Family Rosary News
Albany Diocesan Rosary Celebration
Over 400 people attended the annual Albany Diocesan Rosary Celebration in October, cosponsored by Family Rosary with the parishes of the Warren and Washington County. The Luminous Mysteries were prayed for the intention of priests and peace in the world to celebrate the Year For Priests. Bishop Hubbard led the prayers of the Rosary, and the meditation prayers were taken from Father Peyton’s Rosary Prayer Book. Honoring Father Peyton’s practice of inviting the sick, shuts-ins, and those incarcerated to join the parishes in praying the Rosary, these groups were asked to pray the Rosary at the same time as those gathered in the Church.
Make your own Rosaries
Eighty-four children from parishes in Albany and Schenectady participated in classes on the history and prayer of the Rosary. Following the presentation each child, ages 6-8, had the opportunity to make their own colorful Rosary. Through this hands-on process they learned the prayers of the Rosary and the structure of the decades and five mysteries. The children were excited about making the Rosary and were eager to bring their finished Rosary home to their families with the encouragement to pray the Rosary as a family.
40th Anniversary of the Irish Gala
October 2009 marked the 40th Family Rosary Irish Gala. A special tribute this year honored the 100th anniversary of the birth of Servant of God Father Patrick Peyton, CSC. A Mass of Thanksgiving was offered for his memory and the ministry of Family Rosary by Father John Phalen, CSC, president of Holy Cross Family Ministries. Many from the area who knew and supported Father Peyton in the early days of Family Rosary participated in the Mass. The Noel Henry Band from Boston played great Irish music, and folks danced some of the traditional Irish dances – of special note was the group dance “The Siege of Venice.” The Albany Police Bag Pipe Band entertained, and students from the Mike Farrell School of Irish Dancing performed some classic Irish step dances.
This event originally began as a Family Rosary fundraiser and was organized by Cecilia Leonard. Today in her honor, the Leonard family, especially John and Cecile, continue to sponsor the Gala.
Try Prayer Contest 2010
Deadline for entries for the Try Prayer It Works contest is February 1, 2010. The theme is The family that prays together stays together, and the contest is open to students in grades K-12. Please visit our web site at www.hcfm.org/tryprayer to download an application form.
Pilgrimage to Ireland, Italy
This year’s pilgrimage will take us for a few days to Italy where we will have the opportunity to visit the Vatican City. Then it will be off to Ireland to visit the homeland of Servant of God Father Patrick Peyton, CSC. The trip will take place from September 13-22. Please watch our website for more information.
Mary’s photo album
Beth Mahoney, Mission Director for Holy Cross Family Ministries, gave a presentation at St. Ann’s Parish in East Moline, Illinois, on the topic of the Sorrowful Mysteries. Beth shared how the mysteries of the Rosary are likened to Mary showing us her photo album of the events in the life of her son. After the presentation, parishioners gathered to make a large photo album of the Mysteries of the Rosary to display in the church. Refreshments that afternoon featured a Rosary made out of sugar cookies glazed with the five colors of the Mission Rosary. Anyone interested in having a presentation in their parish may contact the mission department at 800-7729 ext. 2012.
Around the world with Mary
This exhibit of the Mysteries of the Rosary, history of the Rosary, and promoters of the Rosary was on display at Rancho San Antonio School in Chatsworth, California, from December 8-11, 2009, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Servant of God Father Patrick Peyton, CSC. Children from the surrounding schools and parishes in the San Bernardino pastoral region of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles came to view the many unique and interesting displays depicting the various sections on the Rosary. For more information about this exhibition, please email us at familyrosarypilgrimage@hcfm.org.
Notre Dame Retreat
Families, couples, and individuals are invited to join us at the University of Notre Dame on August 6-8, 2010, for a fruitful time of prayer, reflection and relaxing as we contemplate the theme Here I am Lord, I have come to do your will. For more information please call 800-299-7729 ext. 2023.
A time for sharing at the International Directors Meeting
In September, staff of Holy Cross Family Ministries traveled to Lima, Peru, from 17 countries around the world, to spend time together in prayer and in planning for the future activities of the ministries founded by Servant of God Father Patrick Peyton, CSC. “Meetings that bring together staff from offices in such diverse locations are so important,” said Father James Phalan, CSC, Director of Family Rosary International. “With all of us working together, discussing problems, and working out solutions, we can create a truly global communityin- mission, encouraging Family Rosary prayer.”
Father Hervé Morissette, CSC, Family Rosary Director–India agreed. “It was an ideal occasion for all of us to deepen our common mission at the service of the family, bearing in mind that our focus is on family prayer and the Rosary.”
With time for workshops, daily liturgy and Rosary prayer, attendees found that while the people and their faith practices may differ somewhat in each country, families everywhere want to live Father Peyton’s vision that the family that prays together stays together.
Ideas, programs and products from each country were shared in workshops, while media presentations inspired staff with the possibilities to better serve the families in their respective countries.
Father Phalen expressed his appreciation of the attendees’ dedication to the family Rosary. “I know that the Servant of God Father Peyton is pleased with the extent of our ministry,” he said. “It is a blessing and a responsibility which we all rejoice to accept! Thank you for being a part of this exciting ministry.”