To the Editor:
On Sunday April 6, Rev. Peter Wehrle, administrator of St. Mary/St. Andrews Church, celebrated 10:30 mass for the 32nd Rosarians citywide communion breakfast. Rev. Msgr. Lawrence J. Miller, retired pastor of our Lady Star of the Sea Parish and Rev. Michael Barone, of Mt. Carmel Parish co-celebrated. The combined choirs of both parishes joined to render a beautiful selection of hymns. Immediately following the mass, a breakfast was held at the Chandelier Restaurant. Donna Toker, president of Our Lady Star of the Sea, welcomed the Rosarians and thanked them for attending. She turned the program over to the mistress of ceremonies, Maria Luca. Maria’s program flowed smoothly with spirituality and lightheartedness.
Before calling upon the guest speaker, Rev. Msgr. Lawrence J. Miller, Maria gave a short synopsis of his background and priesthood. His message enumerated our Blessed Mother’s numerous miracles and her apparitions, wherein she always requested citation of the rosary. He complimented the Rosarians for the important role they play through their membership in their rosary societies. For 32 years, the combined rosary societies of Bayonne have honored our Blessed Mother through this spiritual event.
Maria then introduced me, Marilyn T. Solan, as the founder of the annual citywide communion breakfast. I told the Rosarians that the highlight of my yearly calendar is when I am invited to be a part of this spiritual event. My message was from Sister Lucy, from the apparition of the Fatima:
“Sister Lucy tells us that God has given an even greater power to the rosary in our time than it possessed in any other period. The most Holy Virgin in these last times in which we live has given a new efficacy to the recitation of the rosary to such an extent that there is no problem, no matter how difficult it is, whether temporal or above all, spiritual, in the personal life of each one of us, of our families, of the families of the world, or of the religious communities, or even the life of peoples and nations that cannot be solved by the rosary. There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the prayer of the holy rosary. With the holy rosary, we will save ourselves. We will sanctify ourselves; we will console our lord and obtain the salvation of many souls.”
At the closing of the program, Donna Toker, president, surprised me by presenting me with a magnificent bouquet of flowers. I am so grateful for the warm reception I always receive. No wonder I look forward to “coming home to Bayonne” each year. Congratulations to next year’s host parish: St. Andrews.
MARILYN T. SOLAN