Marian Helper Fall 2015

THE APOSTOLATES WANT TO HELP YOU SPREAD DIVINE MERCY The Divine Mercy Apostolates represent four unique lay out- reaches of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception. They bring the message of Divine Mercy to communities throughout the world. For more information, call 1-866-895-3236 or visit TheDivineMercy.org/ministries. Why was God so angry with Poland? The Maroneys delved deeper. Turns out that, in the 1930s, Poland had become the abortion capital of Eastern Europe. Interestingly, Faustina’s revelations began in 1932, the year before Poland legalized abortion. “It was as if he was coming to offset the evil of abortion by offering his mercy, even to the greatest of sinners,” says Joan. “Despite how angry God was with Poland and how it suffered during World War II, the Divine Mercy message and devotion nonetheless rose out of the ashes.” And so did Poland. In 1989, Poland became the first Warsaw Pact state to break free from the Soviet Union — in no small way due to the Polish Pope, St. John Paul II, who made the spread of Divine Mercy the central mission of his pontificate. The Maroneys believe it’s no coincidence the Polish people passed a referendum banning abortion in 1993, the year of Faustina’s beatification. “If God had been so angry with Poland in the 1930s,” says Joan, “imagine how angry he is with the United States today.” “We have driven God from our borders,” says Dave. “We have to pray.” At the same time, the Maroneys note, the United States, like Poland, clearly holds a special place in the Lord’s Heart. This is where St. Faustina’s revelations took root and from which they spread throughout the world, beginning in the 1940s through the Marian Fathers. This is where the two miracles occurred through St. Faustina’s intercession used for her beatification and canonization. In other words, we are duty-bound to exert all the strength of our souls to defend our native land. When we unite our prayers with Jesus on the Cross, as St. Faustina did, he promises to “pour out a whole ocean of graces” ( Diary , 699). MOMM’s goal is to inspire one million Americans to join the campaign. From sea to shining sea. — Felix Carroll Do you have friends or fellow parishioners who are hospitalized right now? If so, consider visiting them. That’s a lesson recently learned by Dr. Bryan Thatcher, director of Eucharistic Apostles of The Divine Mercy. In February, just a few days after the release of the booklet he co-wrote, At The Bedside of The Sick and Dying: A Guide for ParishMinistry, Family, and Friends ( Marian Press), he met a wid- ower named George. “He told me that when his wife got ill, people would ask himhow she was doing,” recalled Dr. Thatcher. “He would say, ‘Why don’t you go visit her?’ In spite of his pleas, no one ever came to her bedside. He was still hurt by that.”With th e extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy b eginning in December, said Bryan, “I encourage Marian Help- ers to visit those who are sick. It means so much.” * * * Here’s some recommended reading: The John Paul II Institute of Divine Mercy c ontinues its Marian apologetics web series by Robert Stackpole, STD, called “Mary 101.” To read Dr. Stackpole’s columns, visi t TheDivineMercy.org/jpII. * * * For many years, Healthcare Professionals for Divine Mercy h as held successful educational conferences inWorcester, Massachusetts. “We are happy to announce we are expanding our confer- ences to Ohio,” said Marie Romagnano, RN, BSN, the director of the healthcare apostolate. The Medi- cine, Spirituality and Bioethics Conference will be held Oct. 21-22 inWilloughby Hills, Ohio. The programwill carry 15 continuing education credits for healthcare professionals. The Most Rev. Richard Gerard Lennon, bishop of Cleveland, will celebrate the opening Mass. Doctor Ron Sobecks, from the Cleveland Clinic, is the local coordinator. For more information and to register, call 1-800-462-7426 or visit TheDivineMercy.org/cleveland. APOSTOLATE NEWS: MH