A PUBLICATION OF THE SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE. Fall/Winter 2015

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1 A PUBLICATION OF THE SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE Fall/Winter 2015

2 A PUBLICATION OF THE SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE Fall/Winter 2015 ON THE COVER: The habit of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate is pictured on the cover of this issue of Tepeyac. All of the Friars wear a grey-blue habit with the Miraculous Medal pinned to the chest. This represents their Marian charism, following in the footsteps of Saint Francis and Saint Maximillian Kolbe. Not pictured in the image is the Friar s cincture. This cincture contains four knots: three of them representing the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience; the fourth representing the Friars Marian vow of total consecration to Jesus through Mary. Also attached to the cincture is the Franciscan Crown or Rosary, another visible expression of the Friars devotion to Our Lady, that spiritual weapon always at hand! The inscription on the Miraculous Medal is, O Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to thee. This issue of the Tepeyac is written in gratitude for the service and friendship of Fr. Peter Damian Fehlner and Br. Joseph Schmitzer who faithfully served the pilgrims to the Shrine for more than seven years. Please join us in entrusting them both to the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Tepeyac is a publication for the pilgrims, benefactors and friends of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, located in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a place of religious pilgrimage that serves the spiritual needs of all pilgrims, particularly of those who suffer poverty in body and soul. If you or someone you know would like to receive this publication, please notify the editor using the contact information below. We make every effort to ensure the information in Tepeyac is accurate. If we have made an error in this publication, please notify the editor. TEPEYAC Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe 5250 Justin Road La Crosse, Wisconsin USA TELEPHONE (877) srmancilla@guadalupeshrine.org WEBSITE EDITOR Sister M. Ancilla Matter, F.S.G.M. ASSISTANT EDITOR Gregory Marco GRAPHIC DESIGNER Danelle Bjornson Suggested Readings For an inspiring study of Pope Saint John Paul II s beautiful teachings regarding marriage and family, please read the following resources, which are available for purchase at the Flores Mariae Gift Shop at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Familiaris Consortio (The Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World) Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life) Gratissimam Sane (Letter to Families) Man and Woman He Created Them 2 FALL/WINTER 2015 A Word from the Executive Director As this issue of the Tepeyac was being finalized, leaders of the Church were meeting in Rome to begin the Ordinary Synod on the Family. As a father, when I consider matters relating to the family, I am drawn to the beautiful teachings of Pope Saint John Paul II. The late pope had a particular love for families, and his writings provide clear guidance for Christian families who are living out their vocations in the modern world. According to John Paul II, the model for Christian marriage, as Saint Paul taught, is the relationship between Christ and His bride, the Church (see Eph. 5:25). Christ s love for the Church was so strong that He was willing to sacrifice His life for her. His life was characterized by a spirit of service: For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). Christians who are called to married life are called to develop an interior spirit of service and give ourselves as a gift to our spouses. In practical terms, that means being willing to awake early with the children, clean the house, change the diapers, work extra hours to make ends meet, etc., all in a spirit of giving. In the ultimate act of giving to our spouse, we are given the power to participate in the creation of new life. John Paul II taught that a primary end of marriage is the procreation and education of children, recalling God s command to Adam and Eve: Be fruitful and multiply (Gen. 1:28). John Paul II I am going to light the last candle on the rack! During the afternoon of October 21, 2015, a call was received from staff member Jim Stolpa, from the Votive Candle Chapel: I am about to light the last votive candle! Ten minutes later, after members of staff and volunteers gathered around the candle rack, Jim lit the last candle. For now, every single candle in the Mother of Good Counsel Votive Candle Chapel is burning, symbolic of prayers being sent up to God. Leif Arvidson said, This is the first time that every candle has been lit since I came to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe more than five years ago (although Andy and Greg have stories of walking miles through four foot snow drifts to light the last candles years ago). Please pray for all of the intentions being offered up in the Votive Candle Chapel!

