Monday, November 30, 2015

The Children's Rosary is at a Crossroads

Through the prayers of so many we have seen the beautiful growth of the Children's Rosary, spreading in a grassroots way to distant places on 6 continents.  As new Children's Rosary groups form they join the network of other groups stretched across the globe covering our tired world in prayer.  So often on our blog others around the world are encouraged to unify prayers with the children during their meeting times.  The children are likewise asked to pray for those unifying prayers with them. Many may see that the postings of when the groups are meeting have become less frequent.  This is not because groups are not meeting but rather an inability  to compile such lists by hand each week. Through this manual process of trying to keep track of when every group meets often many groups are left off the list.  Something that very much troubles my heart as I do not like to think of children looking on our website only to find their group has been left off.  

It has become clear, an infrastructure is needed to allow new groups to register and the ability for group leaders to go in and update their meeting times themselves. This will allow us to have a continuous updated schedule present of all the meetings occurring with an invitation of others to join the children in prayer. This registration process is something that cannot be accommodated by our simple blog style website.  Rather over the past 3 years there has been continuous prayers going up that we might have a website, childrensrosary.org, with the infrastructure to allow a safe and secure registration process and also the dynamic display of group meetings.  A further prayer we have had is that these meetings could be displayed on a map with a view of what the groups might look like from heaven.  As each group begins meeting a light would illuminate in the region of the world where the children were meeting.  Those visiting the site could also click on a button to indicate they are joining the children in prayer.  In turn they would become a smaller light.  Such ideas have slowly with so much prayer taken shape. Our Lord has led us to people with years of experience in operating a website with such capacities.  Many of these people guiding us are donating their time.  A "mock up" of the new site has been completed and through a very capable company a budget for the project obtained.  The project will be broken into three phases:

Phase I: Secure registration of groups and display of meeting times dynamically.  A static map that does not change based on meeting times.

Phase II: Dynamic Map with meeting times represented by illuminated lights and the ability for visitors to the site to join the children in prayer and have their location shown as a light.  The addition of a registration portal in Spanish and content of the website available in Spanish. 

Phase III: The addition of other languages for the registration process and content of the website.

Currently we have raised 48% of the funds to complete phase I.  We would like to complete this phase by January 1st 2016. This will require the help of many to realize our goal.  Such a project is very expensive.  The first phase is the largest expense, as extensive work must be done to build a database that will store and organize all the information being integrated for groups meeting around the world.  

Our Blessed Mother and Our Lord have given us groups sprinkled around the globe.  Yet, in order to see the growth continue we need an infrastructure.  For those of you who like everything the way it is, please do not be worried.  The blog will not go away and will be continued in the same format highlighting groups and sharing our joys and sufferings together. The new childrensrosary.org site would allow the world to see what Our Lord and Our Blessed Mother see.  The prayers of the children like lights illuminating the darkness.  As more people see this they will be encouraged.  The children in our existing groups will see their effect on the world, to contribute a light that brings hope to these dark times.  Our poor world needs the hope these children bring.  

The Children's Rosary tries to do a lot with very little.  We also do not want to slow down on the materials we send out to new groups starting.  In this way we are asking for your help.  We are putting a great trust in Our Lord that he will open hearts to this cause and help us reach our goal.  As the Children's Rosary received tax exempt status this year as a 501(c)3 organization, all donations are tax deductible.  Checks can be made out to Children's Rosary Inc and mailed to:
PO Box 271743
West Hartford, CT 06127 USA
or made electronically below: 





For those who would like to make a donation as a Christmas gift. We would be happy to send a hand written note to an individual sharing that a donation had been made to the Children's Rosary prayer group movement on their behalf.  We will also incluse these individuals and all those who make donations in our upcoming Christmas Novena.  Please email Blythe Kaufman at contactchildrensrosary@gmail.com by December 12th if you would like to have a letter sent before Christmas.

Thank you all.

Your Friend in Christ,

Blythe

Sunday, November 29, 2015

Opening the New Exhibit at the Knights of Columbus Museum in Prayer

On November 21st, members of the Children's Rosary came together in prayer to open the new Knights of Columbus Crèche exhibit.  The exhibit was held at the Knights of Columbus Museum in New Haven, Connecticut.  


Eleven children came together to hold a Children's Rosary.  They knelt before a Nativity in prayer.  The children took turns standing to lead the prayers and some of the smaller children placed roses at the end of each decade before the manger scene.  The crèche the children prayed before is part of the permanent collection at the Knights of Columbus Museum and was sculpted by a Mexican artist, Agustin Parra.  It was made by the same artist that crafted a nativity as a gift from the Jalisco government to Pope Benedict XVI.  One of the families that attended the Children's Rosary is Mexican so this was very special for them to pray before a Mexican nativity.  


