KNIGHTLY NOTES PAGE 1 ddd KNIGHTLY NOTES NOTE FROM THE GRAND KNIGHT Brother Knights and Ladies in Christ: ST JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL NO. 10442 7260 WEST SAHARA AVENUE LAS VEGAS, NV 89117 Y2K PLUS XVI EDITION, ISSUE VI JUNE 2016 This is the time of the year that we have to think about our candidates, both the Council and the Ladies Auxiliary who are running for office for the 2016/2017 Columbian Year. Remember, any 3 rd degree member can run for an office. As an officer, you really get to see how a council operates through the year. You really get the feel of what the Knights are all about. If you have never held an office you are really missing out on a great experience. Remember, there is still time to run for an office. Even though the slate of candidates has been published, you can still run for an office. The elections will be held at the June 2 nd business meeting. As each position is called for a vote, nominations from the floor can still be accepted. If there are no nominations from the floor and there is only one candidate running for an office that candidate will win by acclimation. If there is more than one candidate running for an office a secret ballot will be held. All the winners will take office on July 1, 2016 and their term expires on June 30, 2017. Even if you do not run for an office there are many positions in the Council that require help. There are several directorships and chair positions that are required to run a Council. These positions are appointments made by the incoming Grand Knight. If you are asked, please consider accepting a position. By accepting a position, directorship or chairmanship, you will be a very important part of the success of our Council in the 2016/2017 Columbian Year. Mike LaRiccia Grand Knight Council 10442 Fs10442@gmail.com 702-289-9298 **************************************************************************************************************
KNIGHTLY NOTES PAGE 2 COUNCIL NEWS AND NOTES Business Meetings *********************************************************************************************************************************************** During Church renovations, our business meetings will be conducted at Christ the King Church Hall for July, August and September. It will be held the first Thursday of the Month at 630 pm. Please note this on your calendar. *********************************************************************************************************************************************** Elections to be Held June 2 nd Meeting ************************************************************************************************************ There will be elections held at the Business meeting on June 2 nd Meeting. The previously announced slate of officers for fraternal year 2016-2017 is as follows: GK--------------------Bill Koss DGK------------------Patrick Barry Chancellor----------Ed Miranda Warden-------------Martin Dobey Recorder------------Ray Foster Treasurer-----------Tim Russo 3yr Trustee---------Michael LaRiccia 2yr Trustee----Ken Sawyer 1yr Trustee -----Chuck McCloskey Inside Guard #1---Michael Castronova Inside Guard #2---Tony Tatalo Outside Guard #1-Tom O Reilly Outside Guard #2-Steve Maltese Advocate----------- Mike Buttell Candidates from the floor can be nominated at the June business meeting ******************************************************************************************************************************************* Past Grand Knight Luau ********************************************************************************************************* The Past Grand Knight (PGK) Luau will be held on Saturday, the 25 th of June, after the 4:30 pm Mass. It will be held at Don and Peggy Thompson s Home. The address is 7244 Eldora Ave, and is two blocks south of the church off Tenaya. This is for the whole Family. Come and enjoy this annual social event. The Council will supply the meat and soft drinks. All we ask is to bring side dishes to complement the main meat dishes or a bottle of wine. *********************************************************************************************************************************************
KNIGHTLY NOTES PAGE 3 MORE COUNCIL NEWS AND NOTES New Stoves for the Kitchen *************************************************************************************************************** If you haven t heard, our Council won the $5000 raffle at the Ladies Silent Auction. At the Officer s Meeting a vote was taken to approve the spending of $6995 for the purchase of replacement stoves for the Church Kitchen. Our Council is the largest user of the stoves and it is a good investment as well as a donation to the church renovation. The membership vote will take place at the July business meeting. **************************************************************************************************************************************** 2 nd and 3 rd Degree Exemplification **************************************************************************************************************************************** All you 1 st Degree Knights there will be a 2 nd and 3 rd Degree Exemplification on Saturday, the 18 th of June, at 8:00 am at Our