Ministries — Ministry of Praise

Mission

The Ministry of Praise is a prayer ministry for those parishioners who cannot be physically active in other ministries of the parish. It enables members to actively contribute to the parish by offering all their prayers, joys, works, sacrifices and sufferings to God for the salvation of souls, the needs of the parish and the universal Church. Their prayers provide a wealth of spiritual blessings on priests, religious, families, youth,
and inactive Catholics.

History

The Ministry of Praise was started in 1979 at St. Bede’s parish on Chicago’s southwest side by Sister Mary Charla Gannon, RSM. As Sister Mary Charla began working with the elderly, she realized there was a nucleus of great power among them for prayer, but she didn’t know how to organize it. One day she came across an article by Father Terence Tully in “Pastoral Life” proposing the idea of organizing people into a praying ministry.
This was all the incentive Sister Mary Charla required and soon 75 Ministers of Praise were commissioned at
St. Bede’s. All her efforts provided them with an important link to the parish they otherwise would not have.

Sister Mary Charla’s hope for this ministry was simply to unite the handicapped, sick, and senior citizens everywhere in prayer for the salvation of souls and for justice and peace. She achieved that dream and today
the Ministry of Praise has thousands of members with chapters in 48 states and in Canada, Australia, England
and Ireland.

Eligibility and Requirements

All senior, handicapped, sick, homebound, and infirm parishioners are eligible to join the Ministry of Praise. There are no dues required or meetings to attend, and unlike other ministries, you can actively serve the Church in the comfort of your home. Once commissioned as a Minister of Praise, members will receive:


	A book of suggested prayers.
	A cross.
	A certificate signed by the Pastor.
	A monthly letter requesting special prayers.

Ministers of Praise may use the suggested prayers or continue with other favorite prayers of their choice. All who are able are encouraged to assist at Mass as often as possible, and pray the Rosary daily. Prayers of petition, intercession, repentance and thanksgiving are all part of this ministry, but especially important are prayers in praise of God, who loves us perfectly and holds the perfect plan for our lives in His Heart.

Recommendation From the Founder of the Ministry of Praise

Several years ago Sister Mary Charla informed me of a series of books called The Volumes. These books inspire the reader and encourage praises to the Lord. They also explain the locutions of Anne, a lay apostle, wife and mother of six children. Jesus has chosen her to write the Volumes to inform the world of His burning desire to save sinners through the prayers and sacrifices of those who lovingly serve Him. A common thread is obvious between these books and the Ministry of Praise.Bishop Federico O. Escaler, SJ of the Philippines, has given his IMPRIMATUR for the Volumes. In obedience to the Church, and in obedience to Jesus, Anne works closely with her local bishop who has carefully examined these works and granted permission for publication. Copies of the Volumes have also been brought to the Vatican, both to Pope John Paul II just prior to his death, as well as to the then Cardinal Ratzinger, formerly head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and now Pope Benedict XVI. The position of the Church is that these writings are private revelation containing nothing contrary to Catholic faith and doctrine. The Volumes may be useful in understanding the times in which we live and the urgency of prayer.

For more information about the Volumes, please visit this website: www.directionforourtimes.com
or call (708) 496-9300.

You may also borrow the Volumes from St. John’s Church Library.

Biography

My name is Frances LeClere. Fifty years ago I married my Hoosier husband, Ralph, in Philadelphia. Ralph was hired by IBM and became an electronic engineer. Our first home was in Massachusetts. The next transfer was
to Kentucky. Thirty-five years ago we were transferred to Boulder County, Colorado. After many years there we were sent to Arizona for a short time. When my husband retired, we came back home to Colorado where three
of our four children were still living. We always talked about living in Larimer County someday even before we
went to Arizona. In 1992 that dream was fulfilled. We have lived in Loveland and attended St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church ever since, serving wherever the Lord has led us. I inherited the writing of the Ministry of Praise letter from Rosemary Cumpsten and many others before her. There were times I had no idea what to write and
the deadline was uncomfortably close. I praise God for all the help He has given me to put these letters together, especially for the last minute inspirations. I have enjoyed writing the monthly letters since 1993. A few years ago when I was recovering from a prolonged illness, two wonderful parishioners helped me by being guest writers for two months. Occasionally, it would be nice to have writers fill in for me when my schedule becomes challenging.

Contact Information

For more information or to volunteer for this ministry, contact Frances LeClere, (970) 667-0892.