LEAVES Website for Nov-Dec 2025 Issue
Excerpted from “Leaflets” column:
To all of you, dear LEAVES Members, I give my best greetings. Looking around, I realize we are heading for Thanksgiving Day. We certainly have a great opportunity to give thanks to the Lord for so many gifts we have received. Among them, we received many answers to prayers we have made, including health, joy for the graces received, success in realizing we have made a step closer to the Lord, better relationships with certain people we found difficult to accept, and fewer tensions in our daily endeavors. We also discovered new ways of being a true disciple of Jesus. We even may have made important progress in our relationships with God and His constant presence in our daily lives.
Thanksgiving is also a great opportunity for us to show our family members and friends how much their support and encouragement have helped us. Furthermore, I believe we should think of all those who have been victims of natural disasters such as tornadoes, floods, landslides, etc. Many have lost their homes, their jobs, and all their belongings. A great number do not even have enough food for their own subsistence, even here in our own country. Let us pray for them and share some of what we have with those less fortunate.
Many have lost their loved ones, while others are suffering from depression, despair and trauma. Some are unable to look after themselves and their families, because of disabilities caused by these natural disasters against which they were unprepared to protect themselves and their families. Remember also, how blessed you are compared to those who are going through wars and have a lack of peace in their own land.
I was just looking through my files I had this past year and came across my brother, Fr. Yvon’s Christmas letter that he sent us last December. After reading it again, I thought I would share it with you today.
“Greetings,
With excitement, good wishes, and a sense of anticipation, I begin my Christmas letter. I love this season and how wonderfully it affects children, adults, and families. Many individuals are touched by so many in this season. It comes and goes too fast and yet many feel the effects long afterwards.
It is a good time to count our blessings from the past year. We have been touched by many, and we have impacted others ourselves! Many acts of kindness have gone unnoticed, and yet we each have grown through it all. We have been misled about many things, but in the process, we have helped many.
I am so happy for so many of you in my life from the past, with concern for the present and for the future. I had a couple of heart attacks – small, they say, but heart attacks are never small. I bounced back and moved forward. I don’t know all the ins and outs of good health, but I still keep moving forward.
I work with students studying English from different parts of the world. This year, we average 14 students per section who came to us as priests, brothers, and seminarians. We also have a couple of sisters who joined us this year to learn English. It is a good time to visit the area around Milwaukee, exposing the culture and so-called American way. I enjoyed the time.
We had a wonderful summer with good weather. It gave me an opportunity to work in my flower garden, which ended up with great flowers that bloomed and grew all summer.
I hope you all had a great year. I often think of all of you, especially in this season. I am reminded of all that Christmas stands for. Christmas stands for love and charity. It is a challenge to love and be charitable to everyone in our lives, but with God’s help, we can become more charitable to all those around us.
Wishing you all the many blessings of this season. May this season of Christmas bring you peace and hope for better days ahead. You are in my thoughts and prayers as we go forward. A Merry Christmas to you and blessings for the New Year.
Fr. Yvon Sheehy, SCJ
Many thanks to all of you who are praying for us and for all our readers. May the Christ Child bless you all and keep you very close to His heart - Fr. Michael Sheehy, c.m.m.
Christmas Letter from the US-CANADA Community Leader
To the LEAVES Family at Christmas
“PEACE BE WITH YOU!”
We could take these words “Peace be with you!” as the first words of Jesus uttered through the voices of the angels as He was born among us. We read in the Gospel of Luke 2:9-14 that, at the birth of Jesus, angels sang praises to God: “Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to men of good will.” This was the great dream of God which He revealed through the whole Bible. And finally, He sent His Son, the Man of Peace, in order not only to reconcile us with our Creator but with one another.
“Peace on earth!” The desire of God is also our greatest desire and wish for 2026, seeing our world’s situation where so many nations are at war and others providing arms to the belligerents. After a war we usually say, “Never again!” But… the reality is different.
