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Through the eyes of a child 2 Through the eyes of a child

Father Bob Colaresi, O. Carm., Director

In this edition of Between Friends, ear Friends of St. Thérèse, we focus on seeing life Through the Our hearts are united in the child-like heart Eyes of a Child. We all long for the of the Little Flower. It is good to be in your innocence and wonder we had as hands again, for we are among and be- children, and which we see in today's tween friends who experience her “little children. Isn’t that why came to way” spirituality as important in our faith life. us as a baby, to reignite the child in us? D Enjoy this edition of Between Friends – and let the Little Flower help us ac- The only audio-visual aids Jesus child and said: ”Unless you become cess the inner child who still lives in us. from the director from ever used were little children. When like children, you will not enter the It is “God with us” – Emmanuel. the apostles got confused or com- kingdom of heaven.” Isn’t that why plicated, Jesus always brought in a St. Thérèse appeals so much to us? Father Bob Colaresi, O. Carm.

what you'll get A publication for the in this issue friends of the Society of the Little Flower Spring 2014 2  from the director Father Bob Colaresi, O. Carm. Through the eyes of a child. DIRECTOR/PUBLISHER 3  from the editor Mary Lambert EDITOR/DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Eyes of Innocence. 4 Father Bob Colaresi, O. Carm. 4  news Mary Lambert Spiritual Dan Pritchard Centre goes solar. Gina Marie Loiacono Fr. Patrick McMahon, O. Carm. 5  anniversary celebrations CONTRIBUTING WRITERS St. Teresa of Avila 500th Dan Pritchard anniversary celebrations in PLANNED AND MAJOR GIFTS planning stage. Society of the Little Flower 1313 N. Frontage Road 6  feature story 6 12 Darien, Illinois 60561-5340 Cardboard City: Bringing 800.621.2806 awareness to youth at two www.littleflower.org Carmelite parishes. On the Cover: ANNA MARIE The Monastery of Mt. Carmel Society of the Little Flower inside this issue 7021 Stanley Avenue 11 from the office of Anna Marie is the picture of child-like innocence. Dressed like St. Niagara Falls ON L2G 7B7 planned and major gifts Thérèse, she radiates the wonder, awe and innocence we all are born 800.922.7622 A personal message to your with. Just seeing the look on her face melts my heart. FAITH Catholic loved ones. Anna Marie’s parents met later in life and were so thrilled when they were gifted with her. They were determined to pass on our Derek Melot 12 from the office of Catholic faith and devotion to St. Thérèse, because Anna Marie is PROOFREADER planned and major gifts a beloved daughter of God. They did not want her to ever lose that Jenny Bis Society corner. radiance of the Divine Presence. She really is a little St. Thérèse, who GRAPHIC DESIGNER is the patroness of this devout Catholic family. 15 from the director of Her picture on our cover says it all, and tugs at our longing hearts. ON THE COVER: stock.xchng© planned and major gifts – Father Bob Colaresi, O. Carm. "The body of Christ." Magnolia 10 by lance1 3 3 from the editor

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❖ legacy

walk the path of faith STORY BY FR.STORY BY BOB COLARESI, O. CARM.

A lasting

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The Little Way Lighting the Path for Faith, Hope

