Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church Newsletter — June 2023

Our Lady of Prompt Succor Prayer Group

Humbly Asking for the Blessed Mother’s Intercession and Upholding Sanctity of Life

When Catholics are working to make positive changes in the world, prayer is just as necessary as action. With this in mind, Elisabeth Birky established Our Lady of Prompt Succor Prayer Group. Elisabeth’s goal was to support the important pro-life work of Walking with Moms in Need, which provides material, spiritual, and emotional support to mothers to encourage them to choose life.

Elisabeth chose the patronage of Our Lady of Prompt Succor in part because this title for Our Lady has a unique history in the United States and is associated with many miracles. One of the most well-known was in 1815, during the Battle of New Orleans. The forces of General Andrew Jackson were outnumbered by the British. At the Ursuline convent, where the statue of Our Lady of Prompt Succor resides, Mass was said asking for her intercession for the American forces. During Mass, news arrived of their victory. This story reminded Elisabeth of the famous Battle of Lepanto, which she relates to our current fight for a culture of life and an end to abortion and euthanasia.

“In my opinion, this is our Battle of Lepanto here,” Elisabeth says.

Elisabeth established the prayer group just this year and it is still getting its feet off the ground. She encourages anyone who would like to gather to pray to stop by and join them in prayer. It is a simple, but meaningful action. Asking the Blessed Mother’s intercession gives our humble actions more power than we might ever know.

The prayer group meets every Tuesday for about an hour to pray the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and to discuss different Marian

GIVING DURING THE SUMMER SEASON

“We’ve stopped delivery of the newspaper and mail. We’ve taken the dog to the kennel. The iron is unplugged, and the stove is turned off. Is there anything else we need to do before we leave on vacation?”

Aren’t you forgetting something? Did you remember to write a check to your parish for the Sundays you’ll be gone?

“But I won’t be at Mass at home those Sundays. Can’t I skip those envelopes when I’m away? After all, I’ll put a dollar or two, or maybe even five, in the collection at the church where we visit. Isn’t that enough?”

Many Americans, whether we have school-age children at home or not, operate on an academic calendar. We assume our organizations operate September through May and then take it easy during June, July and August. And to some extent, many parish activities do function on such a schedule. Our parish may not hold Religious Education classes during the summer. Our choirs frequently take a break. Even many of the parish staff members take summer vacations! Can’t our giving take a vacation during the summer, too?

Even as we form the question in our mind, we know the answer. The prime reason for keeping up our pledge all summer long is that God doesn’t go on vacation. He continues to sustain us throughout the summer months. He persists in pouring out blessings on us, even during the hottest weather. He keeps on meeting us in His sacramental presence when we go to Mass wherever we travel. As God remains faithful to us during the summer, we are

called to be faithful in our commitments to Him and our parish family, even during our vacation time.

God’s steadfastness in giving to us is the primary reason for us to respond by being faithful in our stewardship toward Him. But there is also a practical reason why we need to keep up our pledges of time, talent and treasure throughout the summer — the Church needs our involvement year-round.

Even though some parish activities are reduced during the summer months, the parish’s expenses are not. After all, there are still Sunday Masses and weekday Masses, too. The parish staff members still need their salaries. And of course, we need to run the air conditioning in our church during the hot summer months. Despite the fact that some parish functions are suspended, other activities may take place, such as Vacation Bible School. And although the regular parish Religious Education program may be suspended, the summer expenses are often the highest, as textbooks and other supplies are bought for the upcoming school year. Our parish has to pay its bills on a year-round basis, just like your family.

Our parish plans a budget for the year, taking into account the commitments that you, the members, have made. If parishioners do not live out their financial commitments to the parish, the budget will not balance.

Our giving needs to be maintained throughout the summer, just as God maintains His generosity to us. Our stewardship is a response to God’s gifts. And God pours out His gifts and His grace upon us all year long.

A Letter From Our Pastor

Remember to Keep the Faith This Summer

Dear Parishioners,

As we enter the month of June and kick off our summer, I want to take a moment to reflect on the importance of stewardship in our daily lives as Catholics.

Stewardship is a way of life that calls us to recognize that everything we have is a gift from God, and that we are called to use these gifts for the good of others and the building up of God’s kingdom.

Here are a few ways in which we can live out stewardship in the month of June:

• Practice gratitude: Take time each day to thank God for the blessings in your life, both big and small. A grateful heart is essential to living a life of stewardship, as it helps us to recognize the gifts that God has given us and to use them for the good of others.

• Give generously: Whether it’s donating to a local charity, volunteering at a soup kitchen, or simply offering a kind word to a neighbor, there are countless ways to give of ourselves to others. Consider making a financial donation to our parish or to a local charity that is doing good work in our community.

• Pray for others: Stewardship is not just about giving of our material resources, but also about giving of our time and talent. Take time each day to pray for the needs of others, whether it’s for the sick, the poor, or those who are struggling in their faith.

• Share your talents: We are all blessed with unique gifts and talents that we can use to serve others. Consider volunteering to teach a religious education class, joining the choir, or using your professional skills to help those in need.

• Be a good steward of the environment: God has entrusted us with the care of His creation, and it is our responsibility to be good stewards of the environment. Consider ways in which you can reduce your carbon footprint, recycle more, or conserve resources.

As we continue to navigate the challenges of our world, let us remember that we are called to be faithful stewards of the gifts and talents that God has given us. By living out stewardship in our daily lives, we can make a difference in the world and build up the kingdom of God.

May God bless you and your families abundantly this month, this summer, and always.

Sincerely yours in

Christ,

Fr. William Bruning Pastor

Prayer Chain Brings Individual “The

It is no secret that we all go through hard times in life. We live in a fallen world marred by sin — therefore, life is not perfect. Yet, God has not left us to navigate this world alone. He’s given us the grace of the sacraments and created us for community wherein we are lifted up when life gets hard, through the love and prayers of others. And here at Queen of the Holy Rosary, we are particularly blessed with a community of believers intent on bringing our hardships to Jesus.

For over 30 years, our Prayer Chain Ministry has offered constant prayers for the needs of our parish, bringing our individual needs to Christ together as a parish and trusting that He will take care of them.

“I really believe that prayer is the key to God’s heart,” says Doris Kapsch, coordinator of our Prayer Chain Ministry.

Doris and fellow parishioner, Carolyn Pate have both been involved in the Prayer Chain since its inception, and they have been running it together since the original coordinators stepped down — longer than either of them can remember.

“When the original coordinators stepped down because they were moving away, they asked me if I would head it up,” Doris says. “I had never done anything like this before, but I knew it was an important ministry. So, of course, I said yes. Then I reached out to Carolyn and asked her if she would help me, and she readily agreed.”

Together, the two orchestrate the ministry of over 70 prayer warriors. They take phone calls, listen to people’s prayer requests, and then pass the requests on to the other members of the ministry who take time out of each day to offer prayers for the specific requests.

“We pray for anyone and anything,” Doris says. “The needs can be big or small. We just want everyone to know we are here, and we will pray whenever you need us to.”

“Everyone has a need for prayer, and we are here to pray,” Carolyn adds. “If you can get 70 more people to pray for your needs, that is a great blessing.”

Christ Himself emphasized the power of praying together when he proclaimed, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there I am in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20).

Individual Needs to Christ in a Powerful Way “The Key to God’s Heart”

Prayer changes things, and both Doris and Carolyn say that they have witnessed miracles happen because of our Prayer Chain. God is here — He cares for our needs, and He wants us to bring them to Him.

“In addition to the prayers for healing or other needs, many people have called with prayers of thanksgiving,” Doris says. “They call and tell us that a need that we were praying for has been taken care of, and they want to praise God for that.