3 encouraged couples to rejoice in the gift of children and welcome them into the family. He recognized contraception as a holding back, a refusal to totally give yourself to your spouse. He bemoaned modern society s view of children as a burden to be avoided; he insisted that they are a blessing, a gift from God (Ps. 127:3-5). Christ promised to bless faithful parents. Review the great judgment scene, Matthew 25:31-46, with the work of parents in mind: Then the king will say to those on his right, Come Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me. Dedicated parents spend a lifetime welcoming new members, feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, and providing clothing and care to those in need. (It should be noted that dedicated children do the same for their elderly parents.) Family life is a high and noble calling. Where are we to find the strength to live a life of giving, in service to our spouse and children, with openness to the gift of new life, and with a firm dedication to raising our children well? John Paul II knew the simple answer: through the grace of God. God does not ask us to do anything without providing the means with which to do it. Through God s grace at work in our lives, we are empowered to serve, to forgive, to abandon our self-centeredness, and to love unconditionally. John Paul II encouraged families to frequent the sacraments, through which they find the strength to live Christian life to the fullest. Photo (above): The Arvidson Children Photo (left): Leif and Karen Arvidson In the Eucharistic celebration, we unite ourselves to Christ s sacrifice of His life for the sake of our salvation: This is My Body, which will be given for you (Luke 22:19). In receiving Christ, we receive the grace to live life in Him (see John 6), a life modeled on His life of love and service. Through the Sacrament of Penance, we receive God s forgiveness (see John 20:22-23). In forgiving us, Christ teaches us how to forgive. Without forgiveness, how could families survive? Marriage itself is a beautiful Sacrament. In marriage, the husband and wife are joined in Christ; as Christ promised, [W]here two or three are gathered in My name, there am I in their midst (Mt. 18:20). The two become one flesh (Gen. 2:24) and, as such, inseparable (see Mark 10:8-9: [W]hat God has joined together, no human being must separate. ). God acts in, with, and through the spouses, who administer sacramental grace to each other not only at the wedding ceremony, but throughout the remainder of their lives. John Paul II had a glorious vision for families. He was willing to proclaim the truth regarding marriage and the family in a time of uncertainty and confusion. And what a beautiful message to hear in the midst of a society which seeks to find freedom through contraception, abortion, divorce and remarriage, homosexual acts and similar moral vices. He exposed the root of all such vices: focus on oneself. He also offered the remedy: freely offering your life as a gift to your spouse and children, in a spirit of service and love. John Paul II refused to give in to modern secular trends; he proclaimed the truth in season and out of season. He foresaw a new season, a new springtime for Christianity, and he made every effort to usher in a new era of faith. John Paul II always ended his encyclicals with a prayer to the Virgin Mary. Let us pray, through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, that the Church will heed John Paul II s guidance and build upon his beautiful teachings. Our Lady of Guadalupe, Star of the New Evangelization, pray for us! Pope Saint John Paul II, pray for us! Leif E. Arvidson 1 In order to assist and strengthen families in their spiritual journeys, Confession and Holy Mass are offered daily at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. 2 It is telling to consider how each of these issues either violates the unity of the spouses or prevents, adversely affects or even eliminates the gift of children. Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe 3

4 several more to appear within the next year. The Knights of the Altar organized by Br. Joseph has been a great success providing trained altar servers for every kind of Mass, solemn, sung, simple. Friar Joseph:I was always challenged by the onslaught of Asian Beetles in the church every springtime and by trying to keep up with all the thank you s we owed to everyone for always being so welcoming and supportive since the very first day we arrived! 5. Greatest joys INTERVIEW WITH - FR. PETER & FRIAR JOSEPH By Sister M. Ancilla, FSGM, Director of Communications After hearing the announcement that Father Peter and Brother Joseph would be transferred to new assignments, it dawned on me that this is an historic event: Both of them have been at the Shrine since the Dedication of the Church. Before they left for Connecticut, I interviewed each via . Although each friar responded separately, their answers are combined under each question. 1. Considering that you have worked at the Shrine since the Dedication of the Church, how do you feel about leaving so as to respond to a new assignment? Father Peter: Going on 85 and having worked here for over seven years I did not expect I would receive any new assignment outside the Shrine. So the announcement took me by surprise, accompanied by a certain sadness as I began to prepare for moving. With a bit of more sober reflection the sorrow was sweetened in realizing the friary to which I was being sent as novice master is also dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe. In the end, whether in La Crosse or Griswold, I was doing the will of my Savior-God and that is what counts in passing from this world to the next. Friar Joseph: While I am very happy to meet the needs of my religious community and serve Our Lady in the way she sees as best, the Shrine and all of the staff and volunteers that I have been blessed to work with here will certainly be missed. 2. People say that your leaving will be a big change for the Shrine - you were one of the pioneer friars / first rector - How have you seen your role for the Shrine over the past 7 years, in being the first? Father Peter: With transfers inevitably come changes of one kind or another. Over the past seven years, particularly during the first four as Rector, a major aspect of my work was establishing the spiritual in our lives as center and point of reference for all other activity, physical and intellectual, involved in maintaining and developing a large shrine. By and large this has been attained. So long as changes find their raison d etre in the spiritual and the celebration of the mysteries of faith in a Marian tone, such changes will ordinarily be positive. Friar Joseph: It has been a great blessing to have been a part of the Shrine from the beginning of the dedication of the church. Hopefully my role as the sacristan, just one spoke in a very large wheel, has in some way contributed to the fulfillment of the Shrine s mission to meet the corporal and spiritual needs of God s children. 