Winter 2020 Volume 27 Number 1
Family Link News for the friends of Holy Cross Family Ministries
An inspiring new film on the life of Father Peyton. Page 4.
The Family That Prays Together Stays Together
Family Link The Family Link newsletter is published by Holy Cross Family Ministries for friends and donors of our ministry. Thank you for being a part of our family.
Our Mission
A family of Catholic ministries that inspires, promotes and fosters the prayer life and spiritual well-being of families throughout the world.
Our Vision
Holy Cross Family Ministries strives to be a respected and reliable catalyst for inspiration, support and dynamic content on family life through a focus on spirituality and prayer, especially the Rosary.
Ways to Give
Online Please visit www.HCFM.org By Mail Please use the enclosed envelope and make your check payable to “Holy Cross Family Ministries.” By Phone Please call 508.238.4095, x2023 Gifts of Stock or IRAs Please call 508.930.7882
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Planned Giving Please call 508.930.7882
518 Washington St. North Easton, MA 02356-1200 800-299-PRAY (7729) www.HCFM.org Cover Photo: Father Peyton in County Mayo, Ireland.
Letter from the President A message from Father Willy Raymond, C.S.C., President, Holy Cross Family Ministries. Dear Friends, I pray that this New Year you and your family are experiencing a revival of faith, hope and love. January was a special time for Holy Cross Family Ministries as we celebrated the anniversary of Venerable Patrick Peyton’s birth on January 9. Father Peyton was born 111 years ago in Ireland, and the Father Willy spirit of faith Raymond, instilled in him C.S.C. by his parents led him on this path to Sainthood. Father Peyton’s miraculous healing from tuberculosis is especially moving and meaningful. Indeed, it was his prayer to the Blessed Mother, followed by his healing, that inspired Father Peyton to begin a worldwide mission proclaiming the importance of prayer, especially the Rosary. It was this divine intervention in his life that led to the establishment of Holy Cross Family Ministries. As we continue to pray for Father Peyton’s Cause so that one day he will become
“Blessed” then “Saint,” we ask you to join us in our prayers. After all, the world needs “A Saint for Family Prayer.” We firmly believe Father Peyton’s Canonization will inspire families around the world to gather together to pray (especially the Rosary) and thus bring to reality in their homes Father Peyton’s vision that, “The Family That Prays Together Stays Together.” This winter issue of Family Link, I believe, will provide you with a snapshot of many of the exciting projects our team has been working on. All of which could not be accomplished without your prayers and generosity. I want to give special thanks to all who prayed for and financially supported the Museum of Family Prayer or made a gift to our ministry during the Christmas season. Thank you. Please remember that Holy Cross Family Ministries is here to support and encourage you as you carry out your spiritual journey with your family. May our Blessed Mother Mary keep you and your loved ones close to her Divine Son Jesus.
We ask you to join us in our prayers. After all, the world needs “A Saint for Family Prayer.”
Catholic Central Aims to be Central to Your Faith By Kate O’Hare Social Media Manager and Content Creator Family Theater Productions’ Catholic Central aims to boil down the history, theology and practices of a 2,000 year-old Church into a series of online videos that all clock in at less than ten minutes, while still keeping it fresh, fun, accurate and engaging to younger audiences. This Herculean task requires
a team of professional writers, directors and crew people, two outrageously talented hosts, along with editors and animators, and a backup squad of researchers and theologians. Shot in Family Theater Productions’ studio on Sunset
The goal is always to come at the topic from a broad view, then narrow down to the most essential elements. The information is then conveyed through spoken and onscreen text (leaning toward nontheological language, with precise terms added when necessary), comedy, and images. The Catholic Central style makes use of traditional Catholic imagery, mixed with striking photos and pop-culture inspired takes. Live hosts Kai (Kaiser Johnson) and Libby (Libby Slater) anchor from the Catholic Central desk and also portray a dizzying array of original characters and historical figures in quick comedy skits. All of these are then cut together into fast-paced videos that are still sensitive to the topics, never going for laughs or speed at the expense of facts and reverence. Episodes are available at CatholicCentral.com and YouTube. com/CatholicCentralVideos.
