Past Missionary News From Around the World, December 2008
Wednesday, December 31, 2008Dear Patti,How delighted I was to receive my first package from you on the feast of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini whose shrine on Golden, CO. we had recently visited in December. She is known as the missionary to the immigrants as well as missionary to the world. I am reading about her now and I feel that she has truly taken a personal interest in our work. The unexpected arrival of so much missionary materials at this time was to me a "signal grace." Today I attended the first meeting of our Legion of Mary since I had received the materials and it was decided to send you the money that was in our treasury, which is a humble sum according to the rules of the organization. What you sent to us is priceless, however, because of the good it will bring to souls and the glory it will give to God and His Holy Mother. I was especially glad to see some Spanish literature on the Green Scapular and the blue Mysteries leaflets. Most of the people in our group do not work with Hispanics, so we will be sharing this material with several of the Spanish-speaking praesidia in the Southwest area. Perhaps someone there will begin to collect names for the Living Rosary Association. Generally what we ask is auxiliary membership to the Legion which entails saying the entire Rosary every day. The L.R. just requires one decade. That would be a start to many for whom the Rosary is an entirely new devotion. As it is written in one of your leaflets: "La Caridad no es sentimiento--¡Es servicio!" Let us pray for one another, In Their Hearts, Lucy H. Golden, Colorado, United States |
| Dear and Loving Sr. Patti, We, the Universal Living Rosary Association of Saint Philomena (ULRA) Associates, Promoters and Core Group members in India, wish you, Br. Richard Melvin, Sr. Emerentiana and all staff members Of Universal Centre a very Graceful, peaceful and fruitful New Year. We thank God for you and for all your encouragements, prayers Support and counseling to the promotion of ULRA mission In India and tons of Sacramentals shipped to India. We assure our continual prayers for all your intentions, strong health and long life for successful mission of Universal Living Rosary Association. I received the letter of Orissa State Rourkela Bishops letters. Yes, you are 100% correct. People try to exploit at the tears, sufferings and martyrdom of innocent people! With kindest regards and prayers Kjroche India |
| St. Sylvester, born in Rome, was ordained by Pope St. Marcellinus during the peace that preceded the persecutions of Diocletian. He passed through those days of terror, witnessed the abdication of Diocletian and Maximian, and saw the triumph of Constantine in the year 312. Two years later he succeeded St. Melchiades as Bishop of Rome. In the same year, he sent four legates to represent him at the great Council of the Western Church, held at Aries. He confirmed it's decision and imparted them to the Church. The Council of Nice was assembled during his reign, in the year 325, but not being able to assist at it in person, on account of his great age, he sent his legates, who headed the list of subscribers to its decrees, preceding the Patriarchs of Alexandria and Antioch. St. Sylvester was Pope for twenty-four years and eleven months. He died in the year 335. His Feast Day is December 31st. The connection between our protectress, St. Philomena and St. Sylvester is the Catacombs of Priscilla. St. Sylvester build his basilica over the section of the catacombs where the most important martyrs were buried, which includes St. Philomena. Please click here to open and read a document which is an excerpt from a book which details the Catacombs of Priscilla and the Basilica of St. Sylvester |
Tuesday, December 30, 2008It was nice to read your DEDICATED DECADES of May 2007.I belong to Catholic religious family and I am the promoter of it. I love Rosary and scapulars too. I will always keep to you in my special prayers and requests the same for me and my family. May God Bless you all! With Love & Assurance of Prayers! Truly in Christ Jesus & Marry! Roderick Sajeel Ilyas Pakistan |
| Dear Patti, I am sure you had a very wonderful Christmas. It was quite beautiful here with some good rains; and to crown it all, on 27th December, we had Mass in our new Home and Rev. Fr. Gazana blessed the house first before he celebrated mass. It was fantastic. Thank you I got your mail last week. Patti, on the New Years Day, members of St. Philomena will have the Way of the Cross on Michiru Mountain which will be led by Rev. Fr. Alfred Nsope. I don't know if I will make it because I have problems with my knees, they don’t carry me, so going up hill is a very big problem. I can only walk with no difficulty on a flat place. May our Lord Jesus Christ and Mother Mary, lead you into the new year with all the blessings you need, spiritually and physically. "Happy & Prosperous New Year". Yours in the Immaculata and St. Philomena, the Wonder-Worker. Veronica Chimbaka Malawi South Africa |
| Dear Patti, Thanks for the nice note, yes I had a quite Christmas amid intense heat, but meant a lot. I was with the suffering Sudanese that have only heard of Christmas celebrated in other places, it’s still not yet taken much here because of the reverberating war icons that are still on. I am sad to inform you that there is a terrible piece of news from the DR, Congo's north East! More than two hundred people are believed to have been hacked to death by fleeing Kony rebels We are not very far from this area, but we need your prayers to stop this evil. Once again thanks for the good wishes, Emma Africa |
