Pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help

 

The Federal Association pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help near Green Bay, WI took place August 4-7, with 145 attending, including 48 members of the American Association. Also joining us were 22 special pilgrims (referring to the poor, sick, or those carrying a heavy burden),three Fra’s of the Order, and several priests. Bishop David Ricken of the Diocese of Green Bay also attended the pilgrimage, celebrating the Masses and the Anointing of the Sick with the priests. 

 

Dinner the first night included a presentation on the history of the shrine by Rev. Peter Stryker.  Many questions were asked and Bishop Ricken gave a wonderful explanation of the process the Church uses to determine apparition worthy of belief.

 

Friday morning Mass was celebrated at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help.  Bishop Ricken blessed the pilgrimage medals, which were designed by Cara Aghajanian, DM and approved by the Federal Association board of directors as the official medal and ribbon for the pilgrimage. 

 

On Friday afternoon we went to St. Norbert’s College and the National Shrine of St. Joseph.  The Anointing of the Sick took place at Old St. Joseph Church on campus.  There has been a church dedicated to St. Joseph at that site for about 300 years.

 

At dinner that night we enjoyed a talk given by Rev. Edward Looney of the Diocese of Green Bay who has written books on the Blessed Mother which include a book on Our Lady of Good Help.

 

The Western Association sent a representative to the 2016 pilgrimage in anticipation of joining next year. 

 

The Irish Association and the Canadian Association have also expressed interest in attending our next pilgrimage, scheduled for August 3-6, 2017.

 

When the Federal Association approved the pilgrimage on December 2, 2015, a committee was formed to organize it. Gratitude for a job well done in this year’s pilgrimage goes to the committee and to Federal Association staff Nadia Mohammed, program and communications manager, and Deacon Michael Stankewicz, executive director.  Here are the current members of the Our Lady of Good Help Pilgrimage Committee:

 

Kate and Bob Signorelli, Co-Chairs

Taffy and Les Hewitt

Pat Monaghan

Cara Aghajanian

Wayne Ruth

Allan Escher

Fra’ Tom Mulligan

Frank Gembala

Cynthia Salazar

Msgr. Edward Dillon

 

To view this year's photo gallery, please click here.