Trinity Heights to host Fatima Rosary Oct. 8
Millions of people will unite in prayer on Oct. 8.

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
Sept. 28, 2006

According to Larry Walsh, the spiritual committee of Queen of Peace Trinity Heights is planning to join the World Apostolate of Fatima "for what is being called the largest day of organized prayer that the world has ever seen."

All people are invited to join in this prayerful experience that will be centered on the rosary and Fatima reflections. The 4 p.m. rosary will include all four mysteries and will be held in the Marian Center of Trinity Heights.

He pointed out that this is the first time Trinity Heights has opted to be a part of this special event but they wanted to do so because of the "turmoil and terror and genocide in the world. The destruction of life through abortion. If we are not going to pray for an end to these things now - when it's so horrible - when will we start to ask for Mary's intervention?" Walsh added that all of Mary's apparitions such as Fatima, Lourdes and Guadalupe call for a conversion of heart and penance.

In this day when too many people have forgotten God and ignore his message in Scripture, Walsh said it was time to respond to the call of Mary and the message that she has been bringing to the people.

"We are asking everyone to break away from their daily routine, to come and join us in prayer and reflection," he said. "Together with Mary and Jesus we can change with world."

Walsh, a member of the spiritual committee at Trinity Heights, mentioned that organizers of this event are expecting huge worldwide numbers for this event partly due to the fact that it will be broadcast on EWTN - television, radio and internet - from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

"People of many faiths will be responding to the call of Mary, the mother of Jesus, when she appeared at Fatima 89 years ago. She said if we want a better world, a world without war, a world without disease, genocide and a world where each of God's children is free to know him, love him and do his work then we have to pray, obey the commandments and we must sacrifice and do penance," noted Walsh.

The rosary was selected as the prayer of choice for this event as it was on Oct. 13, 1917 that Mary told the children that she was the Lady of the Rosary. Mary had told the children to pray the rosary everyday.

"We are going to be joining the International Prayer Conference that is being held at Fatima itself as they bring to a close, four days of prayer at the shrine in Portugal," he explained.

Reflections during the rosary in Sioux City will center on the troubles of the world today - genocide, war, terrorism, abortion - and messages from Mary in Fatima.

"We would like to invite people of many parishes as they read and reflect upon the call of Mary once again to gather people together on Sunday, Oct. 8 and pray for life and pray for peace," noted Walsh. "If they are in Emmetsburg and they want to get 20 people together to pray - marvelous. They will be joining millions of others, sending billions of prayers to heaven and we hope it is enough to change our nation and the world."

Families could even pray the rosary together in their homes on the afternoon of Oct. 8.

October is not only Respect Life Month, but it is also the month of the rosary.