HADDON HEIGHTS – On a recent late Sunday afternoon, the Lacey family joined hands with their guests around the dinner table and prepared for an evening in which they would be fed both physically and spiritually.
Shortly before, Cathy and Charlie Lacey – and their sons Brendan, Patrick and Sean – had welcomed local clergy into their dining room, in which images of the Sacred Heart, Saint Joseph and Saint Pope John Paul II could be seen.
Over a dinner of salmon, garlic rice and spinach, the group’s conversation turned to topics such as the priests’ ministries, early lives and seminary studies; Charlie Lacey’s classes as a diaconate candidate for the Diocese of Camden, and Sean and Patrick’s summer jobs.
Retiring to the living room, the group prepared for the reason behind the gathering: the praying of the Holy Rosary and the Glorious Mysteries.
“In a world that has lost its bearings, the Rosary provides protection. You’re encouraging each other in faith and moving each other to deeper faith,” said Father Tim Byerley, pastor of Saint Peter Parish, Merchantville, who with Father Frederick Link, a retired priest and family friend, were visiting the Laceys.
“A home like this that is sanctified by the daily family Rosary is a beacon, showing the way to others,” he said. In addition, “When you pray it every day, there’s no accumulation of challenges.”
For the past eight months, Father Byerley has been preaching such messages to his parish flock, joining them in their homes to pray the Holy Rosary. Cathy Lacey, parish business manager, had asked Father Byerley to visit when he first announced the initiative at the beginning of the year, but God’s timing meant the perfect opportunity was in the summer.
“It’s incredible that Father Tim has something [like this] at this parish,” said Brendan, who was happy the evening coincided with him being on summer break. The past year, Brendan has been helping spread the devotion at his college, the Franciscan University of Steubenville.
“During the year, my roommate wanted to learn the Rosary, so I looked online for resources on how to pray it and the mysteries,” he said. He ended up crafting an instruction pamphlet, complete with an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the prayers of the Rosary and the Scriptures illuminating each mystery.
Father Byerley said he was pleased to join the Laceys; at the end of the evening, he blessed the house and sprinkled holy water in each of its rooms and outside.
“If all of the families [at Saint Peter’s] pray the family Rosary, it will give spirituality, vitality and a renewal to the parish,” he said, estimating that he’s prayed in dozens of homes since the parish program began.
Charlie Lacey said it was a blessing to have the priests join his family for dinner and prayer. “It’s always good to have that devotion to our Mother and keep in touch with her through the Rosary.”
He also reflected on the impact the visit will have on his sons, saying it will “bear a lot of good fruit going forward.”
“Their faith is strong to begin with, but there’s much fruit in them interacting with Father Byerley and Father Link, getting to know them, and seeing how God has impacted their own lives. To have two men of such strong faith with them, my sons are edified by that.”
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