Rosary ministry at St. Rose of Lima Parish offers prayers and rosaries for those in need

Friday, Jun. 27, 2014

LAYTON — The story of the formation of the rosary ministry 11 years ago at Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Layton is one filled with faith and dedication.

In 2003 a fatal car accident on the rural roads in Layton claimed the lives of two Latino children. None of their family members spoke English, and most of the parish’s ministries were offered only in English.

 “As we were getting ready to do the funeral a girl that usually sang with me as a cantor mentioned that she knew somebody that could help us with the Spanish,” said Deacon John Weis, who at the time was part of the parish’s music ministry.

As a result, he met Alexander Evendaño, who helped translate into Spanish what was sung at the funeral. Afterward, Evendaño asked to speak with Deacon Weis, so they went to one of the parish conference rooms, where Evendaño talked a little bit about his life. 

“I noticed he had a cross in the middle of his forehead and gloves in his hands,” said Deacon Weis. “He asked me if I could be his spiritual advisor. … I just told him that I was having troubles with my own spirituality and couldn’t help him.”

What was about to happen changed his life forever.

Evendaño grabbed the deacon’s hands and said, “‘You never know how spiritual you are,’ and the wounds of his hands opened and started bleeding right there in front of me,” said Deacon Weis. “That was a sign.”

In further conversations, Evendaño suggested that they work together to promote the rosary, which they did for three years before Evendaño passed away.

“I have continued the ministry and, besides praying every Friday, last fall I started making rosaries for the missionaries,” said Deacon Weis.

Every Friday night people gather at St. Rose of Lima Parish to pray the rosary; on Mondays at 7 p.m. they gather to create rosaries. 

“We have about 25 members in the ministry that meet every Monday night (once a month in the summer)  and make rosaries not only for the missionaries, but they keep the rosary board in the church filled with rosaries for the people that just want to take them,” said Deacon Weis. 

The rosaries are free, but donations are accepted.

“It is my sincere belief that through our Blessed Lady there will be peace in our world. I hope we will be able to put a rosary in the hands of everyone that I meet because through the rosary and through our Blessed mother, working through Jesus, is the way to salvation,” said Deacon Weis.

The rosary ministry of Saint Rose of Lima has already sent 3,000 rosaries to the missionaries; it is now led by Bobbie Saltrain, but Deacon Weis and his wife, Jennet, are still very involved with it.

Anyone interested in participating in the rosary ministry is asked to attend one of the gatherings.

“They just have to come and pray with us every Friday night, or they can come every Monday night so we will teach them how to make rosaries. The ministry is open to anyone that wants to join us. It is a very beautiful ministry for any parish,” Deacon Weis said.