SPRING . 2022 VOLUME 29 | NUMBER 1
FAMILY LINK NEWS FOR THE FRIENDS OF HOLY CROSS FAMILY MINISTRIES
HCFM.ORG
Letter from the President Dear Friend, We pray that you and your family are well as we prepare our hearts and homes to open wide the doors to Christ in this Easter season. You are a great blessing to Holy Cross Family Ministries. Your prayers and generosity are helping to make countless families healthy, holy, and happy. As they embrace the practice of daily family prayer the floodgates of heaven are opening and showering down upon them God’s grace, mercy, and abundant love. This spring edition of Family Link provides a brief overview of what your kindness and generosity make possible. I hope you can see through the news and updates, a glimpse of the wider picture of Holy Cross Family Ministries around the globe. There is no way, in a single newsletter, that we could adequately capture the scope and impact of our partnership. The power of prayer connects thousands upon thousands of individual and family lives to the ultimate source of grace, hope and purpose. Because of your sacrifices HCFM helps open their hearts to experience the joy and beauty of homes warmed by the love and goodness of God Himself. Nothing can match the impact that has upon them, especially children. This is gratifying and heartwarming work, but also immensely powerful. In a world continuously growing more fast-paced and secular, prayer is a unique way for families to remain connected to God and one another. Knowing this, it is as urgent as ever that we reach out to families in need before anger, grief, or unforgiveness permanently damage them. Together we can offer them real hope, a hope only found at the foot of the cross. Through the Rosary, families can come to know Christ and His cross. When families reconcile with God and then one another, true healing begins. Truly, the Cross is our only hope!
FAMILY LINK | SPRING 2022
As always, I extend my heartfelt appreciation for your steadfast support of Holy Cross Family Ministries and the families we serve. Please continue to keep our 27 Ministry Centers around the world in your prayers. With you, we continue Venerable Patrick Peyton’s vision of, “A world at prayer is a world at peace.” May our Blessed Mother Mary keep you and your loved ones close to her Divine Son Jesus.
Sincerely,
Father Willy Raymond, C.S.C. President Holy Cross Family Ministries
FRONT COVER IMAGE: Families gathered at the Museum of Family Prayer for the October 2021 Rosary Festival.
1
The Power of Prayer in Canada For many, the church is a second home. For new immigrants, the church is a home away from home. In two short, pandemic-challenged years, our Ministry Center in Canada, with the vision of creating “families united in prayer,” has established its presence in the Archdiocese of Toronto, especially among many Catholic immigrant families.
Thank you for your prayers and generosity that allows us to serve families in 17 countries, including Canada, through 27 Ministry Centers.
RIGHT: Youth re-commitment at St. Ann Parish in Toronto. BOTTOM: St. Ann Parish volunteers preparing food donations for distribution to families in Toronto.
Since March 2020, our volunteers and youth stepped up to bring physical and spiritual bread to Canadian society. Through the St. Ann Parish food bank, our team has helped more than 21,000 people receive groceries and essential food items. And our devoted Rosary maker groups have remained hard at work to bring the power of Rosary prayer to families at a time when they need it most. To date, they have made 35,000 Rosaries shipped to parishes, schools, and missions in Canada and abroad. Your partnership with Holy Cross Family Ministries advances our ability to deepen the faith of families and enable the next generation of Catholics to flourish in the Church.
FAMILY LINK | SPRING 2022
2
Family Day at the Museum Our second annual Advent Family Day at the Museum of Family Prayer on December 11, 2021, drew over 100 joyous family members for a day of prayer, crafting Christmas Creches, and exploration of the Museum.
of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Chapel. It was truly a family event. One family was there for several hours because their youngest daughter was determined to finish all eleven blocks by herself!
Parents, children, and grandparents gathered together to join in on the fun activity and refreshments were served. A lovely older couple, whose grandchild could not make it, decided to come by themselves and painted their own set. Families of all ages came to the Museum, many for the first time, and it was wonderful to see the joy on their faces.
This Advent event was a wonderful way for families to prepare for the Birth of the Savior who wants to live in our hearts and our families. Seeing families spending time together while celebrating the life of Christ, was a lovely tribute to Venerable Patrick Peyton and his ongoing ministry through the Museum of Family Prayer.
While the paint was drying, families were more than happy to visit the Family Room or take a tour of the Museum with Father Leo Polselli, C.S.C., Chaplain
Thanks to you, 100 family members gathered for a day of prayer and Advent crafts at the Museum of Family Prayer.
