Our Parish Mission Statement:
To Live and Preach the Gospel through the Example of our Lives
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Our Parish Mission Statement: |
1.3 million men and women serve this country in the military. 130,000 are serving in Iraq and another 22,000 in Afghanistan. The rest are spread out on bases at home and around the globe. Some of these soldiers, sailors and pilots are away from home and loved ones for the first time in their lives. It is common for them to feel lonely, confused, lost, or afraid. While support for US involvement in the Middle East is not universal, support for the American soldier is wide-spread here at home. Throughout the US, service men and women are greeted on the streets, in airports, restaurants and other public places warmly and appreciatively. People go out of their way to say “thank you,” and do whatever they can to show their support of the young men and women serving their country.
All Saints Parish formed a rosary making guild in March 2007, to make military approved prayer beads for free distribution to soldiers. So far, volunteers at All Saints have made and shipped more than 4,500 Ranger Rosaries to Protestant and Catholic military chaplains all over the world.
All Saints Parish teamed up with St. Mary Catholic Church in Annapolis, MD., who conceived of the Ranger Rosary Project five years ago. Since then, a half dozen other churches from across the US have formed rosary making guilds. Combined, Ranger Rosary Project affiliates are now making 1,000 sets of rosaries a week. Since its inception, over 100,000 Ranger Rosaries have been made and shipped. Sadly, this impressive number is nowhere near what military chaplains believe is needed. (Annual enlistments in the military are currently 230,000.)
Made of olive green or tan parachute cord, brown plastic beads and a black plastic crucifix, the Ranger Rosaries include no metal parts that would reflect light or make rattling sounds in the field. They are sent every week to chaplains in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, stateside training bases, and military hospitals.
Father Bill Devine, a military chaplain in Iraq reports “As I travel around, celebrating Mass or talking with Marines, I see the rosary hanging inside their vehicles, tanks and living quarters. They have it hung over their racks or on their flak jackets. Many wear them around their necks. They are an ever-constant reminder of the power of Our Lady's (Virgin Mary’s) intercession and protection on these young men.” The expression - There is no such thing as an atheist in a fox hole, appears to be true. In harms way, soldiers turn in large numbers to God for guidance, courage and protection.
The Ranger Rosary project at All Saints is gaining momentum. Alan & Lynnette Johnson, coordinators at All Saints, report making and shipping 100-200 rosaries a week. Volunteers, largely making the rosaries at home, come from Charlestown, Claremont, Springfield, VT, Bellows Falls, VT. Westminster, VT, Westmoreland, N. Walpole, Walpole and Alstead and Acworth.
The Johnsons became interested in the Ranger Rosary Project after a former pastor in their church forwarded an article about the project to them. “Fr. Anthony knew our son had enlisted and routinely sends articles about faith and military service. As soon as we read the article, we knew this was something we had to do,” reports Alan. “We were a bit apprehensive when our son chose the Army over college, but we put it in God’s hands.”
The Johnson’s son, Pfc. Christopher Johnson, has written- “The Rosary is everywhere here at Ft. Hood. In vehicles, over bunks, everywhere, and not just with Catholics, a sense of God’s presence seems to be important to everyone.”
With shipping, each finished rosary and the prayer cards which go with them, cost about a dollar. To make donations to help support the Ranger Rosary Project, send a check to All Saints Parish, 285 Main Street, Charlestown, NH 03603 and write- “Ranger Rosary Project” on the memo line.
To volunteer making Ranger Rosaries, contact Alan & Lynnette Johnson at 603-445-5021. The group tries to meet every Saturday morning from 9-11:30, in St. Peter’s Hall.