THE BEGINNING
When Mary, Queen of Heaven, appeared to three young children at Fatima, Portugal, in 1917, she emphasized the importance of praying the rosary for the salvation of the world, a world then in the grip of the First World War. Mary Houston, later a Dame of the Order of Malta, sought to spread this message of Fatima, first by distributing a leaflet (copyrighted in 1976) which told the story of the events at Fatima and included instructions on praying the rosary. She wanted to foster the daily praying of the rosary, but realized that many people would not recognize the crucifix and beads of the rosary, especially in missionary areas both in the U.S. and abroad, because they had never seen one or because rosaries were not readily available to them. So she began buying rosaries and distributing them free of charge along with the teaching leaflet. After problems with low-cost rosaries which were not of satisfactory quality, she and her husband Sam, (a plastics engineer and inventor), developed a method of mass producing rather a good quality, rugged rosary utilizing plastic beads, a medallion, and a crucifix molded on a flexible cord. These “blue” rosaries went into production in 1982, and more than 3 million were distributed before Mary Houston’s death in February, 1992.

DISTRIBUTION OF THE ROSARIES
The rosaries are shipped all over the USA--for example to addresses in California, Arizona, Oregon, New York, Maryland, Kentucky, Florida, New Jersey, Hawaii, Texas, Ohio, Alaska, Connecticut, and Michigan. They went to people in missions, prisons, nursing homes, hospitals, hospices, prayer groups, churches, and on the streets. Sometimes, Our Lady’s Rosary Crusade sends them directly to these places; frequently, some individual or small group will receive a sizeable shipment and then handle further distribution. Sometimes children in Catholic elementary schools receive gifts of the blue rosary plus a teaching leaflet for each child. This was often by volunteers, with the support of the school principal. Since these schools may have 400 or more students, availability of the blue rosaries makes this a feasible project for volunteers. Without the blue rosaries, the impact of a coordinated promotion of the rosary prayers in the whole school at the same time would be lost. This is true even though the parents, in many cases, would be able to purchase rosaries for their own.

Remember your reward in eternity for the effect these Rosaries will have on countless souls because of your efforts.

OFFICERS OF OLRC

Mrs. Helen Hovland, President
An original member of Our Lady’s Rosary Crusade, from about 1981. A practicing Catholic all her life, she is a Director of Our Lady’s Rosary Crusade since 1992 and was elected President in 2002. Widowed in 1979, after 26 years of marriage, and mother of 3 sons, Mrs. Hovland went to work in the medical electronics (ultra sound) business until her retirement in 2000. She has 6 grandchildren and is a member of Our Lady of Peace Church, Santa Clara, where she serves as President of the Altar Society and as contact person for three Cenacles of the Marian Movement of Priests.

James Connelly, Vice President
James Connelly is a “work horse” Catholic. He is a “Rosary” man who prays in everything he does. Jim has been with Our Lady’s Rosary Crusade for twenty-five years as a full-time volunteer.

Donna J. Watson, Secretary
A new member of Our Lady's Rosary Crusade who assumed the position of secretary in 2007. Donna retired in 1999 after 34 years in the telecommunications industry. She is a registered California tax preparer with her own business and is currently the president of the East Bay chapter of the California Society of Accountants and Tax Professionals. (CSATP). In addition to her work with OLRC, Donna is the president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society conference at St. Albert the Great Parish in Alameda County, overseeing the retail stores and warehouse; and Vice President of the District Council and Executive Board of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Alameda County.

Herman L. Carmassi, KM, Treasurer
A graduate of Santa Clara University, Herm is currently Treasurer of Our Lady’s Rosary Crusade, The Order of Malta Clinic of Northern California, and the Sub-Priory, Our Lady of Philermo. He served as Treasurer for the Order of Malta, Western Association, from 1991 through 2000. Herm is President of his own accounting corporation.