During the Children's Rosary the children prayed in a special way for the Knights of Columbus, all the members of the Children's Rosary and also the intentions of Our Blessed Mother.  The date of the Rosary was very special as it was not only the opening of the crèche exhibit but also the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  In this way, the day was extra special as their prayers were a small gift they could give to their Heavenly Mother on her Feast.  

The children concluded the Rosary by singing our theme song: Rosary Children.  Some of the staff commented that it was beautiful to hear the voices of the children singing filling the museum.

After the Rosary, the children had some small treats and juice and enjoyed spending time with their friends.  There was then several hours for exploring the exhibit and the permanent collections within the Museum.  There are so many wonderful pieces present in the Museum it is difficult to see everything on one trip alone.  

One of the pieces that drew the children was a special Polish nativity called a szopka that had been given to Pope John Paul II during his life.  The nativity depicted the Holy Father kneeling in front of the szopka.  When John Paul received the gift from the artist it had been a very long day. He stroked the small statue of himself depicted in prayer and said softly "poor pope". 

It was beautiful for the children to see this special nativity which was given to John Paul II and also a picture above the nativity of John Paul himself receiving it. 

Seeing the many handmade crèches from Eastern Europe and all the different ways people have paid honor to the birth of Our Lord, it was a very special way for us to prepare ourselves for Christmas. 


After the children and their families had explored some of the museum several of the children came together before a beautiful picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  They knelt down and said a prayer for the Knights of Columbus.  We all were very grateful to the Knights for such a beautiful invitation to come and open their exhibit in prayer.  

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary
Children's Rosary Books, CDs and DVDs
EWTN Interview About the Children's Rosary

Friday, November 27, 2015

"If we pray we will believe, if we believe we will love; if we love, we will serve"

"There should be less talk...Take a broom and clean someone's house that says enough". Mother Teresa

These are pictures of members of the Children's Rosary at Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Nairobi, Kenya.  The children are cleaning the Church before Sunday Mass.  They also meet weekly to pray the Rosary as a prayer group.  

Seeing these beautiful pictures of the children I could not help but think of Mother Teresa.  It is amazing how the children have taken on her charism in this parish named after Bl Mother Teresa.  Their hard work is a beautiful witness of their love for Our Lord.  The shining floor is a gift they give to the members of the Parish but also the owner of this house which is God Himself.  This is Our Lord's home and for the children to take broom and rag and scrub the Church clean is inspiring.

"The person who gives with a smile is the best giver because God loves a cheerful giver". Mother Teresa

We also see the children working so hard and yet smiling as they do it.  They bring a joy to the work which must be so pleasing to Our Lord.

"If we pray we will believe, if we believe we will love; if we love, we will serve." Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa's words so succinctly show us where prayer takes us.  The children in Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta parish have been a witness to these words.

"There are many people who can do big things, but there are very few people who will do the small things" Mother Teresa
Children have a very sweet way of tending to the small things and being so pleased with their work however small.

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
Vocation of Motherhood
How to Start a Children's Rosary

Join Us for A Consecration Journey Beginning November 29th

 We would like to invite the members of the Children's Rosary to participate in a Consecration to Jesus through Mary beginning November 29th and ending January 1st on the Feast of Mary Mother of God. Our Children’s Rosary groups are Consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary at their first meeting but this would be a way to beautifully place our individual families under the protection of Our Blessed Mother who always leads us on the straightest path to her Son.  For those of you unfamiliar with Consecration to Jesus through Mary it has been blessed and supported by Cardinal Justin Rigali, Bishops and Pope Benedict XVI. Blessed John Paul II urged Catholics to make this Act of Entrustment, which involves ten minutes of private prayer daily, for 33 days, in your home.  Many may be familiar with Totus Tuus which was John Paul’s papal motto. It is a Latin phrase meaning "totally yours" and expressed his personal Consecration to Jesus through Mary.

Photo taken at the National Shrine of the
 Immaculate Conception In Washington DC
 by a member of the Children's Rosary

We would like to again use the 33 days to Morning Glory written by Fr. Gaitley to guide our Consecration.    The book has daily reflections with a short prayer.  The first week contains reflections from writings of St. Louis de Montfort.  The second week has excerpts from St. Maximilian Kolbe; the third Bl. Mother Teresa and the fourth St. John Paul II.  It spends more time in reflection and less on vocal prayers of litanies.  It was well received last year by many members of the Children's Rosary who joined together for the journey.  We even had wonderful reports of children who loved the readings each night, too. While I am recommending we use the 33 Days to Morning Glory, if you would prefer using a different format this would be fine.  I myself used the traditional St. Louis de Montfort Consecration prayers but also enjoy this contemplative approach.

