SHARING GIFTS OF PRAYER . . .
Several years ago, members of Be Not Afraid, one of the parish's Small Christian Communities, went on pilgrimage to the Shrine in Quebec at St. Anne-de-Beaupré and brought back chaplets known as "The Beads of St. Anne." Since then we have been spreading the "Good News" with the chaplets, which are like small rosaries.
Like a rosary, we ask the Holy Family to pray for us, just as we ask our family and friends to pray for us.
Catholics still pray the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be, along with the Five Finger Prayer, below. At the first set of five, we say Prayers of Praise and Thanksgiving, the second set "Lord, Thy Will Be Done," and the third set Petitions to Our Lord.
To Christians who are not Catholics, we have given them the beads with the Five Finger Prayer, below. At the single beads we suggest they pray the Our Father.
THE FIVE FINGER PRAYER
Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you, your family and friends. They are the easiest to remember.
The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who care for others. This includes teachers, doctors, ministers, priests, firefighters, peace officers, and caregivers. They need wisdom and support in pointing others in the right direction.
The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the President, leaders in business, government, industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinioin. They need God's guidance.
The fourth finger is our weak finger. Pray for those who are weak, in trouble, those who are suffering, grieving, and for those who have no one to pray for them.
And lastly comes our little finger -- the smallest finger of all, which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

We have seen the Holy Spirit helping us and others as we've prayed and shared The Beads of St. Anne with: