From Father Ward

I sincerely thank you for your generosity during this past year.  You make the mission of the Association possible by your contributions, prayers, and sacrifices.  We are especially grateful during this difficult economic time for all that you do.

 

I know times are hard for many of us, but be assured that our Lady keeps us close to her and her Son.

 

In the new year please continue to send your prayer requests to our Lady’s Shrine.  Pray with us, joining in our novenas and special Masses offered at the Shrine.  I encourage you to burn Votive Lights as a symbol of your prayers at the Shrine, and if you are able, to support us financially.

 

May God bless you and may Mary’s intercession bring you continually closer to her Son.

 

Make a Five-Day Lenten Retreat in Your Own Home

This issue of our Lady’s Bulletin finds us preparing for Lent.  In this issue, I offer some timely tips for making a five-day Lenten retreat in your own home.

 

Join the Our Lady of Lourdes Healing Novena

I invite you to join us during the Our Lady of Lourdes Healing Novena by lighting a Votive Light and sending your intentions.  The novena begins on February 11, the feast of our Lady of Lourdes, and continues for nine days.

 

Planned Giving

It sometimes happens that in life, one’s opportunities for giving are limited, but in death, those opportunities are expanded.  Please remember us in your will or trust.  I would invite you to get a copy of one of our free planned giving brochures.  They are available to you by contacting us by phone, letter, or by clicking here.Or contact our Planned Giving Coordinator for more information about planning your estate.

 

Monthly Giving Program

Please consider making a monthly gift to our Lady’s Association to help keep the Association’s administrative costs to a minimum.  Our Monthly Giving Program makes it possible for you to add an automatic charge to your credit card, or a debit to your bank account on the 10th of each month.  This allows more of your donation to go directly to the works of our Lady’s Association.

 

Pilgrimage to Rome and Sicily

I will be leading a pilgrimage to various cities in Italy, especially Rome and Sicily, next April 12-23.

 

One of the highlights of the pilgrimage will be a papal audience with his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, if his schedule permits, at Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome.  April is a beautiful time of the year in Italy.  Please contact me right away for a brochure and further details if you are interested in joining me.  If you can’t make it in person, please send me your petitions and burn a Votive Light at our Lady’s Shrine as a symbol of your prayers.

 

Online Gift Shop

I have an two attractive rosaries to offer you.   The first rosary is our popular Rose Bouquet Rosary.  The second rosary is an exquisite Glass Pearl Rosary.  We also have many more gifts at our online Gift Shop.

 

Email Address

Do you use email?  If you answer YES, may we email you?  Email is effective for lots of things and does reduce postage costs.  Please send me your email address.

 

Financial Accountability Report for the 2008 Fiscal Year

I am pleased to present a brief financial accountability report for the 2008 fiscal year. I sincerely thank you for your generosity during this past year and pray that you will be able to continue your support of our Lady’s Association in the coming months.