“This is a powerful ministry,” Carolyn adds. “It really is so simple. You just offer prayers for others. You really don’t have to put in any extra effort, but it brings all of us together in a very powerful way as a community.”

Doris and Carolyn encourage all of us to get involved. Call in your prayer requests. Offer your time to pray for others. This simple effort yields incredibly big results!

“It feels so good to be a part of something like this,” Doris says. “It is heartwarming to know you are helping others in this way.”

To bring a prayer request to the Prayer Chain, call Doris at 913-642-0410 or Carolyn at 913-492-7612 — your request will be added and members will receive emails. To get involved in the ministry, please contact Doris or Carolyn. They would love additional prayer support!

Our Lady of Prompt Succor Prayer Group

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apparitions. Learning about different Marian apparitions helps us to see our small battles for good as part of the great victory that God has over evil, and of which Our Lady is an instrumental part.

“I think there is a great need for people to know that the Blessed Mother has appeared over the centuries and has appeared in the last 10 years,” Elisabeth says. “I think people need to be aware of that and that in

every appearance, she talks about prayer, penance, and praying the Rosary. I think those three things are really important for people to know and start practicing.”

The group prays for an end to abortion and euthanasia, but Elisabeth doesn’t limit the group to just those needs.

“Prayer right now is just so necessary,” Elisabeth says. “There are so many reasons to pray.”

The prayer group meets every Tuesday at 1 p.m. in the prayer room at the convent. All are welcome to join us. Contact Elisabeth Birky with any questions at elisabeth.birky@gmail.com .

“I think there is a great need for people to know that the Blessed Mother has appeared over the centuries and has appeared in the last 10 years. I think people need to be aware of that and that in every appearance, she talks about prayer, penance and praying the Rosary.” — ELISABETH BIRKY

Special Needs Totus Tuus Making God’s Love Known to All His Children

Totus Tuus is a Latin phrase meaning “totally yours.” This was the motto of Pope St. John Paul II, expressing his desire to give himself entirely to Jesus Christ through Mary. The Totus Tuus summer program embraces this motto and encourages the young adult missionaries to give their all to the young people they encounter during the summer.

Dedicated to sharing the Gospel and teaching young people about the Catholic faith, Totus Tuus is a weeklong program that provides opportunities for participants to encounter Jesus Christ through participation in the sacraments, learning about the faith, and having fun. Josh Ruoff, Lead Consultant for Special Needs, says that this will be the fifth year that the archdiocese is hosting a Totus Tuus week dedicated to serving participants with diagnosed disabilities and their siblings.

“When the Special Needs Ministry started in 2017, we worked with the Children’s Catechesis Office to design a special needs Totus Tuus week for those individuals with unique learning needs, so that they could fully participate and deepen their faith through the program,” Josh says. “We are in charge of adapting the curriculum, recruiting participants and volunteers, providing snacks and materials, and ensuring the safety and full participation of each individual to the best of their abilities.”

This year, it will be held here at Queen of the Holy Rosary from July 17 through July 21. It will be open to individuals with disabilities from first grade through adult and their siblings. The cost is $40 per person or $60 per family.

Participants will have the opportunity to engage in both large and small-group activities. When they arrive in the mornings, the day will start with large-group prayer, music, and games. The rest of the morning and afternoon will be split into small groups, where participants will be led through a topic related to the faith. This year, the topics will include the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary and Salvation History. In addition, throughout the week they will have the chance to celebrate Mass and partake in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

“This is important for the whole Catholic Church because as disciples of Christ, we are called to spread His love and His message to everyone we meet,” Josh says. “We understand the importance of making God’s love known to all His children.”

Stewards are always needed to help the week run smoothly. Ideally, each participant will have their own buddy to assist them with any needs they have throughout the day. It is also important to have a medical professional attend to help with medication and other medical needs.