Therefore, dear friends, it is our first wish to you for this Christmas and the New Year, not forgetting that peace comes to our hearts from where flows love and understanding. In Matthew 10:7 we read that Jesus sent His disciples to be bearers of peace. Let us be worthy of the confidence God gives us with this mission.
As usual, we take this opportunity to acknowledge your participation in the mission of the Missionaries of Mariannhill and for all these many years. Often, we get a letter expressing your desire to continue doing so. We wish therefore to express our sincere gratitude, knowing very well that without your spiritual and financial support Mariannhill would not have fulfilled its mission. In the USA and in Canada candidates are no more there to take the relay, but we have insured that our young confreres in Africa, Papua New Guinea, Columbia and elsewhere may continue bringing your support and words of peace wherever they are sent.
The year 2025 has been a moment of great upheavals and 2026 will surely bring its own. That is why we must create a civilization of love and peace. Mary has given her Son to the world with a single word: FIAT. May she help us to do the same. I suggest to you this prayer to Mary in preparation for Christmas and the New Year:
“Remember, O Lady of the Sacred Heart, the marvels that the Lord did for you and with you. He chose you to be the mother of His Son. You stood with Him, even at the foot of the cross. You now share in His glory; He listens to your prayer. Offer Him our praises; bring Him our requests as well as our thanksgivings. Help us to live as you did in His love so that His kingdom may come. Bring us to the source of living waters spurting from His heart and bringing hope, justice and peace in our world. See our hope and answer our call to you, our Mother, Queen of peace.”
In the words of St. Paul in his letter to the Ephesians 4:1-4,7: “May your life be worthy of the call you received. Be always humble, gentle, and patient. Show your love by being tolerant with one another. And do your best to preserve the unity which the Spirit gives by the means of the peace that binds you together”.
Therefore, our Christmas and New Year Wishes are of peace that will bring joy and happiness. May the Lord be with you every day to guide you so that, in turn, you may be bearers of that same peace and happiness.
Fr. Allan Rodrigues, c.m.m.
Community Leader
American-Canadian Community
Mariannhill Mission Society
Excerpted from “Our Family Album”:
House Sold after Prayer
My son was trying to sell his home, and it was supposed to be a seller’s market, but he did not have the same luck that so many other sellers seemed to have. He had two offers, but both fell through.
I started a novena to St. Joseph, the Blessed Mother and Jesus to enable him to sell his house. St. Joseph is the patron saint known for being able to have success in selling houses. I also prayed every day not only this prayer, but also a prayer to St. Jude, patron saint of the impossible cases, who also was the saint my son chose for his Confirmation saint. I also prayed to St. Therese and other saints.
After almost a year he finally sold his house. I never let a day go by without first praying to the saints. Even though I got discouraged, as did my son, I persevered.
Our Lord told us to trust Him, to keep faith and persevere. There were times when I heard Him speak to me these simple words: “Trust Me, child.” It gave me the confidence to trust, to continue as the days, weeks, months continued on.
Finally, after some repairs and updating, he had a buyer. The papers were signed on St. Jude’s feast day, which was also a Wednesday, known as a day for St. Joseph. I promised St. Jude that I would send a donation in thanksgiving to make his prayer known.
Over the years I have said the prayer to St. Joseph, known for selling houses, with three other sales with buyers coming forth. Please don’t give up. The Lord, the Blessed Mother, Ss. Joseph, Jude, Therese and other saints do hear our prayers, but we must do our part and persevere. Trust, be patient and don’t give up. Pray that Our Lord’s will be done in all circumstances.
Please accept my donation in thanksgiving and to fulfill my promise to St. Jude in making his name known – B.P.
Arranging for Prayers
Both of my adult children are married and have left the Catholic Church. I am now a widow living alone. Since I am concerned that I now have no one to pray for me when I die (I am 87 years old), I thought of a way in which I can be assured of Masses and prayers, perpetually.
I take one or two of the many religious sympathy cards I always receive, and I fill out my name instead of using the condolence space for others, and then I make a donation to that religious order. That way, I will be assured of having Masses and prayers said for me perpetually.