Awesome videos. I love them and use them for my teenage Sunday school class. The kids have specifically asked for more! – Peter, Catholic Central Subscriber
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Kaiser Johnson and Libby Slater, hosts of Catholic Central.
Boulevard in Hollywood, the episodes focus on a wide variety of topics, from big ones like What’s Catholic? to short explorations of holiday traditions; books of the Bible; hot-button issues such as Creation and Evolution and Pro-Life Issues; and more esoteric subjects, such as The Trinity.
The Story of Father Peyton Celebrates the Power of Prayer By Kate O’Hare Social Media Manager and Content Creator Produced by Family Theater Productions (FTP) in association with Windrider Productions, PRAY: THE STORY OF PATRICK PEYTON profiles our founder, Venerable Patrick Peyton. The fast-paced documentary tells the true story of a poor, uneducated Irish immigrant who set sail for America in 1928 with nothing but hopes and dreams of riches. Circumstances steered him toward the priesthood, but while studying to become a Holy Cross priest, tuberculosis struck him down. With his prognosis grim, Patrick Peyton prayed fervently to the Virgin Mary for her intercession and was healed. After that, he dedicated his life and priesthood to her and the power of prayer, especially family prayer.
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Armed with sincere belief and persistence, Father Peyton took his crusade to the mass media, eventually landing in Los Angeles in the late 1940s. There, he recruited top stars to appear on his weekly Mutual Broadcasting radio program and later in films and TV specials. Father Peyton also was a tireless advocate of the Rosary, taking its message worldwide and appearing before millions. This film will continue his legacy by depicting the impact of prayer and inspire families to pray together. Written by Matthew Donlan and Megan Harrington, directed by Jonathan Cipiti and featuring an original score by Grant Fonda, PRAY was filmed in places where Father Peyton lived and worked, including his Irish hometown; Albany, New York; Hollywood, California (where FTP is located to this day) and at Holy Cross Family Ministries’ headquarters in Massachusetts. In December, PRAY was awarded Best Documentary at the God Country Family Christian Film Festival in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Visit PrayTheFilm.com to learn more about this exciting new documentary and to sign up for special updates so you are one of the first to hear about the 2020 release date!
Father Peyton also was a tireless advocate of the Rosary, taking its message worldwide and appearing before millions.
Museum of Family Prayer Update By Caleigh McCutcheon Museum Curator and Archives Assistant In the first few months of the Museum of Family Prayer’s opening, we had an evergrowing number of visitors and booked several retreats. The Grand Opening on September 15 brought in more than 150 people, all wanting to experience the Museum. It was a huge success and today we have had more than 1,000 visitors. Every person who has visited the Museum has been inspired and enjoyed themselves immensely. Visitors are very eager to leave donations to ensure the Museum remains free for all. All of them have had positive things to say at the end of their visit, remarking that the Museum is uplifting and reminds them of what is truly important in life. Father Peyton’s message of strengthening family bonds through prayer is especially relevant today. The option to visit the chapel whenever they like was often an unexpected but welcome surprise. Many were also excited to hear that the chapel offered weekday services (Rosary at 11:30 am and Mass at noon, Monday through Friday).
express what prayer means to them. Everyone has a story where God has helped them through an experience, and they appreciate the opportunity to share it with others. Aside from parish groups, we had our first school group and possibly our youngest visitors yet. The children put us to the test but had a blast exploring the Museum and talking about prayer in their lives. Recently, we had our first Museum program where families celebrated Advent by painting nativity sets that they could then take home. We look forward to welcoming more families in the new year and to engage them in the powerful history of prayer and the life of Father Peyton!
The Museum of Family Prayer offers individuals and families a truly unique experience to grow, strengthen, and share their prayer life. – Michelle, Museum Member
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A surprising number of visitors attended one of Father Peyton’s Rosary Rallies or recalled hearing him on the radio. Something that sets us apart from other Museums is the Testimonial room. Visitors have enjoyed the chance to reflect on their own prayer life and
Family attending the Paint Your Own Nativity Set event in December at the Museum of Family Prayer.