and Love

by Father Bob Colaresi, O. Carm. O. Colaresi, Bob Father by

HOPE

FUTURE THE FOR HOPE

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Little Flowers: Little Ambassadors of Ambassadors I look forward to hearing Share your story Share from friends of St. Thérèse! from friends of St. Thérèse! Please take time to send me your story our of how Little Flower has touched your life. Lambert Mary T. Society of the Little Flower Rd. 1313 N. Frontage Darien, IL 60561 If only we let Him, God can continue let Him, God can continue If only we spend some time with to you I invite that makes all these generosity It is your bumps and bruises and see the world bumps and bruises and see the world as a child would. in the midst of ter amaze us. Even to rible can experience struggles, the we the gentleness beauty of His creation, the faithfulness of and of His touch, behold Him once more – if we His love of an innocent child. the eyes through of this issue. Be amazed at the work have Learnthe . how lives been transformed. grateful. forever are things possible. We - Between Friends Between FriendsThis issue of Between en- .org littleflower FriendsBetween / www. 2014 Spring / ages us – just for a while – to cast away cast away ages us – just for a while – to built have we defenses the protective of dealing with life’s years through confidence and trust. look at life once more courages us to of a child. It encour the eyes through Mary Lambert Therese , Editor of recall when I first brought my son, Joey, to the offices of my son, Joey, when I first brought recall 3 years He was around the Society of the Little Flower. old. He took in the experience like a sponge. His hand every- tightly squeezed mine, but he wanted to explore - thing – with me at his side, of course. I can still remem

Wide eyes ... eyes of innocence that of innocence that ... eyes eyes Wide soak up the world in all its wonder in all its wonder soak up the world no of a child. It’s the eyes – these are us that the told St. Thérèse wonder be- heart is to God’s to quickest way He wants hold Him as a child would. with complete soak up His love us to ber his eyes as he saw everything for the first time.

I Eyes of Innocence of Eyes 4

Mount Carmel Spiritual Centre GOES SOLAR

Father Stanley E. Makacinas, O. Carm., Director of Mount Carmel Spiritual Centre Mr. Rick Vanderkruip of RV and Associates and Fr. Stan Makacinas, O. Carm., stand in front of Mount Carmel Spiritual Centre Chapel, t has been a dream of mine since I was Prior back in where a bank of solar panels were 1978,” mused Father Stan Makacinas, now the director recently installed on the rooftop. of the Mount Carmel Spiritual Centre in Niagara Falls, Canada. In 2010, the Ontario Provincial Government The panels on three roofs of the Monastery complex will produce 75 introduced a grant program to boost alternative energy kilowatts per hour, which will be sent sources. Mount Carmel was the 23rd applicant. The govern- to the grid. The Ontario Power Au-

news I ment would fund 90 percent of the necessary studies in order to thority entered into a 20-year contract connect the Centre to the existing power grid. Rick Vanderkuip, to buy the electricity from the Monas- energy consultant for RV and Associates, and Belinda Ander- tery. This is one small effort in caring son, consultant to Father Stan, guided Mount Carmel through for the environment, and lessening the carbon footprint of the Monastery. all the regulatory requirements and agencies. This three-year Also, this effort will provide an ongoing process will end in early November when permission will be revenue stream to help sustain the given to throw the switch to connect to the grid. Monastery in the future.

TERESIAN PILGRIMAGE TO

In honor the 500th Anniversary of the Death of St. Teresa of Jesus, St. Therese's namesake, Fr. Bob will be leading a Pilgrimage to Carmelite & Colonial Spain in April 2015. The focus of this pilgrimage is on Teresa of Avila and , the great Carmelite Doctors of Spirituality, as well as the history and heritage of Spain, including the Islamic and colonial elements. INCLUDES: Granada, Cordoba, Toledo and Seville, along with Madrid, Toledo, Salamanca, Avila, Alba de Tormes, and Segovia. Details forthcoming. Between Friends / Spring 2014 / www.littleflower.org 5

St. Teresa of Avila 500th Anniversary Celebrations in Planning Stage

Father Patrick McMahon, O. Carm., President of the Carmelite Institute, Washington, D.C.

