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Archives Group commits to year of prayer for priests

Nov. 21, 2018

By Darcy Fargo
Editor

MALONE – A new prayer apostolate at St. André Bessette Parish is uniting a group of parishioners in prayer for Pray for your priesttheir parish priests.

Organized by parishioner Kathleen Nichols, the apostolate participants have committed to offering one hour of prayer per week specifically for the intentions of their parish priests, Father Joseph W. Giroux and Father Michael J. Jablonski. Nichols said the inspiration for the project came when her sister, Joan, told her she had been asked to participate in a similar initiative, the Seven Sisters Apostolate at her parish in Western New York.

“The Seven Sisters Apostolate is a prayer apostolate that a mother of a priest established to pray specifically for parish priests,” Nichols said.

With the Seven Sisters model, seven women commit to pray on a schedule, ensuring one hour of prayer is offered for the specific priest or priests every day. Substitutes are also recruited to cover days the scheduled individuals cannot fulfil the commitment.

Nichols said she was inspired by the Seven Sisters Apostolate and felt called to bring something similar, though slightly different, to Malone. The planning began.

“It continued to be pressed upon my heart to move forward with forming a prayer apostolate by customizing it to our parish,” she said. “The thought was to keep it simple and welcome men as well.”

Nichols said she approached Father Giroux to seek his blessing for the endeavor, which she intended to begin on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in June, the start date used by the Seven Sisters Apostolate.

“Father Joe’s words – ‘Why wait 8 months?’ – spurred me on to organizing by reaching out to the St. André Bessette Brothers men’s group and the St. Catherine Siena Scripture Sisters women’s group that are established in the parish. In a matter of five days, all seven (prayer) days were covered, including a substitute for when members are unable to fulfill their commitment.”

Nichols noted three men volunteered for scheduled prayer hours the same day she emailed the two groups.
“That was my confirmation that it was meant to be opened to men,” she said.

The group intends to begin its prayer offering on The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe on Nov. 25. Nichols said one day will be covered by a family of four who has opted to split the hour into a 15-minute interval for each. Another shift will be filled by an individual who has committed to also fasting on his scheduled prayer day.

Participants may begin the apostolate with a commitment prayer.

Nichols said Malone area residents interested in serving with the apostolate are encouraged to contact her at sisters@standres.org.

 

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