October, the Month of the Holy Rosary, witnesses many acts of devotion to the Blessed Mother, such as when parishioners at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Marysville welcomed Bishop Ronald Gainer for the dedication of a new Marian grotto.
Construction of the grotto began with the gift of an anonymous parishioner and progressed as more parishioners became involved, with members of the Knights of Columbus performing much of the installation. As the work neared its completion, Father Dijo Thomas, MSFS, pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel and St. Bernadette Mission in Duncannon, invited Bishop Gainer to preside at the dedication.
Bishop Gainer blessed parishioners and their statue after celebrating Holy Mass on October 3. Volunteers from both parishes contributed to the day’s festivities, which featured a performance by a joint-parish choir, service by St. Michael’s Guard, an appearance by the Knights of Columbus Color Corps, and a breakfast reception immediately following the ceremony organized by the Council of Catholic Women and the Parish Social Committee.
During his homily and later remarks, Bishop Gainer applied the message of the day’s Gospel to explain the Church’s unwavering commitment to defending marriage and witnessing to the sanctity of human life. He encouraged everyone to honor the Blessed Virgin by promoting both causes with the same dedication that led to the creation of the new grotto.
(Photos courtesy of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish.)
By Deacon Patrick McCormack, Special to The Witness
