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UPDATES! – Bishop Rhoades’s Mass July 15, 2023 @ 11:00 AM

June 14, 2023
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UPDATES

Vigil Service:

Friday, July 14, at 7:00, we will offer a Rosary on Holy Family Hill and proceed to the Oratory of the Holy Family for a Vigil Service to venerate the relic of St Agnes, Virgin, and Martyr.

RSVP, Please:

Please feel free to RSVP if you are planning to attend.  It is beneficial for us to make sure you have seating and to make sure you receive lunch after the Mass.  But, even if you don’t RSVP, please come to the Mass  RSVP Here

Activities are in full swing as we prepare for your arrival.

We can’t wait to welcome you to the Holy Mass offered here on July 15, 2023.

We are preparing for Bishop Rhoades’ visit to the Our Lady, Patroness of America Center to consecrate our new altar and celebrate Holy Mass in the Oratory of the Holy Family.  Afterward, we will have an afternoon celebrating this extraordinary gift with a cookout and music.  Bring the family.

It is a great honor to have Bishop Rhoades back again at the Center.  You may remember that last August, he came to consecrate a new Altar, consecrate the chapel and rename it the Oratory of the Holy Family.  Just the day before the Mass, an accident destroyed the top while the marble altar was installed.  Bishop Rhoades was most gracious in accomplishing what he could and promising to return to finish the task! 

Renaming the chapel as the Oratory of The Holy Family has been a great blessing for pilgrims.  His act is recognition that imitation of the Holy Family is a sure path in obtaining the gift of purity which Our Lady, the Immaculate Virgin, Patroness of America, wants for us.

The Holy Family is the perfect example of the life that Our Lady wants for us.  She calls us to imitate the familial life in their little home in Nazareth, wherein Divinity and Humanity lived in perfect harmony, peace, and purity. Renaming the chapel is another example of Bishop Rhoades’s deep understanding of this devotion and Our Lady’s hope for us, her children.  

Help Make the Day Better for Everyone - RSVP

We need to know how many are attending to make this day the best for you.   Please help us out by completing the RSVP form.   We know that there will be more pilgrims than the chapel can seat so we will have overflow in the conference room and a large outdoor tent with live streaming of the Mass in all overflow locations.  Last year 850 people attended.  We expect more this year.  Your RSVP does not get you a reserved seat but will help us be better prepared so that all will have a seat.  

But how well we do depends on you letting us know.  However, if you forget to RSVP, still feel free to attend.

Clergy: If you would like to concelebrate at this Mass, please call the office at 1-260-303-4990.

Special Needs

If you have special needs during your visit, please let us know.  We will do our best to accommodate.  Please call the office at 260-303-4990 for assistance.

Streaming

If you are unable to attend in person, but would like to participate remotely you may STREAM LIVE HERE

What to pack

Please wear Liturgy and weather-appropriate clothing. If you  are staying for the afternoon, be sure to pack:

  • Favorite beverage (Coolers are welcome)
  • Snacks
  • Sunblock / Sun hats
  • Bug spray – the post-Mass events will be outside
  • Lawn Chair

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Be a Part of History; Volunteer at the Center!

June 14, 2023
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Volunteer at Bishop's Mass - Sign Up!

Nearly one thousand pilgrims from all across the nation are expected to participate in this historic event. Bishop Rhoades will consecrate our new Altar of Sacrifice and deposit the relics of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr, and Saint Gallicanus, Martyr.  And then, as the day’s pinnacle, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered. 

Without a doubt, this is an historic event.  Only in time will we understand the nature and magnitude of its meaning as Our Lady unfolds her plan to bring Peace and Healing to her children.  I can’t wait to see it become manifest.  

We are most grateful to Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades for his pastoral care of this apostolate and, therefore, his pastoral care of our pilgrims.  Let us give thanks and praise to the Divine Holy Trinity for this Providence!

For more details about the day, visit Bishop’s Mass.

We need your help!

