Trinity Heights to host national night of prayer

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
Posted November 28, 2002

For the past 12 years people throughout this nation have joined in prayer on Dec. 8 - the Feast of the Immaculate Conception - to ask Our Lady of Guadelupe to help bring about a conversion of hearts for the people of this country. United States Catholics will once again come together for a night of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament starting at 9 p.m. Dec. 8 and ending at 1 a.m. on Dec. 9.

While Dec. 12 is the actual Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, it was on Dec. 9 that the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego, who was recently canonized a saint. Our Lady's appearance led to the conversion of about eight or nine million Aztec Indians to Catholicism and that brought about the end of human sacrifice in that region.

Parishioners of the Diocese of Sioux City are invited to participate in a national night of prayer at Trinity Heights' Marian Center in Sioux City. This is the third year that Trinity Heights has hosted the night of prayer. Nationally, this is the 13th year for the Annual Night of Prayer for Life and America to be held in various communities throughout America between the hours of 9 p.m., Dec. 8 to 1 a.m., Dec. 9.

Larry Walsh, coordinator of the night of prayer at Trinity Heights, explained how it came to be observed here in Sioux City.

"Fortunately Bishop DiNardo received a flyer about the night of prayer, requesting that it be considered for parish prayer. He sent it to us (Trinity Heights) and said that if we were interested in doing this he would give us his blessings," he said. "When he offered this opportunity, we were excited to take part in it."

The night of prayer, the coordinator from Trinity Heights explained, is intended to ask the virgin of Guadalupe for a conversion of hearts of the people of this nation.

"Part of our mission at Trinity Heights Queen of Peace is prayer for the end of the human sacrifice brought about by contraception, abortion and euthanasia - human sacrifice to convenience and immorality of our current day," said Walsh. "We want people to turn from selfishness and realize that life is sacred and needs protection."

He pointed out that in the year Our Lady of Guadelupe appeared to Juan Diego, 1531, as many as 20,000 people a day were sacrificed to the serpent gods. It was her image that appeared on the tilma or cloak of Juan Diego that greatly aided in the conversion.

Pope John Paul II has proclaimed her to be the patron of the Americas and Bishop DiNardo has declared her patroness of the Diocese of Sioux City.

The four hours of prayer at Trinity Heights will consist of hymns, led prayer, Scripture readings and the rosary, including the new Luminous Mysteries with pro-life reflections. Every hour those gathered will pray Psalm 51, the psalm of David. There will also be a period of silence before the Blessed Sacrament each hour. Walsh will serve as host and board members from the Queen of Peace will lead each of the hours.

"They will start in New York City at 8 p.m. our time and at 9 p.m. we join them. At 10 p.m. (Central Time), those who live in the Rocky Mountains will come on-stream, and then at 11 p.m. (Central Time), the West Coast will join in," noted Walsh. During that hour, people throughout the country will be praying together. "Isn't it something to think that the entire nation has people on their knees asking for forgiveness and for a return of the influence of our virgin to bring about a change in the hearts of all of our citizens."

And while the service is Marian-based, people of all faiths are invited to attend. The service will end with benediction.

In the first two years, Walsh recalled, more than 150 people were on hand for the services. Organizers were pleased to have people from diocesan communities such as Le Mars and Early in attendance.

He pointed out that if people cannot attend for the whole service, they are welcome to attend for an hour or two.

"I hope to become an ambassador for Our Lady of Guadelupe who has many servants doing her work. Her love for us is nothing more than an attempt to bring us to her son Jesus. She has been a miracle in our land," said Walsh. "The message of Juan Diego, who was the first ambassador of Our Lady of Guadelupe, is one with the tilma that changed the hearts of those in the Aztec Empire for the end of human sacrifice. What more can I ask for than to be a part of bringing about the end of human sacrifice that goes on here in the United States and in our city."