RIGHT: Family visiting the Museum of Family Prayer for our second annual Advent Family Day. BOTTOM: Families gathered for a day of prayer and Advent crafts.
FAMILY LINK | SPRING 2022
3
FAMILY LINK | SPRING 2022
4
Ministry Center Reopens in Haiti Holy Cross Family Ministries reopens its Ministry Center in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, amid ongoing strife. The Congregation of Holy Cross has had a mission presence in Haiti since 1944. The Center closed after the 2010 earthquake due to unsafe conditions and lack of personnel. The ministry has been praying and working for some time to find the right ministry to revive the much-needed mission outreach to the families in Haiti. “We thank God that He has given us the right team to revive our ministry in Haiti where, despite grinding poverty and social instability, families welcome our prayer resources and active presence. Families in Haiti have been struggling with hardships for centuries and deserve every means of support we can provide,” said Father Willy Raymond, C.S.C., President of Holy Cross Family Ministries. Newly appointed National Co-Directors for HCFM’s ministry center in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, are Sister Ginette Pierre, C.S.C., and Father Pierre Antoine Mésidor, C.S.C.
He has been a priest for 27 years, serving parishes and assisting with education in Haiti. Father Mésidor is a native of Haiti and grew up in Plaine du Nord. “Sister Ginette Pierre and Father Pierre Antoine Mésidor have many years of experience serving families and are well prepared to take on this important ministry,” said International Director Father Pinto Paul, C.S.C. “They join our global team as we all work to encourage and strengthen the prayer life of families.” All 27 global Ministry Centers carry out the mission, ‘to help families pray,’ each utilizing the local talent, culture, and resources of the Catholic Church to broaden and deepen the ministry’s reach. Resources offered by each ministry center include a wide array of digital events and online materials, Rosary rallies, processions, retreats, and days of recollection and prayer on the family as the domestic Church.
Sister Ginette Pierre, C.S.C., said “Holy Cross Family Ministries is a Star of Hope for the families of Haiti.” She is responsible for vocational and youth pastoral care and also works with the Holy Cross novitiate and serves as a member of the Marie Porte du Ciel Orphanage team. Sister Pierre has 21 years of experience serving as a Holy Cross Sister in Haiti. Sister Pierre is a native of Haiti and grew up in Jacmel. Father Pierre Antoine Mésidor, C.S.C., is responsible for family and parish outreach. Father Mésidor is also a member of the College of Consultors of the Archdiocese of Cap-Haitien. Previously, Father Mésidor served the College of Notre Dame of Perpetual Care for three years.
FAMILY LINK | SPRING 2022
Newly appointed National Co-Directors for HCFM Haiti: Sister Ginette Pierre, C.S.C., and Father Pierre Antoine Mésidor, C.S.C.
5
Help Me to Study Campaign Due to the pandemic, schools in Peru, like many around the world, have temporarily closed and students have transitioned to remote learning. With in-person classrooms no longer an option, this proved to be a new problem for families who do not have the resources to buy a laptop or tablet and do not have internet in their homes.
Mother and daughter pose for a picture with Father Aníbal Niño Loarte, C.S.C., Director of the Father Peyton Family Institute in Peru (INFAM)
Because of the generosity of friends like you who support the Father Peyton Family Institute in Peru (INFAM), the INFAM team was able to step in and initiate the “Help Me to Study” campaign. Since the start of the school year, INFAM has provided computers and internet access to more than 200 families for their children to attend virtual classes from their homes.
Family in Peru receives a computer from INFAM through the Help Me to Study campaign.
FAMILY LINK | SPRING 2022
6
Children’s Rosary Ministry in Uganda Our Ministry Center in Uganda serves thousands of children and their families through Rosary rallies, days of prayer, marriage enrichment programs, retreats for students, and more. Their children’s ministry is thriving with young hearts eager to learn and bring home the stories of Jesus and
FAMILY LINK | SPRING 2022
Father Peyton’s message of “The family that prays together stays together.” By learning to pray the Rosary, children in Uganda experience the joy and comfort of the Rosary as a foundation for strong spiritual life.
7
“Thank you for teaching us about prayer. We did not pray at my home...but I informed my parents and siblings about the importance of prayer, and we started praying at home.” Noeline, Rosary event attendee
Your generosity helped more than 30 children learn how to pray the Rosary at a recent prayer event in Uganda.
