Blogs
In the News: April 25, 2017
By Michael Duricy
Read recent items about Mary in both Catholic and secular news. Also see International Marian Research Institute news and updates.
Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute Features
Updates
Prayer Service for Divine Mercy Sunday
Father Benedict O'Cinnselaigh, S.T.D., President and Rector of the Athenaeum of Ohio and Mount Saint Mary's Seminary, led Prayer and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at Saint Bartholomew Church in Cincinnati, Ohio on April 23, 2017. Following the singing of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, the Litany of Mercy was prayed, followed by Benediction.
Mary in Media: Books, Films, Music, etc.
Mary's Touch Earns Gabriel Award for Best National Radio Program
The Academy recognized Mary's Touch, Inc. for "The David Rosa Story" in the Radio Category 7, Religious National Release.
From the Marian Treasure Chest
Brother John Samaha sent us the text below.
Saint Joseph, Our Constant Companion by Brother John Samaha, S.M.
" ...with blessed Joseph, her spouse..." Since Pope Francis added these words to all Eucharistic Prayers we now honor St. Joseph at each Mass and more frequently invoke the intercession of the Spouse of Mary and Guardian of the Redeemer. In this God-given role, the Head of the Holy Family is also Protector of the Universal Church and the constant companion of each of us, even though he is often overlooked.
Like Joseph the patriarch in the Book of Genesis, St. Joseph--silent, wise, discerning--interpreted dreams and responded to God's revelation to execute an important role in our salvation history. When the hungry Egyptians begged Pharaoh for food in a time of famine, Pharaoh directed them to "go to Joseph; do what he tells you." (Genesis 41:55) That same admonition reminds us that in the same way we can turn to St. Joseph for the help we need.
Marian Events
International Fatima Conference
Date: May 19, 2017 (6:45-9:45 pm), May 20, 2017 (8:45 am - 6:30 pm)
Location: Shearwater Hotel-Ballinasloe Galway
With the Pilgrim Statue of Of Our Lady from Fatima and the first-class relics of Saint John Paul II. Archbishop Eamon Martin will be the main celebrant and homilist at Noon Mass on May 20. Activities will include: Investiture with the Scapular; Consecration; Benediction; Holy Mass; and Recitation of the Rosary. Delegates have the opportunity to earn a Plenary Indulgence. Click here for more information or to pre-register.
Mary in the Catholic Press
Pope to Marist Brothers: 'All to Jesus Through Mary, All to Mary for Jesus' (Zenit) April 20, 2017
Pope Francis has reminded Marist Brothers of their motto: 'All to Jesus through Mary, all to Mary for Jesus.'
The Argentine Pontiff did so in his letter to the Superior General of the congregation, which is celebrating the bicentenary of the congregation's foundation. While dated April 10, 2017, the letter was released by the Vatican this morning.
In the letter, Francis applauded their contribution as educators, reminding them education is something which must come from the heart.
He also invited them to trust Mary and to let themselves be guided by her in her humility and service, in her promptness and silent dedication....
Click here to read the entire article.
Mary in the Secular Press
The director and editors of All About Mary under the auspices of the International Marian Research Institute do not necessarily endorse or agree with the events and ideas expressed in this feature. Our sole purpose is to report on items about Mary gleaned from a myriad of papers representing the secular press.
Mary's Touch Names Alexis Walkenstein The New Mary's Touch Radio Show Host (Press Release) March 29, 2017
An Austin based national Catholic non-profit organization committed to advancing the Blessed Mother's "YES," announces the hiring of Alexis Walkenstein as the new host of the Mary's Touch Radio Show. In this capacity, Alexis will lead the new evangelization of the award-winning, inspirational radio program designed to bring a greater understanding of Mary, to remind everyone of the Blessed Mothers loving presence in the lives of humanity, and to help people everywhere recognize the healing grace she still brings to this world.
