Two Children's Rosary Groups To Meet Tomorrow

JOIN US IN PRAYER

The Children's Rosary at St. Thomas in Thomaston, CT USA will hold their weekly Rosary at 11AM ET this Sunday with a small reception to follow provided by members of the Legions of Mary.

The Children's Rosary at St. John the Evangelist in Hopkinton, MA USA will have their monthly Rosary at 11:15 ET. 

Please consider joining the children in prayer either at the Church or from your home.  The children always pray for those unifying their prayers with them.

Thank you all and God Bless

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Today the gospel reading at Mass was from the Visitation.  It so beautifully includes the scripture that appears in the Magnificat prayer.  One of the members of the Children's Rosary sent in a beautiful picture of the Visitation and it seemed a perfect day to include it on Our Lady's Feast.  Grace wrote in her little prayer to Our Lady:

"Thank you, Mary for listening and bringing my prayers to Jesus. Thank you also for being Jesus' Mother and my Mother in Heaven".  

Grace and her family helped to begin a Children's Rosary at St. Agnes Church in Naples, Florida USA.

Persevere Our Lady is Here to Help Us

May I share with you a happy story that I hope you will enjoy.  

During the spring a lovely older women called me who happened to see the article about the Children's Rosary in the Catholic Transcript and wanted to help bring it to her parish.  Her Church interestingly is called St. Thomas the Apostle just like the Church where the first Children's Rosary began.  Her parish is located in Oxford, CT a relatively rural town.  She was a sweet older women who had a strong devotion to Our Lady and the Rosary and also a love of children.  She had been a teacher for many years.  Her voice quivered as she spoke and suggested that she might even have great grandchildren.  She was extremely positive and I immediately sent her out several books to help her get started.  However when she called me several weeks later she was a bit discouraged.  Things hadn't progressed.  She kept asking for prayers for her to find a voice and to know who to ask as this was very difficult for her.  This is when I added her name to the intention list which I send out to all the group leaders to place before the children.  Some of you may recognize her name Nancy Lee Modorno.  A few weeks later I called her to let her know the children had been praying for her and she seemed even more discouraged and sad.  She did say she was so grateful for the prayers as she lives alone and knew of no other person in the world praying for her.  

Statue of St. Thomas in Oxford

Many months went by and I remember saying to my husband that if anything happens with that Parish it will truly be through prayer and the Hand of God.  Just before leaving for the CMN conference almost two weeks ago there seemed to be a string of discouraging news.  Several group leaders mentioned that their summer meetings had been small or that only the host family was there.  Another group was suffering problems in their parish.  I remember the day there was a moment when I began to doubt.  It actually surprised me how easily the doubt snuck in.  It lasted not that long but I was aware of it.  Then the email came....it was a posting left on the blog.  It began:

Hello, Ms. Kaufman:
Nancy Modorno of St. Thomas the Apostle in Oxford talked me yesterday about your book and movement. I am the new director of faith formation here. Have you found a printer yet for your books? Our December session focuses on Mary and Christ's birth and I'd love to incorporate this somehow if the resources are available. Also, how much are the booklets? Thanks you! Angela Arpino

Nancy Lee had found her voice.  By my own admission I had said that only through prayer and the Hand of God would this happen.  Our Lady knew that in an instant I would know what this meant.  It was the sign from Our Lord to say do not give up..have faith.. all will be okay... He is in control.  I think this was meant to give hope to not just myself but all of you. Recently I heard a quote from Mother Theresa.  A reporter asked her while she was alive if she thought she was successful.  She replied God did not call me to be successful but He called me to be faithful.  As I think of the groups who go every month and no other children show up I am reminded of Our Blessed Mother who stood by her Son on the Cross.  When we try to bring souls especially children to Our Lord and Our Lady but no one comes we must not lose hope instead unify that feeling to those feeling of Our Lord on the Cross when he was calling souls and so few came to be with Him.  In July no children other than my own came to the Rosary we held at our parish.  I felt the discouragement and know what that feels like.  I am writing to say it is okay to feel this but know that many graces and blessing are being poured down on you even if you are standing alone before our Lord trying to bring Him souls.

