2020 Fall Family Link

Fall 2020 Volume 27 Number 3

Family Link News for the friends of Holy Cross Family Ministries

Answering the Call Investing in the future of prayer and our Catholic faith

The Family That Prays Together Stays Together

Letter from the President A message from Father Willy Raymond, C.S.C., President, Holy Cross Family Ministries Dear Friends,

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During these trying days of anxiety about our loved ones and their health, we are deeply grateful for you and for your unwavering support for our programs and services that provide much needed spiritual consolation to so many around the globe. Our Holy Cross Family Ministries (HCFM) team is keeping you in Father Willy prayer Monday Raymond, through Friday C.S.C. at Rosary and Eucharist in the Peyton Center. Venerable Patrick Peyton’s legacy and mission are alive and well even though much of our work must be done remotely and digitally due to COVID-19.

With the challenges confronting families around the world, our ministry has taken the opportunity to reflect on our mission, vision, and reason for existing. Our mission is to help families pray, especially the Rosary, and build up families that are filled with joy, unity, peace and hope. Why does this matter? Why do our 300+ volunteers, 1,000+ donors, and 200+ staff members including 41 Holy Cross priests, sisters, and brothers dedicate their time, talents, treasure, and their very lives to advance our mission? The answer lies within our shared belief that prayer is powerful and changes things.

Pope Francis says, “Prayer is

the door of faith, prayer is medicine for the heart.” Prayer binds the family together, brings us closer to God’s love and mercy, and brings needed peace to our world. Father Peyton, our founder, knew the power of prayer better than most, which is why he popularized the simple phrase, “The Family That Prays Together Stays Together.”

Today, we devote ourselves to Unleashing the Power and Promise of Family Prayer.

Our world and our families are in urgent need of prayer and deep faith. Many friends, fellow religious, and HCFM partners voice their concerns about young families not engaged in the faith. Many children are walking away from the faith at 13 and 14 years of age. At HCFM, we are committed to addressing this issue

by Cultivating Catholic Families.

Our team is dedicated to giving families the tools and experiences to pass on the faith to the next generation through a variety of high-impact programs and services.

During this trying time, we ask ourselves, what would Father Peyton do today? The answer to this is simple for anyone familiar with Father Peyton’s passionate, energetic, and bold spirit. Today, Father Peyton would tirelessly pursue a bold vision focused on deepening the impact and reach of our works to ensure the promotion of prayer and the truth, beauty, and goodness of the Catholic faith. He would call on friends and strangers chal-

lenging them to act boldly in support of our mission. He would point out to them that now is the time to partner with Holy Cross Family Ministries.

Our families and Church cannot wait any longer.

With this sense of urgency, I share with you our commitment to Unleashing the Power and Promise of Family Prayer and Cultivating Catholic Families. These two priorities are at the core of our mission, the reason we exist, and why we call on our volunteers, ambassadors, and benefactors to be bold and join us as we expand our reach and impact as Father Peyton would. In this fall edition of the Family Link, future Family Links and other donor communications over the next year, we look forward to immersing you in our mission, work and priorities for the future that will better engage families in prayer and faith, thus change lives and our society for the better. Remember, prayer changes things!

We can’t thank you enough for your support. I encourage you to reflect prayerfully how you can answer the call to advance our mission, whether by joining the Father Peyton Prayer Guild, submitting a prayer intention, being an ambassador who shares our work or by donating today. Thank you and I pray that the Blessed Mother Mary will keep you, your family, and loved ones close to her Divine Son Jesus.

Sincerely,

Answering the Call Investing in the Future of Prayer and Our Catholic Faith Catholic families are not immune to the daily pressures and challenges of the world, which often pull us away from prayer and practicing our faith. A study we commisioned with the Georgetown University Center of Applied Research in the Apostolate found that 68 percent of Catholic families do not have their children enrolled in any form of catechesis or religious education in the Catholic faith. We also discovered that while the majority of people surveyed believe prayer is essential to their faith, they still do not pray. A National Association of Marriage Enhancement study found that more than 50 percent of U.S. couples get divorced, yet in families that pray together, less than 1 percent get divorced.

Prayer and faith are decisive factors in shaping healthy families and strong disciples of the Lord and have a powerful impact that can be seen in our families and society, yet families need our help and support. At Holy Cross Family Ministries, we believe we are called to improve the family life by investing in the future of prayer and our Catholic faith through two key priorities: Unleashing the Power and Promise of Family Prayer and Cultivating Catholic Families.

Our Cultivating Catholic Families initiative serves practicing and non-practicing Catholics through relevant, exciting, and meaningful content and experiences that

Meanwhile, our new Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life is conducting research and using data to develop practical programs for Catholic families as well as leaders in the church, particularly those in family life ministry. This past summer, we led a five-part series of virtual trainings for diocesan family life directors, focusing on developing family spirituality and family ministry.

Answering the Call The challenges facing our families and society are complex, yet we have a great opportunity to make a difference together.

The time to act is now. Together, we believe we must answer the call and leave a legacy of prayer and faith, as Father Peyton did.