With so many pilgrims attending, we will need many volunteers to make this day the best for our pilgrims.  We hope to remove the distractions and give them time to experience the day.  

We would appreciate your help.  Please sign-up on our volunteer page.  It would be a great help!

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Corpus Christi Procession Joins Together Pilgrims Throughout the World

June 13, 2023
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United with pilgrims the world over

Sunday June 11, 2023-Rome City, Indiana: United with pilgrims from all over the world, we had our own Eucharistic procession right here in Rome City to celebrate the Solemnity of Corpus Christi on June 11th following the 10 a.m. Mass. We followed our Eucharistic Lord from Saint Gaspar Catholic Church to the Oratory of the Holy Family along State Road 9. The procession was led by pastor and chaplain Father Louis Fowoyo, assisted by Deacon Ray Krouse. After Benediction in the Oratory of the Holy Family, pilgrims returned to Saint Gaspar to enjoy brunch and fellowship together.
“O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine, all praise and all thanksgiving, be every moment thine.”

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St Agnes, Virgin and Martyr

June 12, 2023
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Bishop Rhoades Will Deposit Saints' Relics in Altar.

Through the incredible generosity of an FSSP priest serving the Diocese of Fort Wayne – South Bend, the Oratory of the Holy Family has been graced with a first-class relic of St. Agnes of Rome, Virgin, and Martyr.  This early saint is mentioned in the Litany of Saints and has been recognized by the Church as an outstanding example of faith.

It is fitting that we will have as our intercessor a saint who pursued purity to perfection, not only in her pursuit of chastity but as an even greater desire to do only the will of God. Her pursuit of chastity kept her pure; it was her pursuit of God’s love that called her to martyrdom.  

The Oratory of the Holy Family is graced to have her be a part of our Mission.  We pray for her to intercede for us, our pilgrims, and all who seek Our Lady’s healing.

Joining the relics of Saint Agnes will be those of  Saint Gallicanus, Martyr.  The lives of the two early martyrs probably overlapped in the early 4th  century.  St. Gallicanus was a Roman warrior, convert, and martyr.  His statue graces the Colonnade of St. Peters Basilica in Rome. 

Rosary and Vigil Service to venerate the relics.

Friday, July 14, 2023, At 7:00 PM, we will join together to offer a Rosary on Holy Family Hill and then return to the Oratory of the Holy Family for a short vigil service seeking the intercession of Our Lady, Patroness of America for Bishop Rhoades and our Pilgrims.   

Please join us for this solemn preparation for Bishop’s Mass.

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The Friday Evening Rosary Makes Its Return

April 25, 2023
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Each Friday, starting April 28, 2023, the Holy Rosary of Our Lady will be prayed at 5:00 P.M. Depending on the weather, the Rosary will be prayed in the Oratory or on Holy Family Hill.

Long a tradition here at Rome City, it ended when Larry Young lost property ownership in 2010.  Now 13 years later, the tradition returns.   Praise God!

Before the tradition was lost, pilgrims relayed many stories of prayers answered, peace restored, and healing of body and soul.   The regular pilgrims started as a small group and grew as the months passed.

As we are dismayed by the godlessness around us, please join us in praying for Our Lady of America’s intercession granting us a return to purity.  Pray we will be guided by Our Lady and flooded with Our Lord’s Grace with the hope that we and our nation will return to Him.

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Mark your Calendars! Summer Events at the Center

April 9, 2023
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New events added to the schedule in addition to the First Saturday Devotion Masses.

Spring has sprung here at the Center. The April 1 Saturday Mass had more than 100 in attendance, of which nearly 25 were here for the first time! Most pilgrims stay the day to hear presentations on the devotion, visit the historic places on the property, and learn more about God’s Love and promise of Grace.

It will be a busy summer, and we hope you can join us for these upcoming events. Here is the line-up in chronological order:

 

Friday Evening Rosary

Returning a tradition at the Center from 2001- 2010, we will offer the Holy Rosary at 7:00 PM starting Friday, April 28, and continuing each Friday until Labor Day weekend.