When I spoke to Nancy Lee today she had a different spirit.. it was hopeful.  She felt the power of the prayers and she felt that Angela was a prayer answered.  This new faith formation director had just been brought in and was very receptive to the Children's Rosary.  What Nancy Lee did say was that starting tomorrow she was going to start saying a special Rosary every day at the Church and hoped to say it in the special grotto to Our Lady of Fatima that exists on the Church property built by mothers many decades ago. She thought by her presence she might helped to bring an increased awareness of the rosary back to the Church and might even meet some more people who might help get the group going with the help of the new faith formation director.  Nancy Lee told me that the day she finally decided to go to the rectory to ask again about the Children's Rosary she felt a renewed spirit of courage and hope.  She had 19 extra heads of lettuce she grew in her garden and washed them all carefully and decided to bring them to the rectory.  Upon presenting the gifts she found the new director there.  It was through hard work, perseverance, and the power of prayer that she found her voice and a receptive ear.  Nancy Lee gave me permission to share this story with you.

Thank you all for all your prayers as this story is the fruit of your prayers and those of the children.  Some of you have not encountered problems with children not coming to the meetings.  We thank the Lord for each child that comes and joins us in prayer.  For those of you who struggle with attendance please do not lose hope.  The Children's Rosary means to cover you in prayers and your family.  May we bring a great many souls to Our Lord especially those of children.  For as it was said in the Gospel this week "so it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish" (Matthew 18:14) We are here to help Our Lady and Our Lord so that no one especially our children are lost.  Your efforts have not gone unnoticed in heaven.  

Thank you all,

Your Friend in Christ

Words From the Children Wednesdays

Answering the Question:

Why is the Children's Rosary Important

Two week ago we introduced a new weekly highlight on the Children's Rosary Blog: Words from the Children Wednesdays. As the Children's Rosary is a prayer movement composed of children and led by children we would like to begin highlighting some of the beautiful feedback we have been getting from the children from our different Children's Rosary groups.  

Recently I reached out to the different Children's Rosary groups and asked for their help.  The Children's Rosary had a booth at the Catholic Marketing Network(CMN) Trade Show in New Jersey USA from August 7th-9th.  It was our hope that the children could provide the voice of the movement by creating visuals and phrases to briefly describe WHY THE CHILDREN'S ROSARY IS IMPORTANT.

The pictures have been coming in by mail from all over the country.  They were all so beautiful in their own unique way it seemed like a perfect way to begin our Words From the Children Wednesdays.  More beautiful original artwork to come over the upcoming weeks.  Please if you are a child and would like to submit a picture or message see our contact information and send it in.  We will be featuring them here.

The drawing above was done by Vera age 8 who helped to begin the Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Adrian, Michigan USA with her mother and siblings.   As this week we celebrate the Assumption of Mary it seemed fitting to feature one of the pictures which honors Our Mother. Who better to help our children reach her Son then Our Blessed Mother.  Who would want to be separated from her.  It is with her Rosary that she keeps a tight and protective hold on our children anchoring them always to the cross and her Son.

Pope Francis to Consecrate the Whole World to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Important news posted by the official website of the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, in Fatima, Portugal:

In response to the desire of Holy Father Francis, the Statue of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, venerated in the Little Chapel of Apparitions, will be brought to Rome on October 12/13 to be present at the Marian Day promoted by the Pontifical Council for the

Promotion of the New Evangelization. On October 13, next to the Statue of Our Lady, Pope Francis will make the consecration of the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Marian Day is one of the great pontifical events marked down on the calendar of celebrations of the Year of Faith which will bring to Rome hundreds of movements and institutions connoted with Marian devotion.

In a letter addressed to Bishop Antonio Marto, of Leiria-Fatima, the President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization, Cardinal Rino Fisichella, informs that “all ecclesial entities of Marian spirituality” are invited to take part in this Marian day, a gathering which includes, on the 12th, a pilgrimage to the tomb of Apostle St. Peter and other moments of prayer and meditation and, on the 13th, a Mass presided over by Pope Francis, in St. Peter’s Square.

In that letter, Cardinal Fisichella wrote: “The Holy Father strongly desires that the Marian Day may have present, as a special sign, one of the most significant Marian icons for Christians throughout the world and, for that reason, we thought of the beloved original Statue of Our Lady of Fatima”.

Therefore, the Statue of Our Lady will depart from the Shrine of Fatima on the morning of October 12 and return on the afternoon of October 13. Scheduled to take its place in the Little Chapel of Apparitions is the first Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima, which is enthroned in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary since December 8, 2003.

