Fall Bulletin 2017
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Saint Vincent de Paul of society – galley slaves, war victims, and the materially Dear Member, poor. e Association of the Miraculous Medal is an Greetings from our Lady’s Association, and from apostolate of Saint Vincent’s Congregation because it the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous was through his intercession that Catherine Labouré Medal in Perryville, Missouri. Welcome to our third became a Daughter of Charity, the religious order of quarterly Bulletin of 2017. I pray you’ve had a most women co-founded by Saint Vincent and Saint Louise blessed summer and are looking forward to a beautiful de Marillac to serve the poorest of the poor. and refreshing fall. e story goes that young Catherine had a dream As you probably remember from our rst two one day in which she saw an old priest oer Mass. Bulletins, this year marks the 400th anniversary of the Aer Mass, the priest turned and beckoned her, but birth of the Vincentian charism. Ordained in 1600, she drew backwards, keeping her eye on him. e vision Saint Vincent de Paul began his priesthood working moved to a sick room where she saw the same priest, with some of the wealthiest, most prestigious families who said: "You do well to visit the sick, my child. You in France. For ve years, he served as household tutor ee from me now, but one day you will be glad to come and spiritual director to the inuential Gondi family. to me. God has plans for you; do not forget it.” Later, she While he loved this experience, Saint Vincent ultimately awoke, not knowing the signicance of the dream, but heard and followed his true calling – ministering to sometime later, while visiting a hospital of the Daughters the poor. of Charity, she noticed a priest's picture on the wall. Following the promptings of the Holy Spirit, Saint She asked a sister who he might be, and was told: "our Vincent founded the Congregation of the Mission to holy founder, Saint Vincent de Paul." Catherine had share God’s love with people in need, and together seen this same priest in her dream, and she knew right with his confreres, he ministered to those on the fringes away God’s designs for her. In 1830, Catherine became the poor, and it is the heart of Mary that prompts us to a postulant in the Daughters of listen to our Lord’s call. Charity, and three months later, In this 400th Anniversary year of the Vincentian on three consecutive nights, charism, I want to thank you for your faithful support Catherine had visions of Saint of the Association of the Miraculous Medal. Your Vincent, seeing his heart above prayers and contributions make possible the charitable the reliquary in which his works of the Vincentian priests and brothers of the relics were exposed. ree Western Province of the Congregation of the Mission. months later, on the eve of the Your help, through the tender heart of our Mother feast of Saint Vincent de Paul, Mary, continues to bring the compassion of Christ to July 19, (now observed on September 27), the Sister the poorest of the poor. Superior spoke to the novices about the virtues of In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus reminds us their holy founder, Saint Vincent, and gave each of “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of them a piece of cloth from his surplice. Catherine mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). So many of earnestly prayed to Saint Vincent that she might see God’s children are burdened today with hunger, the Mother of God with her own eyes. Miraculously, it homelessness, and chronic unemployment - a very was on this night that Sister Catherine, now Saint heavy cross of profound material poverty. ankfully, Catherine, received her rst visit from our Lady of the God called Saint Vincent, Saint Catherine, you, and all Miraculous Medal. the members of our Lady’s Association to help his is connection between Saint Vincent and his children in need. Congregation of the Mission, and Saint Catherine You are in our prayers here at our Lady’s National Labouré and the Association of the Miraculous Medal Shrine. Please keep us in your prayers and never cease is beautifully meaningful. Saint Vincent saw something sharing the story of the Miraculous Medal with others. in Saint Catherine that made him lead her into the We never know when or how our Lady will use us in work of his mission. And Saint Catherine saw something her mission of bringing hearts to her Son. We simply in Saint Vincent that inspired her to accept the call. Of know that she will. God bless you! course, as Christian disciples and members of our Lady’s Association, you and I know precisely who Sincerely yours in Jesus and