Make it a date night!

Make it a picnic with the family or a date night.  Please bring a picnic dinner and enjoy the beautiful views from our new picnic tables. Bathrooms will be open at 6:00 PM.

This will be a community effort, and we are asking individuals, families, groups, and parishes to lead the Rosary.  Please call the office to sign-up for your date.

Bishop Kevin Rhoades

Saturday, July 15, Bishop Kevin Rhoades will be offering Holy Mass and consecrating the new altar in the Oratory of the Holy Family. Make it a day with Mass, cookout (provided), and music in the afternoon. Like the Bishop’s Mass of last year, this will be a celebration!  Details…

Divine Will Retreat

The retreat will be held August 13-15. Fr. Celso has given and continues to provide Retreats and days of Recollection throughout the United States and Europe focusing on the Servant of God, Luisa Piccarreta, and the Divine Will.

 This will be the fourth year for the conference, and we warmly welcome your return.  Details..

Anniversary Pilgrim Walk

Sunday, September 24, 2023.  Honor Our Lady on this Anniversary of the establishment of this devotion.  Details…

Archived

Fr. Kevin Barrett

Friday evening, June 2, in conjunction with the Holy Rosary, Fr. Kevin Barrett, Chaplin at the Apostolate for Family Consecration near Steubenville, OH, will reflect on Our Lady of America’s call to make our families like her little family in Nazareth. View his homily here.

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We Need You! Meet Our Annual Appeal Goal and Respond to the Call

November 28, 2022
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Do you fear for our Country? I do!

One of our most read posts is “The Rise and Fall of America”. It explores the root cause of the decline of our nation and explores the question “Must America fall?” The simple answer is no!  Heaven has a plan!

 

At the Our Lady, Patroness of America Center we want to respond to Heaven’s plan. Here, we are blessed to know that Heaven gives us hope and a way out of the decline. It is not too late to save our country and fulfill Heaven’s desire that America lead the world to peace.

But we must do our part. We need to respond to the messages and call of Our Lady, the Immaculate Virgin, Patroness of America. We need to bring Grace upon our Nation.

Those who come to the Our Lady, Patroness of America Center receive grace. If they participate in a tour, then they get firsthand exposure to Our Lady’s promise of extraordinary grace for pilgrims and our nation.
But few know of this great plan of Heaven to save our country. And even fewer will make it here to Rome City to experience Our Lady’s call – firsthand. THIS IS A PROBLEM!

In 2023 we will be starting outreach and programs to bring Our Lady’s message of hope and grace to more people than could ever make it to Rome City. And at the same time, we hope to be able to continue renovating the Oratory of the Holy Family as Bishop Rhoades has asked us to do.

second year in a row, our Board Is Matching GIFTs 2-for-1 UP to $300,000

With the generous 2-for-1 match from our Board, your donations are not just doubled, but tripled! Donate $100 and it becomes $300. 

Last year we exceeded the match limit! And our Board came through and added another $50,000. As president of the Foundation, I really want to make that call again to our board and ask for a larger match pool from our directors. I can’t speak for them, but I believe that request would be well received!

We need to raise $550,000 for 2023 to keep the momentum going here in Rome City and bring more souls to know of and respond to Our Lady, the Immaculate Virgin, Patroness of America.

Please, please bring this great plan of Heaven to America. Please make a generous donation today! Join in Our Lady’s work.

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2-for-1 Match – It’s up to us!

November 22, 2022
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Building on the success of last year’s 2-for-1 match the Foundation’s Board has once again committed taking our work to the next level! The 2-for-1 match is back! Like 2022 (in review), the board wants another year of large strides in response to Our Lady’s call.

2023 will be a pivotal year. Our focus has been on providing the essentials; water, heat, electricity and offering of Holy Mass in a somewhat appropriate space. In 2023 we will start to bring outreach and programming into focus, while we continue to prioritize liturgy and liturgical space improvements.