[Source: Santuário de Fátima]

You may also like the following posts:
Pope Francis and the Rosary

Pope Francis Urges Families to Pray the Rosary

How to Start a Children's Rosary

A True Mission Story of Faith

Recently a dear friend came over for dinner.  With our family around the table he shared a true story he experienced in Mexico some years ago.   As a priest and missionary he was living for over 20 years in Mexico and Central America.  Regularly he would travel several hours to remote towns to celebrate Mass.  During one trip something unusual happened.  When he entered the Church he discovered that they had no supplies for Mass and worse yet they were expecting him to bring them.  He asked if Jesus was present in the Church and the women in charge answered, yes.  He then suggested that they have a communion service.  She responded that they knew what a communion service was and many had traveled from the mountains and wanted to attend Holy Mass.  It had been at least 4 months since Mass had been celebrated in their village.  

Quickly he began asking those gathered if a cup could be brought and wine.  Someone raised their hand and said they had a bit of wine and a cup.  Linens were found.  Then Father asked for an unconsecrated host.  Oh, they said we do not have one as it would spoil here.  Without an unconsecrated host there could be no sacrifice.  Consecrated hosts could not be used.  With little alternative he told all gathered to kneel and pray to Jesus and ask Jesus to provide the host.  He too turned and knelt in front of the tabernacle and began to pray for an unconsecrated host.  Silently he asked Our Lord to provide.  These people had gathered and desired not clothes nor food both of which they had little but rather they desired to receive Our Lord and attend Holy Mass.   Father turned around at one point to see the entire Church kneeling with heads bowed in prayer, even the tiny children were kneeling in fervent prayer.  Oh he thought, if nothing happens would this destroy the faith of this town.  As he continued to pray his mind began to wander, it found its way to a story. ..the story of Jesus and the apostles when a coin is needed to pay the tax. Jesus sends Peter to "go to the sea and cast a hook, and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel; take that and give it to them for me and for yourself."(Matthew 17:27)

As Father's mind reflected on the story he stopped himself and chided himself saying, stop daydreaming and pray.  Then it occurred to him that he should not disregard these thoughts.  Oh yes he realized.. the answer would come from scripture.  He had to think a moment.

Then he knew.  He called the women over who was helping him and asked if there was a book in the sacristy.  She answered yes the book was the only thing in the room.  He instructed her to go and fan the pages of the book and hold it upside down.  She looked at him strangely and went into the room.  Moments later there was a scream.  She came to the door of the sacristy holding a host.  She was screaming the host was in the book.  All the people began to cheer.  

This is a true story and Father gave me permission to share this story with you today.  I wrote to him and asked if I might share this beautiful mission story as the Gospel today was from Matthew 17 and recounted the finding of the coin in the fish.  When so often our faith is tested and there are flickers of doubt may we be reminded that "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). May I humbly ask for your prayers for a situation which in many ways seems without a clear earthly solution.  On July 19th the children carried a package containing a statue of Our Lady and 100 Rosaries and sent them on a great journey to the country of Timor Leste in Southeast Asia where two new Children's Rosary groups are forming.  Weekly I have been checking with Abel the new group leader there who is waiting to have their first meetings until he receives the rosaries.  Each week he has reported...no package.  Today we tracked the package to Indonesia where records indicate it arrived on July 24th and hasn't moved for close to three weeks.  The postal workers indicated that since the package has left the US we have no control over its movements.  There is simply nothing to do but pray.  With Our Lady's Feast of the Assumption on Thursday I would like to humbly ask those reading this to pray one Hail Mary and to ask Our Lord as a present to His Mother on her Feast to bring the package to light in the warehouse and send it on its way so that His Mother may have two new Children's Rosary groups. 

Thank you all for your prayers and God Bless!

CMN Raffle Results

At the Catholic Marketing Network Conference we met many wonderful people and those who stopped by our booth and signed in or gave us their business card were entered in a Raffle.  The prize was a Mass to be said on the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, August 15th, for the winner and their family.  

The individual randomly chosen by my 6 year old son was......

Laura Ricketts

Laura is a wife and homeschooling mother who also works for the Guiding Star Project. 

The Mass has been requested through the Capuchin Mission office and will be celebrated on Our Lady's Feast this Thursday.