Dear Friends,

Continuing Our Mission: Reflections and Next Steps After Kolacky Days

What a beautiful blessing it was to walk together during the Kolacky Days Parade! Every step, every rose, and every prayer helped bring the loving presence of Our Lady into the heart of Montgomery. Thank you to all who participated, prayed, and supported this mission—your faith brought hope and encouragement to so many families.

Stories of Grace: The Heat of Mission

Every journey begins with a call—a gentle invitation from Our Lady: "Will you march with me?" In Montgomery, we answered this call and transformed a quiet street into a path of pilgrimage. Roses were handed to mothers, each with the sacred words: "This is a rose from the Holy Mother of God, who loves you." Candy brought joy to children, and at the center of it all, we carried the image of Our Lady of Fatima—her gaze serene and maternal.

The sun bore down and every step cost us something, but we kept marching. Our Lady didn’t stop when it was inconvenient—and neither did we. The discomfort became part of our devotion, the heat became part of our prayer. This was prayer-in-motion, and every act of generosity became a channel of grace.

As we reached the final stretch, the applause was not for us, but for the Queen we carried. Children made the sign of the cross, elders smiled, and seeds of faith were planted. Marching with Mary changes hearts—and those who walk with her never return the same. Read the full reflection and see more photos in our blog post.

A Testimony

Walking through the streets with a basket of roses led to many intense encounters with women of gray heads and purple heads, tattooed and bikinied, young and old. As each woman received her rose, I looked directly into her eyes and had my hand over hers, holding the rose. I said, "This is a gift from Mary, the Mother of God, who loves you." Every one of these women said, "Thank you," often accompanied by smiles and dewy eyes. Others showed no emotion. A handful of children asked for a rose to share with a grandma or mom who wasn't present. How God uses a gaze shared, a hand touched, and the assurance of Mother Mary's love, only He knows.

 - Kathy Ruhland

How You Can Stay Involved

• Pray for the families and intentions encountered during the parade.
• Share your own stories or photos from Kolacky Days with us—we’d love to feature them in future newsletters!
• Invite friends and family to join our next procession—watch for upcoming event announcements in your inbox and on our website.

Gratitude for Our Supporters

We are deeply grateful to the World Apostolate of Fatima and the Knights of Columbus for their steadfast support. Their generosity and faith help make each moment of grace possible, for all who march and all who receive. 

A special thanks to an anonymous donor who made the Roses Possible in Montgomery!  

Let’s Keep Taking Up Space for God!

Our mission continues beyond any one parade. By honoring Jesus Christ through Mary, we bring comfort, hope, and unity to our communities. Every prayer, every rose, and every act of witness matters. Stay connected for news on future processions and stories of faith in action—visit our blog for the latest updates.

Justin and the March With Mary Team

Ave Maria!

St. Juan Diego, Pray for us!

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