Father Fred Jenga, C.S.C., Ph.D.
President, Holy Cross Family Ministries
In Him Everything Was Created
Dear Friends,
Welcome to our 15th publication of A World At Prayer News global newsletter that our ministry shares with you highlighting different faith and family-related themes that are close to our heart as a ministry. As the new year starts, I have been thinking about some of the words we heard being read in our Churches when we celebrated the birth of Our Savior.
The evangelist St John wrote, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; and all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made” (John 1:1-3). While these words refer to Christ as one of the Persons of the Trinity and through whom all came to be created, the same words also highlight the fact that human life, society, and its foundational cell which is the family have their origins in God himself.
As the new year begins and we start our reflections on family life, it is imperative that our reflections center on God who is the source of the family. It is through God that the family came to be, it is through God that a better understanding of the family can be received, and it is to God that we can turn when family life goes through challenging times. Rooted in the Holy Cross spirituality of hope, Holy Cross Family Ministries endeavors to provide families with the needed formation and resources that they can turn to when hope is undermined by challenging everyday life’s circumstances.
As we start a new year, may all our families turn to Him through whom everything was created at the beginning of time. As we progress through the new year, may all our families be rooted in Him who is the authentic hope of the entire world.
God bless you abundantly!
Together in Mission,
Rev. Fred Jenga, C.S.C.
Father Pinto Paul, C.S.C., Ph.D.
International Director, Holy Cross Family Ministries
We are happy to present the 15th issue of our Global Newsletter with the theme: "Harvesting Hope: Cultivating our Domestic Church Through Prayer."
This theme encapsulates our dual focus on nurturing the seed of faith within each family and fostering the growth of the domestic church, acknowledging that each home is a foundation of spiritual growth and divine love. The imagery of 'harvesting hope' reflects both the nurturing process and the fruitful outcome of our collective efforts in faith development.
With this theme, we would reaffirm our dedication to sowing and cultivating the seeds of faith, hope, and love, one family at a time, while fostering a rich, prayerful environment in the domestic church. I hope you enjoy reading this exciting Newsletter.
Happy New Year 2024!
Gratefully,
Father Pinto Paul, C.S.C.
Congregation of Holy Cross in collaboration with Holy Cross Family Ministries
Friday - Feb 16 (First Friday of Lent)
Beginning at 4 pm Rome UTC+1 / 10 am ET (USA)
The Superior General of the Congregation of Holy Cross, Br. Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C., is gathering all Holy Cross ministry centers around the world on five continents in 18 countries to pray for world peace on the First Friday in Lent, February 16. Br. Paul and the entire Congregation invite you, your family, and your community to join us in this important prayer for peace event
Watch for more information on our worldwide prayer locations as well as downloadable prayer resources.
Priests from Holy Cross Ministries, along with Bishop Stephen Rotluanga of Aizawl, India gather in the rotunda after celebrating Mass in the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Chapel. (pictured above from left to right) Father Boby John, C.S.C., Father David Marcham, Father Fred Jenga, C.S.C., Bishop Stephen Rotluanga of Aizawl, India, Father Pinto Paul, C.S.C., Father Willy Raymond, C.S.C., Father Leo Polselli, C.S.C.
With shovels in hand for the Groundbreaking Ceremony (left to right), Butch Razoyk of Architectural Designs Inc, Adam and Andrea Jablonski, longtime Friends and Benefactors, Father Willy Raymond, C.S.C., former President HCFM, Father Fred Jenga, C.S.C., President HCFM, Christopher Chappell, Board Member
Father John Denning, C.S.C., President of Stonehill College, Bishop Stephen Rotluanga of Aizawl, India, and Father Boby John, C.S.C. , Chaplain of HCFM gather on the lawn for the Groundbreaking Ceremony.
Father David S. Marcham, Vice Postulator and Guild Director for Venerable Patrick Peyton, welcomes friends to celebrate a special Mass at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Chapel in Easton, MA, followed by a luncheon.
Father Kevin Cook joins the Easton team at the Holy Cross Retreat House for a day of recollection that included spiritual talks, Rosary, Mass, prayer, and reflection, on October 10, 2023.
On December 6, 2023, the Easton Team gathered for a day of prayer and reflection, lead by Father Bill Dorwart, C.S.C., at the Holy Cross Retreat House.
Father Fred Jenga, C.S.C., President of HCFM, blesses the Christmas gifts after the Easton team celebrated Mass. These beautiful and meaningful candles are a gift from Father Fred to the team and are accompanied by a lovely thank you card. Written on the label is a scripture verse, The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." - Luke 2:10
Please click on the video above for 2023 Global Highlights.
The faithful praying the Rosary and holding up a photo of Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., during a Rosary Rally in Rombo, Tanzania. - Holy Cross Family Ministries, Arusha and Kitete, Tanzania
Sisters reflecting on the lessons taught to them at the Family Life training in the Gulu Archdiocese. - Holy Cross Family Ministries, Kampala, Uganda
Father Stephen Mburu, C.S.C., Local Director HCFM Dandora, celebrates the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. - Holy Cross Family Ministries, Dandora, Kenya
A children's Rosary Crusade, as a beacon of hope, with the transformative power of prayer within families, schools, and workplaces. - Holy Cross Family Ministries, Ghana
Catholic Mom Contributor, Caroline Godin, encourages readers to refocus their days on God.
Each day mothers are called to nurture the faith of their families despite living in a busy world. Resources on CatholicMom.com allow them to do that.
