News
Announcing The Rosarians
The Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary Diocesan
Shrine in Merlin, will have a new Director
on July 1st, 2010. His name is Father Francis
Jeyaseelan from the Congregation of the Rosarians.
He will be assisted by two other priests
of his order, Father's John and Anthony.
Their order is based in Sri Lanka, and they
have approximately 250 priests in their order
in India and Sri Lanka.
Rosarians differ from diocesan
priest's in
that they are a monastic, contemplative
order.
They have an ordered day of praying
the daily
liturgy, mass, contemplation
of Sacred Scripture
Exposition, work, and a rest
period. Their
community consists of at least
three priests,
as they have the Exposition of
the Eucharist
daily. They also celebrate mass
daily, with
mass in the mornings from Tuesday
to Saturday
at 8 am., with Sunday mass celebrated
at
9 am. There also is an evening
mass at 7
pm on Monday's. The Sacrament
of Reconciliation
will be given throughout each
day.
Father Francis said we are the
first foundation
outside of India and Sri Lanka.
A foundation
is a place of residence, and
the Diocese
of London is the first diocese
to invite
them to set up a home and community.
The
sense of peace, beauty, and faith
they felt
when they first walked on the
grounds of
the Shrine, they feel will strengthen
and
support their community. Father
Francis said
that he was happy with the response
and acceptance
that the parishioners and pilgrims
to the
Shrine has shown to himself and
his brother
priests. They look forward to
serving the
needs of the parish and the pilgrims
to the
Shrine.
As a community of St. Patrick's
parish, we
feel blessed that the Congregation
of the
Rosarians have agreed to minister
to the
community and to the Shrine.
We feel the
Blessed Mother had some influence
in the
coming to the Rosarians to the
Shrine. Many
pilgrims are amazed that this
order, from
half way around the world, called
the Rosarians,
have agreed to set up their first
home in
Canada here at the Shrine. This
is one of
those times when truly we marvel
at how God
works in mysterious ways! We
hope for a long
and fruitful relationship.
If you need further information, visit their website or contact Father Francis Jeyaseelan, Director of Our Lady of the Rosary Diocesan
Shrine at St. Patrick's Church at 519-689-7760.
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St. Michael's Gift Cabin
New to the Shrine this year is the addition
of a gift shop, called St. Michael's Gift
Cabin, located beside the south side of the
garage. It is handicap accessible with two
sidewalks that gently elevate to the height
of the store. Many of the religious items
that pilgrims have requested over the years
are on sale. Rosaries, religious books, medallions,
bottled water and other items are offered
for sale. The proceeds are donated for the
upkeep of the shrine and the Rosarian Priests..
If a visitor to the Shrine would
like an
item that is not carried in stock,
it can
be ordered in for you. Please
let Angie or
Denise know what you are looking
for, and
they will do their best to help
you.
The gift cabin is open during Shrine days
and all year round. For store hours contact
Father Francis, at the Shrine, or Anita,
at the parish office, at 519-689-7760.
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