Presentation-Sacred Heart Parish, which serves the hamlets of the Town of Esopus on the Ulster County side of the Hudson River, is the first parish in the Archdiocese of New York to welcome the Seven Sisters Apostolate and its male equivalent, the Fasting Brothers. 

The Seven Sisters organize units of at least seven women who pledge to pray one hour (preferably before the Blessed Sacrament) on one day per week for one year for a priest or bishop specifically adopted by the team. Each unit is led by an anchoress, who also is the contact person for the particular unit. In the spirit of Mark 9:29, the Fasting Brothers are organized into teams of at least six men who support the prayers of a Seven Sisters unit with their fasting. Each Fasting Brother pledges to fast one day per week for one year (but not on Sundays or solemnities). At Presentation-Sacred Heart Parish, the Fasting Brothers team is led by an anchor, who also is the contact person for the particular team.

“At our parish,” explained a grateful Fr. Arthur Rojas, Administrator, “our anchoresses are Catherine Parrinello, Lorraine Cranston, and Anita Killian. One unit prays for me, one for Fr. Marc Oliver, and the other for Fr. John Kearney, who help me with Masses, confessions, and other elements of pastoral care from time to time. The anchor of the Fasting Brothers is Dcn. Timothy Dean. Our parishioners have responded spectacularly over the last few months to the introduction of these apostolates.”

Fr. Rojas added that information about these apostolates has been shared with parishes in the area such as St. Mary-St. Andrew’s Church in Ellenville.  Materials are available in Spanish as well as in English at the Seven Sisters Apostolate website, which is a nationwide apostolate founded in Minnesota.  

For more information, please visit Presentation-Sacred Heart Parish.