FATIMA MESSAGE
Day of Recollection set for May 12 at Trinity Heights in Sioux City

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
May 3, 2007

A Day of Recollection will be held on May 12 at Trinity Heights in Sioux City to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Mary's first apparition to the three children of Fatima.

Organized and sponsored by members of the World Apostolate of Fatima in the Diocese of Sioux City, the day will begin at 8:30 a.m. with registration and close at 2 p.m. Some of the main highlights of the day will be prayer, reflection, Mass and a rosary procession.

While the first apparition actually happened on May 13, 1917, the diocesan group opted to hold the Day of Recollection a day early on May 12 as May 13 is Mother's Day.

The purpose of the day, according to Marge Stanek, is to renew the Fatima message that is centered on hope, peace and promotion of family life. She said the day is open to anyone who has interest in or a desire to learn more about the Fatima message.

"I think our whole world is in turmoil and we have all kinds of problems because we are not honoring God. The message of Fatima was to help teach us to pray and to realize that if we don't honor God then this world is going to fall apart," said Shirley Kennedy, vice president of the diocesan apostolate.

She stressed the fact that family life was key because that is where children learn to pray.

Father Dan Guenther, the apostolate's new spiritual director, will lead the day. Father Ray Wieling, a retired priest of the diocese, will also be on hand for confessions.

The Day of Recollection will open with prayer and reflections by the group's spiritual director.

"Last year Father Dan Guenther and I were in Fatima for the 89th anniversary. We are going to offer a slide presentation, revisiting Fatima and showing some of the pictures from the trip to Fatima," noted Stanek.

Father Guenther will preside at the 11 a.m. Mass, after the 10:15 a.m. business meeting.

Following lunch, the rosary procession will lead people to the Circle of Life, the Mound of Mary and other stops at Trinity Heights before making their way to the Fatima Shrine. There, the statue of Mary will be crowned.

Stanek, treasurer of the diocesan apostolate, pointed out that these days have been offered off and on for more than 20 years.

"About seven years ago we received permission from Bishop DiNardo to form a diocesan group. He agreed to recognize us as a diocesan group and since that time we have had officers that have been active," she explained.

They explained that small prayer groups, known as cells, are located in various parts of the diocese. Generally, these small groups consist of anywhere from four to 10 members.

Kennedy mentioned that she belongs to the St. Michael's group from Sioux City and they meet every Monday at Trinity Heights in the chapel.

Stanek is part of a group that was formed with members from the now-closed St. Francis Parish in Sioux City. They meet weekly on Thursdays.

"Part of what the cell groups are to do is to come together in prayer, along with praying the rosary daily," she explained.

Stanek explained that the World Apostolate of Fatima is a "loosely knit group" - which is made up of anyone who is devoted to the Blessed Mother and the Fatima message. Years ago, this group was known as the Blue Army.

The upcoming Day of Recollection, noted Kennedy is a great way to reinvigorate those who are committed to the message and "to encourage us to bring new people to this message."

Stanek mentioned that at Fatima, Mary invited people to join her in bringing the message to others.

"Mary needs us and I need her," said Stanek. "I can't go against her. She has come to my aid so many times. She has brought a rainbow of blessings to my life. In return, I want to do this for Our Lady."

Those who plan to attend the day are asked to bring a sack lunch. Beverages and dessert will be provided.

For more information contact Mary Margaret Sudbeck at (712) 239-9031, Marge Stanek at (712) 276-6380 or Shirley Kennedy at (712) 239-1345. There is no cost to attend the event and no pre-registration is necessary.