Monday, December 29, 2008Dear sr. Patti,I am attaching some of my ordination photos. I will definitely do my best for the spread of the Living Rosary. As bro. Roche suggested, I will celebrate a special holy mass every month on 10th and I have already plan it out to have a promoters meeting on 10th of March. I will further let you know later in detail. Everyday as celebrate the holy masses I remember all the Universal Living Rosary Association members and promoters and all the benefactors all over the world. I am really happy to be a part of this universal family for the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. My best wishes for the New Year 2009.with love, prayers and blessings, Rev. Fr. A. Uthayadas Andrew Sri Lanka |
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Saturday, December 27, 2008Dear Mrs. MelvinBlessings of the Christmas Season to you and family. . in Fish Hoek, South Africa and she so kindly enrolled me into The Living Rosary. I am enrolled in Rosary No 252298 and the assigned decade is The Coronation. I do hope that you have my details and that I have been enrolled properly to gain all the Indulgences necessary. At home here I have been making Rosaries, for the different Repositories which are attached to the Churches. Also providing them with booklets, How to Pray the Rosary, Scapular booklets with their Scapulars and various booklets to preserve the Catholic Faith in souls. My cousin told me that she and her husband enrolled many many years ago. As I am so involved in the Rosary since 2000, I would very much like to promote the Living Rosary. I am a Traditional Catholic. Have been bold and made copies from the details on your website for the purpose of spreading this Devotion. Would it be acceptable to you? Please may I receive the Banking Details as I see no mention of that on your website. As I prefer to be directly linked to your Association, and spread it as that, I have only given The Universal Living Rosary Association details in Texas on the copies made. Awaiting your due reply, Yours faithfully, Mary Ro., Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape South Africa |
| Dear Director, Happy Christmas and New Year 2009. I do pray that come next year God will enable us reach many, and multiply our discipleship. This is to give thanks to the Lord for what you sent to me. Thanks for, Holy water from River Jordan, please, send me more, the members were happy as I sprinkled it to them all, drop per drop. The apostolic letter from our late Maurice Cardinal Otunga permitting Mary Ndung'u to carry out the spread of Universal Living Rosary Association of St. Philomena (ULRA) in my country - 1994. Thanks too for the Ten Commandments and the Courtship prayer. I will give the prayer to the families that are going to renew their Matrimonial vows tomorrow being the Holy Family day. Thanks for the camera it is already over I will develop it with the help you send though I have not received it yet. I pray to God that it will reach me in good time. I am unable to name to you all, but get our gratitude as members of ULRA. Young kids are being healed through their devotion to the MM metal and that of saint Philomena. I get all these sharing from what their parents are experiencing. They term it as a miracle in their families. Pray for me as I leave to Uganda on Monday that I may accomplish the mission well in the Lord. Thanks a lot. You are a gift in my spiritual life. Pray that I and my ULRA members here in Kenya may remain faithful to God's work. Thanks, Ave Maria. Bravo. Yours, Br. Chrispinus Masika Wachiye, Faith Deaf Orphanage Education Centre, (FDOEC) Kenya |
| Dearest mother Patti Thank you so much for seeing me how to enter in the web. and see the photos and others, it is a wonderful web, wonderful site, I can see the work and the activities of the other missionary centers and members, how is wonderful the Cathedral of Saint Philomena in India, we do not have like this in Lebanon like a cathedral, I like this cathedral so much, thank you so much for your love to the photos, I will prepare another after the feasts of the new year. I will go to the monastery of Our Lady to go from there to the other places , during Christmas, I was with my sister Najat together with one family to close to us, they have two children, we prayed the most of the time, take a modest dinner, we prayed to you so much and to all our dear benefactors, to Saint Philomena ,Our Lady and the Infant Jesus to bless you and all of us in this new year, every day my love to Our Lady grow more and more, I prayed to my dear mom to be with Our Lady in the sky, this is my hope, I felt little sad because of the no presence of my mom with us. I hope that she feasts the Christmas with Our Lady .Thank you for all your love, support, encouragement, prayers, you are all in my heart, and I put you all in the Immaculate Heart of Mary. I send you my love and prayers. Merry Christmas and a happy new year. Your little son, slave of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, John Kayrouz Lebanon |
Friday, December 26, 2008Please Click Here for Extracts from Letters of Support from Bishops in the Ukraine and Elsewhere around the World |
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Special Appeal from Patti Melvin: Here is a sweet and devoted priest in Australia caring for the outcasts and the poor. He hails from Tanzania. His mother has a serious eye surgery needed in order to save her sight……. we watch and pray, share and ask. If you wish to help Fr. Daniel with his mother's medical expenses, please make a donation to us and we will Western Union the funds directly to him. Thanks for helping us do this. AVE MARIA! Patti, Thanks for your mail which I got shortly after the Christmas midnight mass. To be honest with you I really appreciate your deep concerned for my mother's state of health. As regards the bill, the surgical operation will cost $550 and already I have raised $200. The down payment before the operation can be carried out is $400. My mother’s name is Agnes; please kindly remember her in your prayers. I will begin the novena to St. Raphael later today. I wish you a joyous Christmas celebration. May God bless you Patti Fr. Daniel Igono |