alf a millennium and a quarter of tional opportunity to see the Spain of St. Teresa,” said Fran the Church’s history is a long Horner, the Executive Director of the Carmelite Institute. time for a woman to have had a “We will have a thorough introduction to Teresa and her world – not only by visiting the places where she lived major influence over innumer- and prayed, but by having some great Carmelite scholars able Catholics – and, of late, along with us to make Teresa come alive for us in all these manyH outside the Church – but that only dem- wonderful places.” Fathers Daniel Chowning, OCD, Steven onstrates the importance of the upcoming Payne, OCD, and Patrick McMahon O.Carm., will accom- celebration of the 500th anniversary of the pany the participants as they visit Avila, Salamanca, Toledo, birth of St. Teresa of Avila. Seville, Alba de Tormes and other sites associated with the saint. “This is an opportunity not to be missed. We plan on going at the end of October 2015, to miss the crowds of the Born March 28, 1515, to a wealthy merchant family who summer and her feast day and so have more direct access to were secretive about their Jewish origins, Teresa would Teresa and her sites,” Horner said. normally have been fated to the rigid social protocols of gentlewomen in Habsburg, Spain, but she demonstrated anniversary celebrations early in life that she was not one who colored inside the arbitrary lines of social convention. Having no interest in subjecting herself to the authority and power of a husband, Teresa entered the religious life somewhat reluctantly. She chose the relatively lax monastery of Carmelite Nuns in Avila known as L’Encarnación. Though for a long while she was spiritually restless, it took a mid-life crisis to shake her out of her complacency and set her on a path of her own conversion, which resulted in the foundation of an energetic and profound reform of Carmelite life. To celebrate the influence of this remarkable Carmelite who became the first woman Doctor of the Church, the Carmelite Institute is planning a number of events for 2015, including a symposium on Teresa and her influence, as well as a “traveling seminar” that will bring scholars and partici- pants to the sites in Spain associated with Teresa’s life. Most Reverend Fernando Millán Romeral, Prior General of the Carmelite Order, has committed to speak at the symposium and Father Saverio Cannistra, the General Superior of the Dis- calced Carmelites, has expressed his hope to participate. The Institute is investigating sites for the conference, which will be held in mid-June 2015, in hopes of keeping costs sufficiently reasonable to permit a wide lay Carmelite participation along- side Carmelite nuns, sisters, and friars. “Another event is a traveling seminar to Spain, an excep-

For more information on the celebrations connected with the Teresian centenary and for updates on the symposium and the traveling seminar, check the Carmelite Institute website: carmelstream.org 6 7

Gina Marie Loiacono, Director of Youth and Adult Ministry CARDBOARD CITY

Bringing awareness to youth feature story at two Carmelite parishes

fter almost 20 years in youth ministry and with many “Cardboard City” events under my belt, I A still find it never gets old watching teenagers as they experience what it might be like to be without the comforts of home for just one night. However, it is more about seeing how their hearts change. This event, in a wonderful way, teaches them the true spirit of caring for our neighbor, as Jesus taught us to. It also helps shape them on their young journey of faith. That is always the greatest witness to us all. feature story 8 hearts change. for justonenight. However, itismore about seeinghowtheir more than600lunch kitsmadewithlovebythevery streets ofNewYork City. We broughtalongwithus to feedourhomelessbrothersandsistersrightonthe Lady ofMountCarmel,headedoutona“midnightrun” N.J., andFather Tom Schrader, O.Carm.,fromOur McMahon, O.Carm.,ofSt.Thérèse Parish inCresskill, Citero,O.Carm.,andFatherwith Father Patrick Sam On anautumnFriday night,theteenagersandI,along ... it never gets old watching teenagers as they experience ... itnevergetsoldwatchingteenagers astheyexperience what it might be like to be without the comforts of home what itmightbeliketowithout thecomfortsofhome what took place on that chilly fall night at "Cardboard City."what tookplaceonthatchilly fall nightat"Cardboard hands ortheirfeetthatnight. could nothavefedsomanywithouttheworkoftheir feet ofJesusbyreaching outtothosemostinneed!We thehandsand asboth Catholics, weareabletoserve of MountCarmel.Itwasagreatexamplehow, as St.Thérèse andOurLadygracious parishionersofboth One of our teens, Molly Thomas, shares a little about One ofourteens,MollyThomas, sharesalittleabout 9 feature story After the Covenant House visitors left, our House visitors left, our After the Covenant all the a bright, crisp day, the sun rose on When don’t think of teen- Gabrielle Rodriguez said, “You BRANCHES and Our T.W.I.G.S. youth groups talent can come from anywhere. The visitors were talent visitors were come from anywhere. The can bright and talented, with several of them playing instruments, all self-taught.more than two musical BRANCHES- Group crawled into their make Youth night. No dinner was served.shift homes for the It were no comfortswas cold. There of home. There verywas no home. It was was a lot to quiet. There think about- as we pulled our blankets and sleep ing bags night was long. And around ourselves. The over our of Columbus stood watch Knights The chilly. finally came. “homeless community” until the morning arriving for teens and I were greeted by families talked with the parishioners about why we Mass. We slept out, and what our experience taught us. We were then served by our Junior High youth group, Lady of Mount Carmel and from Our “T.W.I.G.S.,” soup (thanks chicken Hot, homemade St. Thérèse. Sam to Father Citero, O.Carm., the pastor of St. a makeshift “soup kitchen,” awaited us in Thérèse) gymnasium. It was school was set up in the which the day before. our first meal since lunch of different agers as being homeless, but, for lots position.” reasons, there are many teens in that have many other service projects planned for the travel into Irvington, we will future in which N.J., and feeding and bringing clothing to the City, New York said, of Avila has no “Christ homeless. As St. Teresa body now on earth but yours ... yours are the hands He is to bless the world now.” with which .org littleflower FriendsBetween / www. 2014 / Spring , a certified Youth and Young Adult Minister who currently works as the Young Adult Minister who currently Youth and By Gina Marie Loiacono, a certified

Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry and 8th Grade Faith Formation and Confirmation Director Ministry and 8th Grade Faith Formation and Confirmation Director Adult and Young of Youth Director in northern New Jersey. and Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Tenafly, Cresskill, at both St. Thérèse, lead vocalist, songwriter and business/ worship leader, Loiacono also serves as a professional Moving Faith. She is very band the contemporary Catholic Christian rock for director creative culture! unchanging truth within an ever-changing passionate about sharing God’s Immaculate Conception High School, Lodi, New Jersey;

alumnae of Academy of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. alumnae of Academy of Our Lady of Mount "On the night of Oct. 22, 2013, our BRANCHES"On the night of Oct. 22, 2013, our Group from Our Lady of Mount High School Youth slept in cardboardCarmel and St. Thérèse boxes. The were raising awareness for homelessness. We teens were told to bring enough cardboard and duct tape on the grounds of to build their “houses” to attend 5 p.m. finished in time We St. Thérèse. Youth Thérèse Mass. After Mass, we went to the St. from the House, where we listened to young adults ministry Covenant House of Newark, an outreach to House visitors talked Covenant homeless youth. The about their personal experiences being homeless. other for spoke with each teens and visitors The about out that amazing two hours and we found An ethical will: A personal message to your loved ones

Everyone reading this article needs a ings of one’s thoughts and experienc- As you make or revise your will or living will, and everyone should have a “liv- es are sometimes used. The content, trust, your thoughts about personal ing will” (or other health-care direc- not the form, is what’s most important. values and experiences may lead you to tives) as well. In recent years, many contemplate the people and institutions people also have begun creating “ethi- What do people put into ethical wills? that have been important in your life. cal wills” – statements of their beliefs, A bequest to the Society of the Little • Expressions of faith and beliefs values and ideals that they wish to Flower may be the most logical idea in and the role such convictions have leave behind for friends and family. the world for someone who cherishes played in their lives – perhaps This personal communication can be a all that we do to further the work of the a testament to your love for St. most satisfying addition to your other Carmelites and to promote love of Thérèse, the Little Flower; estate planning. St. Thérèse and her “Little Way.” Ethical wills aren’t legal documents, • Lessons learned during life, including Including an estate gift to benefit the and they are not made for the purpose the impact of specific events and Society of the Little Flower is easily of distributing estate assets – although experiences; accomplished through a codicil to your one could argue that they leave be- will or amendment to your living trust. • Personal messages of forgiveness, hind the most valuable of all assets: Simpler yet is to make the Society a apology and reconciliation that the wisdom and knowledge drawn beneficiary of life insurance, financial were left unsaid during life; and from a lifetime of experience. or retirement accounts. Please call Dan Ethical wills are usually written • Messages of hope and inspiration Pritchard in our Planned Giving Office statements, but video or audio record- for those who carry on. for details: 888.996.1212.

