Anxious? Afraid? Want to help save the world from the coronvirus?

In the history of the Church, Christ has come to us in times of crisis most remarkably through His Mother, the Virgin Mary. From her apparitions at Guadalupe, Fatima, and Lourdes, to name just a few, to the battles of Lepanto in 1571 and Vienna in 1683, and many others, the Virgin Mary has miraculously intervened in human history. Like any mother, Mary fights for her children when they are threatened—but particularly when they call out to her and intentionally invoke her help and protection. And as a good mother, she is interested not only in our eternal salvation, but also our temporal welfare. We need only invite her more deeply into our lives to unlock, so to speak, what she wants to do for us. She can bring Christ and His healing grace to you, now, and to the whole world through you. Are you interested?

Different Levels of Engagement

Beginning the second week of May, we will offer various ways to learn more about Mary and "unlock" her powerful influence in our lives, depending on the level of engagement you are interested in:

1. A full, six-week course with daily reading and questions to answer, a weekly video to watch, and a weekly online discussion via Zoom.

2. Or, just read the daily readings in the book

3. Or, just watch the weekly video

4. Or, just join us weekly and listen to the discussion.

5. Or, just receive weekly questions to ponder and activities to try

6. Or...some combination of the above!

How do I watch the weekly videos online?

We will be using a mini-retreat by Fr. Michael Gaitly called 33 Days to Morning Glory. You can watch the weekly videos for free online at Formed.org here.

If you don't have a Formed account, sign up for free here.

How do I get the book for the daily readings?

You can purchase a copy of Fr. Michael Gaitley's book, 33 Days to Morning Glory, which we will use for our short (two-page) daily readings, here or here.

How do I get the Retreat Companion for the daily questions to answer?

The Retreat Companion, which has daily questions you can ponder and write out your answers to, can be downloaded for free at the same place you watch the videos, at Formed.org here.

If you don't have a Formed account, sign up for free here.

If you prefer a hard-copy of the Retreat Companion, you can purchase what's called the Participant Packet, along with some other materials (but without the book), by going here.

I want hard-copies and just want to purchase all the materials together in a bundle. Is that possible?

Yes! There is a bundle (which may be cheaper), if you want to purchase everything together: the book, a hard-copy of the Retreat Companion, and some other materials, by going here.

When will the weekly online discussions be?

UPDATE (as of 5-10): There will be just one section of the class, rather than two, which will meet at this time:

• Wednesdays at 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. on May 13, 20, and 27; and June 3, 10, and 17.

How do I connect to the online meetings?

1. Download and install Zoom to your home computer or mobile device. Get the "Zoom Client for Meetings" if you use a Windows computer or laptop. Or scroll down for "Zoom Mobile Apps" if you want to use your phone or tablet. It is recommended to use your phone or tablet, as it already has a microphone and camera built-in!
2. Register online (see below) so that we know you intend to join the meetings, and you will be emailed the Zoom ID and password for the meetings.
3. At the day and time of the meeting, just open the Zoom app, enter the meeting's ID, and then enter the password when prompted.

What will the online discussions be like?

1. There are questions in the Retreat Companion that the leader, John Kovacs, will ask the group. We'll take turns answering the questions. These questions are different from, but very much related to, the daily questions that you are asked to ponder and write out your answers to (if you choose to). The best way to prepare for the discussion, then, is to do the daily readings in the book and to do the daily questions in the retreat companion, but this is not mandatory.
2. If you don't want to talk, but just listen, you are welcome!
3. If there are a lot of people, then we may break up into break-out sessions. Each breakout session will have a group leader. (This is also why we need you to register if you intend to join us on Zoom, since we need to know ahead of time how many people plan to connect.)

What should I do to prepare for the first online meeting (May 13)?

1. If you plan to participate in the discussion, it would be best to have downloaded the Retreat Companion (if you don't want to buy a hard-copy) and have it in front of you.
2. That's it!

How do I prepare for subsequent meetings (sessions 2 through 6)?

After the first session ends, you should go online and watch the first video. This course is designed, then, to work as follows:
 

1. Initial meeting without any preparation
2. At home, and depending on your level of engagement:
   • Watch the session's video after the online meeting
   • Read the daily readings in the 33 Days to Morning Glory book
   • Ponder and answer the daily questions in the Retreat Companion
3. Meet again for the next meeting, which will have this format:

• Opening prayer
• Discussion questions
• Closing prayer

       4. Repeat steps two and three for the remainder of the sessions

Can I consecrate myself to Mary at the end of this?

Yes!  This course will simultaneously teach you about Mary and prepare you to consecrate yourself to her.  But the consecration is optional. Hopefully, though, by the end of the six weeks, you will be excited to do it! The intended date of consecration is June 20, 2020, which is the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Questions?

John Kovacs will be leading the course. For more information, email him at john.kovacs@stclarehouston.org.