Update on The Cause
By Father David S. Marcham Vice Postulator and Guild Director
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As 2020 begins, we are hope-filled that the Cause of Venerable Patrick Peyton will continue toward Beatification and Canonization. Two medical healings attributed to Father Peyton’s intercession are being reviewed by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome. If one of these is approved, then Pope Francis could declare Father Peyton Blessed. Would you please join us in praying that one of these healings will be found worthy
Peyton family. During our conversation, Adrian shared that many years ago, he was diagnosed with cancer and given a grave prognosis. He was praying for a cure, but in his mind, what made all the difference was his mother bringing their family friend to pray at Adrian’s hospital bedside in New York City, Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.! Adrian beat the odds and credits his mother for bringing such a holy priest to pray for him. My opportunity to learn about Adrian’s lifegiving healing through Father Peyton’s prayer came from Father Peyton Prayer Guild members Ed and Theresa O’Brien. The O’Brien’s desire to spread the word about Father Peyton’s Cause, the Guild, and message for families allowed this inspirational story of faith, family and friendship to encourage people around the world. If you have a story, a means to spread the word like the O’Brien’s, please do and let me know of it, and also encourage others to join the Father Peyton Prayer Guild.
You can join an existing chapter as a family or Father Peyton speaking at a Rosary Rally in Ecuador, August 14, 1966. individual or start a of a miraculous nature? This would draw more new chapter in your community. For more considerable attention to Father Peyton’s information, please visit: FatherPeyton.org message of the need for family prayer, or email me at VicePostulator@hcfm.org, or especially the Rosary. write to us at Father Peyton Prayer Guild, 518 Washington Street, North Easton, MA 02356. In December, I had the pleasure of being interviewed on Irish Radio USA by Mr. Adrian Flannelly. Mr. Flannelly grew up in County Mayo, Ireland, and he and his family were next-door neighbors and friends with the
If you would like to listen to the radio interview from December 14, 2019, please visit http://www.irishradio.com/archives.html.
Prayers Requested Please pray that I will overcome depression and anxiety …Lisa, United States Prayers for my children to be protected from all harm and temptations…Jacinta, Singapore Please pray that I will find a job after a year of unemployment …Dianne, Canada Please pray for the repose of my mother and father …Natalia, Poland Please pray that my son Keane will return to God and our family …Nadine, South Africa
Prayer for the Beatification of Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.
Prayers for healing within my daughter’s marriage …Laura, United States
Prayers for all missionaries and those discerning a vocation …Diego, Italy Please pray for all the hungry and abandoned children of the world …Ramona, United States Prayers for my brother and his wife struggling with addiction …John, United States Please pray that my son will return to the church…Meshach, Nigeria Prayers for the souls in Purgatory…Pat, Australia Please pray that I will have a safe recovery from my surgery …Ray, New Zealand
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Please include the following special intention through the intercession of Father Peyton in Holy Cross Family Ministries’ daily Rosary and Mass.
Complete and return in the enclosed envelope.
Name Street City/State Email Phone
Zip
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Dear Jesus, Father Peyton devoted his priestly life to strengthening the families of the world by calling them to pray together every day, especially the Rosary. His message is as important for us now as it was during his life on earth. We beg you, therefore, to hasten the day of his beatification so that your faithful people everywhere will remember his message that The Family That Prays Together Stays Together, imitate him in his devotion to your Mother and ours, and be inspired by his holy life to draw ever closer to you with childlike confidence and love. Amen.
Prayers for my brother-in-law battling cancer …Patsy, United Kingdom
Please pray for my mother’s health…Vinay, India
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Family Rosary East Africa Family Rosary East Africa prayer team and the Lutaaya family pray over Elizabeth Lutaaya.
Holy Cross Family Ministries provides opportunities for families to pray together in East Africa, and many other regions of the world, through home visits in which we meet families, listen to their life stories, pray with them and encourage them to pray together daily. The families we visit appreciate the company and know that our team cares and is concerned about their spiritual needs. We seek out the poor, ill, mourning and forgotten
families. Through these visits, we can plant seeds of hope and witness lives being changed through the power of Rosary prayer. We reach out to families every Wednesday to listen, encourage and pray with them. Family Rosary East Africa recently visited the Lutaaya family of Kabuuma Village, Uganda, to pray with wife and mother Elizabeth Lutaaya, who’s suffering from malaria. We will continue to pray with Elizabeth and the Lutaaya family and ask that you keep them in your prayers as well.