DIRECTORS OF OLRC

Michael Boese
Michael Boese is Group Vice President Corporate Business Development for Taleo Corporation. He has worked at several technology companies and as a management consultant with Booz Allen and Hamilton. Michael is a board member for Saint Philip Neri School and Chair of the Curriculum Committee. Michael and his wife Nance Boese have two children and reside in Alameda, CA.

Father John Direen - OLRC Chaplain

Eneas D. Kane, KM
Husband of Mary W. Kane, D.M., who was President of Our Lady’s Rosary Crusade from February 1992 until her death in March, 2002, the 58th year of our marriage. Parents of 8 children, 23 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. Served the Western Association, Order of Malta, as Chancellor (1994-1995), Vice-President, North (1990-1993), and Chair, Defense of the Faith Committee (1994-2003). Long-time supporter of Mother Angelica and EWTN, the Missionaries of Charity, and other Defenders of the Faith.

John Kelly
John Kelly was born in Ireland in 1937 and immigrated to the United States in 1962 where he has resided most of the time since then. He began his association with OLRC by helping to transport the molded rosaries for final assembly. He and his wife Olga are residents of Saratoga where they are active members of Sacred Heart parish.

Stephen B. Lopez, KM
A "cradle" Catholic, Mr. Lopez became a Knight of Malta in 1999. He was soon elected a Director of Our Lady's Rosary Crusade because of his belief in the rosary as a singular aid to personal spiritual development. Educated in both business and law, he began his career in corporate law and is now engaged in venture capital investing. Stephen also serves as a board member of other charities including Alta Bates Summit Foundation, Crossroads Living Center, Wood Rose Academy and Wood Rose Preparatory School.

Mrs. Mary V. McInerney, DM
Mrs. McInerney has been a member of OLRC since the Defense of the Faith Committee of the Western Association, Order of Malta, was formed in 1993-1994. She is Chair, D.O.F. Committee since 2003, following her service as President, Nor Cal Clinic of the Order of Malta (1996-1998) and Director of the Western Association (1997-2003). She and her husband Bill McInerney, K.M. have 4 children and 15 grandchildren, and have been on the Lourdes Pilgrimage with the sick since 1988.

Ben (Benito) Estevan Montoya
Ben (Benito) Estevan Montoya and his wife Margaret Maureen Rensch Montoya live in Los Gatos California. They have two sons, Antonio Thomas (30) and Andres Estevan (28). They have been members of the Sacred Heart Church of Saratoga since 1976. They belong to the Miriam Prayer Group and have held a prayer group in their home on Thursdays for the last fifteen years. Ben got involved with Our Lady’s Rosary Crusade three years ago by making trips to L.A. to retrieve the rosaries that were being made for OLRC. He has distributed approximately 2400 rosaries by way of his brothers in Northern New Mexico. Margaret participated in the 1992 Victory Flight to Russia, where they distributed approximately 50,000 rosaries.

Mrs. Annette P. Warren, DM
A lifelong resident of Hayward, CA, Mrs. Warren is the mother of 5 sons and 8 grandchildren. She became a Dame of the Order of Malta in 1988, and was an early member of OLRC (1992-2005). She initiated a program in the parochial schools which, with the help of other Malta volunteers, has spread to other dioceses in California and into Hawaii. Mrs. Warren brings a “blue” rosary and the OLRC “teaching leaflet” to the classrooms, one for every child, and encourages them to bring these home for their families.

Mrs. Carol Ann Wenzel
Mrs. Carol Ann Wenzel has been a working member of Our Lady’s Rosary Crusade since Mary Houston started it (1981-82). Widowed in 1998 after 43 years of marriage, she is Mother of 4 sons and 1 daughter, with seven grandchildren. Supporter of Padre Pio’s Home for the Relief of Suffering since 1955; Life Member of O’Connor Hospital Volunteers (San Jose, CA); Associate member of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Na Mur. Currently Captain of Perpetual Adoration and member of the Altar Society at Our Lady of Peace Parish.

Note: the KM and DM after a name means Knight of Malta or Dame of Malta respectively. The Knights and Dames are members of the 900 year old Order of Malta of the Catholic Church, who work to care for the sick and to practice and witness to their faith.