The 33 Day Consecration prayers traditionally precede a Marian Feast and the Feast that we will be saying our Consecration on is January 1st - the Feast of Mary Mother of God.  Therefore we will begin our prayers on November 29th

Last year many members of the Children's Rosary participated in this 33 day Consecration.  It is always a wonderful practice to renew ones consecration yearly.  So we again invite those of you who participated last year to join together again.

An organization called my consecration is offering booklets at a discounted price but only ships in the US and Canada. The link to order the 33 Days to Morning Glory booklet click HERE.

For those unable to obtain the 33 Days to Morning Glory book there is an online version of the St. Louis de Monfort 33 Day Consecration which is a wonderful alternative.  

Other Posts you May enjoy:

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Mass Offered Today For Members of the Children's Rosary

Childrne's Rosary at St. Francis of Assisi Parish
in East Windsor, Connecticut USA

Today a Mass was offered by the Capuchin Friars for all the members of the Children's Rosary and all those who help the Children's Rosary.  We continue to have a Mass said for the this intention on the 25th of each month. The Eucharist is such a powerful gift from Our Lord that when I wanted to extend thanksgiving to you all I knew of no better way to express my gratitude.  May Our Lord's love be poured down on all of you through the powerful sacrifice of the Holy Mass. 


Today also concludes are 9 day novena of Masses for the fulfillment of Our Lady's Plans for the Children's Rosary.  

Other Posts You May Enjoy
How to Start a Children's Rosary
Children's Rosary Books, CDs and DVDs
Patiently Waiting

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

"He Must Increase, but I Must Decrease" (John 3:30)

How do we do this? How do we become smaller?  If we are praying and contemplating the third joyful mystery of the Rosary, the Birth of Our Lord, the fruit of this mystery is poverty.

This poverty is not loss of earthly wealth, instead it is a gift.  It is a desire within the soul for things above and not of this earth.  When one begins to think less and less of the things of the earth and the flesh then ones heart begins to be focused on its permanent home in heaven.  As Jesus is born in our hearts we think less and less of ourselves and more and more about Him.  We should not worry about how this transformation takes place.  Rather we should quiet ourselves and pick up our Rosary.  In contemplating the birth of Our Lord and the mysteries of the Rosary our hearts will be transformed to do just as St. John the Baptist said, "He must increase but I must decrease".

Children's Rosary in Nairobi Welcomes Pope Francis with Their Prayers

Children's Rosary at Assumption Parish Nairobi
Shortly after Pope Francis' visit to the United States an email came from one of our Children's Rosary groups in Nairobi.  The group leader shared that the children in her group at Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Nairobi, Kenya were preparing for Pope Francis' visit to Nairobi.  This was the first I had heard of Our Holy Father's Visit to Africa as little was being reported about it.  Yet the people in Kenya had received the news and the little hearts of the children were dancing.  

The group leader shared that the children were preparing something special for Pope Francis and were waiting to hear if they had been selected to personally welcome him.  Weeks went by as the children waited and continued their preparations.  Finally the word came that they were not selected to meet the Holy Father as he would be visiting some children in the Kangemi slum.  The children although disappointed were very happy for the children in Kangemi.  


Children's Rosary in Kibera Slum
Thinking about the many children in the Children's Rosary groups in Nairobi both the children at Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta parish but also the children at Holy Trinity Parish, Assumption Parish and the children who meet in the Kibera Slum a wonderful little thought came.  It was a gentle, joyful thought.  The little children in these groups throughout Nairobi have been praying and meeting in their little Children's Rosary prayer groups for a coupe of years.  They have been praying for Our Holy Father.  

It is beautiful to see that after so many prayers from these little ones that they would be graced by a visit of Our Holy Father to their city.  To have the Holy Father come and bless your homeland is a special grace indeed.  These children after so many times coming together with Rosaries in hand on their knees will have Our Holy Father visiting in less than 24 hours! 

While the children will not be welcoming Pope Francis in person their prayers welcome him.