I truly believe this is a wonderful way that I can be assured of prayers and Masses after I am gone from this earth. Of course, I always include the required donation to the particular religious order.
Being elderly, widowed and living alone, it gives me great comfort knowing that I am being prayed for. Perhaps there are others who might be in the same situation and might like to provide for themselves in advance. Thank you – Rose Marie M-W.
A Life of
Blessed Engelmar
There is available a booklet of the life of Blessed Engelmar Unzeitig, C.M.M. You may receive a free copy of it by sending a stamped (postage for one ounce), self-addressed envelope to us at: LEAVES, P.O. Box 87, Dearborn, MI 48121-0087.
Novena in Honor of
Abbot Francis Pfanner
Abbot Francis Pfanner founded Mariannhill Monastery, and 100 years ago its monks became the Congregation of Missionaries of Mariannhill. He was not only a great missionary, but also a holy man. The cause for his beatification has begun. We have available a novena in his honor and will send you a free copy of it when you send a stamped (postage for one ounce), self-addressed envelope to us at: LEAVES, P.O. Box 87, Dearborn, MI 48121-0087.
Prayer for Veteran’s Day
Lord God, Almighty Father, creator of mankind and author of peace, as we are ever mindful of the cost paid for the liberty we possess, we ask you to bless the members of our armed forces. Give them courage, hope and strength.
May they ever experience your firm support, gentle love and compassionate healing.
Be their power and protector, leading them from darkness to light.
To you be all glory, honor and praise, now and forever. Amen. [U.S. Catholic Bishops]
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Most gracious Virgin of Guadalupe, in your apparitions to St. Juan Diego at Tepeyac you promised to show mercy and compassion to all who sought your help and protection. In love and trust I place my petitions before you (mention your request here) and ask for your motherly care. I come to you hopeful and confident that, relying on your heavenly intercession, nothing can trouble or harm me.
As you have remained with us through your admirable image, O Blessed Lady, so now obtain for us the graces we need. Amen.
Prayer for the Dead
Into your hands, O Lord,
we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters.
In this life you embraced them with your tender love;
deliver them now from every evil
and bid them enter eternal rest.
The old order has passed away:
welcome them into paradise,
where there will be no sorrow,
no weeping nor pain,
but fullness of peace and joy
With your Son and the Holy Spirit
forever and ever. Amen.
A Little Bit of Heaven
By Margaret Peterson
Straw glistened in the moonlight / In the wooden manger bed. / It seemed to be of purest gold / Where Jesus laid His head.
A stable was a lowly place, / Yet joy and love were there, / Softening the surroundings. / It was heaven everywhere!
We too can know the magic / In a lesser present way / By asking Christ, the Lord of Love, / To bless our Christmas Day.
A Franciscan Christmas
By Helen Kline Paulus
To celebrate Christmas as well as you’re able
Imitate Francis and display a stable
And place it beneath a well-lighted tree
A beautiful sight for the Infant to see.
Then as you go on decorating your house
Gaze ever so lovingly at Mary and spouse
And the dear little Infant may you feel in your heart
The most wonderful peace only God can impart.
Then bow low in wonder as carols you sing
For the Babe in the stable is Jesus the King.
God Lives
By Harriet O’Connor
There is someone who is greater
Than all this, the serene unclouded day,
The stars at eventide,
The ocean waves at play.
He is God, the infinite, the unchangeable One,
Who has dominion over all;
He is master of the seasons,
The winter, spring and fall.
And yet each little person
Is so important in His eyes,
And He loves each one,
If they are unlearned or wise.
God maketh all, loveth all,
And with a great stretch of His hand,
He causes the sun to shine brightly,
Or darkness to envelope the land.
And God calls us all back
To dwell with Him on high,
When our life span is finished,
And it’s time for us to die.
Let us live for God,
And always choose the way of right,
And we need never fear the black darkness,
But our life will shine with the rays of light.
