Debbie Pryor, who co-founded OSMM with Vanessa Keck in 1996, explains that it has always been a private ministry that has never been associated with a parish. The ministry has grown over the years, she said.

"Earlier this year the new retreat center was completed and on June 24 Bishop Paprocki celebrated Mass in the new building and bestowed his official blessing," Pryor said. "During his homily he announced the name of the building."

As preparations for the blessing and dedication were being made, Bishop Paprocki spoke to Keck and Pryor and made his recommendation. "In April we were meeting with Bishop Paprocki and it was the bishop's suggestion that the Ministry be named a private diocesan association," said Pryor. "We were honored when he made the suggestion."

Pryor said that OSMM was founded as a way to bring others closer to their Catholic faith. It has evolved into a ministry of healing and reconciliation, she said. According to the OSMM website, over 20 community members hold monthly retreats to "inform and engage retreatants in the faith of the Catholic Church, bringing people closer to our Lord and our Blessed Mother through the holy Mass, adoration and prayer." Additionally healing services are led by a number of priests and individuals meet with prayer teams for private prayer.

Father Stephen Sotiroff, who was pastor of Mother of Dolors Parish in Vandalia when Pryor and Keck founded the ministry, is now spiritual advisor for OSMM. In a note on the ministry's website Father Sotiroff writes that he has seen the ministry "take seed, sprout and grow." Now, he writes, "the official recognition of Bishop Paprocki as a Private Association of Faith confirms their faithful and fruitful service to the church."

"We are so grateful to Father Sotiroff for all that he has done," said Pryor. "He was so supportive of us through all of it, right from the beginning. He encouraged us, even helping us move things from one building to another. Now he is back with us again."

OSMM just celebrated the Our Lady of Sorrows Feast Day on Sept. 15, Pryor said. She and Keck are looking forward to a pilgrimage to Italy that will be taking place Nov. 25-Dec. 9. For more information on OSMM, go the website at www.osmm.org.