CAREY—The friars and staff of Our Lady of Consolation National Shrine and Basilica in Carey have announced Father Tom Merrill of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual is to be the preacher for the solemn novena before the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady.

Fr. Merrill, a native of Edina, Minn., professed solemn vows as a Conventual Franciscan in 1977 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1979. Fr. Merrill has spent much of his life ministering to Hispanic people, both in this country, as well as in Honduras.  Currently Fr. Merrill is pastor of Assumption Parish in Richfield, Minn.  

The solemn novena begins Aug. 6 and concludes Aug. 14 during the Mass for the Vigil of the Assumption celebrated by Bishop Leonard P. Blair in the Shrine Park.

The novena weekday schedule includes Masses at 7 a.m. and 11 a.m.  The sacrament of reconciliation will be available each evening (excluding Sunday) at 7 p.m. Evening novena devotions begin at 8 p.m. weekdays and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday with the novena prayer, rosary procession, homily and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and individual prayer. Sunday Masses are 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and noon. Pilgrims are invited to come and pray on the journey to faith, hope and healing.

For information, call 419-396-7107 or visit www.olcshrine.com.