Local couple encouraging faithful to join New Prayer Guild – inviting families to pray – and help make “Rosary Priest” a saint
Do you and your family want to help make a saint?
You’re invited to join the new Father Patrick Peyton Prayer Guild that has formed in the Diocese of Scranton.
The local effort is being led by longtime Scranton residents and business leaders David and Ann Hawk, who are members of the Order of Malta. The Guild will serve as a local chapter of Holy Cross Family Ministries, which is encouraging the establishment of prayer groups nationwide.
Membership is free and simply asks participants to pray the rosary (especially as a family), to pray for the canonization of Venerable Patrick Peyton, and to seek his intercession.
Ann Hawk said creating a Diocesan Prayer Guild for Father Patrick Peyton has grown organically from a group that already prays the rosary monthly in honor of Father Peyton at the Cathedral of Saint Peter.
Collaborating with Holy Cross Family Ministries, the Hawks are excited about the possibilities ahead.
“Seeing as Father Peyton worked at the Cathedral and his vocation was rekindled in Scranton, Holy Cross Families Ministries feels this would be a good place to try and have a Prayer Guild grow,” Ann Hawk said.
Father Peyton lived in Scranton for two years, working as a sexton at the Cathedral of Saint Peter before beginning his journey to the priesthood.
The Hawks believe his local roots make the establishment of a Prayer Guild especially meaningful.
“This wonderful man has roots in this city,” Dave Hawk said. “Scranton has a big part of this.”
Venerable Patrick Peyton was one of the 20th century’s most influential Catholic evangelizers, best known for popularizing the phrase, “The family that prays together, stays together.”
Father Peyton understood the power of communication long before the digital age. He embraced radio, television, and film to reach millions, collaborating with celebrities and producing programs that promoted family prayer in a relatable way.
Reaching out to families in 40 countries with massive outdoor rosary rallies, he spoke and prayed with more than 28 million people during his lifetime.
Creating a Prayer Guild for Father Peyton in the Diocese of Scranton aligns with the Jubilee Year of Hope, encouraging families to deepen their faith and experience renewal through prayer.
“No matter what you’re going through – if you pray – you have more peace than if you don’t,” Ann said. “We live in such a crazy world … and I think he really has a message for us!”
David Hawk, who converted to Catholicism as a young adult in 1979, said learning 
about Father Peyton, praying the rosary, and working to establish the Diocesan Prayer Guild has strengthened his own spirituality.
“I find it almost renewing my faith,” he reflected.
In early December 2025, David Hawk led the monthly rosary for Father Peyton at the Cathedral. It was a milestone for him.
“That rosary … was the first time I’ve ever led a rosary,” he explained.
Participants in the Holy Cross Family Ministries network are encouraged to pray not only for personal intentions, but also specifically for the canonization of Father Peyton.
According to the Hawks, widespread participation is essential.
“The Vatican wants to see that he has a Guild and people praying for him, to show that this is a person that people are turning to,” Ann explained.
Dave added, “They’ll be able to go to the Vatican and say we have thousands of people saying the rosary hoping that Patrick Peyton becomes a saint.”
The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, has expressed his support for the initiative.
Locally, faithful already gather to pray the rosary on the first Wednesday of each month following the 12:10 p.m. Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Peter. All are welcome to join.
The Hawks hope the Guild will help families rediscover prayer and find strength if they’re facing challenging times.
“I’m hoping that people turn more to God and that they have such a sense of peace,” Ann said. “If he becomes a saint – Scranton will have a piece of that!”
For more information on how to join the new Father Patrick Peyton Prayer Guild, visit dioceseofscranton.org.