Our Lady of Good Help Marian shrine crowds near Green Bay called 'pleasant ...

A. Since the decree was issued on Dec. 8, we have been truly blessed by an influx of pilgrims into our diocese. In the past we might have seen a dozen or so people each day, many of whom lived in the area and stopped in for a quick visit to the chapel or the crypt. Since December, and particularly since the warm weather arrived, we have seen the number of daily pilgrims rise steadily. We now regularly draw between 500 and 800, and we often go above that number when we have multiple bus tours arrive on the grounds. We have welcomed pilgrims from all over the country. One of the developments that I find most encouraging is the large number of youth and young adults who have been coming to the shrine looking for solace and a place for quiet prayer. So often their lives are driven by an over dependence on technology and a culture of multitasking that sometimes rarely gives them an opportunity to stop and take a breath. We are finding that our young people have a renewed interest in Mary, the Mother of us all. They are looking for a new connection to spirituality, to prayer, to getting back to the basics of their faith. The shrine gives them that quiet place. A. This is a new experience for everyone involved here, so it's difficult to come up with a single plan or strategy that we can put into place. We are very much under the protection of our Blessed Mother, and I truly believe that she will provide the guidance we need to deal with the influx of pilgrims. On the practical side, there are some things that we can do right away. We have a new parking lot on site that was under development even before the decree on Dec. 8. In addition, we have expanded our restroom facilities and have begun looking at ways to increase handicap accessibility to the crypt.Perhaps our most important near-term development was the arrival of two new priests from the Fathers of Mercy, a religious order of priests based in Kentucky. Father Peter Stryker, the new rector, and a second priest will ensure the stability of the sanctuary through a more consistent timing of the Mass, confessions and special events of prayer. As far as any comparison of what happened other places of apparitions approved, I will leave that in the hands of the Virgin. A. I enjoyed my visit with ABC crew, including anchor Bill Weir and producer Jenna Millman.

Fathers of Mercy arrive at shrine

Priests' presence increases opportunities for Mass, confession

CHAMPION — With record crowds descending upon the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, two religious order priests now assigned to the diocesan shrine are tending to the visitors' spiritual needs.

Fr. Peter Stryker and Fr. Jewel Aytona, members of the Fathers of Mercy religious congregation based in Auburn, Kent., arrived in Champion July 7 at the request of Bishop David Ricken.

Following the Dec. 8, 2010, declaration that the Marian apparitions to Adele Brise in 1859 were worthy of belief, Bishop Ricken began making plans to find a religious community of priests to staff the shrine. Bishop Ricken chose the Fathers of Mercy because their congregation's apostolate matches the shrine's historic mission: to preach and catechize, said Fr. John Doerfler, chancellor and vicar general of the diocese. Fr. Jewel Aytona, left, and Fr. Peter Stryker, members of the Fathers of Mercy religious congregation based in Auburn, Kent., arrived at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help in Champion July 7. Fr. Stryker serves as rector and Fr. Aytona is chaplain. The priests’ presence at the shrine means additional opportunities for Mass and the sacrament of reconciliation. (Sam Lucero | The Compass)

Bishop Ricken became acquainted with the Fathers of Mercy several years ago when he led a retreat for members of the congregation, added Fr. Doerfler. The congregation's superior general, Fr. David Wilton, met with Bishop Ricken earlier this year and agreed to send two priests to staff the shrine.

The Fathers of Mercy also have historic ties to the diocese. The congregation staffed St. John the Evangelist Parish in Green Bay from 1888 to 1891 and built the first school on the church property.

Fr. Stryker, 53, serves as the shrine's rector and Fr. Aytona, 28, is chaplain. Fr. Stryker recently completed a nine-year assignment as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Russellville, Kent. Fr. Aytona was ordained to the priesthood on June 4, 2011, and the shrine is his first assignment.

During an interview July 19, Fr. Stryker said he was amazed at the number of people who have visited the shrine in the 12 days that he and Fr. Aytona have been there.

"I'm sure that I have seen a few thousand people on this property in just under two weeks," he said. "Just this past Wednesday there were four bus loads" of pilgrims.

Fr. Stryker said he has seen a deep spiritual hunger evident in the people coming to the shrine and believes the five-acre site, home to reported many miracles, is holy ground.

He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity forever.

Do not hold against us the sins of the fathers; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need - Psalm 78:8 Hits home!

fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that ...

Fathers of Mercy arrive at shrine | Priests' presence increases opportunities for Mass, confession

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