3. What memories, reflections, stories will you take with you? Father Peter: Among others, I will not forget the support of so many local friends in maintaining the Shrine and, in particular, assisting the Franciscan Friars who care for the spiritual and pastoral activities here. Friar Joseph: I have many good memories of working with the servers for all the Masses over the years. I will always take with me a deep sense of gratitude for the many blessings of Our Lady in this regard and in general for the honor it was of being able to take care of her church. 4. What were a few challenges during your time here? Father Peter: Among the challenges of the first years were the introduction of Masses and devotions in languages other than English: Latin and Spanish, organizing Marian symposia and scholarly studies on Marian themes. Masses in three languages every Sunday are now well attended, although devotions indoors and outdoors not so well attended on a regular basis. Three Marian symposia were held so far with varying degrees of success. At least one volume of Marian studies in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Academy of the Immaculate Press operated by the Franciscans of the Immaculate out of New Bedford) with Father Peter: Celebrating Holy Mass and administering the Sacrament of Reconciliation are among my greatest joys at the Shrine. Friar Joseph: One of my greatest joys in being at the Shrine has been to meet the many priests who came into the sacristy to prepare for Mass, many of them diocesan priests who have brought their parishioners on a pilgrimage. I have been very edified over the years by very devoted shepherds who obviously love Christ and the people he has entrusted to their care and this has given me an even greater appreciation for the ministry of the Diocesan Priesthood. 6. What are your thoughts about the Shrine, with regard to its being in Wisconsin, that Our Lady wanted the Shrine to bear the name Our Lady of Guadalupe...? Why does Our Lord and Our Lady want this Shrine here? Father Peter: In the initial plan for a Marian shrine in La Crosse, Bishop (now Cardinal) Burke had planned to dedicate it to Our Lady of Fatima in view of the important need to further reparation for sin and for gross offenses of the Blessed Virgin. Subsequently, he changed this dedication from Fatima to that of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Queen of the Americas. His reason for making the change was this: there were many shrines in USA already dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima, whereas there were none large and centrally located dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe capable of making the messages of Mary at Guadalupe (1531 in Mexico) known and acted upon in the present circumstances of North America, both as regards questions of salvation and of resolving the present religious-cultural crisis. Friar Joseph: I m not sure why heaven chose Wisconsin ( unless maybe there is some resemblance?) and I m glad the Shrine bears the name of Our Lady of Guadalupe - Empress of the Americas and Patroness of the Unborn. This Shrine, like all other shrines in the world, are wanted by Christ and his mother as places of special graces for bringing souls closer to God, exactly what Our Lady of Guadalupe said she wanted to do: I want very much to have a little house built here for me, in which I will show Him, I will exalt Him and make Him manifest. 4 FALL/WINTER 2015

5 7. Before you came to the Shrine, what were some of the assignments you carried out? Father Peter: The greater part of my work as a priest has been the teaching of theology in Franciscan seminaries and the scholarly study and promotion of the Franciscan school of theology. My assignment to the Shrine in La Crosse has been the only one primarily occupied with the pastoral. Friar Joseph: Before I came to the Shrine I was assigned to the Friary where I am now returning! It is also a church dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe and most of my time there was spent as the cook, although I also helped out with the grounds and maintenance as much as I could. 8. Before you came, what did you imagine the Shrine would be like? after you arrived, how has it differed from what you thought? Father Peter: Except that it was being built, I knew nothing about the Shrine until about nine months before its dedication I was asked to visit Archbishop Burke in St. Louis to discuss his request that the Franciscans of the Immaculate assume direction of the central, pastoral work of the Shrine. The request was accepted. On arrival here in July of 2008, I simply learned more in detail about what I already knew of it. Friar Joseph: I didn t know much about the Shrine when I was told that I was going to be transferred here, nor was I sure what my exact duties would entail. When I arrived, then, you can imagine how taken I was by the Church. It was awe-inspiring to walk into a place with such massive archways, the high dome, and the decorative stone floors: All for the glory of God and the honor of his mother! Then when I learned that I would be the one who was going to be cleaning it I couldn t help but think, maybe they could have made it a little smaller! 9. What will you miss most about serving at the Shrine? Father Peter: I will miss in particular the Marian presence and the support of so many friends promoting things Marian. Friar Joseph: I will miss the people who I have befriended during my time here. It has been a genuine pleasure working with the staff and volunteers, even if our interactions at times were as little as saying good morning as I walked past the front desk or waving to a cart driver along the trail. Having so many faith-filled and dedicated people around was always very encouraging for me and helped me on more than one occasion to persevere through tired moments. 