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Welcome from Bishop Ricken Table of Contents Speakers Catholic Prayers Rosary
Page 9 Page 10-12 Page 13-15 Page 16-19 Page 20-23 Page 24 Page 25-26 Back Cover
Chaplet of Divine Mercy How to Make a Holy Hour Mass Program Our Lady of Good Help Note Pages Acknowledgements Maps / Directions Schedule
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Biographies of Presenters THE MOST REV. DAVID L. RICKEN Conference Host - Pope Benedict XVI named Bishop Ricken the twelfth bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay on July 9, 2008. On December 8, 2010, Bishop Ricken, by official decree and proclamation, made Our Lady of Good Help in Champion, Wisconsin the very first and only approved apparition site of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the United States.
IMMACULÉE ILIBAGIZA “Left to Tell: Hope and Healing through Our Lord, Our Lady and the Rosary” A triumphant story of a woman’s journey through the darkness of genocide, a killing that would take many in her family, to the realization of unconditional love – a love that would allow her to forgive even her family’s killers.
REV. FRANCIS J. HOFFMAN Facilitator - “Fr. Rocky” serves as Executive Director of Relevant Radio® and is one of the hosts of “Go Ask Your FatherTM”. For over 30 years, Fr. Hoffman has ministered to the youth, serving in education since 1996. Fr. Hoffman’s column appears regularly in The Catholic Answer and The Catholic New World.
MOTHER ASSUMPTA LONG “Mary, the Perfect Reflection of Divine Beauty” The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist was founded in 1997 by Mother Assumpta and three other Dominican sisters; today she serves as their Prioress General.
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GEORGE WEIGEL “John Paul II and Mary, Mother of the Eucharist” George Weigel is an American author, and political and social activist. Weigel was the Founding President of the James Madison Foundation. He currently serves as Distinguished Senior Fellow and Chair of Catholic Studies at the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.
MARK FORREST Music Program - Accompanied by John Paul Kaplan. Mark’s melodic voice has filled concert halls and cathedrals worldwide. His “song” is The Faith and Family Foundation, an organization he and his wife Muriel, founded in 1999 to support and encourage individuals and families with special needs. His “lyrics” are the sanctity of human life, at every stage and age.
REV. SERAPHIM MICHALENKO “St. Maria Faustina: Apostle of Mercy and Her Marian and Eucharistic Devotion” After the lifting of the “ban” on Sister Faustina’s writings and forms of Divine Mercy devotions by Pope Paul VI in 1978, Fr. Seraphim was called from Bethany House to head the Divine Mercy Department at the Marian Helpers headquarters in Stockbridge, MA.
REV. JOHN GIROTTI “Mary Speaks!” The recorded words of Mary in the Gospels and what they tell of our life in Jesus Christ. Fr. John Girotti is Pastor and Rector of St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, and Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Green Bay. He’s authored “A Shepherd Tends His Flock” and released a 15 part DVD series on basic apologetics.
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Catholic Prayers The Apostles Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit. born of the Virgin Mary, He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; he ascended into Heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting, Amen.
Our Father
Our Father, who art in Heaven; hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.
Hail, Holy Queen
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us, And after this our exile, show unto us the blessed Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God: R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
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Prayer after the Rosary
O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that by meditating upon these mysteries of the most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain, and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer to Saint Michael
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into hell satan and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
The Angelus
V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary. R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary… V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord. R. Be it done unto me according to thy word. Hail Mary… V. And the Word was made Flesh. R. And dwelt among us. Hail Mary… V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray. Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen
The Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
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The Rosary The purpose of the Rosary is to help keep in memory certain principal events or mysteries in the history of our salvation, and to thank and praise God for them. There are twenty mysteries reflected upon in the Rosary, and these are divided into the (5)JOYFUL, (5)LUMINOUS, (5)SORROWFUL and (5)GLORIOUS MYSTERIES. 1. Make the SIGN OF THE CROSS and pray the “APOSTLES’ CREED”
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2. Pray the “OUR FATHER” 3. Pray three “HAIL MARYS” 4. Pray the “GLORY BE TO THE FATHER” 5. Announce the First Mystery; then say the “OUR FATHER” 6. Pray ten “HAIL MARYS” while meditating on the Mystery. 7. Pray the “GLORY BE TO THE FATHER” 8. Announce the Second Mystery; then say the “OUR FATHER” Repeat 6 and 7 and continue with Third, Fourth and Fifth Mysteries in the same manner. After each decade pray the following prayer requested by the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima:
Fatima Prayer
“O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy”
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9. After the Rosary pray: “HAIL, HOLY QUEEN” (page 5) Let us pray: O GOD, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.
MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY The Joyful Mysteries (Mondays and Saturdays) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
The Annunciation (Humility) The Visitation (Charity) The Nativity (Poverty) The Presentation (Obedience) Finding in the Temple (Piety)
The Luminous Mysteries (Thursdays) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Baptism of Christ in the Jordan (Openness to God’s Will) The Wedding Feast at Cana (Fidelity) The Announcement of the Kingdom (Trust) The Transfiguration (Holiness) The Institution of the Eucharist (Adoration)
The Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesdays and Fridays) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
The Agony in the Garden (Contrition) The Scourging at the Pillar (Purity) Crowning with Thorns (Courage) Carrying of the Cross (Patience) The Crucifixion (Self-Denial)
The Glorious Mysteries (Wednesdays and Sundays) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
The Resurrection (Faith) The Ascension (Hope) Descent of the Holy Spirit (Love) The Assumption (Eternal Happiness) The Coronation (Devotion to Mary)
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Chaplet Of Divine Mercy Opening Prayers
You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us. (once) O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You! (3 times) Our Father (once) Hail Mary (once) The Apostle’s Creed (once) Five Decades Then, on the large bead before each decade: Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world. On the ten small beads of each decade, say: For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. After 5th Decade, Conclude with (Say 3 Times): Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world. Closing Prayer Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself. Amen. Jesus, I trust in You. (optional, 3 times) St. Faustina, pray for us. (optional)
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How To Make A Holy Hour By Fr. John P. Grigus, OFM Conv
The essence of our call to conversion continues to be reflected in the words which God spoke to his people of old through Moses: “Be holy, for I, the LORD your God, am holy” (Lev 19:2). And in his encyclical letter on the Eucharist issued in 1965 and entitled, Mystery of Faith, Paul VI said that “The most efficacious way of growing in holiness is time spent with Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament.” The fruit of this belief has been attested to by many in recent times through the practice of opening chapels of adoration in parishes so that ordinary, common folks can spend at least an hour a week (a “holy hour”) before the Eucharist presence of Our Lord reposed in a tabernacle or exposed on an altar. One resistance to making a commitment to such a “holy hour” is a fear, present especially within those who are not used to spending regular quiet time in prayer, of not knowing what to do during that hour. The following are suggestions adapted from a Marytown publication on how one may go about arranging one’s “holy hour” in such a way as to make it more spiritually meaningful and fruitful. The first suggestion is: DIVIDE THE HOLY HOUR into four 15 minute periods. It is essential to take sufficient time to really visualize the purpose in each period. Do not proceed till you have made that particular purpose clear and definite. The second suggestion is: for that first 15 minute period dedicate it to a REALIZATION OF WHO IS PRESENT in the Holy Eucharist. Think of the marvel of this great reality: Christ, the God-Man, is truly present in his divinity as well as his humanity, body and soul. Even substantially present: not just the presence of God but the presence of God as the God-Man via the substance of bread and wine changed into the Body and Blood of Christ. Think of it until there is in your soul a response of wonder (“is it possible?” “How can that be?” and yet “it is true”) and admiration (how wonderful: Jesus is really, truly present here!). Make use of some familiar prayers and songs of adoration usually found
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in any church missalette to reflect more deeply on that presence, such as “Down in Adoration Falling ...” “ Holy God, We Praise Thy Name,” the “Holy, Holy, Holy” of the Mass, “Now Praise We All Our God,” or any Benediction hymn. Read the words slowly, with great, deep understanding, making them express the sentiments of your own heart. A suggestion for the second 15 minutes: devote the time to thoughts and prayers of THANKSGIVING to God as you grasp the wonder of who is present Really: God is with us! The Emmanuel of Christmas. Momentarily give some fresh thought to the fact: God is with us in this special, most remarkable way. Now let words of thanksgiving rise up in your soul, or just simply give thanks to God for his presence here in such a remarkable way. Thank God for the great Sacrament of the Priesthood and for vocations by which he perpetuates his presence in the Holy Eucharist. In a parallel situation think of our Blessed Mother’s joy when she realized that Christ, the great Messiah, was present within her, conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. Realize how the same Jesus who was present there in Mary’s body is now here hidden under the form of bread. You might also take some time to recall and thank God for other special blessings and wonders of God: your family, vocation, gift life, opportunity to be in his Presence, special friends, etc. Thank him for his love for you, for his unfailing help in trials and difficulties. A suggestion for the next 15 minutes: Dedicate this to PETITION. First of all, ask Jesus here present in the Holy Eucharist for the grace that is dearest to him, the grace he wants most for you and others: the great blessing of redemption and eternal salvation. - Just think, for some time what that means ... for you, for each member of your family, your friends, people of you neighborhood and parish, for all mankind. - Think of how marvelous that would be if all would be so blessed: to be in heaven for all eternity! - Pray for that! Beg for it: the fulfillment of Christ’s greatest desire and the main reason for his coming, for which he is present here – “Come to me all you who labor and are burdened and I will refresh you” (Mt 11:28).
