On Sunday, November 1, the Feast of All Saints, I visited the Maronite parish of Our Lady of Purgatory in New Bedford, MA. The parish priest there, Fr. Vincent Farhat (shown above), had been in contact with my mother about starting a Children's Rosary there for some time, so I agreed to pay a visit to drop off some materials and speak briefly to the parishioners after Mass about the initiative.
I wish also make a quick note of the name of the parish. It is not a common parish name, and indeed I know of no other in my experience named after that particular Marian title. Nevertheless, it is quite beautiful, as it evokes Our Lady's role as the patron and intercessor for the suffering souls, an image that is particularly pertinent for All Saints' Day as well as All Souls' Day.
I arrived not long before the 10:30 a.m. Mass and was introduced to Fr. Vincent, Fr. Jean (the celebrant), as well as Subdeacon Vincent. All were very hospitable. I was invited to serve the Mass, after which I made a small announcement regarding the Children's Rosary, which Fr. Vincent is aiming to start each month during a Lebanese heritage night hosted at the parish.
After the Mass, there was a lunch in the parish hall, which I attended and during which I managed to meet Mother Marla, Sister Therese (shown below), and Sister Emily, nuns from the Maronite Congregation of Maronite Servants of Christ the Light, a religious order based nearby in Dartmouth, MA. They will be helping to start the Children's Rosary at the parish. 
I was so grateful for everybody's kindness and enthusiasm and look forward to the formation of a new Children's Rosary group in New Bedford!
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