NOTES BETWEEN PRINTED EDITIONS
Editor’s Note: The Holy Family, as depicted in Scripture, was following Roman law by traveling for the census at the time of Christ’s birth and later fleeing as refugees from Herod’s persecution—not evading modern immigration authorities.
by Patrick Oser
DEDHAM, MA – Catholic history may have been made on the afternoon of Thursday, December 18th, 2025 at St. Susanna’s Parish in Dedham, Massachusetts.
Just 7 days before Christmas, a small group of 7 Catholics who were praying the Rosary had the police come to kick them off of what was allegedly private Church property. A representative from the church, most likely controversial Parish Priest Stephen S. Josoma, called the Dedham Police Department to remove them from the island in the middle of the road, bordered by Pine Street and Needham Street.
The small group of law abiding Catholics, who also happen to be citizens of the United States of America, and who are mostly in their 60’s and 70’s, were holding their Rosary beads along with a small 2’ x 2’picture of the Holy Family, and displaying a statue of Our Lady of Fatima.
What were they doing that was so offensive to the pastor of St. Susanna’s?
They were praying the Rosary!!
The pastor was not made aware of the intention of the prayers, but the police were called on a small group who were peacefully praying.
The group was in fact praying for “Reparation for the Holy Family” for being exploited in a misguided and confusing political stunt.
The Pastor of St Susanna’s has an empty nativity display in front of their church with the Holy Family removed. Instead, a big sign sits sacrilegiously in the manger that says “Ice Was Here.”
Father Stephen S. Josoma has been in the news in the past for other political and social justice statements and actions like immigration, climate change and gun control laws.
How does the Holy Family have anything to do with immigrants entering our country “illegally” and being removed “legally” by ICE? Where is the connection between the two?
“The Holy Family were Not Illegal Immigrants.”
Yet, a group of 7 Catholics praying the Rosary out in front of a Roman Catholic Church in Dedham, not causing any problems or commotion, get removed. Why? Because the pastor didn’t like prayer happening in front of his church?
I guess we could say: “The Roman Catholic Church Was Here!”
The Most Holy Rosary has 15 Promises attached to it and it is a very powerful prayer that has helped to win and prevent battles and wars, perform miraculous cures and change peoples lives. It also helps us to see more clearly the truth of what is going on in our country and the world. It will destroy vice, decrease sin and defeat heresies. It will cause virtue of good works to flourish, lift the hearts of men to the desires of eternal things and obtain for those who faithfully recite and promote the Holy Rosary to have for their intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of their death.
The Blessed Virgin Mary has been trying to get our attention through numerous apparitions throughout the centuries like Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of La Salette, Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our lady of the Good Event(aka Our Lady of Good Success) and many, many others about what we need to do to avoid a chastisement and to get into heaven.
The Blessed Virgin Mary is Queen of Heaven and Earth and she is Our Lady and our Spiritual Mother and we need to listen to her and learn what her messages are and what she wants us to know and DO.
We need to start listening to “God’s News” and not “man’s news”.
The Most Holy Rosary has 15 Promises attached to it and it is a very powerful prayer that has helped to win and prevent battles and wars, perform miraculous cures and change peoples lives. It also helps us to see more clearly the truth of what is going on in our country and the world. It will destroy vice, decrease sin and defeat heresies. It will cause virtue of good works to flourish, lift the hearts of men to the desires of eternal things and obtain for those who faithfully recite and promote the Holy Rosary to have for their intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of their death.