Do I really need estate planning?

“I don’t need estate planning; I’m not rich an individual is incapacitated. enough to own an estate.” • A personal affairs record that provides detailed information about an individual’s finances, location of wills, insurance Estate planning professionals suggest that anyone who has policies, online financial accounts and trust documents, and some investments, savings, a home, retirement accounts, explains funeral and burial preferences, will prevent confusion and life insurance and personal belongings needs estate and save time for family members. planning. Most people want to make the most efficient use of • Total coordination of all estate assets – life insurance, their assets during life and protect their families in the event jointly owned property, retirement plan benefits, everything of premature death. In addition, most people wish to pass people own – is absolutely vital to a smooth-working estate those assets on to heirs or worthwhile organizations at death, plan. Remember that life insurance and jointly owned property at a minimum of shrinkage from taxes, probate costs and usually will pass independently of a will. other expenses. • Charitable legacies to the Society of the Little Flower and Maximizing these objectives requires a plan – other causes you care about can be a deeply satisfying part a written plan – that generally would include: of your plans – easily accomplished through a will, trust or through beneficiary designations. As the Society looks • An up-to-date will that becomes the cornerstone of your forward to an exciting future, such legacy gifts help us plan office of planned and major gifts the office from estate plan. A will gives form and substance to a person’s for the years to come with confidence. concern for the future of family and other beneficiaries. • A trust, created during life or in a will, may figure prominently in your estate plan. Through a trust individuals can provide income for family, transfer investment worries to a trustee of To help you with your estate planning needs, we their own choosing and perhaps even save on federal estate are offering our friends a free copy of our booklet, taxes and estate administration costs. the Personal Affairs Record Book. To request • A living will or health care power of attorney (proxy) should your copy, call Dan or Janice in our Planned Giving be part of estate planning, providing doctors and family Office at888.996.1212 . members with guidance in making health-care decisions if BetweenBetween Friends Friends / Fall/ Spring 2013 2014 / www. / www.littleflowerlittleflower.org .org 11 Witness Firsthand

ince I joined the Society of the Little Flower in April Before joining the 2013, I have had the privilege of speaking with many Society of the Little friends of the Society on the phone, as well as meeting Flower in 2013, Joe several in person on visits throughout the country. I Voss spent his life have been deeply moved by those who have shared serving the Church in various capacities. In the coming years, he is Stheir spiritual experiences as a result of praying to St. Thérèse. My determined to meet as many friends faith has grown, and I have been truly humbled, as I listen to stories of St. Thérèse as he can, learning of of healing from physical ailments, of help in finding employment and their spiritual journeys and sharing of finding consolation in dealing with financial and personal problems stories of the impact of their support. Joe can be reached at 888.996.1212. – all through the intercession of the Little Flower.

Over the past year, I have witnessed my mission of teaching my little way to this wonderful mission of the Society firsthand how St. Thérèse continues souls. If God answers my requests, my of the Little Flower and the works of to fulfill the promise she made shortly heaven will be spent on earth up until the the Carmelites throughout the world.

before she died when she said, “I feel my end of the world. Yes, I want to spend my I look forward to continue getting to from the office of planned and major gifts mission is about to begin, my mission of heaven in doing good on earth.” know the loyal and faithful friends of making others love God as I love Him, It is a great privilege to represent St. Thérèse in the coming year.

