Digital Marian Helper Spring_2018

6 M arian H elper  • S pring 2018   • marian.org F aces of M ercy Zofia Karcz Garfield, New Jersey Five years ago, Fr. Andrzej Gorczyca, MIC, came to visit my husband, Wladyslaw, who had been ill for some time. Father gave him Holy Communion, and ever since then, we have stayed in contact. Then, one evening, I had a very vivid dream in which I saw Jesus, the Divine Mercy, walking near my home. Suddenly, [St.] John Paul II appeared. He embraced me. It was such a “real” dream that I will never forget it. It strengthened my faith. A few years ago, I visited [the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy] o n Polish Day. When I looked around, I heard a little voice inside of me that said, “Your help is needed here.” I promised to myself that as long I am able, I will help support the Marians. W hy did you become a M arian H elper ? Karen Taff Mansfield, Massachusetts On the day of the terrorist attacks of 9/11, I went to the Adoration chapel at my parish where I used to live in Port Orange, Florida. I heard people crying, and I did not know what else to do. I devoted the next three days to prayer, especially the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. It calmed me down. That was when I decided to be a Marian Helper. I have 13 grandchildren, and sometimes with the world the way it is, I’m afraid for them. But Divine Mercy renews me and gives me hope. Four years ago, I started bringing parishioners from my home in eastern Massachusetts by bus to [the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy] i n Stockbridge, [Massachusetts]. We even collect donations for the Maria n seminarians. On the bus rides, I have heard so many stories from people who have had powerful experiences at the Shrine. We all look forward to this bus trip every year because of the peace we feel there [on Eden Hill]. Dan Schoo Dekalb, Illinois I am a Marian Helper because I believe that our world desperately needs to hear and practice the message of Divine Mercy. I prayed the Chaplet of Divine Mercy with my wife, Donna Marie, for the first time in my life shortly before she died in 2013. A few months following her death, I received a Lighthouse CD by Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC, entitled “The Second Greatest Story Ever Told.” A fter listening to that talk, it was as if I was struck by lightning. I was overjoyed to hear the Divine Mercy message. The next spring, our pastor had us sign a pledge in which we promised to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy every day during Lent. When Easter came, I did not see a reason to stop. Since then, I have continued to visit the Blessed Sacrament every day at 3 p.m. to pray both the Chaplet and the Rosary.