Year of St. Joseph

Act of Confidence
Heart of Jesus, I adore Thee,
Heart of Mary, I implore thee,
Heart of Joseph, meek and just,
In these three Hearts I place my trust.

Christmastide greetings to dearest Sisters in Christ! The joys and graces of Christmas cannot be held in one day.  In wisdom, Mother Church grants us an entire season to receive and savor the flood of blessings! As if that were not enough, the Church gifted us with even more anticipated benefits through the proclamation of a Year of St Joseph (12/08/20 to 12/08-21)!  What a tonic to the heart at the end of 2020!

After 9 months of seeking and searching, my own firm commitment to return to the sacramental life of the Church was prompted on the Feast of St Joseph, 19 March 1999.  While my Confession was not until the following day, I fully credit this Patron of the Universal Church for leading me Home.  He guides and he guards and he generously gives.   Silent and sure.

St Joseph is an unequivocal friend of the Apostolate, for likely any friend of Jesus and Mary is a friend of his! Let us together ask for graces to understand his role in the Apostolate.  For starters our Apostolate Chaplain was baptized Joseph (Johnson).  In celebration, please share the daily wee Hail Mary offerings with Father this year!  Second, the Fasting Brothers have a particular devotion to St Joseph as a strong patron for their endeavors.  St Joseph’s influence can already be sensed!

Praying the moving Litany to St Joseph offers insight into his character.   What he modeled within the Holy Family is unique, but he is also the Light of the patriarchs, the Watchful defender of Christ, Mirror of patience, Model of workman, Guardian of virgins, Pillar of families, Solace of the afflicted, Hope of the sick, Patron of the dying, Terror of demons, Protector of Holy Church. 

St Joseph inhabits a singular place within the Divine Economy.  He obediently, justly and fully lives a responsibility that, while essential, remains hidden.  This, dear Seven Sisters, is where we embrace a solidarity with the good St Joseph.  As intercessors for the sanctity of priests our work is vital.  As intercessors for the sanctity of priests our work is happily veiled.  St Joseph committed and submitted, we too commit and submit to this way of prayer.  Our offerings, hidden from the view of most, is in full sight of God Himself, for His use as He wills. Likewise, with St Joseph. 

Recently when in conversation with a Seven Sisters Coordinator for a Midwest Diocese her thoughts moved to a suggestion of consistently (daily) asking for the assistance of St Joseph to help cover more and more priests in prayer this year, his year.  Ask every intercessor to pray the same prayer.  I resonated with the idea immediately!

We both took it to prayerful task.  She soon shared the link for the Catholic Tradition Website which held a section laden with rich prayer offerings soliciting the good help of St Joseph.  

http://www.catholictradition.org/Joseph/joseph-txt.htm.

In review of the offerings, my heart was struck with the simplicity and completeness of a prayer entitled Act of Confidence (see opening of this Communique). This is it! Please accept the invitation to pray this prayer DAILY for growth of the Apostolate.   Make a copy of the image and prayer. Size-wise - it can be perfectly affixed to a standard-sized calling card.  Voilà – you have a holy card from which to pray each day for the intention suggested:  more Seven Sisters groups for more priests/bishops!  The Website also offered this prayer (below) that could be easily adapted for your Holy Hour by inserting the name of the priest /bishop for whom you are committed to pray.

Prayer for Priests (asking the intercession of St Joseph)

O ILLUSTRIOUS PATRIARCH St. Joseph, who carried the Infant Jesus in thy blessed arms and who, during the space of thirty years, lived in the most intimate familiarity with Him, take under thy powerful protection those whom He has clothed with His authority and honored with the dignity of His priesthood, whom He has charged to continue His mission, to preach His Gospel, and to dispense everywhere His graces and blessings.  Sustain them in their fatigues and labors; console them in their pains; fortify them in their combats; but above all, keep far from them all the evils of sin.

Obtain for them the humility of St. John the Baptist, the faith of St. Peter, the zeal and charity of St. Paul, the purity of St. John and the spirit of prayer and recollection of which thou, my dear Saint, art the model, so that, after having been on earth, the faithful dispensers of the Mysteries of thy foster Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, they may in Heaven receive the recompense promised to pastors according to the Heart of God. Amen. – From the Booklet, Favorite Prayers to St. Joseph (TAN Books)

St John Paul II poignantly portrays St Joseph: “Saint Joseph is a man of great spirit.  He is great in faith, not because he speaks his own words, but above all because he listens to the words of the living God.  He listens in silence. And his heart ceaselessly perseveres in the readiness to accept the Truth contained in the word of the living God.” Together, let us learn from St Joseph and see what God will do – through St Joseph and through us!

United in prayer and mission...that our prayers may find the heart of every bishop and priest...

... eternal gratitude continues as you each remember to offer a wee Hail Mary for me every day....  “One Ave Maria makes hell tremble” (St John Vianney). Pray that I will not 'spoil the beautiful work that God has entrusted...'  (St Teresa of Calcutta)

... your kind emails and notes and phone calls and generous support always arrive to my heart door at the right moment! Your financial sacrifices are for 100% furtherance of Apostolate.  THANK YOU!  The letters of testimony are so beautiful and edifying! What glory is given to God through your writing! Eternal gratitude is mine for YOU! Be assured of my continued daily prayers for you at the altar.

Janette (Howe)
+JMJ+   
sevensistersapostolate@gmail.com

SUPPORT:  The Website is getting a fresh look and expansion!  THANK YOU for your contributions of prayers and financial support.  One half of the needed funds has been received!  Continuing to seek help in three ways: (1) Prayers for Mary as she sets to the work of the new design.  (2) Photos of Seven Sisters groups, still shots of Adoration and/or events.  (3) Financial support to cover the project ($1700 remaining).  Very grateful for the encouragement thus far! Checks to Seven Sisters Apostolate designated for Web Design project.  

