MILTON — Looking over these past three years with a pandemic, political turmoil, war, and violence both in the United States and abroad, a common question found both in and out of the Diocese of Madison is “What can we do?”
This is the question Mary Elbert, a long-time parishioner, and her good friend Evie Nett, a former parishioner of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Milton, asked themselves back in 2020.
With the sense of loneliness and hopelessness in the world, Mary and Evie wondered what they could do.
Mary found inspiration from Fr. Rick Heilman, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Pine Bluff, who encouraged people to “take up their weapons,” the Rosary, and pray in public space.
Mary, along with other parishioners, would stay after the daily Mass on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to pray the Rosary followed by the Divine Mercy Chaplet on Wednesdays. St. Mary Parish also offers a Rosary rally and prayer service in October.
Both Mary and Evie wondered what more they could do. So, they decided that they too would pray the Rosary in a public place.
When the question came up of “where,” the two decided to pray right in front of the statue of Our Blessed Mother on the corner of St. Mary St. and Parkview Dr. in Milton.
The statue, weighing 330 pounds, was designed specifically for St. Mary Parish by Pante Studios in Italy.
The statue has a youthful image to represent the youthfulness of the parish. She is in “motion” to represent the activeness of the parish.
Her left hand is open to offer welcome while her right hand rests over her heart to represent how she treasures her children, making it the perfect destination to offer the Rosary.
They started in July of 2020 and have been faithfully praying every Monday at 10:30 a.m since.
A growing group
They soon after placed an announcement in their parish bulletin welcoming everyone to come and pray with them.
The group has grown to eight parishioners with as many as 12 praying the Rosary.
The group ranges from older members of the community to families who come together with their kids.
“There are days when there is inclement weather; those days the Rosary is prayed inside the parish at 11 a.m. But Evie and I make sure to always be there (at the statue) every Monday at 10:30 a.m, no matter the weather,” Mary stated.
There have definitely been some cold days for the two women, but Mary said “we just offer that up with our prayers too.”
The group has numerous intentions both personal and communal, such as parish intentions from St. Mary’s intention book, Pope Francis, Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison, a peaceful end to abortion in all 50 states, peace in general, the list goes on.
The group is always happy to take intentions from the community.
While all their prayers have been fruitful in small and big ways, one of the group’s intentions that has been answered was the overturning of Roe v Wade.
Mary shared that the people who ask the group to pray for them and their loved ones are always grateful for the prayers.
Parish connections
The Rosary group has also provided a way for the parish to be connected.
There is time before and after the Rosary for people to talk and catch up with each other, something Mary is grateful for.
“I go to Mass on Sunday or Saturday, and I see someone who came to pray on Monday. Now I know their name and we know each other.”
One of the beautiful things about praying outside, and one of the goals of the group, is that it is a witness to the hope and trust we find in the Lord.
“When you’re out there praying together, your trust and hope increase in the Lord because all these intentions are going to be solved by Him. It has been a joy to pray. It’s seeming little, but very powerful.”
All are welcome to join the group in prayer on Mondays at 10:30 a.m. by the Mother Mary statue outside of St. Mary Church in Milton.
Molly Schoepp is an intern with the Catholic Herald.