We are committed, with the help of God’s grace and your partnership, to Unleashing the Power and Promise of Family Prayer and Cultivating Catholic Families. We are investing in these priorities across our ministry centers in the 17 countries we serve with the goal to enrich the prayer and faith life in the home and strengthen the next generation of Catholics.

We invite you, your family, parish, and others to answer the call with us. Together we can do great things, just as Father Peyton and his partners did!

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Our Unleashing the Power and Promise of Family Prayer initiative focuses on inspiring a prayerful life by giving families the experiences and opportunities to learn how to pray and be inspired to pray as a family. We accomplish this through a variety of in-person and digital services across the globe. On pages four and five, you will read about two of our many projects that will creatively engage people in prayer in the coming months.

meet the family where they are. For example, our hit video series at CatholicCentral.com serves parents and teachers such as Lauren Kudlick, who says, “I teach 7th grade religion, and I have used so many of your videos in my lessons during distance learning due to COVID-19. The kids enjoy watching the videos because they are funny and engaging, not to mention educational! Thank you!� We offer more than 50 episodes, each accompanied by a free activity guide to help foster the faith.

Beautiful. Inspiring. Filled with goodness and simple and powerful faith.

– Father Rocky Hoffman of Relevant Radio after seeing “PRAY”

A Mission of Faith and Family Prayer Comes to the Big Screen

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“PRAY: THE STORY OF PATRICK PEYTON” comes to theaters across the nation the weekend of October 9, documenting the amazing story of a poor Irish immigrant who came to America seeking riches and instead became a Holy Cross priest, media evangelist and globetrotting Rosary champion.

Shot by our ministry, Family Theater Productions, on location from Hollywood to Ireland, “PRAY: THE STORY OF PATRICK PEYTON” follows Patrick Peyton from his birth in 1909 in a small town in the West of Ireland to the U.S., where he landed in 1927.

While at The University of Notre Dame, he experienced a miraculous healing from tuberculosis which he believed came through the intercession of the Virgin Mary. Because of that, he dedicated his priesthood and life to spreading the Gospel and the family Rosary.

Until his death in 1992, Father Peyton – who

was declared Venerable in 2017 – continued to evangelize through radio, film and television, partnering with many of Hollywood’s most iconic stars, and through live Rosary Rallies across the globe.

As “PRAY: THE STORY OF PATRICK PEYTON” shows through interviews with those who knew him and are still affected by his ministry, Father Peyton’s message continues that, “The Family That Prays Together Stays Together” and “A World at Prayer Is a World at Peace.” The film will be a powerful way to share the story of Father Peyton with the next generation of Catholics while inspiring families to pray together.

To subscribe for updates and learn how you can see the film, go to PrayTheFilm.com. If the film cannot premiere in theaters due to COVID-19 restrictions, we will be having a digital release.

Pray Together Now Movement

Father Patrick Peyton traveled the world with a singular focus in mind: inspiring families to pray. In an effort to be like Father Peyton and continue his mission, we are launching the ambitious Pray Together Now Movement.

The Pray Together Now Movement is designed to lead families into a new habit of communal and daily prayer – especially the Rosary – the campaign partners with dioceses, parishes, organizations, and individuals who share a belief in the power of prayer. The Movement launches on October 9 in unison with the “PRAY: THE STORY OF PATRICK PEYTON” film release.

Our goal is to encourage 10 million signed

pledges from families, groups, or individuals committing to pray for 35 days. In conjunction with the theatrical release of “PRAY” and subsequent parish and online screenings, the campaign provides impactful resources at the PrayTogetherNow.com homepage. There, families can find downloadable prayers, encouragement and information, and order a home-delivered Prayer Kit. The Pray Together Now Movement also urges groups, parishes and families to watch “PRAY: THE STORY OF PATRICK PEYTON” together and invite others to join them. As Father Peyton said, “The world hasn’t got a prayer without yours.”

– Father Patrick Peyton

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The world hasn’t got a prayer without yours.

The Power of the Father Peyton Prayer Guild in Action

By Father David S. Marcham Vice Postulator and Guild Director Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, On June 3, we commemorated the anniversary of Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., going home to God. Here at the Father Peyton Center in Easton, Massachusetts, Father Willy Raymond, four Holy Cross priests, three Holy Cross seminarians, and I offered (and live-streamed) the Rosary and Mass in thanksgiving; united in prayer with people like yourself around the world. Due to the Pandemic, we needed to change a celebration that was to include a Mass offered by Cardinal Patrick D’Rozario, C.S.C. of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The Father Peyton Prayer Guild is essential in advancing Father Peyton’s cause for sainthood, while providing Guild members a needed, meaningful community of prayer and spiritual support.

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– Tom McKenney, Guild Member and Executive Director of the Holy Cross Family Ministries Foundation This adaptation of how we came together in Rosary prayer and celebration of the Mass inspired me to share how St. Monica’s Prayer Guild Chapter in Santa Monica, California is also able to meet virtually. I asked one of the founders of the group, Megan Harrington (Producer of “PRAY: THE STORY OF PATRICK PEYTON”) and two other Guild members, Alex and Maria, to share their faith experience.

