Family Rosary to leave Albany

The announcement was made Jan. 10 during a tribute to Rev. Patrick Peyton, the Albany-based priest who became world-famous by spreading a message of family prayer, especially the Rosary, a message captured in his famous slogan: "The family that prays together stays together."

Family Rosary, which currently has its offices on Washington Ave. Extension in Albany, will move to property owned by the Congregation of Holy Cross in Easton, Mass. Father Peyton, who was a member of that order, is buried on the property.

Making the announcement was Father John Phalen, CSC, president of Family Rosary. The Congregation of Holy Cross sponsors the apostolates Father Peyton founded: Family Rosary and Family Theater Productions, a TV and radio production organization based in Hollywood.

Roots in Albany

According to Family Rosary, the decision to move was made after a consulting firm recommended relocation to further the long-range development of the organization and to provide a permanent home for it. The new headquarters will include a gift shop offering rosaries and other prayer and inspirational materials as well as a room for viewing Family Theater Productions' programs.

Plans call for using an existing building that already includes a chapel, library, reading/media rooms, and dormitories for summer retreats and seminars. The new site is close to Holy Cross-sponsored Stonehill College.

Why the change

"We have an excellent group of dedicated lay persons on the Family Rosary team who help the organization fulfill its mission. We hope as many of them as possible will make the transition to Easton. We deeply regret losing those who choose not to move, and we will do everything we can to ensure an easy transition to other employment in the Albany area."

Family Rosary in Albany employs 22 full- and part-time persons, including three Holy Cross priests.

Genesis

Father Peyton began his global work with a small group of students from Vincentian Institute in Albany who helped him write U.S. bishops for assistance with his new Rosary ministry. Albany remained his base of operations until his death.

Among the projects Family Rosary oversees is collecting and distributing rosaries worldwide, hosting youth contests, publishing spiritual reading material and leading parish missions.

Family Rosary also has offices in the Philippines, Brazil, Peru, Spain, Ireland, Uruguay and East Africa. Last October, it opened a Father Peyton memorial prayer and pilgrimage center in Ireland, where he was born, baptized and reared.

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