Relics blessed in Piedmont

Parishioners at Our Lady of the Black Hills, Piedmont, celebrated the arrival of parish relics at the weekend Masses, July 12-13. The first-class relics are of Ss. Francisco and Jacinta Marto, two of the three children of Fatima. 

According to Father Andrzej Wyrotek, pastor, parishioners, mostly converts to the faith, had been asking what relics the parish had. “I would say we don’t have any,” he explained. “They would ask if we should get one and I thought, okay let’s take a look at that.” 

Since Our Lady of the Black Hills is a Marian parish in addition to having many young families, he thought that the relics should have some connection to Mary. “I’ve been to Fatima. Our parish is young, and I thought about the children of Fatima and young children. A friend suggested I could get relics from there.” 

After contacting Fatima, Fr. Wyrostek received permission from Bishop Scott Bullock and sent in the required paperwork to receive the relics. After the request was approved, Fr. Wyrostek traveled to Fatima to pick up the relics. “They do not ship them,” he explained. “So, this year I went and picked up the relics, a statue, and some other goodies to go with them.”

“The message of Fatima is to pray the Rosary and to pray for peace. I wanted some connection to the younger generation and hopefully the children of Fatima will intercede for us,” he said.