You may remember meeting Joe Gugliuzzo of New York. We profiled him just before the pandemic wreaked its havoc on the world. He established a ministry that truly exemplifies Jesus’ call that we live the message of Divine Mercy, that we “show mercy … always and everywhere,” that “even the strongest faith is of no avail without works,” as Jesus told St. Faustina (Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, 742). Joe was the man who drove all over New York State visiting parishes. He left behind the bright red pamphlets (LFMCN) printed by the Marian Fathers that explain the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Novena of Chaplets. His hope — his prayer — is that people, including those who have fallen away from the Church, would take a pamphlet, read it, and be drawn to the Divine Mercy message and devotion, and maybe even visit the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Stockbridge! Our Lady’s idea The idea to do more started with Our Blessed Mother. Joe describes the purported encounter: “At an outdoor Mass on the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in 2011, a clear vision of Our Blessed Mother appeared high up during the beginning part of the Mass. I bought Divine Mercy pamphlets in bulk for the first time, and started to drop them off in the Utica area.” After distributing pamphlets at St. Malachy’s Church in Sherburne, New York, Joe believes he saw Our Lady again. “I was amazed to see Our Lady very clearly, maybe 50-70 feet in the air. I felt like she approved.” Then another important Mercy figure visited — “then-blessed Kateri Tekakwitha appeared in white with a white bandana, smiling. Both stayed with me while I was praying the Rosary. I’d been a volunteer at the Auriesville Shrine and became close to St. Kateri there. I felt like she, too, was happy that I was spending more time with Divine Mercy.” A blessing from Joe’s effort — more parishioners are supplying their churches with Chaplets! To date, Joe has sent more than 140,000 pamphlets — wow! — to smaller cities in nearly every state along the Eastern seaboard and a good part of the Midwest. This includes parishes, and university campus ministries. “Jesus wanted everyone to say the Chaplet and entrusted St. Faustina to help in this world and the next,” Joe says. “We all know in this life we all need lots of prayers.” Taking stock Here’s another creative way to help support the Marian Fathers and our evangelization efforts — a gift of stock! Many Marian Helpers don’t realize there’s a large tax break associated with giving stock that you’ve owned for at least a year. You don’t pay capital gains tax on the stock’s appreciation, and you’re allowed to claim a charitable gift deduction for your stock’s current fair market value. By using stock, you can actually increase your philanthropic efforts! This story is a continuation of a story of creative giving — and not just the kind that involves a checkbook. This is a special story about a Marian Helper who found a way to reach out beyond his parish, beyond his state, even beyond his understanding — because St. Faustina put it on his heart to help the Marian Fathers’ mission to bring the message of Divine Mercy to the world. STILL WORKING FOR ST. FAUSTINA Outstanding Helpers Hope Ponsart Hansen is a major gifts officer for the Marian Fathers. Contact her at (413) 298-1387; [email protected]; or Association of Marian Helpers, Stockbridge, MA 01263. Visit Giving.Marian.org to learn more. Marian Helper • Winter 2024-25 • Marian.org 31
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