Marian Helper • Summer 2024 • Marian.org 11 A familiar face at the National Shrine is volunteer Mark Makuc from Monterey, Massachusetts. His uncle, Fred Leuchs, created the beautiful stainedglass windows. “One of my earliest memories is coming here for Midnight Mass in Polish on Christmas,” he said. Mark’s daughter brought nine of her fellow students from Princeton University for Divine Mercy Weekend. Ben Steele, assistant coach for the NFL Arizona Cardinals, brought his wife Rachel and 5-monthold daughter Theresa to Eden Hill. “When you pray the Rosary, you really can’t fail,” Steele said at the field show, sharing how he encourages men to pray the Rosary through his handcrafted “Rosaries of Steele.” California, here they came! Representing San Francisco and Los Angeles were these Filipino pilgrims, bundled up for the cool 35-degree weather! The Taylor family from Cummington, Massachusetts, veteran volunteers, assisted disabled pilgrims. Deacon Hernst Bellevue and his wife, Yanick, from St. Martha Church in Uniondale, New York, have been coming to the National Shrine since the 1990s. “Divine Mercy is my spirit,” Deacon Hernst says. “It keeps me in touch with the Lord and helps me into a deeper relationship with Him.” Elvis Grbac, retired NFL quarterback turned Catholic motivational speaker, fired up the crowd at the field show before Divine Mercy Sunday Mass. “Bring God into every decision and welcome His grace and mercy,” he said.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjI2Mw==