Excerpted from “Leaflets” column:
To all of you, dear LEAVES Members, I give my best greetings. Looking around, I realize we are heading for Thanksgiving Day. We certainly have a great opportunity to give thanks to the Lord for so many gifts we have received. Among them, we received many answers to prayers we have made, including health, joy for the graces received, success in realizing we have made a step closer to the Lord, better relationships with certain people we found difficult to accept, and fewer tensions in our daily endeavors. We also discovered new ways of being a true disciple of Jesus. We even may have made important progress in our relationships with God and His constant presence in our daily lives.
Thanksgiving is also a great opportunity for us to show our family members and friends how much their support and encouragement have helped us. Furthermore, I believe we should think of all those who have been victims of natural disasters such as tornadoes, floods, landslides, etc. Many have lost their homes, their jobs, and all their belongings. A great number do not even have enough food for their own subsistence, even here in our own country. Let us pray for them and share some of what we have with those less fortunate.
Many have lost their loved ones, while others are suffering from depression, despair and trauma. Some are unable to look after themselves and their families, because of disabilities caused by these natural disasters against which they were unprepared to protect themselves and their families. Remember also, how blessed you are compared to those who are going through wars and have a lack of peace in their own land.
I was just looking through my files I had this past year and came across my brother, Fr. Yvon’s Christmas letter that he sent us last December. After reading it again, I thought I would share it with you today.
“Greetings,
With excitement, good wishes, and a sense of anticipation, I begin my Christmas letter. I love this season and how wonderfully it affects children, adults, and families. Many individuals are touched by so many in this season. It comes and goes too fast and yet many feel the effects long afterwards.
It is a good time to count our blessings from the past year. We have been touched by many, and we have impacted others ourselves! Many acts of kindness have gone unnoticed, and yet we each have grown through it all. We have been misled about many things, but in the process, we have helped many.
I am so happy for so many of you in my life from the past, with concern for the present and for the future. I had a couple of heart attacks – small, they say, but heart attacks are never small. I bounced back and moved forward. I don’t know all the ins and outs of good health, but I still keep moving forward.
I work with students studying English from different parts of the world. This year, we average 14 students per section who came to us as priests, brothers, and seminarians. We also have a couple of sisters who joined us this year to learn English. It is a good time to visit the area around Milwaukee, exposing the culture and so-called American way. I enjoyed the time.
We had a wonderful summer with good weather. It gave me an opportunity to work in my flower garden, which ended up with great flowers that bloomed and grew all summer.
I hope you all had a great year. I often think of all of you, especially in this season. I am reminded of all that Christmas stands for. Christmas stands for love and charity. It is a challenge to love and be charitable to everyone in our lives, but with God’s help, we can become more charitable to all those around us.
Wishing you all the many blessings of this season. May this season of Christmas bring you peace and hope for better days ahead. You are in my thoughts and prayers as we go forward. A Merry Christmas to you and blessings for the New Year.
Fr. Yvon Sheehy, SCJ
Many thanks to all of you who are praying for us and for all our readers. May the Christ Child bless you all and keep you very close to His heart - Fr. Michael Sheehy, c.m.m.
Christmas Letter from the US-CANADA Community Leader
To the LEAVES Family at Christmas
“PEACE BE WITH YOU!”
We could take these words “Peace be with you!” as the first words of Jesus uttered through the voices of the angels as He was born among us. We read in the Gospel of Luke 2:9-14 that, at the birth of Jesus, angels sang praises to God: “Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to men of good will.” This was the great dream of God which He revealed through the whole Bible. And finally, He sent His Son, the Man of Peace, in order not only to reconcile us with our Creator but with one another.
“Peace on earth!” The desire of God is also our greatest desire and wish for 2026, seeing our world’s situation where so many nations are at war and others providing arms to the belligerents. After a war we usually say, “Never again!” But… the reality is different.