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary
Children's Rosary Theme Song Video
We Took You with Us to the Papal Mass

Monday, November 23, 2015

Let's Keep Our Blessed Mother's Hands Full of Little Sacrifices to Present to Her Son

These last several weeks there has been beautiful news of individuals around the world trying to begin Children's Rosary groups in such places as Zimbabwe, Peru and Belarus.  Here in the United States a Children's Rosary group leader has written of her hope to begin a second Children's Rosary group in a parish named after St. John Paul II.  In addition there have been others writing of their efforts to continue established groups and draw more children to attend.  Indeed many are in need of prayers.  There are hopes in the hearts of so many.  One can imagine that Our Blessed Mother has many hopes and plans in her heart as well.  She looks at all her children big and small and sees the beauty in each of us.  She also sees the possibilities.  

In prayer thinking about all those in the Children's Rosary who have reached out and the many that have not but also struggle, there was a desire to find little sacrifices to lift up to Our Blessed Mother.  In this way she could keep presenting them with love to her Son.  Through these sacrifices all that Our Blessed Mother has planned for the Children's Rosary and each of us could continue to unfold according to the Will of God.   Among the little sufferings and renunciations a thought also came.  The sacrifice of the Mass is one of the most powerful sacrifices one can offer for an intention.  With others recently offering up Masses for the Children's Rosary, maybe an extra novena of Masses for the fulfillment of Our Lady's plans for the Children's Rosary would be especially timely.    

May I share with you that a Novena for the fulfillment of Our Blessed Mother's plans for the Children's Rosary was begun on November 17th and will conclude on November 25th.  Each day a Mass has been offered by the Capuchin Missions.

Please know that all the members of the Children's Rosary are included in this novena of Masses as the Children's Rosary is composed of people.  As Our Blessed Mother's plans for the Children's Rosary unfold her plans for all of us unfold as well.  

I humbly share this little offering of Masses and efforts to keep Our Lady's hands full of sacrifices.  Let's keep trying to find everything we can, Masses, Rosaries, even the tiniest little suffering and offer it up through the hands of Our Blessed Mother to Our Lord.  Let us try to do this continuously. God will surely reward these efforts.

Thank you all.

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary

Saturday, November 21, 2015

"God's Grace is Always Greater than the Prayer Which Sought It" -Pope Francis

Children's Rosary in Tacloban City, Philippines
Pope Francis spoke so beautifully of the generosity of Christ in his 2013 homily on the Solemnity of Christ the King.
God's grace is always greater than the prayer which sought it.  The Lord always grants more than what He has been asked," adding, "you ask him to remember you, and He brings you into his Kingdom"

Wow that is an amazing thought to contemplate.  

Our Lord grants more grace than we seek.  

Now imagine little children praying and think of the graces Our Lord is pouring into their hearts, families, parishes and our tired world.   

Over the next week there are Children's Rosary prayer groups meeting around the world.  Please consider joining them in prayer.  The Children always pray for those unifying prayers with them.

Friday November 20th
Children's Rosary at St. Mary's School in Orange TX 7:05AM CT
Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Butanpura Pakistan 6AM local time

Children's Rosary at St. Mary's School in Pontiac IL 9:05AM CTChildren's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Lagos, Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Peter Church in Musa Dughal Pakistan 2PM local timeChildren's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Ashraf Town Pakistan 6PM local time
Saturday November 21st
Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Butanpura Pakistan 6AM local time

Children's Rosary at St. Michael the Archangel Parish, held in the Kiberna slum in Langatta Nairobi Kenya 10 AM local time

Children's Rosary at Knights of Columbus Museum New Haven CT 10 AM ETChildren's Rosary at St. Mary's Church in Corvallis Oregon 12PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Lagos, Nigeria 1PM ET

Children's Rosary at St. Peter Church in Musa Dughal Pakistan 2PM local time

Children's Rosary at the Daughters of Chrarity Convent in Bridgeport CT 2:30 PM ET
Children's Rosary at Our Lady of Fatima Parish Talcoban City, Philippines 3PM local time.

Children's Rosary at St. Peter Church in Higganum, CT 4PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Ashraf Town Pakistan 6PM local time
Sunday November 22nd
Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Butanpura Pakistan 6AM local time

Children's Rosary at Our Lady and St. Patrick Parish in Nottingham, England 9AM local time
Children's Rosary at Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Nairobi, Kenya 6AM ET
Children's Rosary at Assumption Church in Umoja, Kenya 7AM ET

Children's Rosary at St. John the Evangelist Uncasville CT 10:15 ET
Children's Rosary at St. Thomas Church in Thomaston CT 11 AM ET

Children's Rosary at St. John the Evangelist Church in Hopkinton, MA 11:15 ETChildren's Rosary at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Derby, CT 11 AM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Lagos, Nigeria 1PM ET

Children's Rosary at St. Peter Church in Musa Dughal Pakistan 2PM local time

Children's Rosary at the Daughters of Charity Convent in Bridgeport CT 2:30 PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Ashraf Town Pakistan 6PM local time

