Highlights Newsletter, issued June 1956

              League of Shufins
A year ago this month, The League of Shutins celebrated its tenth anniversary. Congratulatory messages poured into the home of Mary Ellen Kelly,
Marcus, Iowa, from bishops, priests and celebrities, from friends everywhere,
to this core of God's chosen children with a common kinship.
Every member of this unique league must present a badge of entrance.
Their badges bear such captions as arthritis, polio, tuberculosis, multiple
sclerosis, spastic paralysis and cardiac. Any incapacitating affliction entitles
the bearer to membership. Although most of the members are Catholics, many
of other religious sects and some with no religious affiliation have become
members; some have embraced Catholicism through their interest in the League.
The idea of the League of Shutins was conceived by Mary Ellen Kelly, an
arthritic invalid since 1939. Through her bishop, the Most Reverend Edmond
Heelan, late bishop of Sioux City, a Spiritual Director was appointed in 1946
and the League was on its way to bring consolation, comfort and spiritual
happiness to 1485 United States members and 385 Canadian and overseas
members. The purpose of the League is mutual help for the morale of its
members. Shutins learn to adjust themselves to conditions reading the Will of
God in the circumstances over which humans have no control. They realize they
have innumerable companions in this apostolate of suffering and that they can
have a bright outlook on life and be as happy and contended as those who
have no physical disability.
Seconds Sanctified, the bi-monthly publication of the League, was first
mailed in December, 1946, to thirty-five shutins. The circulation now is over
2,000 and it goes into the homes of invalids in forty-eight states and twenty-four
foreign countries. Articles and news for Seconds Sanctified are written by the
members. Miss Kelly, the editor, writes several thousands words a week. This,
in spite of the fact that for nearly seventeen years now she lies rigid. She is
able to move her stiffened hands about two inchees sideways. Someone places
a pen in her fingers and with the aid of boxes tied to her wrists she turns the
paper over. Miss Kelly has graciously consented to write an article for Highlights, so next month you will hear directly from this adventuresome, valiant
soldier of Christ. Members engage in correspondence, send pictures, write the
story of their afflictions, their hobbies, their accomplishments, and thus the
news pours in for Seconds Sanctified.
In these eleven years, the League has achieved a notable place in the
field of Catholic Action. A Marian Retreat for Shutins has been published and
is sent to all members so that in their homes they may unite morning, noon and
evening in three days of prayer, meditation and spiritual reading. August 29,
the Feast of Invalids, is a day set aside when the Church offers special prayers
for invalids.
The amazing, the thrilling thing about these Shutins is that many of them
travel and really get to know one another. Their first meeting was at the
Shrine of Ste Anne de Beaupre when a planned tour brought them to Quebec
in 1946. Pope Pius XII gave a special blessing to League members in 1953
when they made a pilgrimage to the Eternal City and last year eighteen
League members met again for four glorious days in the quaint and colorful
city of Quebec.
While we meditate on the inconveniences and sufferings of the afflicted
of Christ, let us thank Him daily for the invaluable gift of mobility which He in
His generosity has given us and pray to use this gift to bring honor and glory
to Him and to procure our heavenly crown.
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