| Dear Mother Patti, on the behalf of the promoters and members of the Universal Living Rosary Association (ULRA) Cameroon, I wish to thank you and all the staff of the ULRA for all your support and encouragement for the Year 2008, which is coming to an end. I wish to promise total commitment and loyalty for better Apostolate for the coming year, 2009. Mother, you should note that without your untiring support and encouragement our little effort will come to nothing. These worries keep me backward in acting accordingly. But the good-news is that following the partial authorization from the Archbishop of Yaounde mid of this year, I assure you that things will absolutely be different this coming Year. Moreso, since I had been able to cover the whole of the ten (10) Regions of Cameroon, there is no doubt in my mind that the Year, 2009, will be a Year of Triumph for the ULRA, to us the members and most importantly for Jesus and Mary. On the other hand, a box arrived today thru DHL. Thanks for the calendar, Dedicated Decades Magazines, Rosaries and posters. You can't imagine that members have started requesting for the calendar. I will be sending some lists and photos in the next few weeks. Hope the two separate lists and photos arrived. On the behalf of all our members and promoters, I wish you and all your staff a very prosperous New Year, 2009. Paul E. Ekpe Yaounde-Cameroon Africa |
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
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| Dear Patti, thanks for the note, I m so happy that you know how things move, I will tell George William Ssenyonga the good man to pay my landlord, thanks indeed. I am just here in town I came from the Congo-Sudan boarder where we are seeing humanity at stake, people suffering from the engagement that is involving Uganda-Congo and South Sudan forces in the name of flushing out Kony rebels from the forests of North-East part of the Vasy country. I have come here in Yei town from Lasu parish at the Congo boarder to have some foods so that I can celebrate my feast day tomorrow. May you have the best of Christmas and I will remember you all in my poor prayers tomorrow. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL SEND MY REGARDS TO EVERYONE. E. K. Universal Living Rosary Association (ULRA) Liaison Uganda |
| Dearest mother Patti Thank you so much for your love and support to me and the Living Rosary here, our lovely association. I tried since two days to send you the photos through the net, but nobody know how to send, because I was in a village, now I returned back to the city, so I will send them today. You will see the photos below of a very nice convent of Our Lady. They put it in use of me and my helper in the Living Rosary Association of St. Philomena, there is no priest or any brothers at the convent which is very near of Syria, and there is only an old woman who does the cooking (kitchen). It is an old monastery, more than a hundred years old. We will use this convent to do our Living Rosary work in that region that is new and very far of the missionary center here. you see dear mother Our Lady open to us a new doors, places, and there we can reach to the Christian villages and preach them. I wish you a very holy feast, the Nativity of Our Lord the Infant Jesus, to you and dear family, mom, staff, our dear benefactors, especially Dr. Thomas and his family, to Mrs. Liza and her family, to your dear country, people and all the Universal Living Rosary Association members in all the world, may the Infant Jesus bring to us with his Holy Mother, the peace and salvation, love, and joy. I send you my love and prayers. Ave Maria. Your little son, slave of the Immaculata John Kayrouz Lebanon |
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Tuesday, December 23, 2008
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| From Rome Italy, I send you my Love and wishes in The Name of Jesus, God made flesh for us through The Virgin Mary and in the care of St. Joseph. I ask JESUS to bless you and all who are dear to you. May The Love of Our Father, Who sent us His only Son through The Holy Spirit, bring you PEACE and JOY. May all the Saints and Angels bring you closer to Jesus Whose humble birth makes it possible for us to Love Him more--and to Love one another more! Think how Mary spent her Christmas with Jesus as she held Him, embraced Him, talked to Him, sang to Him, marveled at Him and told Him how happy she was to have Him—like all mothers do when they look at their new born baby. Then she joyfully shared Jesus with everyone! Merry Christmas and happy, Prosperous New Year full of God's blessings. God Bless You All. Deogratias. |
| Rosary" target="_blank" href="documents/081223LRChristmas.pdf">Merry Christmas from the Universal Living Rosary Association Merry Christmas from the Ukraine Saint Philomena Booklet |
| Dear Director Patti, A blessed Christmas and a Christ-filled New Year to ULRA! Universal Living Rosary Association of St. Philomena (ULRA) has truly touched peoples' hearts! I thank God for this! I distributed the rosaries to different groups with the help of my co sisters. People in the jail were so happy to have such gift from St. Philomena. Domestic helpers felt the same. People in the squatters’ area were so thankful. I shared the rosaries to different places I traveled in the Philippines. I'm also glad to know that many are already devoted to ULRA and know St. Philomena. I have a lot of enrollment papers to send after Christmas. I also receive rosaries together with the enrollment sheets I sent, through Theresa Alier from Bantayan, Cebu. But I'm so sorry to have lost her complete address. I will be glad if I can have her address. Thank so much. Sr. Maria Corazon Lendio, DVMI Philippines Merry Christmas from the Philippines |