Monday November 23rd

Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Wakefield, MA 9:30 AM ET
Children's Rosary at Our Lady of Grace Home for Children in Meru, Kenya 10AM ET
Children's Rosary at Holy Trinity Academy in Shenandoah, PA 12:20 PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Lago Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Peter Church in Musa Dughal Pakistan 2PM local time
Children's Rosary at Holy Family Church in Gladstone Michigan 4:30PM  ET
Children's Rosary at St. John the Evangelist Church in Mahopac, New York 4:30 PM 

Children's Rosary at St. Patrick's Church in Kennett Square PA 5:45 PM ET
Childrne's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Ashraf Town Pakistan 6PM local time
Tuesday November 24th
Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Butanpura Pakistan 6AM local time
Children's Rosary at Sacred Heart School Queensland Australia 8AM local time
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Lagos Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Peter Church in Musa Dughal Pakistan 2PM local timeChildren's Rosary at Holy Redeemer Parish in Menominee Michigan 6PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Ashraf Town Pakistan
Wednesday November 25th
Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Butanpura Pakistan 6AM local time

Children's Rosary at St. Keirans School in Queensland, Australia 8AM local time
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Lagos, Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Peter Church in Musa Dughal Pakistan 2PM local time
Children's Rosary at St. Gregory the Great School in Bluffton, South Carolina 3PM ET
Children's Rosary at Immaculate Conception Parish in Shelbyville, IL 4:30 PM CT
Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Ashraf Town Pakistan 6PM local time
Children's Rosary at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Quito Ecuador 7PM ET
Thursday November 26th
Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Butanpura Pakistan 6AM local time

Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Lagos Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Peter Church in Musa Dughal Pakistan 2PM local time

Children's Rosary at St. Martin Parish in Kingsville, TX 6:30 PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Ashraf Town Pakistan 6PM local time

Other Posts You May Enjoy:

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

The Skies in Alaska are Filled With the Voices of Children Praying

The Northern Lights Over Fairbanks, Alaska
Source: Wiki Commons
Beginning yesterday the Children's Rosary began airing on the radio in Alaska.  First from 94.1 FM a station in Anchorage, Alaska and today from 92.7 FM, a station broadcasting to Fairbanks, North Pole and the Interior Alaska Region.  It is beautiful to imagine these little voices traveling through the this vast land.  They go out in all directions until the signal fades or they reach a massive structure such as the mountains in Denali National Park.  In many areas it is quiet and at this time of year often dark.  These little voices are like a light in the darkness carrying with them hope.

A member of the Children's Rosary once shared with me something a priest had said.  He recommended keeping religious music playing or the Rosary very low in your home.  Even if you are not praying along it is covering the space with Our Lord's name being praised and that in itself brings protection and blessings to a home.  In much the same way I like to imagine the voices of the children moving through the air bringing blessings to the land they cover.  So often there are so many things that are offensive to Our Lord bouncing off satellites.  When one imagines the voices of young children praying the Rosary and their voices moving out in all directions, in turn it warms the heart.  The region in Alaska where the Children's Rosary is being aired, includes remote regions.  These individuals living in the "bush" require a combination of bush planes, snow machines and boats to reach them 3-4 months of the year.  Some do not have running water and limited access to electricity.  However they do have radios.  For those living in such remote areas the radio is an avenue for grace.  Many people living in these communities may only have a priest visit their area once or twice a year.  In this way, the children's voices praying the Rosary are a way to connect those that may feel alone or disconnected from others.  All the children praying in Children's Rosary prayer groups around the world contribute to the grace that flows with these airings.  It is the bellows that continues to blow these voices into areas we had never contemplated and reaches hearts often far from Our Lord.  In this way I would like to thank all of you for your prayers.  These gifts are the fruits of the many prayers said by our tiniest members but also those of us further on in years.

In addition to the blessings that the airing of the Children's Rosary brings we have more good news.  Last night we heard from two families from Alaska joining our Miraculous Medal Novena.  They also hope to begin a Children's Rosary prayer group at Immaculate Conception Church in Fairbanks, Alaska.  They sent us a link to an Arctic Cam where one can see their Church.  You will see they already have snow cover and average temperatures have been around -20 F in the night with daytime highs around -10F.  

Seeing these pictures one can see the beauty of Our Lord's hand.  Although we live in very different places, in prayer we are not so much different. Our Lady and Our Lord have a way of knitting us together.

Thank you all and God Bless.

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary
Radio
Children's Rosary Book
Children's Rosary Cds and DVD