Marian Helper Spring 2014

32 M arian H elper • S pring 2014 •  www.marian.org Fr. Anthony: Over the past several years, I have traveled a lot of miles to bring the mes- sage of Divine Mercy to parishes around the world. I will go to a parish and spend up to five days help- ing people experience God’s mercy through the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Mass, and confession. But I find it’s the one-on-one interactions that really ignite Divine Mercy in their hearts. It is very reward- ing because I get to reach out to so many people from so many different walks of life, all of whom are seeking God’s mercy. I recently visited with Dawn Wyrick, our assistant in the Evangelization and Development Office at the Marian Helpers Center. She is the liaison between the Marian priests and the parishes looking to host a Divine Mercy mission. I said to Dawn that it’s always fascinating to watch Divine Mercy in action during a par- ish mission. Usually when I go to a parish, some of the people know nothing about Divine Mercy, there are others who know something about it, and then there are still others who know a lot about the message. I tailor my talks to appeal to all three groups so that everyone leaves enriched. The parishioners are always so energized after the mission. Many want to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet every day. Some are interested in doing ou r Hearts Afire program or in starting a n EADM cenacle. They are also eager to get more involved in doing works of mercy. Dawn, you must see some of that excitement when you get a call asking about parish missions. Dawn: People might know they want to bring a mission to their parish, but they don’t know how to do it. I try to help them with that. We can do anything from just a weekend mission to a full five-day program. I provide them with a suggested schedule and also rec- ommend a topic. I think the key is that you, Fr. Dan Cambra, MIC, and the seminarians who help are all very personable, which makes that one-on-one time at the end of the mission so valuable to those wanting to embrace the message of Divine Mercy. Fr. Anthony: You’re right, Dawn, that one-on-one time is so valuable. They ask me questions about Divine Mercy. Often, people will ask me to pray for them, and I’m able to pray for them right then and there. We also bring Divine Mercy materials. Then, when people hear the message, they are able to take a book, a booklet, or a CD that actually helps to bring it into their lives. They learn even more about it and then start spreading it to others. Dawn: They also embrace the message because you are able explain Divine Mercy in a way they can understand. It helps bring them closer to the Lord. Fr. Anthony: It does make a difference. Once they understand how much God loves us and wants to shower us with His mercy, people respond. People tell me, “Divine Mercy has changed my entire life.” Dawn: It certainly has changed my life. I was battling depression when the Lord asked me to start a Divine Mercy ministry in my parish many years ago. Through that min- istry, I discovered a prison ministry that led me to learn even more about God’s mercy for those who are battling addictions. God helped me to understand that if you show uncondi- tional love to people, it can transform them. Fr. Anthony: I see God’s love transforming people all the time through the healing Masses I do. I reach out to those attending, lay hands on them like Jesus did, and pray for healing. Physical healings do happen, but what’s greater are the spiritual healings that people receive by opening up to God’s love, mercy, and grace. And that’s the heart of everythin g we do — to help people receive God’s mercy. Us Between by a Marian and a Helper­ Fr. Anthony Gramlich, MIC, travels worldwide to spread the message of Divine Mercy to parishes. He was ordained a priest in the summer of 2002. Dawn Wyrick works at the Marian Helpers Center in Stockbridge, Mass., as the assistant in the Evangelization and Development Office. Dawn and Fr. Anthony team up to help parishes embrace Divine Mercy as a way of life. F elix C arroll Teaming up for mercy Back to index