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| Dear Patti, How are you? I am fine. I am pleased to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. May Our Lady, through her patroness and our helper St. Philomena pray for us. Many thanks for the parcel of sacramentals and booklets I have just received. The materials act as a source of grace and encouragement. I have shared them to the prisoners at Zomba Central Hospital and other people. I will be sending a list of those newly enrolled as member in the Universal Living Rosary Association of St. Philomena. Fr Innocent Chiwanda Gama Zomba Malawi |
Monday, December 22, 2008
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| Rosary" target="_blank" href="documents/Pious%20Exercises%20of%20the%20Living%20Rosary.pdf">Pious Exercises of the Living Rosary |
| Gregorian Sacred Masses for all the Benefactors Dearest Mrs. Patti, The Living Rosary Ukraine is offering for you and Living Rosary members and Benefactors. From this December until I will be in charge of Living Rosary Ukraine I promise you that we are going to arrange at the beginning of every month 30 Sacred Masses for our alive Benefactors of Living Rosary and other priest will celebrate 30 Sacred Masses for all the reposed Benefactors and Members of Living Rosary. These two Sets will be celebrated every month and you can feature the information in the newspaper of Dedicated Decades. We will cover all the expenses with these two priests and May it be our gift from Ukraine. Let to deliver this information to all the Benefactors and all the people who you care about. I am looking forward to hear from you and May God bless you. With the prayers and respect, Father Ivan Kolodiy Ukraine |
| Photos below from Universal Living Rosary Association, Lebanon Missionary Center John Kayrouz P.O. Box 397 Ghadir-Jounieh Lebanon |
Friday, December 19, 2008
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Thursday, December 18, 2008
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Wednesday, December 17, 2008
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| Miraculous Medal Leaflet Rosary Center, Miraculous Medals" target="_blank" href="documents/081217MM.pdf">Message from Ukraine Universal Living Rosary Center, Miraculous Medals Greetings from Anthony Foster Oduro, St. Philomena's House, St. Peter's Cathedral Basilica, Ghana |
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
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Monday, December 15, 2008
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Saturday, December 13, 2008
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Friday, December 12, 2008
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| The youth who are part of the children play who has strong devotion to saint Philomena and they are teaching the performance about life of saint Philomena. They perforce the Christmas play for handicap children with the prayers and respect father Ivan Kolodiy. |
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| Anna Kozurak |
 Rosary Sokal, Ukraine." /> |
| The members of Living Rosary Sokal, Ukraine. |
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| The children from village Yablunka, Ukraine. |
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| The members Universal Living Rosary Association from Zalichyky, Ukraine. |
 Rosary group - Ivano - Frankyvsk." /> |
| The living Rosary group - Ivano - Frankyvsk. |
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Thursday, December 11, 2008
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| Dear Patti, I have taken long to write you. I do tell you that what you promised us that Emma would be amongst us on the 8th of December. Was exactly true, thanks for this gift for us, and more opportunity, we decided to start with Yei diocese for this Christmas!!!!!!!!! We are so thankful, many in other dioceses had claimed and wanted him to be in Rumbek and Wau, but God did a miracle for us. Yes we are happy; he arrived on the afternoon of the feast of the Immaculate Conception! Excitingly, he is so strong, immediately he arrived; he wanted to visit some communities the parish priest of Christ the King requested him humbly to rest because he came from a long journey We thank you for him, he is at work he visited a prison today! We love you all from Yei diocese South Sudan; the sunshine is so much that animals might die! Pray for us all V. O. Sudan |
| Dear Mum, Patti Melvin, Loving greetings from Fr. EmiliRaj, Pathikonda, A.P India. Today I have received the gift rosaries. I am so glad. In a special way I thank you and I pray for you and for your team of ULRA. I will send you the reports later. I take this opportunity to wish you very Joyful Christmas and Happy New Year - 2009. Be sure of our Prayers for you. Kindly remember us in your Prayers. Thanks a lot Fr. Emiliraj India |
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
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Tuesday, December 9, 2008
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Monday, December 8, 2008
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| Dear Patti Thanks for the small packet you sent on October 15, I got it six weeks later...that's a miracle because our postal service has crumbled. Its takes up to four months to get an air parcel from Europe nowadays. Patti, our country has finally crumbled. Just when we thought we had seen the worst.... something more evil comes up. Right now as I am writing to you all major hospitals have closed down due to lack of equipment or drugs or staff. A cholera outbreak which started in August has killed over 600 people (..Thus the official lie... over a thousand people has died as a result of this disease). Dozens people are dying daily in my area. Only God knows how we have survived this pandemic. Inflation is officially pegged at 231 million percent, but independent analysts say its over a trillion percent. On Thursday last week a loaf of bread was going for Z$2 million, in the afternoon it was Z$10 million and Friday it was Z$12 million.... I never bothered to check the price today, it probably Z$15 million or Z$20 million (revalued currency hello, put back 10 zeroes they removed in August and you will see the real value of bread in Zimbabwe. The government all along was denying that the cholera situation is a national emergency... only to ask for medicines and body bags last week..... There is no food in the country. Patti, we are suffering. The Church is silent. God love you Patti. Our prayers are with you. Please pray for us. Please send sacramentals whenever you can. A.K. Zimbabwe |
