August is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. More HERE and HERE about this devotion and its connection to the First Saturdays requested by Our Lady of Fatima (OLC's patroness) nearly 100 years ago. First Saturday Mass and Devotions are offered at OLC beginning at 10:30 am on the first Saturday of each month. Please join us!
O most merciful God, who for the salvation of sinners and the refuge of the wretched, has made the Immaculate Heart of Mary most like in tenderness and pity to the Heart of Jesus, grant that we, who now commemorate her most sweet and loving heart, may by her merits and intercession, ever live in the fellowship of the hearts of both Mother and Son, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

2000 Hail Marys
Day of Devotion
Saturday, August 13
Starting at 8:00 am

Children's Story Time
& Coffee Hour
Friday, August 26th
10:30 am

Monthly Latin Mass
& Pot Luck
Tuesday, August 30th
6:30 pm

Our Lady's Center is excited to once again be invited to exhibit at the 6th Annual Maryland Catholic Women's Conference taking place on the weekend of October 7th-9th. This year's theme is “Witness of Mercy”, An Inspirational Retreat celebrating the Jubilee Year of Mercy. This conference will feature Dynamic Speakers, Peaceful Adoration, Mass, Confession, Holy Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Catholic Exhibitors and more! More info HERE. Register now, and we'll see you there with lots of our most exciting merchandise!

An unbelievable SIX inches of rain fell within a few hours on July 30th, causing devastating damage to Old Ellicott City. Our prayers are with all who have experienced loss. Our Lady's Center sustained significant damage to the parking lot and grounds as the dam behind the center partially gave way, allowing an estimated three feet of water to flow through the parking area and grounds. Our shed was completely destroyed, and almost everything in it was washed away. The beautiful picnic area was also destroyed, and the picnic tables were left in a pile on the bank of the stream. Much of the blacktop was damaged, a crater was left, and debris and mud was piled up all around. Fortunately the Center itself was spared the worst, as it was designed during the post-2001 fire reconstruction to sit 42" above ground. We sent out a call for big equipment volunteers and have had an amazing response. We will be closed 8/1 & 8/2 to address the dam repair, major debris removal, and parking lot repair. After that, volunteers are welcome to come assist in the clean-up whenever they are available, to pick up debris, trim branches, and retrieve articles from the stream that washed away when our shed was destroyed.  You can email HERE to let us know you'd like to help. 

An OLC patron recently donated a framed image of the Holy Face of Jesus which they had obtained from the Discalced Carmelites in Philadelphia. The image is now displayed between the confessional doors in the chapel. Fr. David Verghese, a Redemptorist from St. Mary's in Annapolis, celebrated First Saturday Mass in July for us and blessed the image after his homily. These prints are copies of an engraving of the Holy Face which was rendered from the reproduction of the true image of the Holy Face of Our Lord Jesus Christ which is venerated in Rome in the Most Holy Basilica of St. Peter, known as "Vera Effigies” of the veil of Veronica. The image of the official red wax seal indicating its authenticity is clearly visible in the lower right corner. Our Lord told us that whoever sees Him sees the Father. In His Mercy, He left us His “photograph” in Veronica’s Veil and in the Shroud of Turin and has asked, through various revelations, for His Holy Face to be honored and consoled in reparation for sins, blasphemies, profanities, conversion of sinners, and salvation of souls. Let us make a practice of honoring the Lord, and saying the Litany to the Holy Face (available in the book store) before the image and reciting the Golden Arrow prayer every time we hear the Lord's name blasphemed (how often a day this happens in our culture!) St. Therese of Lisieux had a special devotion to the Holy Face. More on this powerful devotion HERE and HERE.

July's Story Time was filled with the lively sounds of barnyard animals! The children listened to the life-affirming storybook "Barnyard Bliss" read by "Miss Ginny" and joyfully mimicked all the sounds the animals were making in their excitement to relay the news of the arrival of a brand new life! The children then made owls and a nest with a bird egg in it and snacked on cookies and juice. Their grown-ups enjoyed freshly brewed coffee and socialized right up until Mass time. We've posted an adorable video on our Facebook page! Be sure to mark your calendars now for the next Children's Story Time, which will be held Friday August 26th at 10:30 am. 

OLC Welcomes
Ginny Sniezek!
Ginny is the newest member of the OLC team, bringing with her a bright smile, a gentle disposition, and boundless energy. She has caught on quickly here at OLC and is already taking on specific responsibilities, including Children's Story Time. Ginny is very active at her parish, St. Louis, where she is a 2nd grade Religious Education catechist preparing the children to receive their Sacraments. She also is involved in the American Heritage Girls, Troop MD0413 and the Women's ACTS Ministry. She and husband John are the proud parents of five including four daughters. They have homeschooled four of their children through fourth grade before sending them to their parish school and Catholic high schools. As their youngest will be entering fourth grade in the fall, this is Ginny's last year educating her own kids, and she is excited to be beginning another chapter in her life being a part of Our Lady's Center's apostolate. We are glad to have her!

Bl. Teresa of Calcutta will be canonized on Sept. 4th! Come see all we have in stock on this holy woman.

Scott Hahn's newest book will be shipping soon! Reserve your copy now.