Our Sorrowful Mother's Ministry main building
12 years ago, two women from a small town in middle Illinois went to a Catholic conference. When they left, they felt deflated as well as disappointed.
Feeling barraged by requests for money at the conference, there was little spiritual refreshing for these two. Debbie Pryor and Vanessa Keck went home to Vandalia, IL with purpose in their heart. They knew they could do better.
After seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit and their priest at that time, Fr. Steven Sotiroff, they had a plan. What has happened is a true miracle of God. What was birthed was Our Sorrowful Mother’s Ministry (OSMM).
The two of them single handedly put together an ambitious conference, with little support from the community and even less money. The conference went well, and Our Lord's ministry was off and running.
Twelve years later, when one looks at this this ministry is now, there can be no doubt that these two spiritual women have had Someone bigger with them, leading them into growth they never envisioned.
The fall conference continues every year. This writer has had the privilege of going to three of them in the early years and found them to be spiritually refreshing like cool water on a hot, dry day. Vandalia may be a small town, but the speakers that come are well-known, high profile Catholic speakers. People like Father Corapi, Fr. Frank Pavone, Karl Keating, Jr., Rosalind Moss, Fr.Mitch Pacwa and many others are some who have ministered there. To have speakers of this caliber in little Vandalia has been a work of God, to say the least.
As the ministry grew, Fr. Sotiroff advised Debby and Vanessa that they needed to form their own not for profit organization. And so they did. And so the organization grows.
During an interview with Debby Pryor, she joyfully shared that there is now a lay community of about 30 people from four states that meet monthly for spiritual renewal, prayer and general support during the retreats. They all pitch in to do whatever is needed to done. The value of people like this is immeasurable. Whatever Our Lord tells them to do, they do it.
Debby stated that they have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel on the premises. It is extremely rare that places that are not parish churches be allowed to host the Blessed Sacrament. The ministry has built a reputation for being reverent and holy--being able to have the Blessed Sacrament is a result of this holiness.
Interestingly, in the last five years, three houses right near each other have been donated to OSMM. Tthese houses are used for personal and monthly retreats as well as office space. They also provide places for the visiting speakers to stay.
Many people from the Chicago area come to Vandalia for hope and healing. In fact, people from 18 states have come for the retreats. The donated properties are beautiful and conducive to spiritual growth and healing.
The October conference is still held where it has been since the beginning—at the local high school gymnasium.
Vandalia is a very accessible and easy drive on I-57 from Chicago and I-70 from St. Louis. Their web page has directions as well as lodging suggestions.
All the conferences and most of the retreats are free of charge; there is a donation requested for the use of the facilities during the personal overnight retreats. If you attend a conference or monthly retreat, you will not be hammered about giving,although you will be given an opportunity to do so. And every second you are there will be well worth it!
It should be noted that Debby and Vanessa have lived by faith during these 12 years. They have no salaries but live on the donations the ministry receives. Knowing them personally, this writer can attest to their giving, caring spirits and their willingness to say yes to Our Lord.
If you go to the OSMM website you can read dozens of testimonials from people whose lives have been healed and redeemed by the ministry during retreats and conferences.
Isn’t it amazing to see the lives that can be changed and hearts opened just because two women said “Yes” to Our Lord? It makes one think of how Jesus called simple men to be His disciples; they changed the world. Imagine if we all could follow the models of the apostles as well as Debby and Vanessa. Imagine the fruits if all would just say "yes" to Our Lord?
Tomorrow: Part 2-- the coming retreats and some very big news!
Here is "Hold Me Lord" by Matthew Baute, a regular participant in the music ministry at OSMM
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