| Dear Patti, I am relieved by your note, thanks indeed, I happy to learn that the envelope from the recent visit to Congo arrived; you can do some posing for some of the photos. Yes I hope the new camera will serve me well! Its intense sunshine here, Oh! I don’t know how it is in Sudan now! May I wish you the best for the feast of the Immaculate Conception. I have finished with packing, and only one bag that was for repair will be packed shortly. In the early morning, I will be taken to the airport by a former rebel in the SPLA that is controlling the south of Sudan, I will remember you all, I do love everyone, pray for me as I will do at every inch of my three months journeying. The weather will be harsh but we have to fight for Mother Mary! I will communicate as soon as it will be possible, for now this is the last in Uganda. God Bless. Emmanuel ULRA Liaison Uganda |
Saturday, December 6, 2008Pakistan Universal Living Rosary Association Newsletter - July to September 2008 |
| Dear Patti, Yes I got the money order, but I could not reply immediately because I had to take an emergency trip to Jos to see if I can assist the Christian community in that part of the country were religious crisis broke out between the Islamists and the Christians (mostly Catholics) last week. More than 400 people lost their lives and they had a mass burial. The scene is a terrible one and that place is under watch by heavily armed military personnel. I almost got into trouble when I mistakenly ran into the wrong place but for the timely intervention of the army, I left unharmed but my materials (sacramentals, my camera and my traveling bag were not that lucky as they were burnt). How did it all begin? There was a local Government election last week on Thursday and because a Christian was declared the winner in one of the local government areas of the state, the Muslims started killing the Christians and they went into a radio studio and killed a lady who at that time was reading the news. The Christians then went for a reprisal attack and the whole thing became very bloody. The Pope even said a prayer for the people of Jos. Now, the fight may just spread to other part of the country and that is why we here in Nigeria seriously need your prayers. The other day, I talked about the election in America were there were no problems at all but here, it is always a different story to tell. May God help us. Thank you for the money order in the envelope, I got it and it will go a long way in assisting me to claim the boxes at the post office when the come. Maybe I will get them next week by God’s grace. For the Living Rosary Association, I will go anywhere; do anything to continue to spread the devotion of St. Philomena. Now I have lost the amazing pictures I took at Jos and would have to pay for the camera I collected from a friend but despite this, I will never give up just the same way I didn't give up in Turkey. For me, the battle has just begun. Please continue to pray for me and Nigeria because I would have been one of the victims that lost their lives but with your prayers and support, I know that will never is my portion. Thank you and May God bless you. Yours servant in Christ, Michael A. Abuja Nigeria |
| Dear Living Rosary Association, Hi, my name is Dustin Wiese. About 2 and 1/2 years ago, I was directed to your website from theholyRosary.org when I was looking to get a free Rosary. Not only did I receive a Rosary, but a wealth of other information from your organization, including a Chaplet of St. Philomena (and the directions of what to say with it), a few various prayer cards, a brown scapular, a small vial of blessed oil, a few small plastic medals, a list of the prayers to say with the Rosary, and various other cards and small booklets. I loved this wonderful gift I received and it fueled a small curiosity and desire that I had in my heart to investigate the Catholic faith. Since that time in spring of 2006, I'm happy to say that I have been confirmed into the Catholic Church (April of this year) and am now a full member! I get discouraged at times and tempted by my old Mormon faith (especially being in Utah), but I really love the Catholic Church and can't see things any other way now. I would love to become a member of your organization if I can afford it. I always meant to respond back to the wonderful letter I got from a very nice lady there (it may have been your director? not sure), but never got around to it. At least it got my curiosity going though! I am also writing you today to ask for your help in replacing the items from you that were lost in a recent move. My friend was helping me pack, and to make a long story short, all but one item (a small rope) I received from you were donated to my local Catholic thrift shop, and by the time I noticed the mistake weeks later, all the items had been sold. I'm glad I helped out the Church thrift shop and hopefully helped someone strengthen there faith, but I'm terribly bummed that I lost all the great stuff I received from you guys and a few other Catholic keepsakes I had. Would you possibly be able to send me another one of these invaluable information packets? Regardless, I would be more than happy to make a modest donation to you when I'm able to (likely later this month). I'd love to give you a large amount of money, but unfortunately I'm a rather impoverished college student. I'd appreciate anything you could spare. I especially loved and cherished the chaplet of St. Philomena! I will be happy to pay for anything if required. I apologize for not taking better care of the wonderful items that you sent me that really fueled my desire and curiosity to look into the Church, and I appreciate your time in reading this (overly) lengthy email! Please let me know either way if you can help me out or not. I will leave my shipping address for anything you could give me below. Thanks again. I sincerely appreciate it! Faith in Christ Dustin Wiese Cedar City, Utah United States |