The faithful of St Mary’s Parish, Tuikarmaw, concluded the month of Rosary by conducting a wonderful Marian procession. - Holy Cross Family Ministries, Northeast India
Postgraduate-level Training in Family Therapy (PGTFT) is a 10-month-long residential program conducted at the Institute premises with the intention of providing professional training to laity and pastoral agents who have the required determination to equip themselves with the skills to assist others through counseling. - Peyton Institute for Families, Bangalore, India
At the 34th Pilgrim Program at Queen of the Holy Rosary, Horinchora, Srimangal, Sylhet on 28-29 October 2023, Father Ruben Manuel Gomes, C.S.C., National Director of Holy Cross Family Ministries Bangladesh, delivered an inspiring speech on the importance of praying the Rosary. - Holy Cross Family Ministries, Bangladesh
A Rosary procession, where faith is enriched, love is shared, and a testimony to prayer is truly inspirational. - Holy Cross Family Ministries, South India
Prayer is the most powerful force on earth. Women coming together in prayer, harvesting hope for our domestic church. - Holy Cross Family Ministries, Tamil Nadu, India
Providing food to the hungry, with each food pack comes hope and proof that God provides. - Family Rosary Crusade, Philippines
From left to right, Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., their sister Beatrice Gallagher, Father Thomas Peyton, C.S.C., and Monsignor Jack Gallagher (Beatrice’s son/their nephew), in the backyard at Beatrice’s home in Scranton, Pennsylvania, USA
Venerable Patrick Peyton’s story begins on a humble farm in Ireland, surrounded by his faith-filled family. This provided the roots for the harvest that developed into our ministries.
A Christmas celebration in Cork with Father Valerian Castelino, C.S.C., Executive Director HCFM Ireland. - Ireland
Mass is celebrated by Father Michael DeLaney, C.S.C., Rector of St. Joseph's Oratory, at the inauguration of the Ministry Center in Montreal. - Holy Cross Family Ministries, Canada
Families are called to holiness at a Family Mass on All Saints Day. - Holy Cross Family Ministries, Montreal, Canada
Neighbors gather after adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. - Holy Cross Family Ministries, Haiti
A young child kneels in prayer during a Rosary prayer service. - Rosario en Familia, México
Our CHURCH AT HOME episode of CATHOLIC CENTRAL shows the many ways that families can cultivate faith and holiness outside of Mass. Click above to watch the video.
Cultivating prayer and devotions, and the reading of scripture, can increase the faith in every family.
People often think of Church as a physical building or place of worship. While that may be true, did you know Church can also take place at home?
The first church we have is the one in our very own home, among the members of a family. Through rituals, Scripture, prayer, and activities, throughout the liturgical year, families can cultivate holiness and deepen faith, both for children and adults.
Join CATHOLIC CENTRAL hosts Nick and Gabby as they uncover a new way to serve God in your very own home.
Personal holiness is available to every family and every person, not just saints and martyrs.
Please watch the video, singing the Hymn of the Lord of Miracles with colleagues from the Archbishopric of Lima. - Rosario en Familia, Perú
Children with their mothers at the Early Musical Stimulation Program on the closing day, at the Peyton Center. - INFAM, Perú
Children from the community use colorfully prepared instruction sheets to learn how to pray the Rosary. - Rosario en Familia, Chile
Retreat Maranathá Community. - Rosário en Família, Brasil
Dr. Greg Popčak and Lisa Popčak, Executive Directors of The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life.
The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life continues to promote the Liturgy of Domestic Church Life, a new model of family spirituality and family ministry, through professional training, original research, and creative family resource development.
The Father Peyton Center, North Easton, MA, was blessed and filled to the brim with families joyfully coming together to pray, share a meal, decorate crafts and cookies, and sing.
Family Rosary USA has been working diligently to promote the domestic Church. Through our online campaigns, to an increased effort to host in-person events, we have encouraged families to take to heart their role as primary teachers of faith.
Mrs. Eileen Howley
It all started with a text message from a longtime friend. He shared that his mother had decided not to continue her chemotherapy and was preparing to go home to God. Joe asked for extra prayers for his Mom, his family, and himself. I prayed and then asked if his mother would like to receive the Sacrament of the Sick. Right away, I heard back, and we made plans to meet the next day. My friend’s mother had come from County Galway, Ireland, to the United States many years ago and had brought the faith that her parents had taught her. She then, with her husband, Patrick, shared that faith with their three sons, Michael, Joseph, and Matthew.
Father Fred Jenga, C.S.C., President, shares his Christmas joy in song at Advent Family Day.
Advent is a time to prepare our hearts and our homes for Jesus. Many joyful families from culturally diverse backgrounds traveled to The Father Peyton Center in North Easton, Massachusetts, on Saturday, December 2, for the Annual Advent Family Day. The day was filled with eager anticipation of Christmas, as well as the opportunity for spiritual preparedness.
Inspired by our founder, Venerable Patrick Peyton, the Try Prayer! It Works! contest is inspired by Father Peyton’s message: "The family that prays together stays together."
All International contest entries must be submitted by May 31, 2024
For more information, please click this link for International Try Prayer Contest 2024 FamilyRosary.org
Testimonies from around the world reflect our mission to inspire, promote, and foster the prayer life and spiritual well-being of families throughout the world. We help families pray.
"A World at Prayer is a World at Peace."
~ Venerable Patrick Peyton
Read more for inspiring testimonies.
Please pray for the speedy beatification and canonization of Venerable Patrick Peyton, founder, Holy Cross Family Ministries.
Dear Jesus,
Father Peyton devoted his priestly life to strengthening the families of the world by calling them to pray together every day, especially the Rosary. His message is as important for us now as it was during his life on earth.
We beg you, therefore, to hasten the day of his beatification, so that Your faithful people everywhere will remember his message that The Family That Prays Together Stays Together, will imitate him in his devotion to Your Mother and ours, and will be inspired by His holy life to draw ever closer to You with childlike confidence and love.
Amen.