A Letter from Father Louis Tylka

for the 50th Anniversary Re-Dedication Ceremony of the Mother of Mothers Shrine
Dear Friends of the Mother of Mothers Shrine,

What a joy it is to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Mother of Mothers Shrine. This beautiful image of the Blessed Mother has been a place of devotion for many people who have sought her assistance. God has heard and answered our prayers.

It has been my hope that this anniversary celebration could be used to deepen our faith and express our gratitude to God by honoring the Mother of Mothers. From the start I prayed that we could find a fitting way to restore the splendor of Fr. Menarik’s original idea. I asked myself how might we “enhance” the Shrine? Many ideas came to mind; landscaping, adding a backdrop, mosaics of other women saints. But as I explored each idea, my mind came back to prayer. Prayer for our world that needs so much to hear the message of God’s love and peace. Prayer for mothers and all women who love the Lord. Prayer for our Church, for holiness, understanding and faith. I decided to leave it for the artists to come up with the physical enhancement idea, while you and I could focus on the prayers. When the rendition of my random thoughts returned, refined by the artists, I knew this was truly the intended result: a backdrop that would make the Shrine stand out even more as an inviting place of prayer.

It is through God’s grace and your generosity that we are here today with such a beautiful tribute to the Mother of Mothers. Thank you for being so generous. Thank you as well to Bob Rigali, Jr. of Daprato Rigali Studios for leading this project. Thank you to the artists who turned a vague idea into something “just right” to enhance the Shrine. Thank you to Mark Ward of Ward Construction and the most capable workers who executed this project. Thank you to the Holy Name Society and Women’s Guild of Mater Christi who give so much to the parish and provide great assistance on this day of re-dedication. Thank you to Pat Poremba and the choir as well as the other ministers who help us to pray. Thank you to Mickey Zdarsky for her constant dedication to keeping things going, and to Bob Goy for keeping up the place. Thank you to all those who joined us for this celebration on Mother’s Day. Thank you to Bishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller for presiding over our prayer. Above all, thank you to God who gave us Mary as our Mother, who bore Christ in her womb and then became His disciple.

As Cardinal Stritch said at the original dedication ceremony: “Come to Our Blessed Lady… She’s the one who understands… Place your faith in Her, for She, is the Mother of Mothers.”

Peace and Prayers,

Rev. Louis Tylka
Pastor / Shrine Director
"O Holy Queen, Mother of Mothers, consolation and protectress of all Christian motherhood — Mother Mary, intercede for us, grant us peace, and the grace of God abundantly."

50th Anniversary Re-Dedication Ceremony
Service & Reception

Mother's Day—May 14, 2006