Friday, December 5, 2008Dear Patti,I just wanted to thank you once again for your generosity in sending materials when I request them. I was able to send most of the last shipment that you sent to Sister Laura through the cargo company that is newly formed that I spoke with you about. I think it will gladden your heart that I sent the majority of the materials to the largest Seminary for educating priests in Nicaragua, where a good friend of mine teaches. These young men (140 of them) will be doing a mission in the mountains of Nicaragua during their Christmas break. They will take these materials that you sent in order to do that mission. The rest of the materials I will take with me when I go for a medical mission on January 1, 2009. Patti, I am grateful for your zeal and love with which you always respond to our requests. May you and your family have a lovely and peaceful Christmas. Blessings, Debra South Carolina United States |
| Dear Mrs. Patti, Thank You so much for the parcel which arrived today, rather I got it though it arrived yesterday. I've kept the parcel to the bishop. When I shared this news with my rector who might be leaving to USA soon, he was happy and said that I meet the bishop of Manila in the coming days. So I shall meet the bishop in whose territory we reside. I'm sorry I'm unable to send the photo since I couldn't find a priest who has a camera. Being the first Friday I offered mass for the college boys and girls whose faith is very shallow. Some laughed among themselves as I gave the talk and few really agreed to dedicate themselves for the daily decades. It really pathetic to notice that the faith is uncared for by the youth here. May I know what the status of masses is? If there are some conditions besides the Latin language, please let me know. What else? I hope you are getting ready for the Christmas. By the way I see a lot of Filipinos involved in Rosary association. Could you address us all once before I leave to India? You could even hold a series of lectures in our university and in some of the parishes. I could arrange for it. Praying for you Arun SJ Philippines |
| Thanks mum! The money you sent has arrived! Bravo! I need rosaries and other sacramentals! Demand here is too much! I have invited all the promoters and members of the Universal Living Rosary Association of Saint Philomena tomorrow for 10:00 a.m. mass and training sessions, other members and new ones are also invited, I will buy few seats, also I will get a local tabernacle for adoration and thanks for the monstrant, we use it tomorrow for adoration and we shall honor our lady of Fatima’s message ...that masses will be celebrated in special way on every first Saturday of month! Bravo!! Viva Mum Ave Maria Fr. Patrick Mary Filomena Kenya |
Thursday, December 4, 2008+ J.M.J. +Dear Patti Melvin: The Peace of Christ! I am Michael U. Henson, a Catholic ex-seminarian and an active member of our Parish in Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines. I am presently working at Pampanga Agricultural College where our students are children of our farmers in Magalang, Pampanga and nearby towns. It was with great joy that I received some information about Saint Philomena whom I got to know since I was a seminarian. I love her and I believe that from heaven, she leads and guides us all to Mary and to Jesus. Her name which means "Child of Light" is a message of hope in itself-that we may become the "Salt and Light of Christ in our world." I believe with all my heart that it is our Dear Philomena who has inspired me to begin a Universal Living Rosary in our school. Unfortunately, despite the fact that it is situated in the province of Pampanga-a very Catholic and Marian province in the Philippines, there are no established religious instructions and organizations in our school-it being a state college. The sadder part is, that the Catholic faith is being left out by non-Catholic sects and denominations. But God's champion, to whom nothing is refused, St. Philomena has come to help us to defend the rights of Holy Mother Church and our Catholic Faith. With the approval of our Institute Dean, I have begun the "dry run" stage of St. Philomena's project (HERS NOT MINE!). It is called "pass the bag". The bag contains images of Mama Mary and St. Philomena and a Crucifix, and a lot of Catechetical Materials like lives of the Saints which were generously given to us by benevolent Religious Congregations. The bag will stay with a student for four days after which it will be passed on to another student until everybody in the class has been visited by St. Philomena, Mama Mary and Jesus. Please pray that St. Philomena's project will be a success. I'm sure it is a good way to satiate the hunger of our students for God's word. We also need your support, any information or material-ESPECIALLY A RELIC OF ST. PHILOMENA AND VEN. PAULINE JARICOT-which you think might be helpful for St. Philomena's project in PAC will be greatly appreciated. I opted to chose and begin St. Philomena's project with only a few students. I believe that like the Widow's mite in the Gospels, anything little and small,-as long as it is faithful, will turn out acceptable as an offering to God. Later on, if it pleases God, St. Philomena will expand her work in out scool. I am ending my letter for now but I do hope we could keep in touch. Soon, I will send you a list of our students who are willing to take up a decade of the Rosary as members of the Universal Living Rosary Association of St. Philomena. Thank you and May God bless you and your cause. In God's love, Michael U. Henson Marisol Village, Angeles City 2009 Philippines SANTA FILUMENA, IPANALANGIN MU CAMI! (In our Capampangan language, it is "St. Filumena, pray for us!") |