reach out to Virginia on his behalf. brought along 15 family members and In the letter, Virginia explained how friends to experience and enjoy the pri- she came to know St. Thérèse. At 7 years vate tour. It was a wonderful gathering old, she lost her father. His funeral Mass led by Father Bob. His talk on the life of was held at St. Clara’s Church in Chicago, St. Thérèse was an inspiration to all. which, at that time, was the location of Part of my work at the Society is visiting the National Shrine of St. Thérèse. After with friends of St. Thérèse and the Society the Mass was over, Virginia remained in of the Little Flower on behalf of Father the church for a short time. The lights Bob. Without a doubt, the most touching were turned off, yet, all of a sudden, part of this work is meeting wonderful and Virginia noticed this bright light to the very special people like Virginia. right of the altar. She walked over to it, In the years to come, my goal is to and there she was! A statue of St. Thérèse reach out to as many friends of the holding a cross and a cascade of roses all Society as I can to express Father Bob’s lit up. Virginia said St. Thérèse seemed appreciation for their support. I also to be looking right at her and she felt an try to visit people as my travels take me ecently, I had the overwhelming feeling of peace come over across the country. The purpose of these her. She never forgot that moment. calls and visits is simply to thank folks privilege of seeing St. Thérèse always has been a part of for their kindness and update them on two old friends Virginia’s life – praying to her, seek- our work. Don’t be surprised if, one day, reunite – St. Thérèse ing her intercession and living a life I call you, or perhaps even offer to stop and a long-time devoted to her. by to say hello! friend of the Society of the Little In my conversation with Virginia, I R realized that the statue of St. Thérèse Flower. And what a glorious that Virginia saw 86 years ago is the one Mary Zacharias is a member of our reunion it was! in our National Shrine here in Darien, gift planning office and A few months ago a letter came across Ill. I invited her to visit the shrine, and has been on staff at my desk that was written by Virginia. she gladly accepted my offer. It was to the Society of the Little Flower for She had made a kind gift to the Society be a grand reunion. more than 30 years. She welcomes of the Little Flower, and a letter was The photograph with this article is your calls, and can be reached at enclosed with her gift. Father Bob had of Virginia and the original statue of 888.996.1212. read her touching letter and asked me to St. Thérèse. For her visit, Virginia 12 society corner Society Corner friends, St.Thérèse ofLisieux. withoneofhisclosest journey there thathebeganalifelong home inBrooklyn, anditwas childhood inhisgrandmother’s City, spentagood part ofhis Ray, inJersey whowasborn was thecasewithRayWeeks. to St. Thérèse. Shortly thereafter,to St.Thérèse. Shortly hefoundemployment had twochildren, hehadtofindanewjob, soheturned for him,butallherfriends. AfterRaygotmarriedand her–notjust that theLittleFlowerhaswayabout Raywillquickly pointout always seemedinstantaneous. St. Thérèse grew, andherresponses toRay’s special spoteversince. Thérèse caughtRay’sabout andshe'shelda heart, Even atayoungage,somethingthe rollsofsainthood. who, atthattime,wasfairlynewto devoted tothesaint hanging inherpianoroom.Shehadbecomequite G Over theyears,friendshipbetweenRayand Ray’s grandmotherhadapictureofSt.Thérèse person can.Such children likenoother way ofinfluencing randmothers havea Between Friends / Spring 2014 / www.littleflower.org 13

Even at a young age, something about Thérèse caught Ray’s heart, and she's held a special spot ever since.

at the “Little Flower House of Providence” in Brooklyn. He was hired for a job he had absolutely no experience with, but it was clear that was where he was needed. After retirement, Ray felt he needed to ensure others knew more about this powerful saint. He regularly To learn more about the Society of passed out literature about the Little Flower and started the Little Flower’s charitable gift annuity groups in his local parish. During one of the Ray was leading, he received another clear program, simply turn to the back cover sign that his beloved saint was still watching over him. of this issue of Between Friends. Ray had been searching and searching for a special prayer booklet that was out of print, but he had no luck getting a copy. After the weekly , he went up to

retrieve the St. Thérèse statue he always brought along society corner and, sure enough, under that statue was the prayer booklet he was looking for. Ray was in the chapel the entire time, and no one in the prayer group had any idea where it came from. His life experiences have led Ray to say he no longer has faith; instead, he has knowledge. In gratitude for all that he has been given, Ray has created a gift annuity to benefit the Society of the Little Flower. The main reason he did that, he said, was not so much for the income or the tax benefits he receives, but because of the good feeling he gets knowing that, even after God calls him home, he will still be doing some good for his saint and for the Carmelites – particularly Carmelite seminarians. In many ways, creating a gift annuity has some of the benefits of a bequest – remembering the Society in one’s estate plan. The Society of the Little Flower is extremely grateful for Ray Weeks and the example he has shared with the Society and with others throughout his life. We look forward to many more years of that friendship.

