Father Joseph Writes Of course, I’m not leaving you; I’m merely stepping aside as Fr. Joseph to concentrate on serving the Marian Fathers in the United States and Argentina as provincial superior. I’ll still be based at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy on Eden Hill in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, just in a different role. Next year I will mark my 10th anniversary as a Marian priest, and I am excited to be “turning the page” and embarking on a new adventure. I’d like to give a shout out to all our Marian Helpers. Father Joseph, MIC, is the director, but can’t do the job without all of you, those of you flung far across the map as well as those who work at the Marian Helpers Center in Stockbridge. I'm reminded of my ordination as a deacon on Sept. 21, 2013, the feast of St. Matthew, apostle and evangelist. It was written about right here in Marian Helper. In the article I thanked Marian Helpers for their prayers and support. “We owe everything to you,” I said. "Each priest, after he is ordained, offers his first Mass for a special intention. Mine will be offered for all our Marian Helpers." And I did just that, on June 1, 2014! I took up the position of Fr. Joseph, MIC, right after my ordination, and it has been an incredible journey. I couldn't in my wildest dreams have predicted what would come, including an extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy; a global pandemic; and my election as provincial superior. In this time, I’ve written two books (After Suicide: There’s Hope for Them and for You and Understanding Divine Mercy); done more than 150 “Explaining the Faith” talks; launched our weekly EWTN program “Living Divine Mercy,” now in its third season; and much more. In fact, many of you have been there at the parish missions, gone on the pilgrimages, and made the conferences or congresses a success. My final year as “Fr. Joseph” has reminded me how much the message of Divine Mercy has spread across the globe. I’ve been to Samoa, for the World Apostolic Congress on Mercy; Australia; New Zealand; the Solomon Islands; and the Philippines, where I was blessed to give a retreat to all 850 bishops and priests. The Divine Mercy is on fire there! I’ve traveled to Ireland, twice; Northern Ireland and London; Rome for our General Chapter; and British Columbia, Canada. I’ve spoken at conferences from Florida to South Carolina to California. Wherever I go, I have been inspired by the fervency of the faithful, the desire to learn more, and the commitment to transmit the faith and the Divine Mercy message. It's thanks to you that these past 9 ½ years have been a success, building on the hard work and sacrifices of my predecessors and Marian Helpers across the decades. Thank you. Please pray for me, and I promise I’ll be praying for you. May the Virgin Mary's Immaculate Conception be our health and our protection! This will be my last column as Fr. Joseph, MIC. The next issue of Marian Helper magazine will have a column written by the new Fr. Joseph, MIC, to be announced soon — he’s a good man and a solid priest. I know you will be in excellent hands with him at the helm of the Association of Marian Helpers. MY FAREWELL “Father Joseph, MIC,” is the honorary title of the director of the Association of Marian Helpers. The current director is the Very Rev. Chris Alar, MIC, Provincial Superior of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy Province in the United States and Argentina. Marian Helper • Winter 2023-24 • Marian.org 3
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