10. Do you have any words that you would like to leave to the Shrine, staff, volunteers, pilgrims? Father Peter: Keep Mary at the center of work here, whatever it may be do it well for the sake of the rest of her offspring (cf. Apoc 12:17). Friar Joseph: Only to repeat what Our Lady said to the servants at Cana in reference to her Son: Do whatever he tells you (Jn 2:5). We will miss Father Peter and Friar Joseph. May Our Lady hold them in the crossing of her arms. Stories about Friar Joseph from parents and members of Our Lady s Knights of the Altar Angie Kusmitch, mother to a member of Our Lady s Knights of the Altar Brother Joseph is profoundly calm and patient. He has shown the altar servers that service to God in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is of utmost importance. And yet there is a time for joy, fun and embracing life as a man of God through all the adventures they have experienced together. I truly believe Brother Joseph has helped to foster vocations in these boys. *** Thomas A. Szyszkiewicz, father to three members of the Our Lady s Knights of the Altar That leads me to the other thing about Brother Joseph his constant witness to the Faith in the wearing of his habit. I m sure this is the rule of their community, but it is still impressive to see that, no matter where we are on the Kickapoo on a hot August day, at the bowling alley, sliding on the snowy hillsides of La Crescent, Minn., paintballing at Fort McCoy Brother Joseph is wearing his habit. It is a wonderful witness that he has given his life fully to the Lord. May the Lord continue to bless him abundantly and help him to bring more joy to more people. *** Peter Szyszkiewicz, member The most inspiring thing about Brother Joseph is his holiness and humor. Every time we get together there is always a joke cracked and a prayer said. But the most memorable (non-funny) thing that happened was the establishment of Our Lady s Knights of the Altar. When it all began, there was just a group of eight of us. We had our first day of training and right away, after a joke was cracked, Brother Joseph gave a run-down of our duties and what they meant. He related them all to Mary and traditional Knighthood. The hardest part was making it through the rank of squire. We had a ceremony for induction and Paging, but squire does not have a ceremony. Rather it just happens: you assume your duties and are expected to take the lower seat when necessary. This was all to encourage growth on humility. But then Knighting came. After Knighthood, I was trained for the Extraordinary Form and was the first to get a gold chain. It s been five years and a tarnished chain, but the legacy continues and will continue. Yet, despite it all, hardly anyone knows or will know what Brother Joseph accomplished and he doesn t care. *** Peter Lehn, member The other side of Br. Joseph is the patient teacher. He patiently guided me through the steps of becoming a better altar server, bearing all my mistakes along the way. I can especially remember him teaching me how to do the incense properly, never getting discouraged when I messed up. Br. Joseph has a great set of talents. He plans activities, coaches the servers, and even made amazingly cool videos to put on the website. Most of all, I want to thank Br. Joseph for being an amazing teacher and friend. *** William Lehn non-active member Friar Joseph I will always remember as the brother who really taught me how to be dedicated and serious about my faith and still have fun with life. With his guidance I became the best altar server I could be and brought the knowledge that he gave us to the seminary. Throughout my life I will always remember his dedication to the Church and his balance in life. Photo by: Matt Korger Brother Joseph assisting Father Peter during the celebration of the Sunday morning Traditional Latin Mass. Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe 5

6 to the ever deeper study of the faith and the teaching of the faith, under the inspiration of Saint Bonaventure and Blessed John Duns Scotus. Father Peter Damian, notwithstanding the high level of his theological scholarship, never tired of assisting his brothers and sisters with their questions regarding the faith and its practice. I thank him, in a most special way, for the outstanding assistance which he gave to the Marian Catechist Apostolate, an integral part of the work of the Shrine. His study and teaching of the faith reached their highest expression in his preaching, in his offering of the Holy Mass, and in his hearing of sacramental confessions. AS THEY SET FORTH ON A NEW MISSION From the Homily of Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke given at the Solemn Vespers on the Feast of Saint Matthew On the occasion of the completion of the mission of two faithful and generous sons of Saint Francis, Father Peter Damian M. Fehlner and Brother Joseph M. Schmitzer, we thank God for the gift of their consecrated life given in service here from the very day of the Solemn Dedication of the Shrine Church. By their faithful and generous response to Christ s call, they have helped countless pilgrims to meet Christ here under the loving care of His Immaculate Mother. From the first inspiration of founding a shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe here, it was always hoped that Franciscan Friars would provide for the spiritual ministrations to the faithful, including the care of the Shrine Church as the House of God and the House of the Church, as the point of arrival of every pilgrimage. The apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe, in fact, are intimately connected with the First Evangelization of our continent by Franciscan Friars in what is today Mexico, the privileged place of the apparitions. Saint Juan Diego, the faithful messenger of Our Lady, had been catechized by the Franciscan Friars and was under their spiritual care. The Bishop, Juan de Zumárraga, to whom Our Lady directed her request that a holy place be established, in which she could bring her children to a deeper knowledge of God s immeasurable and all-merciful love, was a Franciscan Friar. It was the Franciscan Friars who baptized and administered the other sacraments to the millions of converts from the time of the apparitions. In searching for a community of Franciscan Friars who follow the call to the mendicant religious life with fidelity and generosity, I was blessed to find the Friars of the Immaculate and to receive from the Superior General a positive response to my request of the service of the Friars at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe here. I am happy to have the occasion to express publicly the profound gratitude of the Shrine for the service of the Friars of the Immaculate. I pray fervently that the Shrine may always enjoy the service of Friars like Father Peter Damian and Brother Joseph. In thanking God for the years of service of Father Peter Damian and Brother Joseph, I wish to underline, in a particular way, special and essential gifts which they have brought to the Shrine, so that it might more perfectly accomplish