K athy first learned about the Divine Mercy message and devotion around the time of her mother’s death. It inspired her to begin a min- istry to the dying, organize three Divine Mercy confer- ences, and become more actively involved with the Marian Fathers as a mem- ber of their Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed VirginMary. After Kathy prayed the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at the bedside of her dying mother, her mother experienced the grace of a holy death. As a result, Kathy and several friends from a Eucharistic Adoration group were inspired to pray the chaplet at the bedside of others who were dying, which sparked a ministry in their diocese. “I felt God wanted this ministry, so others could experience His mercy,” Kathy said. I met Kathy in August 2009 when she visited the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy on Eden Hill here in Stockbridge, Mass. I was touched when she told me, “Everything that I do is for God’s glory, not mine. Everything I have is a gift fromGod.” While organizing their first Divine Mercy con- ference, Kathy and her prayer group met several of our Marian seminarians. They decided that the proceeds of their conferences should go toward the education of the seminarians. “The seminarians are always so willing to share their faith and minister to the pilgrims at the National Shrine,” said Kathy. “We were all so impressed.” Kathy and her husband, John, had put their three children through college, so they knew how expensive it was to educate young people. Kathy explained, “The Marians were educating, housing, and feeding almost 30men in forma- tion. I wanted to help.” John fully supported her decision. So far, the conferences have raised more than $30,000 for the seminarians! In the summer of 2011, Kathy felt God was calling her to be formed through the Marian Fathers’ charism and spiri- tuality. I had felt the same call. So we approached the Very Rev. Fr. Kazimierz Chwalek, MIC, the Marians’ provincial superior in the United States and Argentina, about creating a formation programfor English-speaking members of the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception. Several members of Kathy’s group entered the Confraternity as well, so Fr. Kaz recommended that all of us study the Marian Renovator, Blessed George Matulaitis’s Journal ( B19-SJBGC ) while we worked on the formation program. (For more information on the Confraternity and an update on publication of the formation book, visit www.marian.org/confraternity.) Kathy saw that Blessed George in his Journal recognized the laity’s need for formation in light of the times, writing, “Let everyone who loves God and the Church, who is concerned with the glory of God and the growth of His Church, come and take part in this holy battle on behalf of God and the Church.” “That’s what it’s all about,” Kathy said. Inspired by Blessed George’s apostolic zeal, Kathy strives to be a contemplative in action by weaving her prayer into a life of service, as she co- facilitates two Confraternity groups, trains others to pray at the bedside of the dying, and gives talks on God’s mercy. She also keeps the seminarians inmind, telling me, “If anyone offers me a donation, I’m asking them to support our seminarians.” If you would also like to support our Marian seminarians, please contact me. He l pe r s Outstanding by Mary Kathryn Volpone ‘Everything I have is a gift from God’ Mary Kathryn Volpone works in Fr. Joseph’s Office for Special Gifts. You can contact her at: Association of Marian Helpers, Stockbridge, MA 01263, or call her toll free at 1-800-671-2020. E-mail:
[email protected]. Kathy’s group has organized three Divine Mercy conferences, which have helped raise funds for the Marian seminarians. Kathy’s husband, John, serves as chef for the VIP Room at the annual conference. C OURTESY OF K ATHY M ARIAN H ELPER • S UMMER 2013 • www.marian.org 29 Back to Index