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Pray for conversions. Pray for particular people, those who are away from the Church and the Sacraments. Pray for the sick and lonely, the discouraged, our youth, the unborn, our country, its leaders. Pray for our Holy Father, and for all priests and religious... Pray for vocations to complete the work of Christ. Pray for the grace to know the will of God always in your own life. Pray for peace, God’s peace in the hearts of all. Dedicate the last 15 minutes of the Holy Hour to ATONEMENT. Why atonement? A look into one’s own conscience and the conscience of the world gives the answer. A mere glance at headlines and you see insults, blasphemies, defiance thrown by man into the face of God, the injuries of man to man. Think of the sins of injustice that cry to heaven for vengeance, the sins against life, the slurs and insults against the virginity and Immaculate Conception of our Blessed Mother, the sins of disregard, of refusal to recognize and obey the Holy Father, Christ’s own spokesman and Vicar on earth. You might wish to express your thoughts of sorrow for all these sins. You may do so in your own words or make us of the liturgical words of the “Lord, have mercy,” the “Lamb of God” or the hymn “O Lord, I am not worthy.” You might pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, the Litanies of the Sacred Heart or of the Holy Name of Jesus. Also most appropriate is the Litany of our Blessed Mother, asking her under all her titles of honor and power to “pray for all of us.” The Litany of the Saints and the Prayer to Saint Michael could be expressive of the hopes in your heart. A slow, thoughtful saying of the Rosary would be very helpful during any phase of a Holy Hour. With our Blessed Mother and with Christ present there before you in the Holy Eucharist, recall and consider those events in his life. Ponder all those things in your heart as you ask our Blessed Mother to pray for us. © 2002 Conventual Franciscan Friars of Marytown. Used by Permission. The original publication (Publication No. 190-582) from which the above excerpt has been derived may be obtained in large quantities from the Marytown Press, 1600 W. Park Ave., Libertyville, IL 60048. Call 1-800-743-1177 for bulk rate pricing. To learn more about Eucharistic Devotion, go to www.acfp2000.com or www.therealpresence.org To find a Eucharistic Adoration Chapel near you, go to www.acfp2000.com/Chapels/usa.htm
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Vigil Mass Vigil Mass of the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Celebrant: Most Reverend David L. Ricken, with concelebrating priests
Entrance Hymn: At That First Eucharist 1. At that first Eucharist before you died, O Lord, you prayed that all be one in you; At this our Eucharist again preside, And in our hearts your law of love renew. Refrain Refrain Thus may we all one Bread, one Body be; Through this blest Sacrament of Unity. 2. For all your Church, O Lord, we intercede; O make our lack of charity to cease; Draw us the nearer each to each we plead, By drawing all to you, O Prince of Peace. Refrain 3. We pray for those who wander from the fold; O bring them back, Good Shepherd of the sheep, Back to the faith which saints believed of old, Back to the Church which still that faith does keep. Refrain William H. Turtpm. 1856-1938, alt. William H. Monk, 1823-1889, alt.
First Reading: Isaiah 25:6-10a Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 23 – Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life. Second Reading: Phil 4:12-14, 19-20 Gospel: Mt 22:1-14 Preparatory Hymn: Ave Maria, solo by Mark Forrest Sanctus: Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua. Hosanna in excelsis. Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis.
Jubilate Deo Mass XVIII: Š2001, World Library Publications, a division of J.S. Paluch Company. Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission, license # ALO819981.
