News & Events
Family Rosary Fest Witness Talks
April 15, 2009
Holy Cross Family Ministries announces the witness talks for the June 6 Family Rosary Fest includes:Most Rev. George Coleman, Bishop of Fall River, will speak on the topic: “Returning to the Rosary.” Bishop Coleman, a graduate of Holy Cross College in Worcester, prepared for the priesthood at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton and at the North American College in Rome, where he also earned a graduate degree in sacred theology from the Gregorian University. He is a native of the city of Fall River, was appointed by Pope John Paul II to become the seventh bishop of the diocese of Fall River in 2003. He is the second native son of the diocese to serve as its leader in its almost 100-year history. In his mission as Bishop of Fall River he is pastor to a growing community of faith of approximately 350,000 persons who worship in 101 parishes throughout southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the Islands.
Ms. Gerrie Stadelmann, of Brockton, was trapped in her room along with her husband, Bill, during the attack on the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai, India, which came under seize from terrorists on November 26, 2008. The couple had taken a three-week tour of India with which they were very pleased. When they left a dinner gathering to go up to their room to pack, they were shocked to learn from security that there were gunmen in the hotel and they were instructed to lock the door, turn out the lights, and not to open the door to anyone. They could hear terrorists going down the hallway, blowing open the doors of other rooms and shooting those inside. During the 15-hour siege, Gerrie prayed her Rosary using her hands to count the prayers as she did not want to risk getting her Rosary from across the room while a sniper was firing. Mrs. Stadelmann, who prays the Rosary regularly, and especially in times of trouble, will speak on “The Rosary in Times of Crisis.”
Rev. George Harrison, Pastor, Holy Name Parish, Fall River, will speak on: “Eucharistic Devotion and the Rosary.” Father Harrison is known for the youth ministry that he led for many years in the Diocese of Fall River and for his commitment to daily prayer before the Eucharist. All the parishes where he has served have promoted Eucharistic devotion. He was recognized by the Mens’ Conference of the Archdiocese of Boston last year as “Priest of the Year.” Father Harrison’s ministry has always been deeply Marian.
Rev. John Phalen, CSC, President, Holy Cross Family Ministries, will share his thoughts on “The Family and the Rosary/La Familia y el Rosario.” Father John speaks internationally on Our Lady, the family Rosary and many other topics carrying on the mission of Servant of God Father Patrick Peyton, CSC. Father Phalen is a past President of the Mariological Society of America and a member of the Hispanic Ministry Committee of the Congregation of Holy Cross. He is a member of Council 1462 Knights of Columbus and Faithful Friar of the Cardinal O'Connell Assembly of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. He attended Stonehill College in North Easton, Massachusetts, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1970; a Master of Theology from the University of Notre Dame in 1973; and pursued additional graduate studies at Fairfield University.
Most Rev. Yves-Marie Pean, CSC, Bishop of Gonaive Haiti, is the national Director of the Family Rosary ministry in Haiti. This area of the world has been afflicted by poverty, flooding, and political turmoil. Often Bishop Pean has been the voice of Gonaive speaking to the press. A member of the Congregation of Holy Cross, the Bishop has gained the confidence of the people of Gonaive and has concentrated his ministry on healthy family life, on spiritual growth among members of prayer groups he founded and peace. “The Rosary as Prayer for Peace” is the title of his talk.
Mrs. Silveria Furtado, parishioner at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, New Bedford, came to the United States at the age of 17 and made a life for herself. She has three grown children, prays the Rosary and believes in Father Peyton’s vision, “the family that prays together stays together.” Mrs. Furtado is the leader of her parish’s prayer group, is a Eucharistic Minister and a member of her parish council. She will speak in Portuguese on the topic: “Witnessing to the Power of the Rosary.”