"For ten years, Mary's Touch Radio Show has featured countless stories of Catholic Marian devotion, and that foundation has paved the way for a new generation to be introduced to the teaching, devotion and reality of Mary's presence in today's world," said Susana Garza, executive director of Mary's Touch. "We are so grateful to our founder Cheri Lomonte for the apostolate she has built over the past decade and we are excited about the start of our second decade with Alexis leading our radio evangelization."
With the 100 year anniversary of Mary's apparitions at Fatima, Portugal celebrated this year, Mary's Touch is poised to draw on the grace of this special Marian year to feature compelling stories from today's contemporary Marian apostles whose lives bear witness to the Gospel.
"To be a part of a communications endeavor that helps to evangelize and renew the Church as well as call seekers and the fallen away in today's culture to a life of faith is an honor and an exciting adventure that I will entrust to Our Lady," said Alexis Walkenstein, Mary's Touch Radio Show host. "As baptized Catholics we have a missionary call to go out into the whole world and proclaim the Good News, and I am so eager to feature contemporary lay men and women as well as priests and religious who give testimony to the power of Jesus and the love of Mary in their lives. I pray these stories of faith will bring Mary's touch and the grace of God to as many souls as possible through the airwaves."
Tune in April 1, 2017 for a very special program featuring outgoing host and founder of Mary's Touch, Inc. Cheri Lomonte and Father Jim Evans as they reflect on a decade of Mary's Touch and introduce Alexis Walkenstein on her first Mary's Touch Radio Show.
Mary's Touch Radio Show is a weekly half-hour program that is broadcast on over 100 Catholic radio stations in the U.S. and around the world. Mary's Touch Radio Shows are produced in Austin, Texas and are provided to radio networks at no cost. Visit MarysTouch.org for the program schedule and to learn more about the apostolate.
Alexis Walkenstein is an Emmy award-winning journalist turned public relations pro working to evangelize the culture with positive media. A lifelong Catholic and native of Framingham, MA, Alexis resides in Los Angeles, CA where she promotes faith based feature films leading outreach and publicity for Motive Entertainment. Most recent campaigns include, Little Boy, Captive, The Young Messiah, Ben-Hur and The Shack.
Alexis launched her career in television news as an intern for WRC-TV, the NBC affiliate in Washington D.C., as part of American University's prestigious Washington Semester program. After graduation, Alexis was hired by WHDH-TV, Boston's NBC affiliate, where she served as overnight and then evening assignment editor managing story coverage for the station's #1 newscast at 11 p.m. Alexis tracked and assigned stories covering everything from blizzards, World Series baseball, high profile murder investigations, political campaigns and elections, Papal visits, the Kennedys, Boston mobsters, health breakthroughs, and entertainment.
Alexis jumped from Boston to New York to join the news team at WCBS-TV as news assignment editor for Nightcast at 11 p.m., but returned to Boston following September 11 as news assignment manager for WHDH-TV. She provided editorial direction and logistics strategy for day-of news coverage and special events. She served as lead field producer in the U.S. and in Rome managing coverage of the Catholic Church sex abuse scandal, of which Boston was the epicenter. She was on the ground in Rome to manage the station's coverage of Pope John Paul II's historic death and funeral.
After extensive high profile coverage of the sex abuse scandal, Alexis was tapped to manage crisis communications for the Catholic Diocese of Palm Beach and was named Director of Communications and chief spokeswoman for Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito and the five-county south Florida diocese. Prior to moving to Los Angeles, Alexis was VP of Media and Communications at The Maximus Group, an Atlanta-based media and marketing agency, specializing in feature films, publishing, and grassroots engagement where she led media strategy for diverse client campaigns. She was also Vice President of Media at Schneider Associates in Boston, MA where she led media and publicity strategy for high level client campaigns in finance, real estate, law, consumer and education practices.
Alexis earned a B.A. in Communication from Regis College in Weston, MA and is a member of the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation Board of Directors. Follow Alexis @Walkenstein on Twitter and via her blog at LexiCaliBlog.com.