Here is how the Prayer Line works:
Prayer list requests can be made by either e-mail or phone. Those requesting our prayers may or may not be OLA Parishioners.

Requests by email:
When an email prayer request is received it is copied to a new email and formattting or semantic changes are made if necessary.

Requests by phone:
When a phone request is made, it is summarized and put into an email. Requests by phone call will typically go out in the next email. Incoming messages are checked in the morning and again in the evening.

Prayer Line timing:
Messages are typically sent to every Pray-er once a day by the Prayer Line Co-ordinator. Because of the volume of requests, non-emergency e-mails are sent out once a day. In emergency situations, I will send an immediate email with that request. And occassionally, you may find that a day passes and you will receive no e-mail. Not to worry.

Prayer Line timing for US Post: For those who do not have email, the Monday morning email sent to Prayers is printed and mailed by US Post. Once a month, a copy of the updated Novena list will be included in this mailing.

How to Pray: Each Pray-er prays however they choose. Some people pray only when they open the email or letter. Others may spend special time in prayer, and/or offer their daily mass, rosary, novena, time in adoration or before the Blessed Sacrament. Everyone is encouraged to pray in the manner comfortable and workable for your lifestyle.

How long should you pray for people:
Requests are kept on the email message for 8 days. Requests from the previous 8 days are copied onto the first message of the day. (Note: Some requests received during the day/evening may go out to the Prayer Line without the full list of requests.) After 8 days, requests are either transferred to the Novena or they are just removed.

You may wish to pick out one special person or a request that tugs at your heart, and pray specifically for them and then just add in "and for all those on the Prayer Line." Remember all the other OLA Pray-ers are also praying for these special intentions.

Do not worry about viruses: All the Pray-ers will be on a "Blind Copy" (BCC) so it will look like you are the only one receiving the email. No other names will show up. When the Prayer Line co-ordinator is out of town, I will have a separate list - "Prayer Line Away" - for those who do not mind having their name in the "TO" box. In this case everyone receiving the message will see all the names and email addresses. By doing this, everyone can use the "Reply All" on the last email they received and send out their request to everyone. This means that when the Prayer Line Coordinator is away, some people (those who do not want their name to appear on the email) will not receive daily emails.