Fast forward to the present, and each morning, before she even gets out of bed, Bernadette says a prayer that begins: “Good morning, Jesus; good morning, Blessed Mother; good morning, St. Joseph. Good morning, St. John Paul II, St. Padre Pio, St. Bernadette, St. Faustina, St. Thérèse, St. Catherine of Siena, and to my dear Guardian Angel.” She considers all of these dear friends. How did she go from willful to willing? Bernadette grew up in a faith-filled home, one of eight children in the small farming community of Auburn, Michigan. Her parents were very devout, especially her mother. It was her mother who took a young Bernadette to her first retreat where she first heard about Padre Pio. “This was the first time the Holy Spirit really infused me,” she recalled. It made such an impression on her that she carried the retreat pamphlet in her purse! God’s presence She led a charmed life, until God made His presence felt in a big way. “I had three number ones in my life: my mother, my husband and my faith,” Bernadette explains. “So when God wanted to get my attention, He knew exactly how. He had to take away everything else.” Her mother’s death was the catalyst. Fifteen months later, her husband of 27 years committed suicide. She remembers feeling completely shattered and praying, “Dear Jesus, are you ever going to be able to put me back together?” These were dark, painful days. She began “constant chattering” to the Lord and cultivated a relationship with Jesus. “I realized my mistake. He always should have been number one.” After a particularly hard night, Bernadette woke up on the floor with a profound feeling of peace, and she says Jesus has never taken that back. “I surrendered, 100 percent. I was all his from that day, in 2001, no ifs, ands or buts.” From there, the relationship grew and deepened and she knew Jesus would take care of her. “He gave me 50+ years to do what I wanted, knowing that I should be doing something different.” But there was more: three battles with cancer! But at this point, “It was me and the Lord.” She walked through this fire with the confidence and peace of trust. “I knew it was God’s will and that some good would come of it. I just love Jesus.” Need for priests Bernadette also loves the Marians, and is especially drawn to Fr. Don Calloway after attending a Divine Mercy conference joining him on a pilgrimage to Lourdes (St. Bernadette) and Lisieux (St. Thérèse). “All the Marian priests are so talented — solid, holy men, and I continue to grow in faith through them. I can understand why God is sending new vocations. I pray for them and support them. I have also included a gift in my trust. The future of our Church depends upon good priests, and we are in good hands with the Marians.” If you would like to support our Marian seminarians or learn about including a gift in your estate plans please get in touch with Hope at the Marian Helpers Center. Ever since she was a small child, Bernadette (Putt) Stratton had a strong feeling she could not shake. You see, she just knew the hand of God was on her. It often made her uncomfortable because she wanted to be in control. After all, she had big plans for her life, and thought she knew better! A LIFE LESSON IN TRUST Outstanding Helpers Hope Ponsart Hansen is a donor relations officer for the Marian Fathers. Contact her at (413) 298-1387; [email protected]; or Association of Marian Helpers, Stockbridge, MA 01263. Visit marian.org/PlannedGiving to learn more. Marian Helper • Fall 2022 • Marian.org 31
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