A Gift for Our Lady

One of the many beautiful statues at the office

  It's volunteer season here in Kansas!  Lol.  My husband works for the Organization "America Needs Fatima," and a large part of his job is working with the approximately 150 volunteers who travel to Kansas from all over the country (and sometimes internationally!) to make phone calls for Our Lady.  It is a CRAZY time for us, but a really fun and rewarding time, as well.  I'm blessed to be able to work in the kitchen serving meals, and getting to visit with everyone.

    The volunteers come, as I said from everywhere and from all walks of life.  Right now there is a young man heading back to college when he leaves us, and another couple is celebrating their 61st wedding anniversary today! Some are able to trace their family back to the American Revolution, while others are new to our country.  The one thing they all have in common is that they love Our Lady.  A love that is so strong that they are willing to give up two weeks every year to come make phone calls for her.  They often find themselves leaving message after message without talking to someone.  Or they get hung up on before being heard.  Some have even been sworn at! Yet they keep calling, working for Our Lady, and asking for prayers for our country.

   So why are they here?  They are making calls asking people to be captains for the 2017 Public Square Rosary Campaign.   The Public Square Rosary Campaign was started in 2007. They had 2,100 rallies across the nation, and 30 volunteers manning the phones.  Last year there were 16,323 rallies.  This year, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the apparitions in Fatima, the goal is 20,000!

  Now, I know you would love to do something for Our Lady, especially on this major anniversary.  You don't have to come to Kansas (although I'd love to see you!) It won't cost you a dime (unless you still pay by the minute on your phone plan, I suppose.)  Here are the super simple steps to being part of this great gift to Our Lady.

First:  Open up your Calendar to October 14th.  It's the Saturday after the 100th anniversary.  If there is already someplace you are supposed to be at 12 noon, see if you can reschedule.  Otherwise, put down "Public Square Rosary Rally" from 12-1 pm.

Second: Pick your rally location.  The only requirement is that it is outside so it can be seen by the general public.  For some people, this is in front of their homes or at a local park.  Others pick a busier street or intersection.  Some choose to do their rally in front of the local capital or even an abortion clinic.  The important thing is that you are visible. Some locations may have ordinances about where you can be, so look into that - but don't worry about it too much.  Most places there either aren't any rules, or it is as simple as filling out a form.

Third:  This step is pretty important.  Register as a Rosary Rally Captain.  You can either call us here in Kansas at 866-584-6012 and make a volunteer very happy OR go to America Needs Fatima's website  https://www.americaneedsfatima.org/rrtoolsinfo.html.  They will send you a banner and a manual with the prayers of the rosary, some helpful suggestions, and things like that.  It's all free, so you can't argue it isn't in your budget, lol. They will want to know at least the city where you will hold the rally, and you will have the option of posting your information on the America Needs Fatima website so others can join you, but neither thing is required.

Finally, tell your friends and members of your parish! You can have a rally with just one person, but the more the merrier.  And also encourage others to sign up as captains!  Yes, a large crowd will be noticeable, and wonderful, but many smaller groups spread across town will have an even bigger impact and more people will see them.  So spread the word!!! Not sure why we need these public square rosaries? Go to https://americaneedsfatima.org/Rally-News/why-public-square-rosary-rallies.html for ten great reasons!

A couple of our local Rosary Rallies! 

Where will you be holding a rally?  Anything else you are doing to celebrate the Centennial? 

Sursum Corda Young Adults Camp - Part One

Yes, I survived the weekend - even the driving.  It was glorious.  We even had perfect weather.
Between my sister and I, we took LOTS of pictures - 1161, to be exact.  Of course, not all of them turned out, but I'm sure I can find a few to post ;).

Our journey started with a trip to the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, just outside of Green Bay, WI.  It is the site of a Marian apparition in 1859, which has been recently approved by the Church - the only approved site in the United States.

Mary asked Adele to teach the children "their catechism, how to sign themselves with the sign of the Cross, and how to approach the sacraments." Adele started a school and a chapel. 

  The candles were in the crypt below the chapel, built on the site of the apparitions.

There was also this beautiful pieta statue.  If you look closely, you can see crutches in the background, from those who have had favors granted.











As promised, I lit a candle for my family, friends, and readers.

We happened to be visiting on the feast day of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, making these statues in the main chapel even more meaningful...and a bit of a surprise!

The main alter has a beautiful statue of Mary and the Child Jesus.  On one side of the chapel there is a display with a statue given to Sr. Adele for processions (and still used today!) and two reliquaries.  One (center) contains wood from the trees Mary appeared on, and the other (right) a piece of the Blessed Virgin's veil.

Outside, they have a field with the Stations of the Cross in the center, and the mysteries of the rosary around the outside.  I really liked the way they did the rosary.  There were five banners, and on one side would be the first mysteries (for example,) and the other side had the fifth, so it didn't matter which side you started on.  Between the mysteries there were a couple of shrines and benches to stop and pray, such as this small grotto.

Another beautiful little spot was this Fatima shrine.  The statues are just gorgeous!

So concludes the first stop on our journey.  We had to drive a few hours south to our hotel, and we did a little shopping for some lavender lotion.  The mosquitos were very healthy - and hungry - in Wisconsin!  I also bought some awesome sandals :)