Legion of Mary
at the Shrine

Meetings are held in the downstairs Conference Hall each week after the Sunday 12:00 noon Mass.

The Legion of Mary is a Marian movement founded in Ireland in the 1920’s. It is currently the largest apostolic organization of lay people in the Catholic Church.

Christian Worker Recognition Award 2023

This Week's Message
from Fr. Amesse
September 24, 2023

I struggled to live up to my dad’s expectations.  There were moments, even years, when the tension was terrible.  And now, many moons later, these memories surface.  Why?  Because for the first time ever, I feel that the Holy Father, Pope Francis does not like me, and I am not living up to his expectations.     

Pope Francis writes and speaks critically to people who are traditional.  In fact, he says we are backward.  There’s a lady who comes to pray with her three children here at the Shrine.  She wears a veil and receives Holy Communion kneeling.  She and the family receive the Holy Eucharist on the tongue.   

I asked her, “What do you think of the Pope?”  “We love him!  But we are not sure he likes us”, she said smiling.  For 50 years I knew many people who were critical of Pope St. Paul VI, Pope St. John Paul II, and extremely harsh to Pope Benedict XVI.  Things have changed.  For them, Pope Francis is a blast of fresh air.       

Before I go any further let me be clear…No matter what, we will support the Pope.  The fact that he criticizes those of us who are traditional is a good way to keep humble.  There’s always the temptation to think we are better than others.  WE ARE NOT BETTER THAN ANYONE!  Pope Francis is not a heretic. 

The struggle I had, to live up to the expectations of my father, had many blessings.  One was how I know I am not better than others.  Another made me work harder to do what was right.  In any case, the Holy Father may call us backward.  Henceforth, we will show the Pope, with joy and humility, how we love Jesus.  

 I remember you at Mass.

Downes Parking Garage Ticket Validation

• Available in the Gift Shop /Bookstore on Monday through Saturday from 9 am - 5 pm.
• Sunday street parking is always free
• Those attending the Saturday 4 pm Vigil Mass who park in the Downes Garage can still validate their ticket in the Gift Shop before Mass.

In order to be “all for God,” the Savior invited you and your companions to bind yourselves  to Him through religious life, living the vows in apostolic community. 

 St. Eugene, guide us to the Savior in our time of need!

The Hidden Apostles II

Francois Veuillot, (1870-1952) was a French Journalist who directed the Catholic newspaper “L’Univers”. In 1925, while speaking of the Coadjutor Brothers he exclaimed: “It is not sufficient to admire in the colorful list of their efforts, their sufferings, their heroism and the apostolates of these very humble, very efficacious, and even quite necessary artisans, these dear Coadjutor Brothers.  One must penetrate the secret of their merits, imitate from afar their virtues and indirectly support their ministry.  It is intentionally that I use this word ministry, for in truth, these humble servants are real (Hidden) Apostles and sometimes powerful converters.” 


One of these “powerful converters” was Brother Anthony Kowalczyk, O.M.I., who despite suffering the loss of his right arm at a sawmill in Lac-la-Biche, Alberta spent 36 years of his life fulfilling the functions of mechanic, porter and gardener.  He was declared Venerable in 1994.

The Oblate Rule places emphasis on the ministry of the Oblate Brothers, “Missioned by the Church, their technical, professional or pastoral service, as well as the witness of their life, constitute their ministry of evangelization.”

St. Vincent de Paul 
September 27

St. Vincent de Paul was born to a poor peasant family in the French village of Pouy on April 24, 1581. His first formal education was provided by the Franciscans. He did so well, he was hired to tutor the children of a nearby wealthy family. He used the money he earned to continue his study of theology at the University of Toulose. He was ordained in 1600. In 1605, while traveling to Narbone, he was captured, brought to Tunis and sold as a slave. Two years later he and his master escaped and returned to France. 

St. Vincent went to Avignon and later Rome to continue his studies. There he became chaplain to the Count of Goigny and was put in charge of giving money to the deserving poor. He became pastor of a small parish in Clichy for a short period of time, while also serving as a tutor and spiritual director.  From that point on he spent his life preaching missions to and providing relief to the poor. He even established hospitals for them. This work became his passion. He later extended his concern and ministry to convicts.

The need to evangelize and help these souls was so great and the demands so beyond his own ability to meet, that he founded the Ladies of Charity, a lay institute of wome

n, to help, as well as a religious institute of priests - the Congregation of Priests of the Mission, commonly referred to now as the Vincentians. from: catholic.org

Praying with the Stained Glass Windows of
St. Joseph the Worker Shrine

Part I - The 100 Year+ Windows Series
Part II - The St. Joseph Windows

Self-Guided Tour
St. Joseph the Worker Shrine

Ring the Bells of the Shrine

Everyday of the year, the “Bells of St. Joseph” ring-out God’s praise for all to hear!

Our Carillon can play Special Hymns of your choice any day of the year. At your request, our chimes will ring in honor of loved ones for the entire community to hear and prayerfully remember.Your offering of $20.00 will be greatly appreciated and will assist us in maintaining the Shrine and its ministries. Thank You!

Bell-ringing selections may be reserved for specific days & times throughout the year(s) in the Shrine Gift Shop/Bookstore.

St. Eugene de Mazenod’s Prayer to the Sorrowful Mother

 O Lord, Almighty God, you endowed the Blessed Virgin Mary with the fullness of every gift and grace. By allowing her heart to be pierced with the deepest sorrow, you crowned her merit and placed her at the head of countless legions of martyrs who, for love of your Son Jesus Christ, have shed their blood. Through the painful martyrdom endured by this gentle Mother seeing her beloved Son dying as a Victim because of his love for us, grant us the grace to bear with fortitude the disappointments and setbacks in our life, and not to fear torment or death itself, when we are called to confess our faith in Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Click to Light a Candle 
Thank you!

Please choose your donation amount. $5.00 is the standard donation per candle online

Click on the Image to view the prayer of Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Archdiocesan COVID protocols lifted
Learn more here

Confession

Mon - Friday
10:00 am - noon
4:30 pm - 5:15 pm

Saturday 
10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Eucharistic Adoration

The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for adoration on -

Saturday after the noon Mass until the 4:00 pm Mass, approximately 12:45 pm - 3:45 pm

First Fridays after the noon Mass until the 5:30 pm Mass, approximately 12:45 pm -5:15 pm