The Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Rosary Makers in Lansing are quickly approaching their 50th anniversary. With about 60 active rosary makers currently, the group has hand-made more than one million rosaries that have been sent worldwide. At the helm of these amazing accomplishments is Laurene Moore, who co-founded the group almost 50 years ago.Laurene and her sister-in-law, Dorothy Moore, were both struggling through hard times many years ago, and were looking for a seed of hope. They came across an advertisement for an organization that provided rosary-making supplies to groups all over the world. After receiving their first batch of supplies and discovering others in the parish who wanted to help, the group made 2,500 rosaries by the end of their first year. Since that time, the group has sent their rosaries worldwide. As Laurene explains, “The main purpose of our group is to encourage people all over the world to pray for peace. It’s an evangelization tool.”
The group receives supplies from Our Lady’s Rosary Makers headquarters in Kentucky, and anyone who is interested in making rosaries picks up the supplies at the IHM office in Lansing. Requests for rosaries come from military chaplains, those in prison ministry and people embarking on mission trips, and the group tries to fill the orders as quickly as they can. Many rosaries come with unique prayer cards made by Immaculate Heart of Mary Knights of Columbus members Steve and Marla Gauss. The list of places to receive IHM rosaries continues to grow, and includes Fort Benning, Ga., Sri Lanka, Sudan, the Philippines, Nigeria, Ghana and other locations in Africa. “The rosaries mean so much to those in poorer countries, because they are so valuable to them. We are fortunate to be able to give them for free,” says Dan Spitzley, a rosary maker of about 15 years. “We don’t get to see the people that these rosaries are sent to, but we know from their letters that what we are doing is truly touching their hearts,” says member Cheryl Bixler.
Aside from spreading prayer and peace around the world, the group has used the rosaries as an evangelization tool within the Diocese of Lansing. Yolanda Toner, a fifth grade catechism teacher at IHM, has her students learn to make rosaries in class, many of which are given to hospital patients by chaplains. “The children are really interested in where [the rosaries] go and who might end up with them.” The makers also have given rosaries to St. John Student Parish in East Lansing, many of which are green and white.
Making rosaries have brought a diverse group of people closer to God and closer together. “This group of people means so much to me,” says Kathy Tomo, “Not only do I get the reward of making the rosaries and seeing where they go, but I have made such good friends.” Jane McNeilly, a member of the group for 45 years, has individually made more than 250,000 rosaries. Although the makers work independently from one another, they have grown close by working toward spreading the love of God and a praying for peace. As member Karen Richards says, “These rosaries are just as rewarding to us as they are to the recipients.”
The rosary makers agree that Laurene is the glue that holds the group together. Kathy Tomo explains, “Laurene organizes everything and keeps everybody motivated. She has been doing this for two-thirds of her life. She is the motivation behind the whole project.”
By Katie Susko
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