| Dear Mrs. Patti Melvin, We, Rev. Sr. Emmanuela Mbake and Ms. Masika Mahamba Mwamini, from Butembo Beni Diocese, and leaders of the Living Rosary Association of Sainte Philomène, have the joy to send you this report as we express our sincere thanks for the rosaries, medals, images, scapulars and oil of Saint Philomena we received some times back. We reassure you that we have always been happy to receive and distribute the above items to the members. Our number is increasing especially during this time of war in the eastern part of our country, where our diocese of Butembo-Beni is located; the intercession of Sainte Philomène is necessary more than before. Many Catholics have expressed interest in this association. In our diocese, the Virgin Mary is an important figure in our faith, and many groups of the youth (Marian priests, Legionary of Mary, Charismatic movement, scouts, Evelytes, Agnes du ceil, croisÉs, Kiro...) pray the Rosary on a daily basis, most of them wish to pray with us. Hence we need images, oil, cords, medals, scapulars, etc. Many have realized that with Sainte Philomène, nothing is denied, and that Sainte Philomène is a great listener like our guardian angels, when one takes with himself or herself the cord or image of Sainte Philomène. She is a good protector against the devil. Scapulars as well are very important and very effective against satanic possession. We put on our scapular and cord with faith and devotion. Attached are some photos (see link below) of some of the faithful members of the Living Rosary, they cherish very much our Sainte Philomène despite the extreme poverty in our area and the situation of war, they help one another, they assist sick people by providing firewood, they have also understood the value and importance of adoring the Holy Sacrament. For our procession with all the adults of the village, and others, we need a bid statue of the Madonna, our Lady of Fatima, or Rosa mistica, or any other you can find for us. 50cm.. So far we are 41 members who have made a vow of faithfulness in the Living Rosary Association of Sainte Philomène. - On 13January 2007, it was in our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Mukuna: 25 members among them a religious nun (Sr. Emmanuela), a religious brother, a diocesan priest, and a Carmelite priest. The professed members take up leadership in the group. - On 13 January 2008: 16 lay people in our Butembo cathedral parish. For the 13 January 2009, it will be in Bunyuka Parish and 20 people are preparing themselves to take the wow of faithfulness. For them and the new members we renew our request for scapulars, medals, oil, cords, and some books in French and Kiswahili about the devotion to Sainte Philomène and Venerable Pauline Jaricot. Our meeting at a diocesan level is held every first Thursday of the month at our Lady of Mount Carmel parish, Mukuna, and the meetings at the parish level are held the second Thursday or Friday of the month. For the sanctuary of Sainte Philomène in our Diocese, the diocesan committee has found a plot which is not yet paid. Finally, once again, allow us to reiterate our sincere thanks for all we have already received for love and a sign of friendship that unites us in Jesus Christ. May the Virgin Mary and our own Sainte Philomène, by the power of their intercession, continue to keeps us united. Sincere greetings to you, Mrs. Patti Melvin, and all the members of the Living Rosary. Sr. Emmanuela Mbake (Oblate de l'Assomption) Ms Masika Mahamba Mwamini Congo Uganda Link to photos with captions >>> |
| Mum, these are photos from Bungoma Universal Living Rosary Association of Saint Philomena (ULRA) mission, first Fr. Patrick preaching the decade with authority, children were looking at me with admiration!! The members were visited in their villages, so poor but happy with the decade!! They live in poor grass roof houses like Nazareth!! Fr. Patrick on bicycle looking for souls!! Also Fr. Patrick on the motorbike going to spread the decade!! Then Sr. Bibian with poor destitute and children, with Fr. Patrick, others were in their villages, we visited them with the poor chrispinus, gave them hope and decade, I encouraged them! Other photos you get them tomorrow, am posting them soon! Bravo Patti Viva!! Ave Maria Fr. Patrick Mary Filomena Kenya |
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Wednesday, December 3, 2008- Update from Pakistan - Click for details- Update from Myanmar - Click for details |
| Dear Patti, Last Dec 1 (Mon) there was a Diocesan Prayer Assembly here in our place, San Carlos City against Reproductive Health Bill which is basically promoted by United Nations. However, as we all knew (I think you are also acquainted with this or probably I am just too presuming) the provisions of this bill are contrary to our Catholic faith and doctrine thus the Catholic Church here really make a stand against it. As of now the Bill is still in the Congress for deliberation that will be enacted into law if this will be approved. The whole day activity was indeed very successful participated by all church organizations from different sectors which include not only the youth but also the senior citizens from different places (members of the Diocese only). Universal Living Rosary Association of Saint Philomena (ULRA), being a member of the church also support the Church’s causes and endeavors in whatever way it can. After the Walk for a Cause, there was also a concelebrated