Mary, united these two great saints and who was prompting them into service. Fr. Kevin McCracken It is the heart of Jesus that calls each of us to help Spiritual Director Planned Giving By remembering the Association in your estate, you create a lasting legacy permitting us to teach others about our Blessed Mother and her Miraculous Medal for many generations to come. Your monetary gis and estate planning help us fulll our mission by providing pastoral and spiritual support, oering formation opportunities, and involving members in the apostolate of charity. Some ways to consider giving planned gis from your estate include wills, annuities, and gis of appreciated stocks. Please review these options with your attorney if you are considering a gi of this kind. Please call 1-800-264-MARY (6279) or email ammfather @amm.org to discuss your planned giving options. A Legacy of Giving Let me introduce you to Elaine K. Kroe. She was born in November of 1921, and as a long time resident of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, 95-year -old Elaine lived a rich and productive life. She and Eugene Kroe were married in 1951, and were blessed with two sons and two daughters. Elaine earned her degree in elementary education and began her teaching career in Sheboygan. As she and Eugene were blessed with children, Elaine stayed home to raise them. Once her children were grown, she returned to teaching where she happily reconnected with former students, now parents with children of their own. Being a devout and faithful Catholic throughout her life, Elaine supported a number of Catholic organizations and eorts—both locally and nationally. She felt a very special devotion to our Blessed Mother, which included praying the rosary daily. Our Lady‘s Association in Perryville was one of her favorite organizations. Elaine was called to her heavenly home on March 11, 2017. She was actively involved in her faith community at Saint Clement Parish, which included the Altar Society and Catholic Daughters. Elaine had many dear friendships over her long life. She connected with people wherever she went—in her neighborhood, condo, and at church where she worked and volunteered. Family and friends will always remember her warm, vibrant Elaine Kroeff smile along with her love for life. As a member of our Lady’s Association for 39 years, it was important for Elaine to assist us with our work of spreading devotion to our Blessed Mother and Devoted the Miraculous Medal. Not even death kept her from building on her legacy of Member Since love. She kindly remembered the Association with a gi from her estate. All of us here feel blessed to have counted on Elaine as a friend for so many years. 1978 Our Lady is a very important part of our life. Please help us continue to bring her to the world by making a planned gi. A Mother’s Devotion to the Blessed Mother Alma Schumer, my mom, loved our Lady of the Immaculate Virgin and Sorrowful Mother, intercede for Miraculous Medal and her Shrine. From her First our children with the Divine Heart of Jesus, your Son, Communion and Conrmation at Saint Mary’s of the who refuses nothing to His Mother.” 1Once said, Mom Barrens Church in Perryville, she depended on the was able to sleep, even when one of her children was Blessed Mother for comfort, consolation, and strength. out too late, because she had put us into the hands of Many signicant events in her adult life involved Saint Jesus and Mary. Mary’s Church and Shrine. Mom always wore a Miraculous Medal and regularly First, on June 24, 1944, my parents, gave these as gis. Her daily prayer oering ended Norbert Joseph and Alma Ann Unverferth, with,“Mary, please, help me be a good mother today were married at the Shrine Church. is and always.” 2 In addition, many mornings aer everyone graced union that spanned 67 years held else had le home, she attended the 8:00 a.m. Mass at the a lifetime of joys and struggles, blessings, Shrine. With the patience and fortitude obtained from the and challenges. rough it all, Mom turned to Mary as Eucharist, she accomplished her chores, knowing she her mentor and condante. Nightly, she prayed, “O Mary, lived in the presence of God and the Blessed Mother. A monumental experience, meaningful for Mom and frightening for her children, occurred later in her Sister Carol Schumer, life when she was burdened with Alzheimer’s. Because D.C., is an educator by of her forgetfulness, her privilege of driving was taken profession and a away. However, one aernoon, she found the car keys certified facilitator of and snuck o. e woman who was assisting Mom, the Strengthening immediately phoned Miriam, my older sister, who Families Parent-Training frantically called our other siblings.