its most holy purpose. Father Peter Damian is a true doctor of the faith. His entire life, as a religious and priest, has been dedicated Brother Joseph has cared for the Shrine Church with the love of a true son of Saint Francis and, therefore, of Our Lady of Guadalupe. He has placed his intelligence and great practical skill at the service of advancing the service of pilgrims to the Shrine. I think, in a particular way, of his ability to use the communications media to help pilgrims to know their faith and to pray with devotion. An outstanding fruit of his service of Our Lady and of her Divine Son has been his work in founding and developing Our Lady s Knights of the Altar. Pilgrims are deeply edified by the service of the young men at the altar whom Brother Joseph has instructed and formed over many years, in order that their service at the altar may be as perfect as possible and in order that their daily living may always express their closeness to Our Lord, under the protection and guidance of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I mention only a few aspects of the extraordinary richness of the daily life of two faithful Friars, with which the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the pilgrims to the Shrine have been so immeasurably blessed. In a particular way, pilgrims have seen in the life of these Friars the truth of our life in Christ, which every pilgrimage uncovers for us anew, the truth described thus by Saint Paul: So whoever is in Christ is a new creature: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come. 1 Today, conscious of the special grace of pilgrimage to a place holy to the memory of the Mother of God and of her appearances on our continent to manifest to us the mystery of divine mercy and forgiveness, let us pray, through the intercession of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, that God bless Father Peter Damian and Brother Joseph as they set forth on a new mission. Let us pray that we all may live more faithfully and generously the gift of life in Christ, which comes to us in an unbroken line through the Apostolic ministry and which is exemplified for us in the life of mendicant friars. 6 FALL/WINTER 2015

7 Salvation Poem Audio CD Images of the Church at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe have been seen across the country on EWTN! In fact, EWTN has been airing a music video that, since 2012, has been available on YouTube. A WARM WELCOME TO THE NEW FRIARS Compiled by Sister M. Ancilla, FSGM, Director of Communications The Salvation Poem was performed and filmed in the Shrine Church to date, the only music video made at the Shrine. The music video presents Monsignor Joseph W. Hirsch, a priest of the Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and then-board member of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, playing the guitar and singing, in both English and Spanish, The Salvation Poem. As we bid farewell to Father Peter Damian and Brother Joseph, we offer a warm welcome to Father Joachim M. Mudd and Brother Michael Lominoque. I express a particular word of gratitude to Father Louis Maximilian M. Smith, superior of the Friars of the Immaculate in the United States of America, for his great care and diligence in providing for the needs of the Shrine. Father Louis Maximilian served at the Shrine and has a profound appreciation of the spiritual needs of the pilgrims. 1 Father Joachim Mary Mudd, FI Fr. Joachim was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. He joined the Franciscans at the age of twenty-two in He was ordained a priest in Fr. Joachim has taught religion at summer camp programs and in a parochial grade school, English Literature at the high school level for a home school group, and has held the positions of Local Superior, Novice Master. Before ordination, he and a fellow Franciscan Brother went to Vladivostok, Russia to help out in the Catholic Parish for one year; and, in 2001, he and other friars went to work with the Native Americans of the Spirit Lake Sioux Indian Nation at St. Michael Indian Mission. Fr. Joachim has spent the last seven years serving at Mother of the Redeemer Retreat Center in Bloomington Indiana. He is now serving the pastoral needs of the pilgrims to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and he brought with him all his fishing gear to catch big fish! Brother Michael Mary Lominoque, FI Br. Michael considers himself privileged to have been born and raised in the Philippines, where Christianity is strongly being planted. The youngest in a family of three sisters, four brothers and God-fearing parents, he attended Catholic grade school. Br. Michael played tennis and basketball, and on weekends would go out for a bike ride with his friends. In his 3rd year of studying towards a B.S. in Biology, Br. Michael decided to join the Friars at the age of 24 in After First Profession, he began apostolic work, such as teaching Catechism at a public school, assisting in the formation of the Youth Franciscans of the Immaculate (YFI) and the Mission of the Immaculate Mediatrix [Association for Laity] (MIM), and a questor (beggar for friars) for five years. Br. Michael s desire is to serve God in His vineyard. In 2006, the best year of his life, he professed Perpetual Vows! Since then, he has served as sacristan in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and has helped the friars in Kerala, India, forming young vocations to religious life. The composers of The Salvation Poem (music and lyrics), Matt and Sherry McPherson, came to know of Monsignor Joseph Hirsch and his gifts of playing the guitar, composing his own songs, and sharing them in a variety of settings and groups of faithful. They asked for permission to use the Shrine Church as the setting to make a music video of Monsignor Hirsch performing this song. The filming of the song took place at 6:00am on one of the busiest days of the year for the Shrine: the first day of the first Canon Law Conference! Once TV viewers saw the video of Monsignor Joseph Hirsch singing The Salvation Poem in the Shrine Church, they began phoning in and asking if we had a CD available for purchase. When Monsignor Hirsch was told of the interest, he said, Great! I am glad to see it get around and help people. Hoping that the both the video and the song would bring pilgrims to encounter the Lord at the Shrine, the Shrine decided to put the video on the Orientation film DVD, as well as the Shrine s website, and the song onto a single audio CD. The audio CD of The Salvation Poem is available for purchase in the Shrine s Flores Mariae Gift Shop for $2.95 (plus shipping). To order, please call (608) or (877) Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, September 21, Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe 7