Therefore, dear friends, it is our first wish to you for this Christmas and the New Year, not forgetting that peace comes to our hearts from where flows love and understanding. In Matthew 10:7 we read that Jesus sent His disciples to be bearers of peace. Let us be worthy of the confidence God gives us with this mission.
As usual, we take this opportunity to acknowledge your participation in the mission of the Missionaries of Mariannhill and for all these many years. Often, we get a letter expressing your desire to continue doing so. We wish therefore to express our sincere gratitude, knowing very well that without your spiritual and financial support Mariannhill would not have fulfilled its mission. In the USA and in Canada candidates are no more there to take the relay, but we have insured that our young confreres in Africa, Papua New Guinea, Columbia and elsewhere may continue bringing your support and words of peace wherever they are sent.
The year 2025 has been a moment of great upheavals and 2026 will surely bring its own. That is why we must create a civilization of love and peace. Mary has given her Son to the world with a single word: FIAT. May she help us to do the same. I suggest to you this prayer to Mary in preparation for Christmas and the New Year:
“Remember, O Lady of the Sacred Heart, the marvels that the Lord did for you and with you. He chose you to be the mother of His Son. You stood with Him, even at the foot of the cross. You now share in His glory; He listens to your prayer. Offer Him our praises; bring Him our requests as well as our thanksgivings. Help us to live as you did in His love so that His kingdom may come. Bring us to the source of living waters spurting from His heart and bringing hope, justice and peace in our world. See our hope and answer our call to you, our Mother, Queen of peace.”
In the words of St. Paul in his letter to the Ephesians 4:1-4,7: “May your life be worthy of the call you received. Be always humble, gentle, and patient. Show your love by being tolerant with one another. And do your best to preserve the unity which the Spirit gives by the means of the peace that binds you together”.
Therefore, our Christmas and New Year Wishes are of peace that will bring joy and happiness. May the Lord be with you every day to guide you so that, in turn, you may be bearers of that same peace and happiness.
Fr. Allan Rodrigues, c.m.m.
Community Leader
American-Canadian Community
Mariannhill Mission Society
Excerpted from “Our Family Album”:
House Sold after Prayer
My son was trying to sell his home, and it was supposed to be a seller’s market, but he did not have the same luck that so many other sellers seemed to have. He had two offers, but both fell through.
I started a novena to St. Joseph, the Blessed Mother and Jesus to enable him to sell his house. St. Joseph is the patron saint known for being able to have success in selling houses. I also prayed every day not only this prayer, but also a prayer to St. Jude, patron saint of the impossible cases, who also was the saint my son chose for his Confirmation saint. I also prayed to St. Therese and other saints.
After almost a year he finally sold his house. I never let a day go by without first praying to the saints. Even though I got discouraged, as did my son, I persevered.
Our Lord told us to trust Him, to keep faith and persevere. There were times when I heard Him speak to me these simple words: “Trust Me, child.” It gave me the confidence to trust, to continue as the days, weeks, months continued on.
Finally, after some repairs and updating, he had a buyer. The papers were signed on St. Jude’s feast day, which was also a Wednesday, known as a day for St. Joseph. I promised St. Jude that I would send a donation in thanksgiving to make his prayer known.
Over the years I have said the prayer to St. Joseph, known for selling houses, with three other sales with buyers coming forth. Please don’t give up. The Lord, the Blessed Mother, Ss. Joseph, Jude, Therese and other saints do hear our prayers, but we must do our part and persevere. Trust, be patient and don’t give up. Pray that Our Lord’s will be done in all circumstances.
Please accept my donation in thanksgiving and to fulfill my promise to St. Jude in making his name known – B.P.
Arranging for Prayers
Both of my adult children are married and have left the Catholic Church. I am now a widow living alone. Since I am concerned that I now have no one to pray for me when I die (I am 87 years old), I thought of a way in which I can be assured of Masses and prayers, perpetually.
I take one or two of the many religious sympathy cards I always receive, and I fill out my name instead of using the condolence space for others, and then I make a donation to that religious order. That way, I will be assured of having Masses and prayers said for me perpetually.