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Lamb of God:
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem. Jubilate Deo Mass XVIII: ©2001, World Library Publications, a division of J.S. Paluch Company. Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission, license # ALO819981.
Communion Hymns: Eat This Bread (Jacques Berthier version) Refrain: Eat this bread; drink this cup. Come to me and never be hungry. Eat this bread; drink this cup. Trust in me and you will not thirst. 1. I am the bread of life, the true bread sent from the Father. Refrain 2. Your ancestors ate manna in the desert, but this is the bread come down from heaven. Refrain 3. Eat my flesh and drink my blood, and I will raise you up on the last day. Refrain 4. Anyone who eats this bread, will live forever. Refrain 5. If you believe and eat this bread, you will have eternal life. Refrain Text: John 6; adapted by Robert J. Batastini, b. 1942, and the Taize Community Tune: Jacques Berthier, 1923-1994 © 1984, Les Presses de Taize, GIA Publications. All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-703753.
I Am the Bread of Life
3. Unless you eat Of the flesh of the Son of Man And drink of his blood, And drink of his blood, You shall not have life within you. Refrain
Refrain And I will raise you up And I will raise you up And I will raise you up on the last day.
4. I am the resurrection, I am the life If you believe in me Even though you die You shall live forever. Refrain
1. I am the bread of life He who comes to me shall not hunger He who believes in me shall not thirst No one can come to me Unless the father beckons.
2. The bread that I will give Is my flesh for the life of the world And if you eat of this bread You shall live forever You shall live forever Refrain
5. Yes, lord I believe That you are the Christ The son of God Who has come into the world. Refrain
Text: John 6; Suzanne Toolan, SM, b, 1927 Tune: BREAD OF LIFE, Irregular with refrain; Suzanne Toolan, b. 1927 © 1970, GIA Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-703753.
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Panis Angelicus 1. Panis angelicus, fit panis hominum Dat panis caelicus figures terminum. O res mirabilis manducat Dominum, Pauper, servus, et humilis. 2. Te trina Deitas unique, poscimus, Sic nostu visita, sicut te colimus; Per tuas semitas ducnos quo tendimus, Ad lucem quam inhabitas. 3. Holy and living bread, wondrous food from heaven sent, God’s sacrifice foretold—now in our hands we hold. Sign and reality, challenge for us to be Humble servants to all the poor. 4. God, holy Three-In-One, through this off ’ring of your Son All now on earth can see what we are called to be. Hope for a world in need, signs that love can succeed Where true justice and peace endure. Latin Text: Thomas Aquinas, 1227-1274. English Text: Owen Alstott, © 2001, OCP. All rights reserved. Music: Louis Lambillotte, SJ, 1796-1855.
Recessional Hymn: Hail Holy Queen 1. Hail, holy Queen enthroned above, O Maria. Hail, Queen of mercy and of love, O Maria. Triumph, all ye cherubim, sing with us, ye seraphim, heaven and earth resound the hymn: Salve, salve, salve Regina! 2. The cause of joy to us below, O Maria. The spring through which all graces flow, O Maria. Angels, all your praises bring, earth and heaven, with us sing, all creation echoing: Salve, salve, salve Regina! Ascr. to Hermanus contractus, 1013-1054; Germany melody, Hildesheim, 1736; Tr. by Anon;, 1842
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Our Lady of Good Help
THE APPARITION On October 9, 1859, the Queen of Heaven manifested herself to Adele Brise in Champion, Wisconsin, USA. According to Sister Pauline LaPlant, to whom Adele often told her story: “As they approached the hallowed spot, Adele could see the beautiful lady, clothed in dazzling white, with a yellow sash around her waist. Her dress fell to her feet in graceful folds. She had a crown of stars around her head, and her long, golden, wavy hair fell loosely around her shoulders. Such a heavenly light shone around her that Adele could hardly look back at her sweet face. Overcome by this heavenly light and the beauty of her amiable visitor, Adele fell on her knees. “ ‘In God’s name, who are you and what do you want of me?’ asked Adele, as she had been directed.