Lady of Las Vegas Church. This is a good opportunity to become a full Knight of the Order. As a 3 rd Degree member, you will have the opportunity to run for any office in the Council. These Degrees are free there is no charge. Please call our Financial Secretary, Tony Donofrio, if you plan to attend. His phone number is 702-362- 6133. ****************************************************************************************************************************************** JUNE BIRTHDAYS HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL Vincent Rosa Jun 1 Steven Luedtke Jun 18 Donald Peterson Jun 1 James Shaw Jun 21 Rocque Lapuz Jun 3 Frank Nails Jun 23 David Olson Jun 4 Felix Contreras Jun 23 Richard Myrick Jun 4 Bruce Jarzen Jun 24 Robert Zagby Jun 10 Tony Ruivivar Jun 28 David Richardson Jun 10 Anthony Soda Jun 28 Thomas Barber Jun 11 Paul Sarabia Jun 29 Joseph Karkalla Jun 12 Stephen Fiore Jun 29 William Raatz Jun 16 John Diaz Jun 30 Francis Spreitzer Jun 30 *************************************************************************************************************************** The favors of the LORD are not exhausted, his mercies are not spent; They are renewed each morning, so great is his faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 **************************************************************************************************************************
KNIGHTLY NOTES PAGE 4 ***************************************** COUNCIL CALENDAR AT A GLANCE ******************************************************************************************* JUNE 2016 June 2 Business Meeting (730-9pm Hall) Ladies Auxiliary Business Meeting (730-9pm St Francis/Clair Room) June 13 th Assembly 2820 Officer Planning Meeting (7-9 pm St Anthony of Padua) June 22 nd Assembly 2820 Business Meeting (7-9 pm St Anthony of Padua) June 25 First Degree Exemplification (7-9 am St Anthony of Padua) June 25 Past Grand Knight Luau 530 pm Thompson Home June 30 th Council Officers Meeting (630-8pm NY Pizza) JULY 2016 July 7th Business Meeting (630-9pm CTK Hall) Ladies Auxiliary Business Meeting (630-9pm Koss Home) July 11 th Assembly 2820 Officer Planning Meeting (St Anthony of Padua 7-9pm ) July 17 th ** Officers Installation Council and Ladies (CTK 5pm to 830 Following Mass) July 20 th Assembly 2820 Business Meeting (7 to 9 pm St Anthony of Padua) July 28 th Council Officers Meeting (630 8pm) NY Pizza July 30th 1 st Degree Exemplification (7 to 9am St Anthony of Padua) *************************************************************************************************** **Note The Officers Installation is open to all --and all are encouraged to attend. There will be a potuck in the Hall at CTK following the installation of the new officers. *********************************************************************************************** Thank you The Ladies Auxiliary would like to thank the Council for all their help and support with the Cash Raffle/Silent Auction project. There were a great number of Knights there helping and it is truly appreciated! It was an awesome example of team work for charity!! Thanks so much. It was fun to see the Knights win the grand prize and know it is going back to the Parish. ************************************************************************************************************** I command you: be firm and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 *************************************************************************************************************
KNIGHTLY NOTES PAGE 5 *******Brothers and Sisters in Need of Prayers************* Please continue to help our brothers, families, and friends that are in need of our prayers. Prayers are our way of asking Jesus to help! Please remember the following in your prayers: Bruce Jarzen, PGK and Chart member of Council 10442 is in need of prayers for recovery. SK Sylvester Smith has been in lots of pain because of his shoulder surgery. Please remember him and his wife Marsha in your prayers. Mary Jane Ciccone is undergoing some tests to determine the cause of her memory and instability problems and could use some help with prayers. Tony Ruivivar, our Society of Seven Star, will continue to use our prayers. He has had his last chemo treatment please pray for him and his wife Karen. Jeanne Kurvers, wife of Theo, who is a PGK and was a very active member, is very ill and undergoing Chemotherapy. Please help her with your prayers for a full recovery. Father Joe Anthony, founding Pastor of our Parish is recovering from surgery and in need of our prayers. Bill Gorman and his wife Terri are both ill and need our prayers and support. Tony Donofrio needs our prayers for his health and eyesight issues. Please add Bill Allen to your prayers. Bill has been an active member of our Council and is hurting. Fran Kenny, wife of PGK Matt, has been suffering with pain and is in need of our prayers. Mike and BJ Buttells daughter Katie is in need of prayers to stabilize her health issues. Brother Wayne Harrell of Padua Council 14544 was admitted to the hospital because of Blood clots and is need of our prayers. Prayers are also needed for the following Brothers and Sisters: Louis Lanza, Mrs Peries, Leon Fuselier, Kathy