Holy Family on the Hill at Oratory of the Holy Family

Our Lady continues to lead us. She calls Bishop Kevin Rhoades to set the path and her priest sons to guide us along. As an example, when Bishop Rhoades renamed the chapel to the Oratory of the Holy Family, it caused us to dig into what this devotion reveals about the Holy Family, where humanity and Divinity co-existed in peace for 30 years. The Holy Family is where God’s nature and infinite love were made manifest in humanity. The example of the Holy Family is very rich. Through it are revealed ways of Grace that are available to us. Ways that bring us closer to the promises of Christ. 

Pilgrims enter Oratory at completion of 7 mile Pilgrim Walk
Pilgrims enter Oratory at completion of 7 mile Pilgrim Walk

And the priests!  Perhaps the greatest gift Our Lady has sent are the local priests who have made this work of Our Lady theirs too.  For the Sacraments that have come through them, the dozen who participated in the Bishop’s Mass and the Pilgrim Walk, envisioned and organized by Fr. J Steele, CSC, we are most grateful!  And our new Pastor, Fr. Louis Fowoyo is collaborating closely to build the richness of our programs and offerings.

Bishop Kevin Rhoades at the Oratory of the Holy Family, August 6, 2022

When Bishop Rhoades offered Mass on August 6th, 2022, he gave us many gifts. First, his presence as witness to his support and encouragement. Second, he established the chapel as an Oratory. And Third, he established that we would be graced with the True Eucharistic Presence of Our Lord in the Oratory. This is the goal. 

But we are not ready to receive this gift of Divinity. Because of the public nature of the Oratory, with pilgrims, programs, tours, and conferences it is not appropriate that Our Lord be reserved in the Oratory Sanctuary. For this we will be outfitting a Eucharistic Chapel just off the sanctuary for prayer in the presence of Our Lord. This is the same way it is done in the great Churches of the world like the Pope’s Cathedral, St. John Lateran in Rome.

At the conclusion of Mass in August, Bishop Rhoades called attention the Sanctuary of the Oratory pointing to the great need of renewal. We are ready to start. View below short video of his closing comments at Mass. He clearly painted the picture that it takes a community of the faithful to respond and act on this call of Our Lady. He calls out that so much has been accomplished, but there is so much more to do. He gives his thanks to this community for returning the Catholic presence to the Oratory.

We have already hired a liturgical architect and the next step is engaging a liturgical artist. Together, they will prepare a plan of renewal for discussion, refinement and ultimately completion.

This will be a multi-year program with timing dependent on funding. This year our hope is to prepare the sanctuary area for the next step. This first step will be building walls in the sanctuary in front of the existing walls to accommodate insulation and electrical. This wall will be the canvas for the liturgical art.

Bishop Rhoades has given this community a charge – to renew the Oratory as an inspiring and appropriate space for worship, prayer, sacraments, and learning. Now is the time to respond to Our Lady’s call and her hope for America. Please join with our Board so that together we can advance Our Lady’s plan. Please Give Today!   

Click here to donate!

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Save the Date! Bishop Kevin Rhoades to Offer Holy Mass

November 20, 2022
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SAVE THE DATE

Saturday, July 15, 2023, at 11:00 AM EDT, Bishop Kevin Rhoades returns to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in the Oratory of the Holy Family at the Our Lady, Patroness of America Center in Rome City, Indiana.  

This is the feast day of St. Bonaventure, Franciscan Bishop, Cardinal, scholastic, theologian philosopher and Doctor of the Church.  

Bishop Rhoades will finish what we had hoped to accomplish in 2022.  When he came last August to bless and rename the Oratory, we had hoped he would also have a new altar to consecrate.  That had to wait as an accident happened the day before when the altar top failed when being placed. 

Please plan to attend and show your support for the devotion to Our Lady, the Immaculate Virgin, Patroness of America. As a community we need to renew our appreciation toward Bishop Rhoades for establishing the Our Lady, Patroness of America Center and giving us the Oratory of the Holy Family.   

Please pray for Bishop Rhoades!  Please give him your support in prayer and in person on July 15, 2023.

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