When Ann Marie Melanson and Cornelius Harvey left for Medjugorje in June, 1997, they had no idea that it be the beginning of many new prayer moments. Before leaving for the trip, Cornelius (Connie) providentially met a religious, Mother Bowman, at the local supermarket. Typically, Connie was not the type of person to speak to total strangers, but this day he did.

Connie introduced himself to Mother Bowman and they discussed her work, her order and Connie told her about his upcoming trip to Medjugorge. He also talked to her about his desire to start a Rosary group. Mother Bowman instructed Connie to contact her when he returned from the trip.

Upon his return, Connie and Ann contacted Mother Bowman and found out that everything was in motion. Mother Bowman had several contacts for him at Stonehill College, including Father Tom Feeley, CSC. At that time, Father Feeley was a professor at Stonehill and later became the National Director of Mission for Holy Cross Family Ministries and finally served at Vice Postulator of the Cause of Servant of God Father Patrick Peyton, CSC until his death.

In a matter of months, Connie had permission to pray at the Grotto at Stone hill College, and had members for his group through notices in local church bulletins. On Sunday, July 27, 1997, the group held their first Rosary Prayer group meeting.

The group continued to pray together weekly; however, when the winter approached, Connie contacted Stonehill College and received permission to gather in Donahue Hall where they remained until November, 2000. In June of 2000, Connie and Ann met Father John Phalen, CSC, president of Holy Cross Family Ministries, then located in Albany, New York. Father John invited the group to join him and staff from Holy Cross Family Ministries to pray the Rosary at the gravesite of Father Peyton on the anniversary of Father Peyton's death.

The friendship between the group and Holy Cross Family Ministries was forged. When The Father Peyton Center was opened in November, 2000, Connie, Ann and their group were invited to gather weekly at the center in the Chapel of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, an appropriate setting for these devoted Rosary prayers.

The group has gathered weekly at The Father Peyton Center every Sunday at 5:30 pm to pray the Rosary, all 15 decades. When Pope John Paul II added the Mysteries of Light, the group quickly embraced the new mysteries and have faithfully pray all 20 decades each week as well as a Novena. As a Guild Chapter for the Cause of Servant of God Father Patrick Peyton, CSC, the group also prays the Beatification prayer and Intercessory prayer for Father Peyton.

If you would like to join this group, join another Guild chapter throughout the United States, or form a new Guild Chapter in your area, contact Holy Cross Family Ministries at info@hcfm.org or call 800-299-PRAY.