OUR LADY of SORROWS-ST. ANTHONY ROSARY ALTAR SOCIETY

The world’s most famous religious sculpture

The Pietà by Michelangelo 

"Mother of Sorrow, You who held Jesus in your arms, please intercede with your Divine Son in our behalf.  Ask Him to help us to know one another better, to forgive one another more readily, to love one another more deeply.  Mother of all mankind, inspire us to travel without falter along that road at the end of which, under the Fatherhood of God, there is true peace.”

NEWSLETTER

 April, May, and June 2010

MISSION STATEMENT: Our Lady of Sorrows/St. Anthony Rosary Altar Society is a parish confraternity whose members seek to enhance the spiritual, social, and cultural life of our parish through liturgical service, prayer, and devotion to the gospel teaching while honoring the desire of our Lord to better know, love, and venerate His Mother. Members of the Rosary Confraternity pledge to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, and to secure her patronage by reciting the Rosary for the mutual spiritual benefits of all members throughout the world.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Throughout the year, the Rosary Altar Society conducts regular monthly meetings and prayer services, has guest speakers, and hosts a Day of Recollection.  Rosarians also make rosaries for the missions, the First Communicants, area hospitals, and other organizations upon request, launder altar linens, clean and refill the holy water fonts, and sell 50/50 tickets at the weekly OLS bingo - half goes to the winner and the Rosary treasury receives the other half. In addition, we conduct a Palm Cross Sale, participate in the Annual May Crowning, donate to the Family Thanksgiving Basket, and collect donations for Adopt-a-Family at Christmas.  These are just some of the activities the Rosarians are involved in.

Corporate Sunday is held on the first Sunday of the month. The Rosary is recited at 8:30 A.M. followed by the 9:00 A.M. Mass. All parishioners are invited to recite the Rosary for our parish community, world peace, an end to abortion and terrorism, for the intentions of the Pope, and for the special intentions of all those present.

The monthly meetings are held on the first Monday of the month at 7:00 P.M. in the Church Meeting Room. Because of Labor Day, the September meeting is held on the second Monday.  Meetings are not held in January, July, or August.

Rosaries – Anyone interested in learning to make rosaries, please contact Betty Adamczyk at 586-6771.  Rosaries are sent to the missions, soldiers, and are given to the First Communicants of our parish.  

Prayer Shawls – Prayer Shawls are made for patients in area hospitals, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes.  If you or anyone you know is interested in making prayer shawls, please contact Joyce Farina at 888-4516.  If you have any completed prayer shawls or if you wish to donate yarn, call Joyce, and she will make arrangements to meet with you.  We also ask that you refrain from dropping off any completed prayer shawls or yarn at the parish office, and instead, call Joyce.   

New members – New members are always welcome to attend any of our meetings and will be greeted warmly and friendly.  Being a Rosarian honors Mary as the Mother in whose care Jesus has placed us, and our Lady’s blessings will be without measure.  Once you are inducted into the Confraternity, you are a lifetime member.  If you are considering in joining the Rosary Altar Society and have questions, please feel free to contact any Board Member or Rosarian.

Officers for 2008-2010

Mary Halasz, President (585-4804)

Toni Levandowski, Vice-President (588-4768)

Melissa Demko, Secretary (695-5359)

Joyce Berryman, Treasurer (587-8791)

Rosary Altar news is always included in the weekly bulletin.

The following is the schedule for April, May, and June. 

Thursday, April 1 – Holy Thursday memorializes the institution of the Holy Eucharist, and was Christ’s farewell to His disciples.  Holy Thursday observes the Sacrament of Ordination, and begins the Paschal Triduum.   Also, the bishop blesses the Oil of Chrism used for Baptism, Confirmation, and Anointing of the sick or dying.

Friday, April 2 –Good Friday – Pilate hands Jesus over to be crucified in order to avert a riot.  Jesus carries his cross to Golgotha where He is crucified along with two criminals.

Saturday, April 3 – Holy Saturday commemorates the day that Jesus’ body lay in the tomb until his resurrection on Easter Sunday.                        