How did you come to know about Father Peyton?

And, what inspired you to propose to the other members of your prayer group to join the Guild?

Megan: “My sister and I began a Monday night

Rosary prayer group in Lent of 2011. In 2018, I discovered the man behind the famous saying, ‘The family that prays together stays together’ when Family Theater Productions hired me to produce the documentary about his life (PrayTheFilm.com). This was a life-changing project, and now I consider Father Peyton a great friend. Once I learned about The Father Peyton Prayer Guild, it was a natural fit for us to become part of it.”

What are the benefits both in your regular gatherings and those now on the virtual Zoom platform?

Megan: “In-person gatherings foster community and friendship in Christ. This can be especially hard to find in city life. Through prayer and fellowship, wonderful friendships and relationships have been built. Our Zoom Father Peyton Prayer Guild meetings have been a wonderful bridge to our separation. It’s also an option in the future when a member is unable to attend our regular meetings in person.”

Alex: “The biggest benefit of Guild meetings is growing in fellowship with one another. By hearing other people’s life experiences and faith journey, I can go deeper with them and in following Christ as well. We know that Jesus also surrounded himself with his disciples in fellowship, and we are called to do the same.”

How has this experience changed or enhanced your understanding of being united in prayer?

Alex: “My understanding of being united in prayer has definitely deepened. It is so much more personal to hear and ask for specific prayers and see what’s on another person’s heart when gathered together.”

Maria: “It gives peace and security to know that we are all part of one Christian family and that when one is weak, we lift them up by the power of our united prayer.”

In Memoriam

Sister Patricia Mary Crane, C.S.C. Dec. 1, 1946 - July 20, 2020 Please remember and pray for Sister Patricia (Pat) Mary Crane, C.S.C., who went home to God on July 20, 2020, the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

She had been serving our ministry as the director of Family Rosary in Mexico since 2014 and was a blessing to our worldwide team and the families she served.

Please join us in prayer for Sister as we renew our faith in the resurrected Jesus and strengthen our hope that all the departed will be raised to eternal life. Now may God reveal to her fully the eternal simplicity of all that is holy and whole.

Please pray for Ken, who was recently diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer.

Please pray for wisdom for his doctor and healing of the myeloma through the intercession of Father Peyton. -Gloria Please pray for Elizabeth who is 81 and going through a challenging time. She needs prayers for healing and peace and a positive outcome for her son. -Kathleen Please pray for my international Rosary ministry. I’ve been sending rosaries all over the world this last year as part of my ongoing Evangelization Practicum.

-David

Please pray for my daughter Amy. May she heal from her addiction and back pain she has suffered from for 16 years. -Marjie Please pray for the gift of faith for Andrea, Ricky, and Joshua, for the healing and restoration of my marriage, that one day I will come into the Catholic Church, and for our financial situation. -Debby Please pray for my husband and I who will be celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary, for my children and grandchildren that they will practice the Catholic faith, and for healing for my husband who has a severe hearing disorder. -Katie

DETACH HERE AND MAIL TODAY

Please include the following special intention through the intercession of Father Peyton in Holy Cross Family Ministries’ daily Rosary and Mass.

Name Street City/State Zip Email Phone

Complete and return in the enclosed envelope.

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Sister Pat became a registered nurse in 1968 and in 1979 felt compelled to respond to the need for nurses in Yucatan, Mexico.

In 1992, nearing 50 years old, she professed her vows with the Congregation of Holy Cross. As a sister-nurse, she provided healthcare to the poor and uninsured in North America, South America and Africa. Sister Pat was the chapter leader of the Father Peyton Prayer Guild in Mexico.

Father Peyton Prayer Guild Member Prayer Requests

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Be Like Father Peyton Answer the Call

Together we can be like Father Peyton by spreading the power of prayer and cultivating Catholic families. Join us by answering the call through one of the following ways that is meaningful to you and will make a positive difference for the future of our families and the Church, who needs us more than ever. Thank you!

Pray Please pray for the canonization of Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., a future Saint for Family Prayer, and for all the families we serve around the world.

Please send us your prayer intentions in the enclosed envelope or by visiting www.worldatprayer.org.

Be an Ambassador Invite your family and friends to engage in and embrace our mission and work, just as Father Peyton did. Be an ambassador by

asking a friend to watch our film “PRAY: THE STORY OF PATRICK PEYTON” on October 9! You can simply share www.PrayTheFilm.com so they can learn how they can see this powerful film.

Share the Power of the Rosary Give a Rosary and change a life. Request complimentary Rosaries through our online store www.HCFMstore.org and we’ll send you Rosaries to share with your family, friends, parish, and others.

Give Today Make a one-time or reoccurring monthly donation, and welcome families to experience the power and promise of prayer. One hundred percent of your contribution goes directly toward funding our mission work. Join us today by giving at www.HCFM.org/donate or by check using the enclosed envelope.