Greetings from Joy Valley, your home away from home!

I hope this letter finds you having a wonderful new year. I also hope you enjoy this new endeavor, the publishing of a newspaper, The Morning Star. We have been working hard to bring you this new resource. Well, Josh has been working very hard on it. I’ve been busy with Annie. I try to help out where I can, but I’m busy with the laundry... 

Josh and I have been praying for ways to further spread the teachings of the Catholic Church. And when we discovered that publishing this newspaper was so affordable, we were excited at the potential to reach more Catholics and spread devotion to the Blessed Mother.

Each issue of The Morning Star will explore our Catholic faith, provide news pertinent to Catholics, offer articles by wonderful priests, and provide stories about the Marian Center and information on our conferences, pilgrimages and events.

The Morning Star also features a catalog of great Catholic books and gifts. Many people have told us that they have a tough time finding a religious gift or books on the faith. We won’t have every book under the sun, but we will have great ones that you’ll love.

And this newspaper will be a great way for you to introduce friends and family to the Marian Center and our conferences.

Let us know if you would like additional copies of the newspaper to give to friends and family.

We have decided to cancel the East Coast/Divine Mercy Pilgrimage scheduled for April. There simply wasn’t enough demand to make it a go. Let us know if you would like us to do the trip at a better time!

Since we will be here at the Marian Center on Divine Mercy Sunday, we will do the Devotions at 3 p.m. on April 15, followed with a Potluck dinner at 5 p.m.
Our summer schedule also got rearranged. Our planned Fathers of Mercy retreat had to be scrapped because of a scheduling conflict. But there’s a great chance that apologist Steve Ray will be back sometime in July or August. And there will be other great summer activities here, including the Catholic Summer Festival with Dr. Ray Guarendi and others on August 11.

Josh, Annie and I recently returned from Washington, from our annual trip for the March for Life. Annie marched with us last year (although we didn’t know she was there at the time). We went to the Vigil Mass at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. It was so awesome to see hundreds of priests, dozens of bishops, and several Cardinals all process together for 25 minutes at the beginning of the Mass. It was the highlight of our trip.

Annie travels well. She is changing and growing every day. Recently, she rolled over for the first time and we were so overjoyed. 

I am in awe when I look at her precious little face and when she gives me one of her sweet little smiles and coos. Close to my rocking chair is an almost life-sized crucifix and I am amazed at how Annie looks up at Jesus and suddenly smile. She does the same thing with the picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe in our living room. I have no doubt that she already knows Our Lord and His Blessed Mother.

Babies are so innocent and full of trust, depending on their parents, especially their mothers, for everything. It is a great lesson that they teach adults who forget how to trust in the Lord. 

I often think of the Blessed Mother, the model for all mothers. Can you imagine looking into the face of God? What would it be like to hold baby Jesus in your arms, knowing that you’re responsible for raising the Son of God? Talk about pressure! I can only imagine what it felt like to be responsible for Jesus! I often pray that I do all the right things for Annie, so that she becomes the person that God wants her to be.

When I feel discouraged, I look to Mary who watched as her only son, the Son of God, as he was scourged, ridiculed, and hung on a tree to suffer and die. How helpless she must have felt as they tortured Jesus. But, Mary trusted in the Lord. She knew that God’s will must be done in all things. She remembered back to the prophecy of Simeon, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
So, when we think that all is lost and there is no hope, think of Mary, and know that if we trust in God, He will take care of everything because we are His children.

We thank you for your love and prayers and we ask you for financial help so that the Marian Center can keep running strong in her mission to evangelize the Catholic faith. May God bless your family during this time of preparation. Let it be your best Lent ever.

In Christ and His Mother,
Lori Mercer 

 

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