Fuselier, Reynaldo Cadiz, John Labrador, Joe Karkalla, and Dorothy Mae Castronova. Remember our Blessed Mother has a direct line and it works! Please continue help our brothers & families with prayers. I know they will be answered! Call or visit the sick. IF YOU AREN T PRAYING THE ROSARY OFTEN YOU ARE MISSING OUT ON HER HELP! We should be thankful for the responses we have received from Above. He certainly supports our prayers to His Mother Mary through the rosary. KEEP THEM COMING!!!!!!! To all who are Ill: Remember many brothers and sisters are praying for you!! Online Rosary: comepraytherosary.org Please let me know if we should add or remove any names from the list. All Members be a part of one of the best brotherhoods and add new life-long friends. Become committee chairman, call the new members and friends for help. Do not do it alone!! Be sure and say hello and visit with ALL your Brothers at the meetings, and introduce yourselves to new members. We are all the same, part of the Brotherhood and trying to do some good. God Bless, Nick Ciccone, Fraternal Chairman 702-845-5879 (leave message) or luckynik@cox.net ****************************************************************************************************************** Prayers for SEMINARIANS Miguel Corral 1 st year theology Mauricio Espino 2671 Magic Moon Drive Las Vegas NV 89146 Mundelein Seminary Neil Guan 6350 N Fort Apache Rd Las Vegas, NV 89149 1000 E Maple Avenue Luke Burgis - Mundelein, IL 60060 Luis Nguyen Van Dam - newest Seminarian waiting on new address *Felipe Jimenez is doing his Pastoral year here in Vegas. He is at St Christopher Catholic Church, 1840 N Bruce St, North Las Vegas, NV 89030. Home address: 5606 Cy Young Drive Las Vegas NV 89110 Please keep him in your prayers also. **************************************************************************************************************************** *******
KNIGHTLY NOTES PAGE 6 Council Recognition MAY 2016 HonoreeS COUNCIL 10442 is proud to honor: Knight of the Month Family of the Month JAMES MULLIGAN TOM AND MARY ANN O REILLY Our Knight of the Month for May is James Mulligan. James is honored for his participation and help in all the Council events, doing whatever is asked whenever he can. He quietly helps whenever it is needed. The Council appreciates this Hard working Knight!!! Pictured here helping at our Pancake Breakfast, He cheerfully helps! Thanks James! Our Family of the Month is Tom and Mary Ann O Reilly This couple is being honored for their constant hard work for the Parish and Council. Tom is currently serving as Outside Guard for the Council. Mary Ann is an active and valued member of the Ladies Auxiliary. Most recently She chaired the Ladies Cash Raffle 4 Charities which raised approximately $20000 for Parish/charities. Tom was instrumental in helping with this and they both worked very hard. Thank you Tom and Mary Ann! ************************************************************************************************* CONGRATS NEW BROTHER! ********************************************************************************************************************************** The Council is pleased to welcome a new Brother: Seminarian Luis Nguyen Van Dam, who was exemplified in the First Degree on the 28 th of May. Brother Luis will be stationed at our Parish until his ordination. Let s all give him a great welcome. ************************************************************************************************
KNIGHTLY NOTES PAGE 7 Attention: Council 10442 has a new field agent. Stephen Melancon. Our previous field agent, Neil Peters, will now be handling St Francis of Assisi. Neil will remain a member of our Council. If you need to reach Brother Stephen, call 702-672-1425 or email him at Stephen.melancon@kofc.org Insurance check-up for 2016 An insurance check-up can be as important as an annual physical. Unlike many other products, you don t just need money to obtain life insurance, long-term care or disability income insurance. You also need good health, and no one knows when your health could change. Did you take time out of your schedule last year to meet with me? If you did, thank you for seeing me and helping secure your financial future. I will be in touch with you to schedule your annual review to verify that everything is heading in the right direction. We ll make sure that if your goals and budget have changed, your plan still works for you. If you didn t have a meeting with me last year, I hope you will answer my invitation this year. It s a wise idea to have an expert look at your finances. Schedule some time to visit with me, your professional Knights of Columbus insurance agent, and I ll provide an insurance check-up that will quickly identify any gaps in your family s life insurance program. Did I mention my check-up is free of charge? When was the last time you received something for free that could be providing value to you and your family for generations? And I ll come to your house when it fits your schedule. Call me today. Stephen Malancon (field agent) 702 672 1425 Stephen.melancon@kofc.org NOTE: All members are encouraged to look into the annuity and insurance programs offered by the Knights. The annuities start