We’ve shared with you in this magazine about other partnerships forged by Fr. Mike that have also proven fruitful in reaching souls, such as those wit h Divine Mercy Team an d St. Luke Productions. Turning to new media, I believe the free Divine Mercy App c reated by Fr. Mike with our team at the Center is second-to-none as an effective teaching tool, yet it’s so easy to use. Last, but certainly not least, has been the work of Fr. Mike and lay Marian community member Mark Fanders in establishing Divine Mercy Art. This initiative has transformed the world of Catholic religious art by allow- ing people to purchase the highest quality religious canvas artwork at the most afford- able prices available. It has enabled us to get the image of Divine Mercy into thousands of churches and homes as Jesus requested. You can see this artwork a t DivineMercyArt.com. So I’ve got big shoes to fill as the new Father Joseph. One great blessing I do have, however, is that Fr. Mike and I have worked together for several years now on various projects (he’s been the visionary, and I’ve been the executor). This experience, along with his continued pres- ence at the Center as EDO director, will provide me with much needed guidance and support. I am humbled and a bit intimidated by this new role, but I know that God’s grace, Mary’s intercession, and your prayers will see me through. Thank you, and God bless! Wr i t e s Father Joseph “Father Joseph, MIC,” is the honorary title of the director of the Association of Marian Helpers. The current director is Fr. Chris Alar, MIC. ‘Big shoes to fill’ 4 M arian H elper • F all 2014 • marian.org­ Back to index