Between Friends / Spring 2014 / www.littleflower.org 15 The body of Christ

Daniel Pritchard is the Director of Planned and Major Gifts for the Society of the Little Flower

lets people experience the unconditional love of a God who wants us to see Him through the eyes of a child. This is the heart of the message of the Little Flower. We have laid the groundwork to renovate and expand our National Shrine. The project is about to begin in earnest. The purpose is to help people grow in their faith, while preserving the sacred heritage of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Once it is completed, we will be able to display many more

artifacts of St. Thérèse’s life, and do so in from the director of planned and major gifts he body of Christ." “What’s next?” St. Thérèse had an answer a way that is interactive. This will allow How many times to that question: “Holiness consists in people to visit at their leisure and learn of have we heard being just what God wants us to be.” the difference St. Thérèse can make in their those words? And What does God want you to be at this lives through self-guided tours. We are also moment? How are you dealing with the renovating the Spiritual Center, where, how many times circumstances of your life, and how are each year, hundreds participate in retreats Thave we responded with little you responding? The answers to these and days of recollection. And because of more than the usual “Amen”? questions define where you are on life’s the deep devotion to St. Thérèse, we must journey. Thérèse’s words seem so simple, expand our chapel. We need the help of all Last November, at the end of his general yet the path to holiness is anything but. of the friends of St. Thérèse to help make audience, Pope Francis taught us another One of the reasons the Society of the these things happen. way to respond to encountering the body Little Flower exists is to help smooth If you are able to make a gift – of any size of Christ. You may know the story. that path to holiness. In the National – use the envelope provided in this issue In the crowd, he saw a man who was Shrine of St. Thérèse, we have relics and of Between Friends. At certain giving levels, afflicted with a severe skin condition. artifacts and paintings that recall her life recognition and memorial opportunities are The condition was so advanced that it and “Little Way.” They are beautiful. But available. Some will want to participate out was clear most people would shrink at they also must inspire. of a sense of gratitude, others out of devotion the sight of him. The pope’s response? The truth is that any visitor to our Shrine and still others to honor someone dear to He went into the crowd and embraced can attest that they truly do inspire. There them. Whatever the reason, for years to him with a heart that knew he was is a peace found here that only heaven can come, people’s faith will grow, lives will beholding “the body of Christ.” offer. Written on the faces of those who visit change and hearts will be made whole – Jesus lives in each of us, but, too often, is a visible connection with someone who all because of your sacrifice. we are blind to Him, even when we look consoles, who heals and who can make all Today, many struggle to see themselves within ourselves. Indeed, that may be the things new. Such is our mission. as part of the body of Christ. They are best place to begin beholding the body We have chosen this moment in our hurt or lost or have simply given up hope. of Christ: within ourselves. Each day, we history to ensure that the Society of the They need to find a place to belong. Jesus’ should seek Him and then listen to the Little Flower is strong and vital for years heart is ready to embrace them, but they Christ who became one with us. If only we to come. We need to reach out to future need to find the way. St. Therese’s “Little did, how different our lives would be! To generations, while providing an experi- Way” is an incredibly powerful compass, that, I believe Jesus would say, “Amen.” ence that allows all generations to connect lighting the path to His Sacred Heart – Of course, the revelation of God’s in the most special of ways with the One and to faith, hope and love. presence doesn’t stop there. Our daily who consoles, heals and makes all things Please, join us in making this vision encounter with Jesus demands us to ask, new. And we need to do this in a way that for the future a reality.

Dan Pritchard is the Director of Planned and Major Gifts for the Society of the Little Flower. He can be reached at 888.996.1212, and would be happy to help you plan a meaningful gift to support this effort.