Last Saturday was a very special day for St. Raymond and for the universal Catholic Church. It was the 100th anniversary of the 1st apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima, Portugal. Over a succession of 6 months Mary appeared to three local shepherd children with messages; some to share and some to keep to themselves. Not surprisingly, the local church and civil authorities at first didn’t believe the children. But even under threats to their lives they faithfully returned to the ‘cova’ to see Our Lady. Before the final apparition Mary told the children that she would show a sign to all the skeptical onlookers that would prove her appearances to them. The news- papers throughout Portugal announced that on October 13, 1917 there would be a miracle and so 50,000 people, many of them atheists, came to Fatima to see it.
The events of that miracle are depicted in a movie entitled “The 13th Day” that you can view for free through our parish gift to you: Formed.org. All you need to do is apply at Formed.org as a St. Raymond parishioner using the access code on our parish website home page. To get regular information from the parish sent to you about the many offerings through Formed.org join the Formed group through Flocknote by texting ‘gifts’ to 84576.
These photos show some highlights from our family fun event and our rosary procession from last Saturday. God bless you and know of my prayers for you.
Fr. Lawrence