Marian Helper Winter 2012-2013

F lorence Prokopiak discovered Eden Hill in Stockbridge, Mass., to be a special place the first time she came to visit the area. Among her travels, she found the spirituality of this sacred place to be unique. “I was visiting many different shrines, but I didn’t feel anything,” Florence said. “Then a woman said she was going to the Shrine of The Divine Mercy, and I said I would go with her. Let me tell you, the minute I entered the Shrine I felt so at peace. Of all the other shrines I visited over the years, this was the first and only place that I felt at peace.” Florence says she has made a point since then of telling others what a special place Eden Hill is. “Now I tell everyone that if they go visit the Shrine, they will feel so at peace. They will feel like a new person when they come home. It is unlike any other place. I just enjoy my trips there tremendously.” Florence says she tries to come as often as she can. Whenever there is a bus trip sched- uled to Eden Hill, she’s on board. “I just love going there.” she said. “I love the Shrine, I love the memorials and all the stat- ues. And I’m excited about the Stations of the Cross that the Marian Fathers have built.” Florence has had a connection to the Marians since the 1980s. “My mother taught me about Sr. Faustina, and I watched a movie on her in 1989. In addition, my sister was in the same convent as Sr. Sophia Michalenko, CMGT, who is the sister of Fr. Seraphim Michalenko, MIC. Florence said because she felt such a connec- tion to the Shrine and Eden Hill, she believed it was the right place to honor her family. “It’s such a joy to feel a connection to the Marian Fathers and all those on Eden Hill. I know that the Marians will pray for my family every day, and my family will be remembered.” She has been generous and has created many memorials at the Mother of Mercy Outdoor Shrine in honor of her family. She has remembered her parents, her three sisters, and other family members in the stained-glass win- dows, the granite frieze, and candle holders. Like Florence, benefactors can have a name etched on a bronze plaque, on a stained-glass window, or engraved in granite or marble at the Mother of Mercy Outdoor Shrine. All benefactors and those they honor are remembered daily at Holy Mass and the Perpetual Novena to The Divine Mercy at the National Shrine. To learn more about these and other special opportunities, please contact Father Joseph’s Assistants for Special Gifts at 1-800-671-2020 or visit online at MemorialsOnEden Hill.org. As a lasting sign of being remembered by the Marian Fathers, names are etched in the Rays of Mercy stained-glass windows at the Mother of Mercy Outdoor Shrine. MH by Andrew Leeco F ELIX C ARROLL Create a lasting remembrance and have that special someone’s name etched in brass, stained glass, granite, or marble at the Mother of Mercy Outdoor Sh rine. Call 1-800-671-2020 or visit MemorialsOnEdenHill.org. The place that mercy calls home Back to Index