News: It is with sadness and hope that I share with you the death of a very special member of the shrine community. Leo David McDonald, 10 years old. Leo was born on August 13, 2014. He passed away peacefully at home September 25, 2024 in the loving arms of his parents, Emily & Derek, only ten months after being diagnosed with brain cancer . He was the oldest of five boys. Leo did not want to be treated differently because of his illness, and his parents said “that he wasn’t up for championing a cause.” But privately, prayerfully he wished to bear his cross; He drew many to pray in his community, and certainly at the shrine. In fact many throughout the world joined in prayer with Leo and for him. His obit testified to his happy, heartful joy of being a normal boy who knew how to touch others in the most memorable ways. It states that “ Leo would likely want to be remembered as an aspiring paleontologist, a career path he decided on before he could even say the word. He was the in-residence Lego-master, Leo loved altar serving at Mass each week. He was a skilled pianist, performing an impressive solo concert in the spring of 2023. Leo also had a passion for comedy, writing and performing a stand-up routine (complete with adhesive mustache) for a recent homeschool talent show. He was a wonderful student, an enthusiastic soccer player, and an exceptional artist. Listening to dad’s stories, drinking “honey tea” and reading books with mom, and enjoying all things Star Wars with his brothers were a few more of his favorite pastimes. A real highlight for Leo was attending Don Bosco Boys Camp at Christ the King Parish, Concord, NH, where he particularly enjoyed the camaraderie, refining his joke-telling, and countless games of capture the flag. Leo’s crowning quality was the way he loved others so attentively and thoughtfully. He often created personalized greeting cards, for example, demonstrating an appreciation for a recipient’s special quality or interest. Through it all, Leo showed deep faith, he was an incredible big brother and friend, and he will be sorely missed. His parents trust that Leo will continue to bring beauty to the world for the greater glory of God. They rejoice in the gift of his life, and look forward to reuniting with him someday. The picture above is of Leo and a drawing he did at one of our Pro-life Masses at the shrine. We got to know Leo while he was receiving treatments at St. Elizabeth’s hospital. Leo and his family would visit the shrine and often attend our services. We quickly became aware of Leo’s special qualities through his thoughtfulness and piety. At the shrine one day while attending a pro-life mass he asked someone about the baby in the poster we have hanging on the wall about abortion, after a brief explanation he quietly returned to his seat and drew the drawing you see above. It is of a baby dancing in his mothers womb, disco ball and all, the caption reads babies can lead to fun. It was during the prayers of the faithful that Leo stood up and prayed for all the unborn babies out loud in solidarity with them. As I gaze out my window on this beautiful fall day watching the leaves fall from the trees I can’t help thinking of Leo. I am reminded of the profoundness of our Lord’s word; “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.”. Lk 18:15-17 I would like to ask that as we begin this month of November the month of the holy souls, that we reflect on the gift that God shared with us in the person of Leo who I am pretty certain is one of the little ones that is sitting at his feet praying for us all. Thank God for the gift of life!
November 1st: First Friday Devotion at the shrine; 7 pm Mass; Rev. Paulinus Nweke will say mass, immediately followed by all night Eucharistic Adoration until 8:15 am, ending with benediction. We will meditate on the 15 mysteries of the rosary for 15 minutes at this time.
November 2nd: The First Saturday Mass will begin at 9:00 am. Following mass, we will recite the rosary then light refreshments. Rev. Ron Tacelli S.J. will preside. Also the Spanish Rosary Community from St. Columbkille’s will conduct their monthly First Saturday meeting with a rosary, music and fellowship at the shrine at 3:00 pm.
November 16th: The Pro-life Mass will be held at 10:30 am. Following Mass there will be a pro-life rosary followed by a short talk. The Rev. Mark Shimave will say the mass and the speaker will be Teresa Larkin Exec. Director of Your Options Medical Center. Adoration to follow to pray for the Nation wide Men’s March that will occur on this day starting at 11am gathering in front of Planned Parenthood.
November 23rd: MMP prayer Cenacle, Mass at 10:30 am followed by adoration and rosary, reflection on the Blue book. Rev. Andre Feain FI, Confessions at 10am.
“Receiving the kingdom of God like a child is not only about adoration, excitement, dependency, and trust. It’s also about humility. In the gospel of Mark, the Lord’s admonishment to be childlike comes in the middle of more extensive teaching on what it means to be great in God’s kingdom.”
