In the same spirit, Ann Marie says, “I know how hard the priests work. They feed us so that we can be an extension of their mission. “I support the Marian seminarians with a monthly gift. It may sound strange, but each time I see the charge on my bank statement, my heart soars! They will be the priests of tomorrow who will bring the Eucharist.” Through the Marians, and especially through Fr. Seraphim Michalenko, MIC, of happy memory, Ann Marie developed a special bond with St. Faustina. Fr. Seraphim once told her, “You may never know the impact of sharing Divine Mercy, but when you share it, the gift will be returned to you.” Ann Marie has had many experiences of this, including this one. “I knew they were short-staffed at the hospital where I worked, so I agreed to work an extra shift. As I started that evening, I overheard some of the other nurses talking about getting some help for a young patient who was pregnant. I realized that they were going to refer her to Planned Parenthood for an abortion. “I felt trepidation as I approached her room, but I remembered St Faustina, when she shared with Jesus that she felt unequal to her task ahead, and Jesus said, ‘Do as much as is in your power, and don’t worry about the rest. ...Be at peace so long as you do all that is in your power’ (Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, 1295). I then asked St. Faustina to help me to know the right time to listen and the right time to speak. The young woman noticed the cross I was wearing and said, ‘I used to be Catholic.’” As they continued to talk, Ann Marie learned that the mother felt pressure from the staff to get an abortion because she was poor and at a real low point in her life. “She said, ‘I want to keep this baby but the other nurses said that it would be too hard for me so they are probably right.’ She had been estranged from her family. Her sister and mother reached out to her but she was too embarrassed to talk to them. We spoke about God’s mercy. I offered to place the phone call for her. When I returned, the young woman had a radiant smile. She told me, ‘I called my sister who forgave me and loves me. She called my mother and they are picking me up in the morning to take me home. They will help me with the baby!’ Praise be to God.” Several years later, after a day at work that left her tired and frustrated, Ann Marie visited the Adoration Chapel at her parish. She recalls, “I was desperate for affirmation that my work was meaningful at all. “I noticed two people who were there: One was wearing scrubs and was kneeling in prayer. The other, who was sitting in the back, approached me with a radiant smile and said that she was doing very well and wanted to show me a photograph of her child. She said, ‘You are the best. You turned my life around. I am so proud that you can see me like this.’ “And there was more. I then apologized to the adorer in the front for carrying on a conversation in the chapel. Her reply was another gift: ‘I think God sent you. I’m in nursing school and I was going to quit. Now I know that I will be able to help people. I want to be a nurse.’ Thank you, St. Faustina!” In order to help the Marian Fathers continue spreading devotion to Mary and Divine Mercy, Ann Marie has also included a gift in her will. Mercy endures forever, and it changes lives! I would be delighted to speak with you about arranging a monthly gift or a gift in your will or other estate plans. Ann Marie visits the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy frequently. “The Marian Fathers were always part of our family,” she explains. “My mother and grandmother were Marian Helpers. They loved the Blessed Virgin and loved supporting a congregation that followed her model.” GIVE MERCY, RECEIVE MERCY Outstanding Helpers Ellen Miller is director for Special Gifts. Contact her at [email protected]; (413) 298-1380; or Association of Marian Helpers, Stockbridge, MA 01263. Visit marian.org/PlannedGiving to learn more. Marian Helper • Spring 2022 • marian.org 31
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