Marian Helper Fall 2015

MH at the Mother of Mercy Outdoor Shrine. You can create a lasting tribute etched in stained glass, granite, or marble. K elsie and J Thomas take great care to raise their children according to Catholic teachings. But in a culture that glorifies sex and violence, the task is not an easy one. “We have been married for 16 years and have four children — Emma, 15; Will, 13; Julia, 9; and Catherine, 20 months,” J says. (By the way, “J” is his full name.) “It can be quite a challenge raising children Catholic in these times.” For this reason, they say they are looking forward to Pope Francis’ visit to the United States this September, and particularly to his attendance at the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. “We hope and pray that it will spur a catechetical movement on the importance of family as the domestic church,” J says. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says “the family home is rightly called ‘the domestic church.’” It teaches that the home should provide “a community of grace and prayer, a school of human virtues and of Christian charity” (1666). The Thomases hope that because of Pope Francis’ emphasis on the family, more priests will be encouraged to speak on the dignity and role of marriage and family. “It can be difficult trying to teach our children the virtues in a time when vice seems all too attractive,” Kelsie says. They have turned to daily prayer and Scripture for strength and guidance. They have strong devo- tions to Our Lady and Divine Mercy, and practice Eucharistic Adoration. “Since 2007, we spend an hour with our Lord every week in Eucharistic Adoration at our parish in Tulsa, Oklahoma,” J says. “I believe that this devotion is respon- sible for leading us to Our Lady, the Rosary, and Divine Mercy.” Kelsie says she appreciates the role J, who grew up Baptist, has taken in raising their chil- dren in the Catholic faith. “I am so thankful for the man God has given me as a husband,” she says, “and I love how he takes care of me and our children. He is a strong spiritual leader for our family and recognizes the power of prayer, especially through the gift of the Mass.” Speaking of gifts, J says an offer from the Marians helped him create a special Mother’s Day present for his wife, whose strong Catholic faith was one of the things that first drew him to her. “Kelsie does such a wonderful job nurturing our chil- dren through word and example, so for Mother’s Day, I had her name etched onto a stained-glass window at the Mother of Mercy Outdoor Shrine [ on Eden Hill in Stockbridge, Massachusetts],” J says. “I received a letter from the Marians promoting the memorials for Mother’s Day. I couldn’t think of a better way to honor her.” Kelsie loved it. “J is very faithful and thoughtful,” she said. “The stained-glass window was a total surprise. I hope someday to visit Eden Hill. It would be exciting to see the window in person!” Like the Thomas family, benefactors can have a name etched on a stained-glass window, or engraved in granite or marble at the Mother of Mercy Outdoor Shrine. All bene- factors and those they honor are remembered daily at Holy Mass and the Perpetual Novena to Divine Mercy at the National Shrine. To learn more about these and other special opportunities, visit MemorialsOnEdenHill.org or contact Fr. Joseph’s assistants for special gifts at (413) 298-1382. Remembered on Eden Hill Kelsie and J Thomas say raising children in these times can be quite challenging and are hopeful the World Meeting of Families will offer guidance. H onor your family ... Visi t MemorialsOnEdenHill.org or call (413) 298-1382.