October 30, 2009
Sullivan woman to make life commitment to family apostolate
Anna M. Thompson, a native of Sullivan, will make a Life Commitment on Nov. 21 to serve families through the Apostolate for Family Consecration.
She is the daughter of Richard and Celesta Thompson, members of St. Mary Church in Sullivan. She is the granddaughter of Leo (deceased) and Esther Thompson, members of St. Bernard Church in Snake Run, and of Arnold and Vernita Kuester of Holy Cross Church in Fort Branch.
The Family Apostolate is an international Catholic lay movement founded by Jerry and Gwen Coniker in 1975, with a mission to help renew the world by renewing the most basic unit of society — the family.
The Apostolate hosts family events at its national center called Catholic Familyland, located in Bloomingdale, Ohio, in the Diocese of Steubenville. Families come from throughout the United States to participate in the week-long Holy Family Fests that mix the fun of a family vacation with learning about the Catholic faith and the practice of Catholic devotion.
The Apostolate also produces teaching material such as DVD and CD presentations, along with a family catechism both in print form and online.
In 2007, the Apostolate received International Pontifical Status and now has centers in the United States, Philippines, Myanmar, Mexico, Russia, Nigeria and Belgium.
Membership in the Family Apostolate consists of both married members and consecrated, lay celibate members.
The consecrated members live very similar to a religious nun or brother. They live in community with a common prayer and sacramental life, and work full time for the Apostolate. There are men’s and women’s communities.
Anna has served as a Catholic Corps member of the Family Apostolate since January of 1999 and said she is very much looking forward to making her final commitment to this way of life on the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Nov. 21, 2009.
For more information on the Apostolate for Family Consecration, please visit www.familyland.org.