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“ ‘I am the Queen of Heaven, who prays for the conversion of sinners, and I wish you to do the same. You received Holy Communion this morning, and that is well. But you must do more. Make a general confession, and offer Communion for the conversion of sinners. If they do not convert and do penance, my Son will be obliged to punish them’ “ ‘Adele, who is it?’’ said one of the women. ‘O why can’t we see her as you do?’ said another weeping. “ ‘Kneel,’ said Adele, ‘the Lady says she is the Queen of Heaven.’ Our Blessed Lady turned, looked kindly at them, and said, ‘Blessed are they that believe without seeing. What are you doing here in idleness…while your companions are working in the vineyard of my Son?’ “ ‘What more can I do, dear Lady?’ said Adele, weeping. “ ‘Gather the children in this wild country and teach them what they should know for salvation’ “ ‘But how shall I teach them who know so little myself?’ replied Adele. “ ‘Teach them,’ replied her radiant visitor, ‘their catechism, how to sign themselves with the sign of the Cross, and how to approach the sacraments; that is what I wish you to do. Go and fear nothing. I will help you.’ “ The manifestation of Our Lady then lifted her hands, as though beseeching a blessing for those at her feet, and slowly vanished, leaving Adele overwhelmed and prostrate on the ground. When the news spread about Adele Brise’s vision of the Blessed Virgin, most people believed the account and were astonished. Some considered the event a demented delusion. Adele Brise, however, considered it a commission to catechize the children and admonish the sinners of the Bay Settlement. To honor the alleged apparition, Adele’s father erected a makeshift chapel near the spot of Adele’s vision. THE PESHTIGO FIRE—MIRACULOUS PRESERVATION Much has been written about the great Peshtigo Fire, which claimed an
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estimated 2500 lives; 10 times more than the great Chicago Fire, which occurred the same day. This tragedy played an important role in the events which occurred at Robinsonville. When the Blessed Mother appeared to Adele for the third time on October 9 of 1859, she warned: “If they do not convert and do penance, my Son will be obliged to punish them.” One day short of 12 years after the Robinsonville apparition, on October 8, 1871, the great calamity fell and a tragedy begat a miracle. The Belgian colony which embraced a large part of the peninsula and included Robinsonville, was visited by the same whirlwind of fire and wind that devastated Peshtigo. When the tornado of fire approached Robinsonville (Champion), Sister Adele and her companions were determined not to abandon the Chapel. Encircled by the inferno, the Sisters, the children, area farmers and their families fled to the Shrine for protection. The statue of Mary was raised reverently and was processed around the sanctuary. When wind and fire threatened suffocation, they turned in another direction to hope and pray, saying the rosary. Hours later, rains came in a downpour, extinguishing the fiery fury outside the Chapel. The Robinsonville area was destroyed and desolate…except for the convent, the school, the Chapel, and the five acres of land consecrated to the Virgin Mary. Though the fire singed the Chapel fence, it had not entered the Chapel grounds. Those assembled at the Chapel, realizing that they had witnessed a miracle, were asked by Sister Adele to retire to the Convent, where they were made as comfortable as possible for the rest of the night. In the days to follow the great fire, the poor Belgian pioneers needed no more proof that Mary’s visit to Sister Adele was genuine. Father Peter Pernin, known as the “hero of the Peshtigo Fire”, visited Sister Adele shortly after the catastrophe, and wrote… “I have no intention either of passing judgment on the apparition of the Blessed Virgin and the pious pilgrimages which have resulted from it. Ecclesiastical authority has not yet spoken on the subject; it silently allows the good work to advance, awaiting perhaps some proof more striking and irrefutable before pronouncing its fiat. Far from me be the thought of forestalling ecclesiastical judgment.
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“I have but another word to add. If it lay within the power of any of my readers to proceed to the spot and visit this humble place of pilgrimage, as yet in its infancy, and the only one, I believe, of its nature in the United States, I earnestly counsel them to go. There, they can see and question Adele Brise, who, without having sought it, is the soul and heroine of a good work, progressing with rapid strides from day to day; and I feel assured that, like myself, all those who have gone thither with an upright intention, they will return edified and happy at heart, if not convinced, of the reality of Our Lady’s apparition.” COMMISSION OF INVESTIGATION AND FINAL DECREE God in His Mercy continues to reveal Himself to individuals “not indeed for the declaration of any new doctrine of faith, but for the direction of human acts” (St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica II-II q174 a6 reply 3). In 2009, the most Reverend David L. Ricken, Bishop of Green Bay, opened a formal Church investigation into the Marian apparitions that occurred in 1859 on the site of the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help. While considered private revelation, the task of the commission was to review all the historical information on the apparitions, as well as the life of the visionary Sister Adele, and test their consistency with Public Revelation as guarded by the Catholic Church. Based on the findings of the commission, on Wednesday, December 8, 2010, the feast day of the Immaculate Conception, Bishop Ricken gave official Church approval of the Marian apparitions that occurred in the month of October at Robinsonville, now known as Champion, Wisconsin. Reading from his decree, the Bishop stated, “I declare with moral certainty and in accord with the norms of the Church that the events, apparitions and locutions given to Adele Brise in October of 1859 do exhibit the substance of supernatural character, and I do hereby approve these apparitions as worthy of belief (although not obligatory) by the Christian faithful.” This declaration makes the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help at Champion the first and only Marian shrine in the United States that is on the site of an approved apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. © 2003 - 2011 The Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.
