What do a druggie, a beach bum, and an MBA grad all have in common?

Dear Friend in Christ,

What do a drug-using high school dropout, a golden-haired beach boy from California, and a business professional with an MBA have in common?

Well, you may not believe it if I told you.

Donald Calloway was a teenage delinquent with a disdain for anything religious. Only worrying about his own self-indulgence and pleasure, he embarked on a life of sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll at a very young age. With no moral compass, he drifted from place to place, lying, stealing, and cheating as he went.

Then, he gave it all up.

Michael Gaitley was living the quintessential California dream. During his senior year of high school, he drove a classic roadster, had a beautiful girlfriend, and spent his weekends surfing and playing volleyball on the beach. With plenty of scholarship money and an acceptance letter from a prestigious university, he was riding high.

Then, he gave it all up.

My story was different. After achieving bonus-level executive status at a Fortune 500 company, I ventured off on my own and started a successful, million-dollar business. I soon bought a large, lakefront home, a fast boat, and had the smartest dog in the world – a yellow lab named "Rocky." Best of all, I was dating the woman of my dreams.

Then, I gave it all up.

Yes, Don, Mike, and I happily gave up everything to answer the call to serve Jesus and Mary as priests in the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception. Now, as Catholic priests, all three of us couldn't be happier as we spread devotion to Our Lady and Christ's message of mercy, which is so badly needed today.

This may sound funny, but now Fr. Calloway, who lived such a decadent life, is the vocation director for our religious community. And what an amazing job he's doing!

This year, we have over 30 men studying for the priesthood here in the United States! That's amazing when you consider that we have about 25 active priests in our American province.

So, we now have more men in formation than we have priests in active ministry!

And why are they flocking to the Marians? Father Calloway is quick to answer, "It's certainly not because of me! Rather, it's Our Lady. Our Lady is forming an army of priests who will spread the message of God's merciful love to the hurting people of our society."

I agree with Fr. Calloway. Our Lady has always looked out for us as a congregation by inspiring vocations and inviting people to partner with us in our mission. And that's why I'm writing to you. Consider this letter a message from Our Lady through the hands of one of her sons: We need your help!

First and foremost, we need your prayers. Let me give you an example: myself. I was ordained a priest about a year ago, and now I'm heading up the Association of Marian Helpers! While that is a gift and a privilege, I have to admit that sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the amount of work that it takes. Truth be told, while we have many vocations, it takes time for them to get ordained, and our new priests wear many hats.

Let me give you two more examples from Fr. Calloway and Fr. Gaitley.

Even before reading this letter, you've probably heard of at least one of them. For instance, maybe you've read Fr. Gaitley's book 33 Days to Morning Glory or Fr. Calloway's amazing conversion story, No Turning Back. Well, they not only write books and travel all around the country to bring Mary and Divine Mercy to God's people, but they also carry out many other pastoral duties. Let me just say that I often see my brothers burning the midnight oil, and I'm amazed at how much work they do for Christ and the Church. So, they need your prayers!

Also, on top of the prayers, we could use your financial support.

Our community is involved in many ministries and outreaches that help those who are most in need. Since 1941, it has been a great privilege for us Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception to promote the Divine Mercy message and devotion. Marian Press, our publishing apostolate here in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, publishes books, pamphlets, and prayercards that bring souls to Christ, but we are most known for our publication of St. Faustina's Diary.

The bottom line is this: There is nothing that Satan hates more than Divine Mercy and Mary, and our community is truly on the front lines. Satan wants to destroy this work and God's soldiers who are fighting this battle.

It is only with your spiritual and financial support that these great works are made possible.

So, even if you can't make a donation, please say a prayer for us. We need it. And because you need it, too, know that my prayers are with you and your family. In fact, as Fr. Joseph, it's my great privilege, with the rest of my Marian brothers, to pray and sacrifice daily for all of our spiritual and financial benefactors.

What I would like to offer you…

We actually have a special name for our benefactors. They're called "Marian Helpers." And we've received permission from the Holy See in Rome to offer to all our Marian Helpers an astonishing array of spiritual benefits, just as if they were members of our congregation.

These benefits are the following:

  • Graces from the daily Masses, prayers, good works, and merits of the Marian priests and brothers around the world
  • A special Mass for their intentions offered on feast days of Our Savior and his Blessed Mother
  • A monthly Mass for members on each First Friday and each First Saturday
  • A Mass offered for deceased members on All Souls' Day
  • Being included in the perpetual Novena to the Divine Mercy

So, I invite you to share in these benefits – I pray you will – by becoming a Marian Helper through your support.

A donation of any amount makes you a Marian Helper!

Thank you and God bless you.

Fr. Joseph, MIC
Director, Association of Marian Helpers


P.S. For an offering of $25 or more I will be happy to send you a copy of our newest CD, Divine Mercy 101.