3. St. Francis Xavier

   5.       First Saturday

   8.      The Immaculate Conception

   9. St. Juan Diego

  12.      Our Lady of Guadalupe

  14.      St. John of the Cross

  25.      The Nativity of the Lord

  26.      St. Stephen

  27.      The Holy Family

  28.      The Holy Innocents

 
SHRINE NEWS: The season of Advent is upon us with the anticipation of Christmas fast approaching. This is a good time to take account of our spiritual life as we prepare for a New Year.  I hope that 2021 is a better year then 2020.  We also anticipate the Second Coming of Christ while at the same time meditate on his first arrival.  It is a joyous time of the year and we should not let what is going on in the world deter us from experiencing the joys of this season.  Many have expressed to me that they believe we may be closer than we think to Jesus’s return in Glory, either way Advent is a time to prepare. I always enjoy hearing from our old friends the prophets in the liturgy such as John the Baptist and Isiah just to mention a couple. I think it is also a good time to devote ourselves to prayer and sacrifice especially for those in most need.  The description of the third part of the vision the children had at Fatima describes an Angel shouting to the earth “Penance, Penance, Penance.  This reminded me of the suffering that Lucia describes in her memoirs that she experienced from family members. Lucia shared that the only consolation she received was the words of our Lady when she said; “Are you suffering a great deal? Don’t lose heart. I will never forsake you.  My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God.”
St. John Paul II and Sr. Lucia both attributed the Women clothed in sun from the 12th chapter of the book of Revelations as Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima.  A few versus further in the chapter describes; “a huge red dragon who stood in front of the women to devour her child but her child was caught up to God and his throne. The women herself fled into the desert where she had a place prepared by God. Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon.” the dragon and his angels were thrown out of heaven. “The huge dragon, the ancient serpent who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceived the whole world was thrown down to earth and its angels were thrown down with it. But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she could fly to her place in the desert, then the dragon went to wage war against the rest of her offspring those who keep God’s commandments.” That place in the desert is the refuge of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of which God has prepared for us for these times. That is why Our Lady told the children that “God wished to establish devotion to my Immaculate Heart in the world,” so we her offspring can take refuge of which will lead us to God. Of all the words spoken at the apparition of October 13th Lucia stated that the ones that most deeply engraved upon her heart were those of the request made by our Heavenly Mother: “Do not offend Our Lord and God any more, because He is already so much offended.” Just as it was described in the third secret of Fatima, it was Our Lady who was holding back the flames of the angel’s sword.

SUNDAY ROSARY:
The Sunday Rosary for peace continues with a small number who have been meeting at the shrine to pray for all those affected by this virus, for all your intentions, and for Peace at 2:00 PM.  Please feel free to join us.

FIRST SATURDAY:
On December 5th, we will celebrate First Saturday Mass and devotion at the Shrine.  We asked that you use your own judgement and stay home if you are sick or feel compromised because of a pre-existing condition in any way.  We asked that you wear face masks and keep a healthy social distance from each other while at the shrine.  We will have hand sanitizer on hand.  Mass will begin at 9am;  Rev. Edward Riley, will celebrate the mass.

REMINDER: 
 A Pro-Life Rosary is being offered at the Shrine daily around noon if you would like to join. If you would like to help with a donation use the mailing address below every little bit helps.  We still have some chairs that have not been memorialized if people are interested let us know.