Sunday, April 4 – Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus and is the greatest and oldest feast in the Church.  We joyfully observe Christ's bodily resurrection.                

Sunday, April 11 – Corporate Sunday is held at the OLS Campus.

Monday, April 12 – Regular Monthly Meeting – Ms. Nancy Berchtold will share her journey of “writing” Icons in Russian Orthodox schooling of how these boards of wood, gesso, egg tempera, and gold can bring us closer to the heart of God.  Please feel free to bring a favorite sacred image/picture such as the Sacred Heart.  Ms. Nancy Berchtold is a parishioner of Sacred Heart Parish in Trenton, and for the past 30 years has been an art teacher in the Pennsbury School District.  Geri Smallwood and her committee will provide refreshments. 

Wednesday, April 14 – Rosary Altar Network meeting will be held in the OLS Church Meeting Room.

Sunday, May 2 – Annual Parish May Crowning – The DOLS will join the Rosary Altar Society to recite the Rosary starting at 10:30 AM followed by the 11:00 AM Mass.  Everyone is invited to recite the rosary and participate in the May Crowning by processing after Mass to the Statute of the Blessed Mother in front of the school.  

Monday, May 3 – A Marian Prayer Service, Rosary Altar May Crowning, and induction of new members will be held at 7:00 PM in the Upper Church.  The regular Monthly Meeting will follow in the Church Meeting Room.  Grace Price and her committee will provide refreshments.

Sunday, May 9 – Mother’s Day – As we celebrate Mother’s Day today, let us pray that the Lord will bless, comfort, and give our mothers the grace she most needs.  For our deceased mothers – Lord, help us to rejoice with our mother in her new life of the resurrection.

Thursday, May 13 – Ascension Thursday is Christ’s Ascension into God's glorious kingdom so that we, the members of His body, may live one day with Him forever.  Ascension Thursday is a Holy Day of Obligation.

Sunday, May 16 – The Rosary Altar Concert will be held at 3:00 PM in the Upper Church featuring the Holy Ghost Prep High School Boys Chorus and Friends.  After the concert, everyone is invited to the Church Meeting Room for light refreshments served by the Rosarians.  Please check the weekly bulletins for further information.     

Sunday, May 23 – Pentecost Sunday – On the 50^th day after Easter, our Blessed Mother and Jesus’ Disciples and Jews were gathered in one place when suddenly there was a noise from heaven like the sound of a mighty wind that filled the whole house. They saw what looked like fiery tongues, and a tongue came and settled on each person there.  They were filled with the Holy Spirit, and began speaking whatever languages the Spirit let them speak.   

Monday, May 31 – Memorial Day is a day to remember those who have died in our nation’s service.  Let us also pray for those who are currently serving and protecting our country.

Sunday, June 6 – Corporate Sunday is held at the OLS Campus.

Monday, June 7 – The Monthly Meeting will begin at 6:00 PM in the Upper Church with the installation of new officers followed with the an End-of-Year Dinner in the Church Meeting Room.  Phyllis Braconi and her committee will host the traditional dinner.  Please check the weekly bulletin for final details.

Sunday, June 20 – Father’s Day – Let us pray that God blesses and protects our living fathers that they may be strengthened as Christian fathers, and guide them to be good role models.  Let us honor our deceased fathers that they have found peace in the heavenly kingdom of God, Father of us all. 

Thursday, June 24 – Nativity of St. John the Baptist

Tuesday, June 29 – Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul

Sunday, July 4 – Corporate Sunday is held at the OLS Campus.  July 4 is a Federal holiday that commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. 

Monday, July 26 – Feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Sunday, August 1 – Corporate Sunday is held at the OLS Campus

Friday, August 6 – Transfiguration of Our Lord

Sunday, August 15 – The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Holy Day of obligation that celebrates both the happy departure of the Virgin Mary from her life on earth, and her bodily assumption into heaven.  The Assumption is a source of great hope for us too, for it points the way for all followers of Christ who emulate her fidelity and obedience to God’s will.   

A little faith will bring your soul to heaven, but a lot of faith will bring heaven to your soul. 

Rosary Altar Society, President, Mary K. Halasz