Stony Point: The Shrine Celebrates an Eventful March

By Jennifer Passerino, Salesian Family

(Stony Point, NY – March 25) – It has been a busy few weeks at the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians!

During the weekend of Friday, March 13, through Sunday, March 15, over 30 men gathered for a men's Spanish Lenten retreat. Led by Shrine coordinator Fr. Pat Angelucci and Stony Point director Fr. Manny Gallo, SDBs, the retreat's purpose was to guide the men to reflect on what it means to become a man of God, a man of prayer, and a man who loves. They fulfilled this purpose through moments of prayer, praise and worship, conferences, Eucharistic adoration, and receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation.

The retreat concluded on Sunday with a Mass, at which each man received a medal of St. Joseph. They asked for his powerful intercession as they continue their journey of faith.

Earlier in the month, the Shrine held a Lenten day retreat on Saturday, March 7. On this day of prayer and renewal, over 70 participants entered more deeply into the spirit of Lent through praise and worship, conferences on “A Father's Love and the Discipline of Lent,” adoration, the sacrament of Reconciliation, and Holy Mass.

Also, during this month, class retreats were held for the junior class at Albertus Magnus High School (Bardonia, NY) and for the senior class from St. Raymond's High School for Boys (Bronx, NY). Additionally, Confirmation retreats for Saint Raymond's, Holy Rosary Parish (Hawthorne, NY), and St. Margaret Mary Parish (Bronx, NY).

The Shrine’s monthly young adult night for March featured a game night, entitled “Scripture Showdown!” It also included adoration and a social.

This past week, on the feast of St. Joseph, Fr. Pat gave a beautiful sermon during daily Mass, with a simple message of St. Joseph:

“J.O.E.: Jesus. Others. Escape. Jesus — Keep him at the center of your life. Others — Serve those around you, especially the poor. Escape — Ask St. Joseph to help you break free from sin and anything holding you back.”