If you have any questions or would like to serve with the program, contact Josh Ruoff at 913-647-3054 or jruoff@archkck.org.

To register, visit archkck18.wufoo.com/forms/2023-totus-tuus-registration/

“This is important for the whole Catholic Church because as disciples of Christ, we are called to spread His love and His message to everyone we meet. We understand the importance of making God’s love known to all His children.”

— JOSH RUOFF

A Catholic’s Guide to GOOD SUMMER READING

Have you been wondering what to read during vacation this year? Why not give spiritual reading a try?

There are thousands of titles out there — too many for any one person — just waiting to make a positive impact on your faith life. Reading is a fantastic opportunity for general spiritual direction and good practice for every searching soul.

Choose a title from “you can’t go wrong” authors such as Louis de Wohl, G.K. Chesterton, Peter Kreeft, Francis de Sales, C.S. Lewis, and Scott Hahn. Their works alone should take you well into the summer, and possibly through to the next decade.

Or, choose from this list of great Christian books, in no particular order:

The Story of a Soul by St. Therese of Lisieux

In this autobiography and all-time favorite Catholic book, St. Therese teaches her “little way” of spiritual childhood. Millions of copies have been sold worldwide.

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

One of the most popular introductions to the Christian faith ever published, this series of broadcast talks has been collected into book fashion. Mere Christianity sets out to “explain and defend the belief that has been common to nearly all Christians at all times.”

Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism by Scott

and Kimberly Hahn

This offers a conversion story of a brilliant, anti-Catholic Scripture scholar and his wife to the Catholic faith.

Now well-known speakers and Catholic apologists, Scott and Kimberly recount their story with simplicity and love.

The Good News about Sex & Marriage: Answers to Your Honest Questions about Catholic Teaching by Christopher West

This down-to-earth application of Pope St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body is an easy-to-read, yet insightful account of the Church’s teaching on sex and marriage.

What Catholics Really Believe by Karl Keating

Addressing 52 of the greatest misconceptions of the Catholic faith, Keating draws upon Scripture and Tradition to dispel errors and explain the rationale behind Church teaching.

No Greater Love by Mother Teresa

This anthology collects the teachings and sayings of St. Teresa of Calcutta. Founder of the Missionaries of Charity and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, St. Teresa of Calcutta speaks joyfully about her work with the poor and God’s call in our lives.

Surprised by Truth edited by Patrick Madrid

Eleven converts give their Biblical and historical reasons for becoming Catholic. These unique personal testimonies continue to transform hearts throughout the world in an insightful read for Catholics and non-Catholics alike.

SOMETHING FOR YOUNG CATHOLICS

As for the little ones at home, nothing settles them into bed better than a good book. Seek wholesome children’s continued on back cover

Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church

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Good Summer Reading

literature that communicates Christian messages. Be sure they are positive, healthy stories with characters they can emulate that inspire virtues such as courage, justice, charity, patience, generosity and prudence. To name a few:

Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

This series of seven fantasy novels is considered a classic in children’s literature. Chronicles of Narnia alludes to traditional Christian ideas within the framework of an exciting tale of adventure.

Little Acts of Grace by Rosemarie Gortler, Mimi Sternhagen (Illustrator) and Donna Piscitelli

This beginning-level book is a fantastic way to introduce 2 to 4-year-olds to Catholic customs. It is written in an age-appropriate, beautifully explained way.

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All (or just one) of the 20 books of the Mary Fabyan Windeatt saint biographies

This unbeatable collection of saint stories, appropriate for children of all ages, is perfect to read aloud with the whole family.

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta: Missionary of Charity by Sr. Mary Kathleen Glavich

There is no better way to introduce children to St. Teresa of Calcutta! This book highlights her work with the poor and includes a special prayer for children.

The Story of Easter by Aileen Fisher

Tells the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and explores how different cultures celebrate Easter. This is recommended for children in first through third grades. Happy summer! Happy reading!