On Sunday, Sept. 24, Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, 1023 Swann Road, Lewiston, will be the site of the 37th Annual Rosary Crusade for World Peace. The event, which will take place from 2-3:30 p.m., is sponsored by the Niagara Council of Catholic Women of the Diocese of Buffalo. This year's theme is "We thank you, Blessed Mother, for 100 years of love and blessings."
Bishop Edward M. Grosz, auxiliary bishop of Buffalo, will serve as this year's homilist. Msgr. J. Thomas Moran, retired pastor of St. Bernard Parish, Youngstown, will be the moderator and Dolores Laurrie of Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Parish, Niagara Falls, will serve as the crusade's chairperson.
Students from Niagara County will recite the rosary. Knights of Columbus Council 14622 and members of Niagara University's ROTC program will also participate in the crusade. The Ambrosia family from St. Peter Parish, Lewiston, will crown the statue of Mary and the St. Peter School's bell choir, will perform.
The crusade, which is open to the public, will include an outdoor rosary procession, coronation of the statue of Mary, blessing of children and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
Pope Francis has bestowed an apostolic blessing upon all participants in this year's event.
Complimentary rosaries will be distributed to all in attendance at the crusade.