at 100 and are a great long term investment. Go to the Supreme Council s website or Contact field agent Stephen Melancon above for more info or to sign up. With over $92 million in insurance and Annuities in force and 1400 service agents, the Knights are proudly fulfilling Father McGivney s vision of protecting the widows and orphans of deceased Knights. You can also plan and save for your financial security and future retirement. Please take advantage of this special fraternal service. As a Knights of Columbus member, this is a free insurance, annuity and estate planning service for you and your family. ******************************************************************************************************************* PRAYER FOR THE CANONIZATION OF FATHER MCGIVNEY Founder of the Knights of Columbus in 1882 God, our Father, protector of the poor and defender of the widow and orphan, you called your priest Father Michael J. McGivney, to be an apostle of Christian family life and the lead the young to the generous service of their neighbor. Through the example of his life and virtue may we follow your Son Jesus Christ more closely, fulfilling his commandment of charity and building up his Body which is the Church. Let the inspiration of your servant prompt us to greater confidence in your love so that we may continue his work of caring for the needy and the outcast. We humbly ask that you glorify your venerable servant Father Michael J McGivney on earth according to the design of Your Holy will. Through his intercession, grant the favor I now present (make your request) Through Christ our Lord. Amen Please report all favors received to: The Fr McGivney Guild 1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven CT 06510-3326 ************************************************************************************************
KNIGHTLY NOTES PAGE 8 St Joseph Husband of Mary Roman Catholic Church Knights of Columbus Council 10442 7260 West Sahara Avenue Las Vegas, NV 89117 Phone: 363-1902 Or Contact: Grand Knight: Mike LaRiccia, 702-289-9298 Deputy Grand Knight: Bill Koss, 702-834-4507 Fraternal Chairman: Nick Ciccone, 702-845-5879 Financial Secretary, Tony Donofrio, 702-362-6133 Newsletter Editor -Jolyn Pinzl, 702-306-2668 Membership Director: Bob Zagby,,702-379-3025 Email communications: Frank Davis, 702-363-9010 SUPREME WEBSITE: www.kofc.org Nevada State Website www.kofc-nv.org Council Website: http://www.kofc10442.org ************************************************************************************* SJHOM IS IN GREAT NEED OF USHERS! If you are interested in becoming an Usher, please contact the Head Usher: Lino Loyola at 702-355-4073 or lino.loyola@yahoo.com Responsibilities of Ushers: Hospitality - Meet, greet and seat Parishioners before the mass. Collection - each usher will be assigned to their respective sections to pass the collection baskets before the Homily. Communion - each usher will be standing by next to a Eucharistic Minister, Priest, or Deacon to make sure that Parishioners will consume the Host - and NOT walk away with it. Please consider helping and contact Brother Lino Loyola if you can help. *************************************************************************************************** The Lord is loving unto man, and swift to pardon, but slow to punish. Let no man therefore despair of his own salvation. == St Cyril of Jerusalem ******************************************************************************************
KNIGHTLY NOTES PAGE 9 LADIES AUXILIARY Dear Ladies The month has gone by very fast. We have had a busy month with the Silent Aucevetion and Cash Raffle and we pulled together to make a very successful event May 19. First, as my term as President originates to an end, I want to thank each and everyone of you for the amazing help and support you have given me over the last couple years. I truly appreciate you all as sisters and this is an awesome group of Ladies and sisters in Christ. I would specially like to thank my officers. Vice President Becki, Secretary Vilma, Treasurer Lynne, Parliamentarian Peggy, Sargent at Arms Annette all have done a wonderful job and I thank them for the wonderful support and work they did this past year. I also would like to thank the Trustees Mary Ann, Patricia, and Maria. They did a great job watching over things and handling the audits. I also would like to say what an incredible job everyone did with the Cash Raffle and the Silent Auction. It was a huge project and was A lot of work. Mary Ann worked very hard on the cash Raffle and we ended up selling about 325 tickets, short of our original goal but still enough to give Father Marc $12000 for the Parish and about $8000 for the other charities. The icing on the cake was the Knights winning the $5000 prize!! The Silent Auction event, while we did not have quite the turnout we hoped, was a beautiful event, and very elegant, from the food to the items to the decorations. We still ended up with about $2000 profit. Everyone worked very hard and it showed. I truly appreicate all the effort and there were a lot of Knights there also helping us. It was truly appreciated and the best example of team work for charity that I have seen in a while. Our next meeting