I truly believe this is a wonderful way that I can be assured of prayers and Masses after I am gone from this earth. Of course, I always include the required donation to the particular religious order.
Being elderly, widowed and living alone, it gives me great comfort knowing that I am being prayed for. Perhaps there are others who might be in the same situation and might like to provide for themselves in advance. Thank you – Rose Marie M-W.
A Life of
Blessed Engelmar
There is available a booklet of the life of Blessed Engelmar Unzeitig, C.M.M. You may receive a free copy of it by sending a stamped (postage for one ounce), self-addressed envelope to us at: LEAVES, P.O. Box 87, Dearborn, MI 48121-0087.
Novena in Honor of
Abbot Francis Pfanner
Abbot Francis Pfanner founded Mariannhill Monastery, and 100 years ago its monks became the Congregation of Missionaries of Mariannhill. He was not only a great missionary, but also a holy man. The cause for his beatification has begun. We have available a novena in his honor and will send you a free copy of it when you send a stamped (postage for one ounce), self-addressed envelope to us at: LEAVES, P.O. Box 87, Dearborn, MI 48121-0087.
Prayer for Veteran’s Day
Lord God, Almighty Father, creator of mankind and author of peace, as we are ever mindful of the cost paid for the liberty we possess, we ask you to bless the members of our armed forces. Give them courage, hope and strength.
May they ever experience your firm support, gentle love and compassionate healing.
Be their power and protector, leading them from darkness to light.
To you be all glory, honor and praise, now and forever. Amen. [U.S. Catholic Bishops]
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Most gracious Virgin of Guadalupe, in your apparitions to St. Juan Diego at Tepeyac you promised to show mercy and compassion to all who sought your help and protection. In love and trust I place my petitions before you (mention your request here) and ask for your motherly care. I come to you hopeful and confident that, relying on your heavenly intercession, nothing can trouble or harm me.
As you have remained with us through your admirable image, O Blessed Lady, so now obtain for us the graces we need. Amen.
Prayer for the Dead
Into your hands, O Lord,
we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters.
In this life you embraced them with your tender love;
deliver them now from every evil
and bid them enter eternal rest.
The old order has passed away:
welcome them into paradise,
where there will be no sorrow,
no weeping nor pain,
but fullness of peace and joy
With your Son and the Holy Spirit
forever and ever. Amen.
A Little Bit of Heaven
By Margaret Peterson
Straw glistened in the moonlight / In the wooden manger bed. / It seemed to be of purest gold / Where Jesus laid His head.
A stable was a lowly place, / Yet joy and love were there, / Softening the surroundings. / It was heaven everywhere!
We too can know the magic / In a lesser present way / By asking Christ, the Lord of Love, / To bless our Christmas Day.
A Franciscan Christmas
By Helen Kline Paulus
To celebrate Christmas as well as you’re able
Imitate Francis and display a stable
And place it beneath a well-lighted tree
A beautiful sight for the Infant to see.
Then as you go on decorating your house
Gaze ever so lovingly at Mary and spouse
And the dear little Infant may you feel in your heart
The most wonderful peace only God can impart.
Then bow low in wonder as carols you sing
For the Babe in the stable is Jesus the King.
God Lives
By Harriet O’Connor
There is someone who is greater
Than all this, the serene unclouded day,
The stars at eventide,
The ocean waves at play.
He is God, the infinite, the unchangeable One,
Who has dominion over all;
He is master of the seasons,
The winter, spring and fall.
And yet each little person
Is so important in His eyes,
And He loves each one,
If they are unlearned or wise.
God maketh all, loveth all,
And with a great stretch of His hand,
He causes the sun to shine brightly,
Or darkness to envelope the land.
And God calls us all back
To dwell with Him on high,
When our life span is finished,
And it’s time for us to die.
Let us live for God,
And always choose the way of right,
And we need never fear the black darkness,
But our life will shine with the rays of light.