USA, Sr. Mary Kate Wolf and Sr. M. Angela Macari. On Saturday, May 21st, the MTA took up residence at Sacred Heart Parish on Staten Island, New York, in the form of a beautiful wayside shrine. It was given as a gift from the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary to the Sacred Heart priests and parishioners as an expression of gratitude of belonging to the Parish for forty years. Mr. Mark Rockers – a Movement member from Minnesota– made the wayside shrine. Above the MTA picture is a Father-Eye commemorating the Father Year on our way to 2014. This wayside shrine is to be located in a small garden where the September 11th Memorial stands, so that all who come to remember and offer tribute can do so together with a Mother, who loves, understands, and takes perfect care! In connection with Archbishop Timothy Dolan’s pastoral visit to Sacred Heart Parish on May 21, the pastor, Father Louis Jerome, suggested that the Archbishop bless the wayside shrine.
The sisters are convinced of the fact that these two events coincided is truly a sign that the MTA wants to be present in a special way in the parish. However their excitement had already begun on Thursday, May 19th, when a phone call came from the Archbishop’s secretary announcing that Archbishop Dolan wished to visit the Shrine and – as his secretary put it – “his favorite people” on Saturday afternoon before going to the parish.
Visit of the Archbishop
Archbishop Dolan arrived with his secretary, Fr. James Cruz, shortly after 2:00pm. He immediately entered the Shrine, prayed silently for a time, and then the May devotion already prepared just for this occasion was prayed. The theme was: The Grace of Being at Home. The time of prayer ended with his apostolic blessing. During the coffee break that followed, the conversation centered mainly on the topic of the completion of the Shrine of Light. Having the exterior part of the Shrine completed is very important to the Archbishop, and it is clear that he is open to help find a location for it in his Archdiocese. The Blessed Mother will show the Sisters where!
After about thirty-five minutes, it was time for his departure. Archbishop Dolan promised that he won’t forget about Schoenstatt and will keep looking for a Shrine solution. The Sisters let him know that he is remembered along with his many concerns for the large NY Archdiocese, as well as his responsibilities as President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Leaving the Sisters’ house, he continued his journey on Staten Island, visiting a few other places before continuing on to Sacred Heart Church. The church was standing room only at the 5:00 pm Holy Mass. The Holy Mass was very festive, and the choir sang beautifully setting a prayerful atmosphere.
Blessing of the wayside shrine
The original plan had been to have the wayside shrine already installed outside in the parish garden for the Archbishop to bless, but this proved to be impossible having rained all week and making hole digging for the post quite difficult. It was decided that Divine Providence was indicating that the wayside shrine should be blessed inside the church at the end of the Liturgy so that all those who attended the Holy Mass could witness the blessing.
After the Eucharist, a few Sacred Heart School children and from the CCD program presented gifts to the Archbishop; one gift was a large bouquet of flowers. After they had finished, Archbishop Dolan acknowledged the many beautiful images of Mary in the church, concluding with the wayside shrine in front of the altar. He blessed the wayside shrine, calling upon the intercession of St. Joseph as he did so. As he finished, he turned to the children and asked them if he could give the flowers that they had given him to Mary. Of course they did not say no, and so the Archbishop ceremoniously placed the bouquet of flowers before our MTA! It was a beautiful gesture of his love for and devotion to her!
Drawing hearts to herself
Following the liturgy, we made our way over to the school grounds for some refreshments. Archbishop Dolan said that it had been an honor for him to be able to bless the wayside shrine. During the reception, several people, including the parish staff, thanked the Sisters for the wayside shrine and expressed how beautiful they thought it was. It is a great joy to see that already, the MTA is drawing many “sacred hearts” to herself!
We can hardly wait to visit New York again … first to visit the Shrine in Staten Island and then experience a first visit to the wayside Shrine at Sacred Heart Parish. What a great way to bless a Shrine — with a visit from Archbishop Dolan.
Great job Sr. Angela and Sr. Mary Kate … and many thanks to the Blessed Mother for wanting "another home" on Staten Island.
How radiantly beautiful this story is!! Archbishop Dolan and Blessed Mother ~ from Wisconsin to New York, two hearts intertwined! What a joy filled story to read! Thanks!