Strings of societies producing rosary beads

The Rosary Makers of Sacred Heart in Tribes Hill aren't the only Catholics in the Amsterdam area making beads for those in need.

At St. Stanislaus Church in Amsterdam, members of the Ladies' Rosary Society started making rosaries in 1995. Since then, the group has made more than 2,000 rosaries, and several members get together each week to continue the work, according to Helen Podolec, president of the Society.

Once a set of rosaries has been completed, they are brought to The Family Rosary, Inc., in Albany, which distributes the beads throughout the United States and other countries.

"We try to do everything for the Blessed Mother," she said, "and when you're doing something like that, you know she's happy with what you're doing, and it gives you a sense of satisfaction."

At St. John the Baptist Church in Amsterdam, the Ladies' Rosary Society made about 3,700 rosaries last summer, according to Alice Larson.

The rosaries have been given to sick and invalid parishioners, as well as to such groups as Family Rosary, the Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima in Washington, N.J., and St. Joseph Marian Center in Altamont. (PQ)

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