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The Seven Sisters Apostolate: Prayerfully Supporting the Needs of Our Pastor
At Catholic churches all across the state, country, and world, there are good and holy men leading people to Christ at priests. They offer their lives to Jesus and pray for all of us, their parishioners. But how often are all of us, as parishioners, praying for our priest? They urgently need our prayers, as well.
We are blessed to have Fr. Paul Timmerman serving the Holy Family Area. Several years ago, Fr. Paul’s mother, several sisters, sisters-in-law, and nieces recognized the need to offer him up in prayer. One of his sisters learned about the Seven Sisters Apostolate, which was started in 2010 by Janette Howe, who felt a calling to pray specifically for the Rector of the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul, Minn., Fr. Joseph R. Johnson — she was so appreciative for all he did for her and her family. In 2011, Janette was praying a Holy Hour for Fr. Johnson, and she heard the words “Seven Sisters.” She felt a calling to invite six other women to pray for one hour, per day, specifically for Fr. Johnson and for a deepening of his devotion to the Blessed Mother.
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To expand this ministry, one of Fr. Paul’s sisters asked Pat Niemand to start the Seven Sisters Apostolate at Holy Family Area. Women from our parishes have committed to each take one day where they offer up an hour or 30 minutes specifically for Fr. Paul. Pat Niemand is considered the “anchoress” of the group. Some of the women split the time, so they take 30 minutes each to make one hour each day. Fr. Paul’s family members have now shifted their focus to pray for their own parish priests.
St. Joseph’s parishioner Pat Craigmile prays for Fr. Paul on Mondays. There are several recommended prayers for the Seven Sisters to follow, including the Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Three saints who are important to the Apostolate are Madonna of the Grapes, St. John Vianney, and St. Margaret Clitherow. The sisters are asked to pray for the priest’s physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs.
The Seven Sisters Apostolate is a behind-the-scenes, silent ministry. The women aren’t in this ministry to draw attention to themselves — rather, the ministry exists with the sole purpose of supporting Fr. Paul. In the future, the women might have lunch with him, but, for now, they go on with their weekly hour. Pat Craigmile enjoys being a part of this ministry. It was easy for her to say “yes,” because she so appreciates all Fr. Paul does for Holy Family Area.
Pat Craigmile often uses her time to pray the Rosary and Stations of the Cross. She says that, through this ministry, she has learned more about the priesthood and the struggles priests are facing.
“I really admire Fr. Paul,” she says. “I see so many virtues in him. I know he takes his vocation to the priesthood very seriously. This is the least I can do is take an hour of my week to pray for him.”
In turn, the ministry also helps remind Pat Craigmile that priests are just like the rest of us, and have their own struggles, too. She is so thankful to have been asked to be a sister and to have the opportunity.
“Fr. Paul exemplifies the vocation to the priesthood,” she says.
Fr. Paul with his parents and siblings in 2019
