Universal Living Rosary Association of Saint Philomena (ULRA)

Dear Apostles of the Immaculate Heart of Mary,

It is, with deepest sorrow, we pen these lines to you today. One of Our Blessed Mother’s indefectible apostles has been called Home. Lawrence Esiangu was not a man who spoke about himself. His goal was to preach the precious Catholic Faith in all Her purity, glory and compassion. He did this by his example, by his words and through his incredible zeal. We met Lawrence when he was teaching in the school system and he offered to help spread the Living Rosary in all of Uganda. He wished to translate the materials into the local language and this he did tirelessly for over 15 years. He would translate the Scapular leaflet and send it to us. We would then work it up … then he would send us yet another translation, and another and another. We were baffled until he told us that, in Uganda, there are five dialects being used! He was doing them all!

Lawrence realized how important this good Catholic literature and devotion was to the faithful, their families and to the priests. He was so eager to build up a lending library with precious Catholic books which contained the pure doctrine and teachings of Holy Mother the Church. This he did. I remember a time when he wrote to share he had been issued an ultimatum by the school at which he taught. They took offense at his spreading the Living Rosary and challenged him that, if he continued, he would have to step down from his post. Lawrence did not hesitate; the work for Our Lady would go on!

I know very little of this dear man, as he never spoke of himself. We grieved with him last year when he lost his young son. Both son and papa had a winsome smile and happy heart. In spite of the great work load and lack of supplies, everything we sent was utilized for souls. Even during the months that our communications would be slow and supplies lacking, Lawrence was at work, reaching out and reaping a harvest of souls. His passing is a sudden and unexpected blow for us and for his family. There is no question that, from his place close to God, he will continue working tirelessly to bring to Uganda, the Church and all our members, the many special blessings and graces of which we are urgently in need. Perhaps, most importantly, Lawrence had a deep and clear vision of the pure doctrine and devotion which makes Holy Mother the Church, the guiding light for us all in these days of incredible darkness.

Let us take heart and learn from this man filled with zeal and on fire with love for family and for God. We pray someone will step forward to take over his work with the great zeal, sacrifice and love with which he gave to it for nearly 20 years. Do not let his legacy die. We embrace his family with deepest love and ardent compassion. Through the love which burned in the heart of Lawrence, we will be united with you unto Eternity.

MY GOD, I PLACE MY TRUST IN THEE

Patti Melvin, ULRA Director

Please pray for me as I will pray for you all the days of my life!

Dearest Patti,

We have an extraordinary heavy winter. Many villages are “buried” in snow. That means, the people are closed inside their houses without a possibility to go out, to breathe fresh air and to fetch water. They are closed indoors in a grave of snow and they do not know if it is day or night, with no electricity, no heating, no bread, no medicine and no doctor. The dead people cannot be buried, and those who want to help, cannot make their way as the roads are totally blocked. In our country, we have the toilette outside the house on the land in a wood cabin. The snow has covered the whole area and we cannot get to it. We are trapped within our homes, Mary help us!

What devastation for us, Romanians! 413 trains cancelled, 8000 schools were closed, 259 localities are blocked and isolated, 400,000 people alerted (victims of calamity), 80 dead persons dead because of the frost, but who knows how many are stranded in the blocked localities.

Can you imagine when the snow melts? Terrible flooding would occur and the whole country can be flooded like a sea

 < MONICA – ROMANIA >

Snow causes havoc in Romania, Moldova, Albania By Alison Mutler – Associated Press / Feb. 14, 2012
BUCHAREST, Romania – Snow as deep as 15 feet (4.5 meters) isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania on Tuesday, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals… Officials said 5 Romanians died in the past 24 hours due to frigid temperatures, bringing the total to 79 weather-related deaths since the nation's cold spell began. Neighboring Moldova also has been hard hit by snow, and both countries have seen schools, borders, highways and train services shut down in some areas as temperatures plunged to -9 Fahrenheit (-23 Celsius) overnight.