mary: the personification of mercy Marian Conference draws hundreds BY IKLAS J. BASHI Witnessing four seasons in one day at the foot of Boyne Mountain, more than 550 faithful gathered the weekend of October 16 for the 24th annual Marian Conference where the theme was “Behold, Your Mother.” Attendees came from all over the state and Kentucky Ohio, and Illinois. The lineup of dynamic speakers included powerhouses within Catholic circles who spoke on the topic of mercy. “Without mercy, heaven would be empty,” said Fr. Dennis Stilwell of the Diocese of Gaylord. As a young man in Catholic elementary school, in fear and trembling he was sent to the office to see the principal. After hearing the facts, she picked up a blank book and wrote down his name and his offense. She told him she had never seen him in the office before and that she would write his name lightly in her book. If he didn’t ever return to the office, she would erase his name from her book. “I was so scared and yet I left so happy,” he said. Mercy is a powerful and beautiful thing and Mary is the very personification of mercy. It all started with her “yes.” “In this country, we have more people in jails than anywhere in the world. We are a country hell bent on punishing people. We are afraid to be merciful. We worry about people getting away with wrongdoing but Pope Francis would say mercy is greater than right,” said Fr. Stilwell. The message of mercy struck a deep cord with attendee Brian Laesser. “The love that the Eucharist poured into me — being such a broken person. This conference has rewritten the pages of my heart and recreated me,” he said. Fr. Larry Richards, author of Be a Man!, said that when we place one hand in the heart of Jesus, who is Divine Mercy, and the other hand outstretched to others to give mercy, then we can be true instruments of peace. “The reality is that God will give you what you love the most. Instead of fitting Him into your day, you should build your day around Him. One drop of the blood of Jesus is enough to cleanse you,” he said. “My soul has been so nourished here,” said Julie Kaszubowski. “I came giving myself totally to this weekend and now I’m leaving knowing God’s personal love for me.” In his talk, “Only One Heart, Only One Soul,” Fr. Ben Luedtke of St. Albert the Great in Dearborn told the faithful that love and joy are a decision. “Love each other like Christ. Be His image to each other. He defined it by hanging on the cross,” he said. Clockwise from top left: Fr. Larry Richards; Brian Flynn: One drop of the blood of Jesus is enough to cleanse you.” Brian Flynn performs for youth at the conference. Attendees celebrate mass. Clockwise from top left: Fr. Larry Richards; Brian Flynn performs for youth; celebrating mass. Fr. Luedtke told how his parents were divorced and as a young man he looked for other examples of love in his life through his aunts and uncles. He advised married couples to never give each other the silent treatment, describing this as a “form of hell.” “I always tell couples on the day of marriage that you have to live as if you were going to die tonight. With what love, with what tenderness would you have kissed your spouse last night? When we think we have tomorrow, we screw up today,” he said. The joy we all desire comes from sanctifying grace. Sr. Maria Inviolata presented about St. Catherine Labouré’s apparitions. Mary, the Blessed Mother, is the source of many graces as symbolized in the Miraculous Medal. When St. Catherine asked why some of the rays of light did not arrive to land, Mary replied, “Those are the graces for which people forget to ask.” The weekend included masses, confession, healing service, talks, a raffle and bookstore. There were special presentations for young adults and children. Marial Brooks, 8, wants to be a nun when she grows up. She said her favorite part of the conference was making sacrifice beads. “I will play with my brother even when I don’t want to,” she said, referring to the first of 10 sacrifices represented on her beads. Among the other speakers were Sr. John Dominic from Ann Arbor and Rev. Richard Ho Lung from the Missionaries of the Poor in Jamaica. Award-winning international Catholic recording artist Brian Flynn provided music and worship. As always, the conference was hosted by the Marian Center in Joy Valley in Petoskey, which is about 30 minutes north of Boyne Falls. Julie and Brian Tuck are the directors. Next year’s event, the 25th, is set for October 14-16. Visit Marian- Center.org. PHOTOS COURTESY OF CARL TUREK 38 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>DECEMBER</strong> <strong>2015</strong>
<strong>DECEMBER</strong> <strong>2015</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 39