17 Years and Counting
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August 15, 2018Through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother on the Solemnity of her Assumption, the heavy rains in Naperville never made it to St. Joseph's and the 17th Anniversary of our Youth Group Rosary had a picture perfect summer night.
Yes you read that right...For 17 years, without missing one single week, St. Jospeh teenagers have been praying the Rosary each Wednesday night. Sometimes it becomes Tuesday or Thursday to work around holidays, but every week has seen this ever evolving group of young people, adults and alumni gathering to seek Our Mother's intercession.While on average the group numbers between 30-40 each week, there have been those nights with as few as two, while others see our youth room bursting at the seams! Yet no matter the numbers, the size seems just right for the night, the group or the need.
"For where two or three are gathered in my name,
there am I in the midst of them."
Matthew 18:20This Rosary group has seen it's ebbs and flows over the past 17 years, as so many of our church ministries have and will continue to see. But as St. Matthew's Gospel shows us, Our Lord is always there in our midst and His light will continue shine.
The fruits of that light can easily be seen in the many faith-filled teens that have grown into young leaders within our faith. You see them in the liturgy as cantors, lectors or Eucharistic Ministers. They are leaders in college simply by attending Mass. They're also leaders in their workplaces by their kind example, or by becoming youth ministers themselves at the parish and college levels. And so many have married and our now leading their own family's to heaven by their light and love.
Through Our Lady's intercession, these young people will continue to come spend time with her each week, seeking her help, offering their gratitude and drawing closer to her Son Jesus, one Wednesday night at a time.
Thank you Blessed Mother for 17 miraculous years. May we continue to shine the light of your Son for decades to come...Amen
