Southern Nebraska Register
The Seven Sisters Apostolate will hold a “day of renewal” Saturday, Aug. 22, at St. Gregory the Great Seminary, 800 Fletcher Rd., Seward.
The Seven Sisters Apostolate has a mission to pray for individual priests in small groups of seven women, one praying each day of the week. Each woman chooses her day to offer a holy hour for the intentions of a particular priest, so the priest receives a holy hour each and every day of the year.
“It is a blessing for both the priests and the intercessors!” said diocesan coordinator Rhonda Litt.
The Aug. 22 event will begin with check-in at 9 a.m., followed by Mass at 9:30 a.m., celebrated by Father John Rooney. Participants must bring a sack lunch and all are encouraged to wear blue to honor the Blessed Mother.
Participants will be encouraged to shop retail supporters during the event: Catholic Art and Jewelry by Sue Kouma Johnson and Monticello Design Company by Alyssa Bottger. They will donate part of their proceeds to cover the expenses for the day.
Father Robert Barnhill will be the keynote speaker of the day, presenting “A Priest’s Devotion to Mary: The Seven Sisters’ Support.” A panel of priests will then speak on “The Blessings of a Seven Sisters Apostolate Group.”
Janette Howe, founder of the Seven Sisters Apostolate, will be the featured speaker in the afternoon. Every participant will receive a complimentary book by Fulton J. Sheen, “The Priest Is Not His Own,” and a syllabus to use during their holy hour to pray for their Seven Sisters group’s particular priest. The reading, a spiritual look at the meaning of the priesthood, is recommended by the apostolate. The book is offered in celebration of the beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen this fall, and the 10th anniversary of the apostolate in the Lincoln Diocese.
Howe, from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, was inspired to start the apostolate of prayer in 2010. It has grown to include nearly 6,000 organized groups (with at least seven women praying in each group) across six continents, 37 countries, all 50 states in the United States, and most Canadian provinces. The Seven Sisters Apostolate has been active in the Diocese of Lincoln since 2016 with one group at that time.
The Day of Renewal is open to all who participate in the apostolates of prayer, or who would like to learn more about the opportunities to do so. There are still many priests in the Diocese of Lincoln who do not have groups, such as those who are retired, in health care, priests in residence at parishes, those serving in other dioceses, and in other capacities.
Space is limited to 120, and registration is required by Saturday, Aug. 15. To register, please send a $20 check payable to Seven Sisters Apostolate c/o Kathie Ryneason, 911 N. 68th St., Lincoln NE 68506. Free-will offerings will be taken during the event for the seminary and to cover expenses for use of facilities, stipends for priests, refreshments, etc. With questions, text Rhonda Litt, diocesan coordinator, at 402-525-6396.
SNR photos from the October 2025 event | Natalie Bender. Click for more.