FAMILY LINK | SPRING 2022
8
Message from the Vice Postulator & Guild Director Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, As we began 2022, we celebrated the anniversary of the birth of Venerable Patrick Peyton on January 9. In anticipation of this day, many people prayed a Family Novena (January 1-9) to honor his birth. They also asked God’s grace to deepen their family’s love for one another by praying the Rosary together. The Family Novena included a daily prayer for the Beatification of Venerable Patrick Peyton, which is integral in raising awareness and encouraging family prayer, especially the Rosary and for the Cause of Sainthood of Venerable Patrick Peyton. In addition, throughout the world, in places from Ireland to India, the Philippines to Peru, from Mexico to Canada, and the United States of America, Masses were offered in thanksgiving and for the Cause of Beatification of Venerable Patrick Peyton. Looking back with gratitude on the foundation of his faith, Father Peyton said, “Starting on their wedding day, my parents knelt each evening before the hearth to say the family Rosary, that God and Mary might protect and bless their home and fill it with the laughter of children.”
Pray for the intercession of Venerable Patrick Peyton in your daily needs. Let us know when a prayer has been answered through Venerable Patrick Peyton’s intercession. (Write to me at the address: VicePostulator@HCFM.org) Invite others to join us in praying for Venerable Patrick Peyton’s beatification and praying for families through The Father Peyton Prayer Guild. (Membership information and online registration at FatherPeyton.org) All of us at Holy Cross Family Ministries are grateful for your faithful support of Venerable Patrick Peyton’s Cause for Canonization and his ongoing ministry that serves families throughout the world. Each first Friday of the month, my brother priests, and I offer Mass for the intentions of The Father Peyton Prayer Guild members. Please know of our gratitude for your prayerful support! In Jesus and Mary,
Father David S. Marcham Vice Postulator & Guild Director
We give thanks to God for the gift of Father Peyton’s mother and father, his life, and his ministry that was inspired by the Holy Spirit, a love for Our Blessed Mother and Our Lord and nourished by his family. I would like to personally invite you to join The Father Peyton Prayer Guild in this new year by visiting FatherPeyton.org. If you are already a member, please renew your faithful commitment as Father Peyton Prayer Guild members with me by four key actions: Pray for the beatification of Venerable Patrick Peyton each day.
FAMILY LINK | SPRING 2022
9
Prayer Requests from Families Around the World Let us pray for you and your loved ones. The Rosary and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass are offered Monday through Friday for your intentions at The Father Peyton Center in North Easton, Massachusetts. Complete the prayer request form below and return it in the enclosed envelope. Please also consider taking a moment to pray for the intentions below sent to Family Rosary from families around the world. “Please pray that my test results are good and allow me to continue treatments.” Julie, United States “Please pray for the economic situation of the Martinez family.” Karina, Paraguay “With tears, I beg you to kindly pray for my nephew who is battling addiction.” Salath, India “Please pray for my mom, who got discharged today after suffering from coronavirus.” Maria, The Philippines “Please pray for Faith, she is 13 years old and having bad dreams. She needs God's hand and the blood of Jesus to cover her.” Bridget, Malawi “Please pray that God will heal my father and brother.” Steve, United States
Prayer for the Beatification of Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C. 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, will imitate him in his devotion to your Mother and ours, and will be inspired by his holy life to draw ever closer to you with childlike confidence and love. Amen.
DETACH HERE AND MAIL TODAY
Please include the following special intention, through the intercession of Venerable Patrick Peyton, in the daily Rosary and Mass at The Father Peyton Center.
Name______________________________________________ Street______________________________________________ City/State ______________________Zip________________ Email______________________________________________ Phone_____________________________________________
FAMILY LINK | SPRING 2022
10
NON PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID CFS, INC. 02301
518 Washington St. North Easton, MA 02356
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.
Leave a Legacy that Changes Lives When considering your estate plans, please keep Holy Cross Family Ministries in mind. By joining the Father Peyton Legacy Society, your intention to support Venerable Patrick Peyton’s mission leaves a legacy for generations of families to come. To learn more, please contact: Cathy Downes Associate Director of Development 508-884-6734 cdownes@hcfm.org plannedgiving.hcfm.org
FAMILY LINK | SPRING 2022
Ways to Give ONLINE Please visit 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 Gifts of Stock or IRAs Please call 508.884.6734 Planned Giving Please call 508.884.6734 518 Washington St. North Easton, MA 02356-1200 800-299-PRAY (7729) HCFM.org
"THE FAMILY THAT PRAYS TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER" - VENERABLE PATRICK PEYTON