For more information: www.shrineofourladyofgoodhelp.com
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Note Pages
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Acknowledgements Our deepest gratitude goes to Bishop David Ricken for graciously supporting and hosting this first Marian Eucharistic Conference in the Diocese of Green Bay. We thank him for allowing us to show our love and devotion for the Holy Eucharist, through Our Lady. Thank you to all our priests and deacons and religious who have participated and assisted with the conference. Thank you for your daily witness to Jesus’ love in the Eucharist. Our special thanks to our benefactors who so graciously donated money to help with conference costs. Please keep all of them and their families in your prayers. Without their help, this conference would not have been possible. Thanks to all our speakers and their witness to authentic love and adoration of Jesus Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament. You have inspired us to deepen our devotion to the Holy Eucharist and His Holy Mother. Our thanks to St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, St. Norbert College, and the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help for making their facilities available for this conference. Thank you to our Core Planning Committee for their vision and work behind the scenes to make this event possible and thank you to all Green Bay Diocesan Staff who assisted in any way. Thank you to all our volunteers who assisted with registrations and logistics to make this event run so smoothly! And most of all, our thanks to all of you who have attended this conference. Thank you for your love for Our Lady and the Eucharist. Thank you for seeking a deeper union with the Most Blessed Sacrament through Our Lady. Our Lord is sure to be pleased. Now that you have attended this enriching conference, please go out and spread your love and devotion to everyone you meet!
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Map/Directions
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Schedule of Events Friday, October 7 – St. Francis Xavier Cathedral 5:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:30 PM 7:00 PM 8:00 PM 8:45 PM 9:30 PM
Registration Check-in Begins / Bishop Wycislo Center Speaker Meet & Greet Angelus / Rosary /Welcome Cathedral Church-Bishop David Ricken Opening Remarks Cathedral Church-Fr. Rocky 1st Presentation Cathedral Church-George Weigel Break / Speaker Meet & Greet Bishop Wycislo Center Eucharistic Adoration Cathedral Church-music by Mark Forrest Program Benediction Cathedral Church-Bishop David Ricken
Saturday, October 8 – St. Norbert College 7:30 AM 7:30-3:30 PM 8:00 AM 8:00-3:30 PM 8:45 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 10:15 AM 11:15 AM 11:30-1:30 PM 11:30-1:30 PM 12:00-1:30 PM 1:30 PM 2:30 PM 2:45 PM 3:30 PM 3:45 PM 4:00 PM 5:30 PM
Registration Check-in Begins Vendor Sales & Displays Rosary All-day Adoration Opening Remarks 1st Presentation Break 2nd Presentation Break Confessions Lunch Speaker Meet & Greet 3rd Presentation Break 4th Presentation Divine Mercy Chaplet Break Mass – Sunday Vigil Dinner on your own
Walter Theater Todd Wehr Hall Walter Theater-Led by OCDS Old St. Joseph Church (Oratory) Walter Theater-Fr. Rocky Walter Theater-Immaculee Ilibagiza Walter Theater-Fr. John Girotti Old St. Joseph Church Michels Commons Todd Wehr Hall Walter Theater-Mother Assumpta Long, OP Walter Theater-Fr. Seraphim Michalenko, MIC Walter Theater-Fr. Michalenko Walter Theater-Bishop David Ricken
Saturday, October 8 – Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help 6:00-7:00 PM Shuttle Buses - Mobil Station at Hwy 57/54 Exit (See Map page 25) 7:30 PM Eucharistic / Candlelight Chapel & Outdoors Rosary Procession 8:30 PM All-night Eucharistic Chapel-music by Mark Forrest Adoration Shuttle Buses available after procession