We hope this letter finds you having a Blessed Easter season. Julie, myself and our children are getting along wonderfully here in beautiful Joy Valley. We want to thank you so much for your kind words of welcome as we took over as directors of this beautiful apostolate.

When we first met Barbara Smith in 2002, she said to us and to so many of you when you came here for the first time: “Not one person comes down this driveway without having been sent by our Blessed Mother.” As we think back over the years and ponder what this meant, we are sure of one thing: God wanted us to come here to the Marian Center. It seems quite clear to us: This is His plan for us.

These past few years so many of us have experienced moments of anxiety — in large part due to financial uncertainty. Will I be able to retire? Will we be able to make ends meet? Will I have a job  next week?

But, we know that there is hope. Recall the words the priest says during the Communion Rite: “In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.”

We pray for protection from anxiety. But do we truly understand what we are praying for? Do we allow God to answer? We must remember that this earthly life is but a passing moment. The things that bog us down with constant worry only distract us from our end goal, to live forever with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The Lord uses our struggles to open us up to really, truly listening to Him. We must remember to look to our Lord Jesus Christ and ask Him what He wants. Only then can we truly be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit to take the appropriate action. Imagine if we all listened to Our Lord and responded in kind. The world would be transformed!

Please take the time to visit the Marian Center this summer. Come and chat with us, pray with us and experience the peace of Joy Valley.