8 By Laura Antonie, Executive Assistant In January 2015, the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe was presented with the opportunity to have a vendor table at the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, to be held in September. Every three years since the first WMOF, Rome-1994, families from all over the world have been invited by the Holy Father to attend this global gathering. At the conference, families share their thoughts, dialogue and prayers, working together to grow as individuals and family units. Families can participate in discussion groups on the Christian family s role in the church and society, led by many distinguished speakers. This year was to be both the first World Meeting of Families held in the United States and Pope Francis first trip to the United States. The theme, Love Is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive was inspired by the early Church Father, Saint Irenaeus, who wrote the glory of God is man fully alive. The glory of men and women is their capacity to love as God loves and no better means exists to teach the meaning of love than the family. His Holiness, Pope Francis, also inspired the theme. He embodies the message of mercy, joy and love at the heart of the Gospel. Of course this fits nicely with the catechetical mission of the Shrine, and also with Our Lady s message of God s mercy and love. While the Shrine had never participated in a conference quite this large and far-reaching, we felt it was important to share the beauty of the Shrine with such a large world-wide audience, with the intention of drawing people here on a pilgrimage. Of course, the Shrine is familiar to most locals, new SAINT GIANNA GUILD By Thomas Thimons, Director of Development The Shrine is announcing its third guild! The Saint Gianna Guild, which will begin in January of 2016, is specifically for mothers and those who wish to be mothers. Members may be enrolled in the guild and receive the benefit of being remembered in a Shrine Mass every second Monday of the month for one year. Along with Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Unborn, the Shrine honors Saint Gianna Molla as a patron for the unborn and for mothers. Saint Gianna was a devoted wife and mother as well as a pediatric surgeon who lived a joy-filled life in Italy. When she was pregnant with Gianna Emanuela, she developed a cancerous uterine tumor. The doctors advised her to terminate the life of her baby or risk possible death herself. She chose the life of her baby and died a few days after giving birth. Saint Gianna is considered a pro-life saint, and many pilgrims have benefitted from her intercession for conception and for the safe delivery of children. This past September I had the great joy of meeting Gianna Emanuela Molla, Saint Gianna s daughter, at the World Meeting of Families. I was able to show her photos of the side-aisle shrine dedicated to her mother, located in the Shrine Church. I pray that through this guild many will be able to experience the powerful intercession of Saint Gianna! To enroll please visit the Shrine s website: or use the envelope included with this publication. A card can be sent to you upon request so that you may send it to the enrollee. 8 FALL/WINTER 2015

9 Thomas Thimons visits artist, Anthony Visco at his studio in Philadelphia. Laura Antonie, staffing the Shrine s vendor table, meets Diana von Glahn, the Faithful Traveler. but it is still relatively new - the church was completed just 7 years ago - and remains unknown to many. Due to both the distance from La Crosse, and the expected attendance of 10,000-15,000 at the World Meeting of Families, the preparation to attend this conference took quite a bit of planning and preparation, not to mention the anticipation, which I found to be exciting! Everything from travel reservations to shipping brochures out ahead of time had to be done well in advance. Due to security requirements within the Conference, all exhibitor materials had to be in place prior to the start of the Conference. While we were not able to participate in any of the conference talks, the larger venue gave us the opportunities to not only share the Shrine with conference participants, but to network with several Catholic celebrities, including: Gianna Emanuela Molla (Saint Gianna Molla s daughter), Anthony Visco (principal artist for the Shrine), and Diana von Glahn (Faithful Traveler). In addition, the Holy Family Iconic painting, commissioned for this year s World Meeting of Families, was painted by artist Neilson Carlin, a former student of Anthony Visco, who painted four of the six side aisle paintings in the Shrine Church, one of those being Saint Gianna Molla. The World Meeting of Families Conference was held Tuesday - Friday, and the Holy Father arrived on Saturday morning for the Festival of Families. Due to immense security measures, and crowds nearing one million people, these days differed from those earlier in the week. Visitors needed both a good plan and the ability to be flexible and accepting of each situation as it came along. Mass transit was the only option for getting into the city. My experience riding the train was smooth and without any difficulty. After getting through security near the Independence Mall area, we were quickly barricaded into the city block we were at around 11:00 am. There were several jumbotrons set up throughout the downtown area to watch the events unfold, regardless of whether or not you were granted one of the 10,000 tickets inside. After waiting about five hours in the same spot, I was rewarded with a Papal pass-by! It was a joy to see how the experience inspired and energized all who participated, and it was refreshing to see the Catholic faith so alive! 10 th Annual Queen of the Americas Guild Conference A Success! By Steven Doll, Pilgrimage Outreach Coordinator Over the past ten years the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe has been chosen to host the Queen of the Americas Guild Annual Conference. The Queen of the Americas Guild is an organization dedicated to fostering awareness and devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe as Mother of the Americas through education, prayer, and pilgrimage. Shrine Founder, Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke, has been a directing member of the Queen of the Americas Guild Board since This past August, the Queen of the Americas Guild held its 10th Annual Conference at the Shrine. The Conference, with the theme Remaining in the Truth of Christ, was exceptionally well-attended! The host, Cardinal Burke, was very pleased to see the enthusiasm and involvement of each participant. Powerful speakers Cardinal Burke, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, and attorney Charles LiMandri - presented timely topics relating to the theme What God has joined together, no human being must separate (Mt 19,6). In a special effort to increase awareness of the 10th Annual Conference, the Shrine partnered with the Queen of the Americas Guild in sending out pre-registration postcards to Shrine supporters all over the Midwest. This strong outreach effort increased the Conference attendance from 104 attendees in 2014 to 247 attendees in 2015! Mark your calendars for the 11th Annual Queen of the Americas Guild Conference, which is scheduled for July 29-30, 2016, at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe! Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe 9