is June 2 nd at 730 in the St Francis Clair Rooms. We will have a short business meeting and then get to some celebration and recognition that I have planned. We will need to have our election of officers for the 2016-2017 Columbian year. The proposed slate of officers is as follows: President Vilma Koss Vice Pres Becki Brigandi Secretary Jolyn Pinzl Treasurer Lynne Niebauer Sargent at Arms Cecilia Lukasnewsky 3 rd year trustee Pat LaRiccia 2 nd year Trustee Mary Ann O Reilly 1 st year Trustee Maria Miranda I are know you will give our New President the same support and cooperation you have given me. We will also recap the silent auction and Cash Raffle. Mary Ann is giving Father Marc the check for the Parish at 6pm on June 2 nd at the Church and all are invited to be present. Again, I am privileged and blessed to have such a group of sisters as part of my church family. Leaving you with one final quote. Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you. 1 Peter 5:7 Much love to all Jolyn Pinzl, President Ladies Auxiliary Council 10442 signing off. ************************************************************************************************************************************************
KNIGHTLY NOTES PAGE 10 Living Mercy in the Jubilee Year of Mercy The Jubilee Year of Mercy begins on December 8, 2015, the fiftieth anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council. Here are a few important themes for reflection during this important year. Jesus is the face of the Father s mercy Jesus of Nazareth, Pope Francis writes in Misericordiae Vultus, the Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, is the face of the Father s mercy he reveals the mercy of God by his words, actions, and person. We follow Jesus example when we open ourselves to the Father s mercy by looking sincerely into the eyes of our brothers and sisters, including those who are denied their dignity. How have you experienced the Father s mercy in your own life? How might Jesus be calling you to look sincerely into the eyes of those who are denied their dignity? Mercy is the beating heart of the Gospel Pope Francis writes: It is absolutely essential for the Church and for the credibility of her message that she herself live and testify to mercy. Mercy, he says, is the beating heart of the Gospel (Misericordiae Vultus). To live mercy, we must rediscover both the spiritual works of mercy (counsel the doubtful, instruct the ignorant, admonish sinners, comfort the afflicted, forgive offences, bear patiently those who do us ill, and pray for the living and the dead), and the corporal works of mercy (feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, heal the sick, visit the imprisoned, and bury the dead). Which spiritual works of mercy might Christ be calling you to practice? Which corporal works of mercy? Mercy demands justice True mercy, the mercy God gives to us and teaches us, demands justice, it demands that the poor find the way to be poor no longer, Pope Francis notes. It asks us, the Church, us, the City of Rome, it asks the institutions to ensure that no one ever again stand in need of a soup-kitchen, of makeshift-lodgings, of a service of legal assistance in order to have his legitimate right recognized to live and to work, to be fully a person (Address to Jesuit Refugee Services, 9/10/13). In your own life, and in your faith community, how do you work for justice? Do you seek to address the root causes of problems that affect those who are vulnerable? Ideas for Living Mercy during the Jubilee Year There are many ways we can respond to the call to live mercy. Here are a few ideas: Put Two Feet of Love in Action. Use the Two Feet of Love in Action guide to consider how you can strengthen both charitable works and social justice at home and as part of your faith community. Visit www.usccb.org/twofeet for more information. Get Involved Locally. Explore the map at PovertyUSA.org to find local organizations that practice mercy by learning about and addressing poverty. Or, contact your diocesan director for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. Engage Your Faith Community. With your faith community, use Pope Francis prayer for the Jubilee Year, and the resources mentioned below, to pray, reach out, learn, and act during the year. Visit WeAreSaltAndLight.org for stories of how communities of faith around the country are living mercy. Attend the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering (Jan. 23-26, 2016). This year s theme is Called to Live Mercy in Our Common Home (www.catholicsocialministrygathering.org). Participate in Action Alerts on issues of life and dignity from the U.S. Catholic bishops (cqrcengage.com/catholicbishops). ************************************************************************************************************* The Holy Spirit leads us like a mother. He leads His child by the hand as a sighted person leads a blind person. St. John Vianney *****************************************************************************************************************
