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Trinity Heights invites Christians to attend 18th Annual Prayer and Celebration Day

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
(Email Katie)

Trinity Heights will hold its 18th Annual Prayer and Celebration Day from noon to 4 p.m. on June 28.

“We believe that it is prayer that allowed the shrine to become the important place that it is for Christian travelers,” said Larry Walsh, a member of the spiritual committee at Trinity Heights. “Celebration is the recognition of the many gifts that we have all been given by Mary and God in heaven above to have this place of peace and prayer available to anyone in times of stress or times of reflection.”

Jerry Traufler will be on hand and will revisit his seven-year journey of making the life-size wood carving of the Last Supper.

“He has been so generous with his gift and talent that have brought a multitude of Christian travelers to Queen of Peace,” said Walsh.

Sondra Johnson, who sculpted Rachel Weeping for Her Children located at the Circle of Life, will display the clay models of the statues of Sts. Peter and Paul. The six-foot bronze statues will be installed in the Way of the Saints near Moses in 2010, noted Walsh.

“These were given to us by a very generous repeat donor,” said Walsh.

Along with viewing the many statues located on the grounds, the St. Faustina relic will be available in the chapel. The plan is to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3 p.m. Father LeRoy Seuntjens will share thoughts of his journey to Poland to bring the relic to Trinity Heights.

“We will also have prayers to close out the year of St. Paul, which takes place the next day,” said Walsh.

There will be a procession to the Mound of Mary where the rosary will be prayed followed by refreshments in the Marian Center.

“The rosary has been prayed at Trinity Heights at the 4 o’clock hour for over 25 years, a tradition begun by Father Harold Cooper when he first hoped that there might be a Marian shrine some day,” said Walsh. “How those prayers have been answered is miraculous when we look at the beauty of the place. It is spectacular.”

He added that the rosary has been a central part of the prayer at Queen of Peace, even before they owned the property.

All are invited to join in any or all of the day’s activities. Attendees are encouraged to walk the grounds on their own. Golf cart tours will be available for those not capable of walking.

Both prayer and celebration will take place on the campus of Trinity Heights. The banquet will not be held this year.

“It is a marvelous place to be alone with God and his creation and reflect on all the stresses and problems of our day,” said Walsh.