10 70 th Class Reunion! By Jack Socha, Communications It s not every day that you hear of a high school reunion from a class of 1945! But, 70 years later, that s exactly what happened when about 30 members from Aquinas High School in La Crosse came from all around the country to gather and give thanks at the Shrine. These folks in their late 80s were all feeling fine and enjoying a reunion with some classmates they had not seen in many years. With the lively banter going on with stories of back when, it was not difficult to imagine this group as a bunch of lively kids with the class chatterboxes and clowns! Most of the class attended Holy Mass. After Mass, all gathered in the Culina Mariana Café. They remembered in prayer the more than 100 classmates who had passed away as well as those who were unable to make the trip for a variety of reasons. But there were also class archivists present who produced an album of perfectly preserved black and white photos, including one of the Aquinas basketball team. There was also a shot of a few classmates who were serving in the military. I asked one graduate what it was like being in high school for much of World War II. Was there rationing or items in short supply? I was thinking of pencils, paper, binders, etc. Even ink might be scarce if the tinting material was imported. Without missing a beat, the gentleman said, Beef! We never had beef! All we had was chicken for lunch, every day, chicken. I swore I would never look at a chicken again! The Aquinas High School Class of 1945 enjoyed a beautiful day for a 70th Reunion at the Shrine. 10 FALL/WINTER 2015 Welcoming Celebrities to the Shrine By Sister M. Ancilla, FSGM, Director of Communications Welcoming an Olympian with a mission: God and Family This past July, we welcomed an Olympian, along with her family, to the Shrine. While thrilled at the prospect of meeting an Olympian, I was somewhat apprehensive - I don t keep up on sports. Rebecca Dussault is a former Olympic ski racer and an accomplished pro athlete in biking, triathlon, and ski mountaineering. She has a great love of endurance sport and the way that it can help lead us to truth. She currently trains other aspiring Catholics who would like to be disciplined and motivated in both body and soul. Because an athlete client of hers lives in La Crosse, the Dussault family changed their travel route to northern Wisconsin through La Crosse. Her client introduced the Dussaults to the family that donated the land for the Shrine. They attended morning Mass in the Friary, followed by a tour of the Church. Interestingly, this was not the Dussaults first visit to the Shrine. Rebecca had heard about the Shrine some time ago and was attracted to it both because of its dedication to Our Lady of Guadalupe and because of its beautiful architecture. We have traveled pretty extensively in Europe for ski racing and pilgrimages and love sacred places which represent God s grandeur and beauty. It was fitting that we came to the Shrine on that September 3, 2008 day because we were making a pilgrimage of thanksgiving for the totally recovery of my husband who had been suffering for a year with ulcerative colitis. By God s grace, he now lives a full life. Unfortunately, the Dussaults arrived a few minutes after the Shrine Church had been locked. Maintaining great peace and joy, Rebecca said, We made our thanksgiving as we walked the beautiful grounds. We vowed that we d be back. And so they did! It was a beautiful time to see God s glory not only in the structure but in every person we met at the Shrine and the surrounding families that it deeply impacts, Rebecca said, as she then shared with me her desire to pursue family ministry. Rebecca explained the basis for the vision of the Dussaults family ministry: Family is the foundational piece of society which is being attacked profusely and is in shambles. Our family enjoys such a great unity and adventure through life as sons and daughters of the Church, seeing and feeling things through the lens of Christ. We desire for ourselves and others to live a life of wholeness and ultimately holiness. This is what we are striving for. This is worth fighting for. We cannot let the world define the family, because we see plainly how confused it is about it, but must share bravely with the world what it means to be a family. We have the indelible mark of our Creator written into our union as husband and wife. We are free when we live the Church s - and therefore God s - ideals for faith and family. For more information, go to Welcoming an Actress and Vocalist Many of you have heard about the live stage drama Faustina: Messenger of Mercy, from St. Luke Productions, which has been presented in various dioceses, parishes, schools, across the county for the past couple of years. In September, Faustina came to La Crosse. Because I had the privilege of helping in small ways to promote the stage drama and to encourage others to attend the showing, I was also privileged to meet the actress, Maria Vargo. She providentially came to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe on September 21, 2015, and attended Holy Mass, celebrated by Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke and by a number of concelebrating priests. Afterwards, I met Maria briefly for the first time, and she was introduced to His Eminence who knew of the Faustina stage drama. I met Maria, again only briefly, two other times. Her presentation of Saint Faustina touched me deeply as we anticipate the Opening of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, may St. Faustina s story, Maria Vargo s story, be also our story of encountering the Divine Mercy Himself, the Face of Mercy. For information on the tour schedule of Faustina, go to: dramas/faustina.