SEVEN SISTERS – in and out and about:

We were a bit shy of our goal of 2020 active groups

as our gift to Jesus on Dec 25th.  

Let us hope the concerted prayer with St Joseph will move us closer!

Spread the word!

Heartfelt welcome: New groups registered in DECEMBER to cover more priests in daily prayer:  Additional group in Cameroon (West Africa) and in these USA states: California, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island (All 50 states now have at least one group!), South Dakota, Virginia and Washington.   

Anchoresses:   Please inform of all NEW groups and Anchoress/priest/other changes (including updates in your contact info) thru Web site.  Know of my special and steadfast prayers for Anchoresses who serve such an indispensable and exemplary role in the Apostolate!

RECENT … and AHEAD on the calendar:

> 7-8 May 2021: Retreat at Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House in Waverly, NE. Theme: Real Women wear Armor (Eph 6:10-18) Janette will lead this Retreat.  NOTE:  Retreat is not exclusive to Seven Sisters members.  Registration through the Retreat House.

> Upcoming Radio spot on Cleveland Catholic Radio, The Rock 1260 AM.  TBA

MATTERS of the HEART:

Ø  “This was mentioned to me to look up the Apostolate and pray on it. With changes in our world and country and the state of our church, I believe strengthening our priests through prayer is essential for healing.  I believe also with the uncertainty of our life as we know it, our priests need all the prayer and support in order to withstand changes in our country and the world.  I believe people will be flocking to them for truth and guidance to support our parish priest and to better our church.” (Denise, Rhode Island)

Ø  “I was on retreat 2 years ago and I saw a lady wearing a sweatshirt that said "7 Sisters." As this was a silent retreat, I "Googled" her shirt after the weekend. Praying for our priests and seminarians has been a part of my pray life for the last few years. Recently I had a meeting with Father. We talked about vocations and praying for priests. He asked me if I had ever heard of the 7 Sisters Apostolate. Of course, I had. He said he could use more prayer! This was a total God Incident. I am blessed and honored to be able to pray for this wonderful shepherd! (Anna, Washington)

Ø  “We recently relocated to our hometown and joined a flourishing parish.  The priest has such a heart of love for Our Lord and Our Lady, and I felt called to start this chapter of the apostolate to pray fervently for him and his intentions. (Ellen, Michigan)

FASTING BROTHERS is growing: Groups of men offering various forms of fasting to augment the prayer efforts of a Seven Sisters group.  Each man prayerfully discerns the unique type of fasting he will offer and commits to fast a designated day of the week (excepting Sunday). Our Chaplain, strongly urges formation of these groups to fortify our prayers and sacrifices. He also wants to keep track of the groups forming.  Anchoresses: let us know the Seven Sisters group to which the Fasting Brothers are linked, name of FB contact and the start date. 

LAMP-BEARERS: In January, Lamp-Bearers, so-named for their action of continually ‘filling of their lamps with the oil of prayer’, was launched to pray for the Apostolate at large.  Each intercessor prays a minimum of once per week, but many are offering prayers every day.  Intentions are gleaned from topics and calendar points in the monthly Communique and also sent to members on the second or third Sunday of the month.  Additional intercessors welcomed.  Those desiring to learn more, send an email of interest/inquiry through the Website.  Grateful to those that generously responded – so many, so quickly! Let us expect continued and multiplied blessings!

APPRECIATED and LOVED quilt project:  A double cloaking for RETIRED PRIESTS: Seven Sisters prayer and a quilt!  To learn more regarding a single quilt for a retired priest or on how to get this started in your Diocese, contact QuiltsBySevenSisters@gmail.com 

SEVEN SISTERS Guideline BOOKLETS: Available as free download from Web site.  Hard copies passed on for printing cost of $2 each + P/H. Order thru Web email with amount desired/address

SEVEN SISTERS Tri-fold BROCHURE:   Effectively used in parish pamphlet stands (ask pastor’s approval prior), Adoration Chapels, Retreat Centers, Bags/Packets for Women’s Conferences/Retreats, Women’s clubs, Serra clubs – or simply handing out!  Available on Web as free download.  Recommend 80# silk for best printing results.  May also order through Web site.  Indicate address/quantity.  25 for $10 + P/H.  Available in ENGLISH and SPANISH. 

SEVEN SISTERS Tri-fold LITANY for PRIESTS: Beautifully printed on 100# silk (a bit thicker than brochures).  Original artwork (inspired by the Diary of St Faustina) by Seven Sister in Minnesota, Litany by Richard Cardinal Cushing.  25 for $10 + P/H. 

REMEMBRANCE of those SEVEN SISTERS who have PASSED: We want to remember those Seven Sisters in name and in prayer, who have gone before us to their eternal rest. Visit the Web site. Click on ABOUT folder and scroll to bottom, choose: IN REMEMBRANCE.  Follow prompts… OR you may submit info via the Website email. Please check site monthly for additions!  

PRIEST who has PASSED to ETERNAL REST: If the priest for whom you pray has entered eternal life, the group may be led to continue to pray for a length of time for the soul of that priest. Perhaps a novena of Holy Hours or the offering of holy Mass(es) for the priest.  You will know.  Some groups have/are offering Holy Hours for an entire year for their beloved deceased priest.  Groups may be started following the death of a priest that did not have a group prior.  This is commendable and welcomed.  Please register these special groups through the Web site.

SPANISH translation of Communique:  Generously done every month by Zahyra B, Anchoress for a Seven Sisters group in Venezuela.  Posted/archived on the Website.  If it is easier to receive through an email account, please let me know. Expect 2-4 days for translation. Commitment Prayer/Guidelines Booklet in Spanish (on the Web - free download).