by Father Jim McDonald, CSsR, Chaplain at St Michael Villa
On Wednesday, May 23rd the community at St. Michael’s Villa gathered for a very special May Crowning. On that day we blessed and dedicated a new grotto in honor of Our Lady of Fatima and the children. The statues were blessed and dedicated in loving memory of Sr. Maria Paula Millacci, CSJP (1917-2015).
Sister Maria Paula had a great devotion to Or Lady of Fatima and was born the same year as the original apparitions, 1917. Sr. Maria Paula passed away on June 29, 2015, two years short of her 100th birthday and the 100 Anniversary of the apparitions. Sister Maria Paula knew about this donation and left detailed guidelines of what she desired.
We had hope that the statues would have been in place in 2017 on the 100th anniversaries, but because of numerous delays, we were unable to accomplish her request. We are sure that sister Maria Paula was smiling down on us that day as her friend, Rose O’Shea placed a living rosary made of golden roses over the hands of Our Lady of Fatima. Rose represented Mrs. Eileen Riley, a dear friend of both she and Sister Maria Paula, by whose generosity this beautiful grotto will grace the grounds of St. Michael Villa for years to come.
"So yes, we are forever beginning, and the best we can do is be very grateful that each new beginning is one more chance to grow. "
Margaret Byrne, CSJP