KNIGHTLY NOTES PAGE 11 OUR DOMESTIC CHURCH GUIDEBOOK 5/1/2016 by Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson POPE FRANCIS NEW DOCUMENT PROVIDES US SURE GUIDANCE FOR BUILDING UP FAMILY LIFE LAST MONTH, Pope Francis released one of the most important documents of his pontificate: Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love). In the coming days, much will be written about this post-synodal apostolic exhortation, but this much can be said now: Amoris Laetitia is our guidebook to building up the Catholic family as a domestic church. Moreover, it is the guidebook for our Order s new initiative, Building the Domestic Church While Strengthening Our Parish. In the document, Pope Francis reminds us to view the family as that sanctuary of life and love which is at the heart of the domestic church: The ability of human couples to beget life is the path along which the history of salvation progresses, he writes. Seen this way, the couple s fruitful relationship becomes an image for understanding and describing the mystery of God himself, for in the Christian vision of the Trinity, God is contemplated as Father, Son and Spirit of love. The triune God is a communion of love, and the family is its living reflection. St. John Paul II shed light on this when he said, Our God in his deepest mystery is not solitude, but a family, for he has within himself fatherhood, sonship and the essence of the family, which is love. That love, in the divine family, is the Holy Spirit (Amoris Laetitia, 11). Pope Francis also strongly reaffirmed the teaching of Blessed Paul VI in Humanae Vitae on the intrinsic bond between conjugal love and the generation of life The Holy Father further recalled the teaching of St. John Paul II, in his catecheses on human love, in his Letter to Families and in Familiaris Consortio, saying that through these documents his predecessor had defined the family as the way of the Church (69). Clearly, Pope Francis, too, is presenting the family as the way of the Church while also emphasizing the need for greater pastoral care of families. In Amoris Laetitia, he describes the Church as a family of families (87). This is especially true of our parish churches, and this is the fundamental premise underlying our Building the Domestic Church While Strengthening Our Parish initiative. Last December, when the supreme chaplain and I discussed our Building the Domestic Church program with Pope Francis, he encouraged us to continue this initiative to strengthen family life, especially by encouraging more families to be active in their parishes. Knights of Columbus parish-based councils are ideally positioned to do this. Amoris Laetitia calls us to a new family apostolate based upon families joy-filled witness as domestic churches (200). This is especially important for young husbands and fathers. Pope Francis is encouraging all of us to redouble our efforts to strengthen family life. Central to those efforts is our new initiative of family consecration to the Holy Family. Amoris Laetitia concludes with this prayer: Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that our families too may be places of communion and prayer, authentic schools of the Gospel and small domestic churches. Holy Family of Nazareth, may families never again experience violence, rejection and division; may all who have been hurt or scandalized find ready comfort and healing. Holy Family of Nazareth, make us once more mindful of the sacredness and inviolability of the family, and its beauty in God s plan. I ask that we make this prayer our own and also add: Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that the Knights of Columbus may be a place where families experience the joy of the Gospel, grow as sanctuaries of love and life, and as true domestic churches witness to the beauty of the family in God s plan. Vivat Jesus!
KNIGHTLY NOTES PAGE 12 5 Practical Ways To Reconnect With Mama Mary The Church recognizes how important our relationship with Mary is. In fact, She designates the entire month of May for us to honor her and grow closer to her. We know Mary is Christ s mother and, by extension, she is each one of our mothers. But do you look to her for guidance? Pray for her intercession? Trust that she is watching out for you? During the month of May, takes some time to visit with your Mother learn more about her, increase your love for her. 1. Understand Her: Mary As Mediator Why pray for Mary s intercession when we can go directly to God with our prayers? What does the Church mean by calling Mary a mediator? 2. Pray For Her Intercession: Rivers of Wisdom How often do you pray the Rosary? This form of Marian devotion is easily accessible to everyone and those who pray it receive many, many graces! RCSpirituality.org offers an online video retreat that will help us delve more deeply into this gift from the Lord. 3. Discover her under a new name - Our Lady of Atonement Mary is known by many names, Our Lady of Atonement is one of them. We come to understand that all graces received because of Christ came to us through Mary. 4. Study Mary in the Scriptures Study the Major events in Mary s life, as explained in the scriptures, and what they mean for us. 5. Show your love for her at home or at Church Show your love for Mary in a tangible way. Consider bringing her flowers or displaying a statue of her prominently in your home. -- Catholic-link.org