mass and a short informative talk by a resource speaker in the field of medicine who is also well verse in the content of the provisions which is really contrary to our Catholic faith and to our Filipino culture/ orientation. According to Msgr. Jose Wilson Mendoza and Bishop Jose Advencula, on behalf of the whole Diocese THANK YOU VERY MUCH for all the support you have extended to them. Indeed, one of the biggest chalices, ceburium is now being use in the ST. Charles Borromeo Cathedral, the one received by Msgr. Jose Wilson Mendoza. Our cathedral cannot also buy it readily because of other important priorities that call for immediate attention. As of now, one of their immediate important needs is a copy of the latest edition of lectionary and sacramentary. They have been trying to scout the Phil market but to no avail. Attached (see photo below) is the picture of the Prayer Rally. Unfortunately, only one copy was taken clearly. The rest of the 25 pictures were very blurred due to overexposure to light, it was 10:00 a.m. and the sun started to be at its peak heat. GOD bless us all. Carmelita G. Baric San Carlos City Philippines |
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| Dearest Mrs. Patti, I send you the lists of all the new members here in the Ukraine in the Universal Living Rosary Association of Saint Philomena for October and November. Please officially register them and send me back to our center in Ukraine and I will distribute their cards to them. Also I would like to inform you that this month I am going to publish 10,000 copies of the newspaper "The Voice of Living Rosary". There is very huge interest to the newspaper and we need to add one thousand copies of the newspaper. Probably you will see that the number of new members is increasing. The newspaper is helping us to enroll more new members. Also I spoke to the woman who is making the Scapulars and she told me that she is ready to give us a discount and to make the Scapulars for 0.30 cents per one scapular. Therefore the price is 0.30 cents per one scapular. Also I would like to ask you to let me know if you get the notes of Sacred Masses which I sent you a week ago you will receive them today or tomorrow morning therefore please let me know if you get them and I am looking forward to hear from you and May God bless you and our staff of Living Rosary with the prayers and respect father Ivan Kolodiy. Father Ivan Kolodiy Ukraine Click here for new Ukraine ULRA members for October 2008 Click here for new Ukraine ULRA members for November 2008 |
| Advent Message from the Universal Living Rosary Association of Saint Philomena |
Tuesday, December 2, 2008Dear Patti Melvin,Thanking, Greeting and wishing you at this Christmas Season and throughout the New Year. May you be blessed with every grace, health and happiness in the coming year. Regards to the assigned decades and the guidelines to follow: Would you kindly clarify for me when mailing to you in our completed each month: - Whether we have to mail only our new members or we have to mail also our old members in the lists? There are two groups of the members in the Living Rosary Association under me. The first group of the members are the Seminarians who are now scattering and it is rather hard to reorganize them, but I do believe that they are faithful to their assigned decades as I do. Another group of the members are all the Legion of Mary in Loikaw. These groups of the members in the Living Rosary are not only faithful to their decades, but also encouraging people to have great devotion to Our Blessed Virgin Mary. Every Saturday they go from house to house and say the Holy Rosary for the sick and the dying. They have their leader or president Mr. Francis Nireh who is also one of the chief office bearers in the Pastoral Center. I ask him to communicate you directly and hope he will do sooner or later. Thanking, Greeting and wishing you and all our members of the Living Rosary Association of St. Philomena at the Christmas Season and throughout the New Year. May all of you be blessed with every grace and peace. United with you, in Mary our Mother of Perpetual Help. Fr. Paul Maphroi Myanmar |
| Dearest Patti My computer is caput again. (Maybe because it was the electoral campaigned or because somebody wanted to see my pictures...) The last evening the computer was take from our house for investigations. Now is at home but broken. It is necessary more than $50 to repair it. Please let me know when the envelope arrived at you. Thank you very much for two stipends. God reward you abundantly. I received five little parcels from Ruth but I think one with little statues for priests was disappeared...I expect an answer from Ruth. In our country the communists are the winners...again. We are ready to offer to our Lord again our persecution for the conversion of our country and. yours and all countries. This is our fight and we are in our place to do our duty for our Queen Mary and Jesus Our Savior. We send you our love and we pray for you. Monica Romania |
Monday, December 1, 2008Dear Mrs. Patti,Greetings from YaoundÉ. I received the boxes from UPS and from the Post Office today. Thanks a great deal. As usual, it was not easy with the customs. We established a fixed amount at 5000FCFA (about 12USD) per box. I have paid and collected already. Thanks a great deal for the box. I am so grateful. The apostolate continues drop by drop. Some sacramentals have been sent to Edea Diocese to commence the Immaculata there. Please pray seriously for this foundation. It is a deacon by name Rev. Alain-Jules Mbarga who is carrying out the apostolate there. Thanks and God bless you. Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang, cmf ThÉologat ClarÉtain, Republic of Cameroon, Central Africa |
Patti Melvin, Director
Universal Living Rosary Association
P.O. Box 1303, Dickinson, Texas 77539, U.S.A.
Fax: (281) 337-3722 / (281) 309-9821
E-Mail: Filomena@Philomena.org