11 DESIGNATION OF A HOLY DOOR OF MERCY at the SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE By Sister M. Ancilla, FSGM, Director of Communications In seeking to make the Jubilee Indulgence as widely available as possible, Pope Francis announced in his Papal Bull for the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy - Misericordiae Vultus - that a Holy Door is to be opened in every cathedral around the world, as well as in particular shrines, where large numbers of pilgrims come to honor the mercy of God. In communion with our Holy Father and in the spirit of pastoral solicitude for the Christian faithful entrusted to his care, His Excellency William P. Callahan, Bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse, has designated a Holy Door for the Jubilee Year at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Shrine Church Rector, Father Jacinto Chapin, FI, said that the designated Holy Door will be the door to the left of the center doors as one enters the Narthex of the Church. This will mirror somewhat the Holy Door used at the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, which also is a left door. The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a daughter Church of this Papal Basilica. What is the Holy Door? By Christopher Carstens, Diocese of La Crosse Or, better, Who is the Holy Door? Like most things Catholic, the Holy Door is a sacramental expression of Jesus. As He Himself says, I am the door; if any one enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture (John 10:9). In reality, Jesus is the door. In all church buildings, the door is among the first signs that should lead us to encounter Christ. The door of a church, in its construction, design, and decoration should stand as a symbol of Christ (Book of Blessings, n.1216). Encountering Jesus whether in prayer, in the Sacraments, the sacred scriptures, or in the architecture is the starting point of conversion, a change to a life of joy and grace. Passing through the church door symbolizes passing from the world wounded by sin to the world of the new Life to which all men are called (CCC, n.1186). Through our encounter with Christ, we become like Him: we become saints. Thus, to pass through a Holy Door of a holy place is a prayer, and the Door even comes to symbolize what we hope to be, Christ s saints, those who have followed the path of holiness that leads to the dwelling place of God (Book of Blessings, n.1216). During the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, from December 8, 2015 (Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception) through November 20, 2016 (Solemnity of Christ the King), Cathedrals, Shrines, and Basilicas in Rome and throughout the world will have an Jubilee Holy Door. For these specially-designated doors, the Holy Door will become a Door of Mercy through which anyone who enters will experience the love of God who consoles, pardons, and instils hope (Pope Francis, Misericordiae Vultus, n.3). Like any church entrance, the Jubilee Door of Mercy is to be an encounter with Christ. Yet in this Jubilee Year Christ s face is especially merciful, for Jesus Christ is the Face of the Father s mercy (Pope Francis, Misericordiae Vultus, n.1). As Pope Francis explains, by crossing the threshold of the Holy Door, we will find the strength to embrace God s mercy and dedicate ourselves to being merciful with others as the Father has been with us (n.14). During the Jubilee of Mercy, our entrance into the church through the Holy Door ought to be a prayer and encounter with Jesus, who is Mercy Incarnate, and who bestows the Father s mercy on all sinners, great and small. Upon leaving the church, our passage through the Holy Door is an impetus to show mercy to others and a grace to lead others through the Door of the Church into a life of joy in the Blessed Trinity. SCHEDULE Opening of the Holy Door of Mercy Sunday, 13 December 2015 Third Sunday of Advent Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke will open the Holy Door at 9:00 AM The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a place of religious pilgrimage where there is the happy possibility that the many faithful who visit the Shrine may always encounter the merciful embrace of the Father in confession (cf. MV 3). Once pilgrims have crossed through the Holy Door of Mercy, or have fulfilled one of the other conditions under which Pope Francis has granted the Jubilee Indulgence, in addition to the usual conditions which require a heart well-disposed for the grace to bring its desired fruits, the faithful should stop in prayer to fulfill the final actions asked for: the Creed, and prayer for the Holy Father and his intentions. In particular, taking into consideration the spirit of this Holy Year, it is suggested that pilgrims recite the Prayer of Pope Francis for the Jubilee (see link below), and that they conclude the time of prayer with an invocation to the merciful Lord Jesus (for example, Merciful Jesus, I trust in You ). In his Decree, Bishop Callahan wishes that As Christ opened His Heart of Mercy to us, we open the Holy Doors and Pilgrimage Churches of the Diocese of La Crosse as places where you may enter to immerse yourselves in the great ocean of mercy that is Christ Himself. The door will be closed on 13 November 2016 in preparation for the conclusion of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy on 20 November Sources: Diocese of La Crosse Year of Mercy Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy - Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe 11

12 Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe P.O. Box 1237 La Crosse, Wisconsin USA Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Eau Claire, WI permit #1557 Events SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE First Saturday Devotions December 5 January 2, 2016 February 6 March 5 April 2 May 7 Shrine Saints First Class Relic Blessed Miguel Pro - November 23 Shrine Saints Blessed John Duns Scotus November 8 Saint John Damascene December 4 Saint Ambrose of Milan December 7 Saint Nicholas of Myra: A Celebration for Children December 5 Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception / Opening of the Year of Mercy December 8 Feast of Saint Juan Diego December 9 Solemnity of Our Lady of Guadalupe December 12 Opening of the Holy Door December 13 Events Calendar: Shrine Closed: Thanksgiving Day November 26 Christmas Day December 25 New Year s Day January 1 INSIDE 2 Executive Director s Message 4 Interview with - Fr. Peter & Friar Joseph 6 As They Set Forth On A New Mission 7 A Warm Welcome to the New Friars 8 New Saint Gianna Guild 11 Year of Mercy Please join us on Saturday, December 12th, for the Solemnity of Our Lady of Guadalupe! 7:30 a.m. The Shrine will open at 7:00 AM; The celebration will begin at 7:30 AM in the Shrine Church. Las Mañanitas and Bilingual catechesis - Fr. Jacinto M. Chapin, FI, Rector 8:15 a.m. Holy Mass (Spanish) 10:30 a.m. Pan Dulce, Coffee and Hot Chocolate 11:00 a.m. Confessions available 12:15 p.m. Holy Mass - Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke, Principal celebrant 2:15 p.m. Confessions available 3:30 p.m. Holy Hour with Eucharistic Adoration PLEASE NOTE: There will not be a Shrine Church Tour at 1:30 PM. Find us at: