Marian Helper Fall 2015

The ‘good guys’ win I don’t knowwho he or she was, but someone left me a beautiful gift basket. I found it all wrapped and waiting for me by my apartment door when I came home. It contained a bottle of nice wine, a hunk of beautiful cheddar cheese, a candle, and other goodies. I have wonderful neighbors, and we all help each other and keep an eye out for each other. I have recently been going through some difficult times. No need to get into that. I only wish to say that, despite all the bad things in the world, the “good guys” still hold sway. — D.M. Time spent wisely I’ve heard enough already of the re- grets people express upon the death of loved ones. “I should have spent more time with ‘him/her.’ I should have told ‘him/her’ that I loved ‘him/her.’” Thanks to one of my siblings, we kids got together and spent the weekend with our mother. We all live in different states, so getting together is always difficult. But we made it happen. It really made our mother’s day/year/decade. Yes, now is the time to love each other. . — Frederick Wood, could, should A neighbor I hardly know saw that I had just recently installed a wood stove in preparation for winter. Noticing I had no firewood in the yard, she offered (for free) four cords of her wood. This is a huge, huge gift to me (probably $500 worth of wood). I share this with you as an example of how people help spread God’s mercy to others. In the case of my neighbor, her kindness is heartwarm- ing inmore ways than one! I pray I can use her example to help others. — Gerald McHugh Dear anonymous … Just a simpl e Divine Mercy pamphlet left anonymously in the back of my church has transformed my faith from lackluster to an experience of utter joy. I don’t know who has been leaving this Divine Mercy material, but I thank you and pray that others are doing the same in parishes around the world and the recipients discovering/rediscovering their faith. Now I need to return the favor and begin to leave Divine Mercy materials where others can find it. This is a deed of mercy that’s so simple and easy. — Doug M. Answering the call I just witnessed what I felt was an amazing and courageous act of faith. I called a technician who works on our cargo elevators on the ship I am sailing on. I was going to ask some techni- cal questions and hopefully get some advice on how to pro- ceed. But I got his answering machine instead. His message began in the typical man- ner: “Leave a message, and I will get back to you,” etc. But it closed with an amazing statement: “And may God bless you today.” That so struck me that I sat there with the phone in my hand long after the call. I struggle with courage — the courage to say to some- one “I will pray for you” or “God bless you.” He said it with such sincerity and strength that it cheered me up instantly. How a simple statement can be such a powerful thing! God did bless me this day. — Michael Share with us deeds of mercy you have witnessed or engaged in : [email protected]. M arian H elper • F all 2015 • marian.org 15 O ur Lord tells us through St. Faustina, “I demand from you deeds of mercy which are to arise out of love for Me” ( Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska , 742). With the extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy approaching, let’s all vow to double our efforts to answer Christ’s call. Every day we have opportunities to perform deeds of mercy, as evidenced by the following emails sent in to us from Marian Helpers: Deeds Mercy of