Your Catholic Neighbor: Dorothy Westfall

Since 1983, the Phoenix radio station has been broadcasting local parishioners and schoolchildren praying the rosary, followed by an interview or teaching, often by a prominent Catholic. Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted is a frequent guest on the program, which people all over the world can listen to by logging onto the Web site at www.radiofamilyrosaryphoenix.homestead.com.

Westfall said one of the most rewarding aspects of the ministry, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, is opening the mail from listeners. Some of the feedback she receives is from prisoners who have been touched by the radio program and offer their thanks.

“One of our purposes is to make the rosary easily available so that people can come together nightly via radio to pray for their own needs, the needs of their family and the needs of the world. It helps them feel like they are in this vital role in the quest for the salvation of souls,” Westfall said.

It’s that joining together of hearts and minds in the spirit of prayer that she said will help to bring about conversion in the world. Listeners “can get on board, whether praying faithfully for the end of abortions or our country in general,” she said. “It binds us together with a purpose in mind, and for the conversion of the world and ourselves.”

Westfall is a petite, energetic and devout woman who spends more than full-time hours managing the radio ministry, publishing a newsletter that reaches 3,500 supporters and organizing the yearly Rosary Sunday event that draws thousands to downtown Phoenix.

Her phone never seems to stop ringing, but it wasn’t always that way.

Growing up in Phoenix back in the 1940s, before the sleepy little town became a bustling metropolis, Westfall attended St. Mary’s High School, studied history in college and married in 1958. As a young mother of seven children, she was active at St. Francis Xavier Parish and helped start its Legion of Mary group, known as a praesidium.

The Legion of Mary is a worldwide apostolic organization of more than 3 million lay people devoted to prayer and service. Nearly every country in the world has active members.

“The Legion of Mary is my first love,” Westfall said. “I’ve been active in it for 40-plus years.”

Each week, she and other members visit the sick at Maricopa County Medical Center, trying to bring a measure of comfort and spiritual support to the patients and their families.

The Legion of Mary emphasizes the importance of this kind of service, but Westfall took the call to evangelize even further. Back in 1975, the idea to bring people from all over the diocese together to pray the rosary was born.

Westfall said the group found support in a young cleric at the chancery named Fr. Thomas O’Brien. Later named bishop of the diocese, he was a tremendous encouragement to the budding movement.

The first Rosary Sunday was held in the gymnasium at Brophy College Preparatory and drew about 1,500 people. As word of Rosary Sunday spread and devotion grew, the annual gathering had to move to larger quarters.

Oct. 12, 2008, marked the 34th annual Rosary Sunday and 5,500 people flocked to the Phoenix Convention Center to march in procession, pray the rosary and listen to Fr. John Hampsch, CMF, who delivered the keynote address.

Westfall said that each year, more and more individuals, families and organizations want to get involved with the annual event. “People from all cultures have come forth to be part of the celebration,” she said.

At Rosary Sunday 2008, the most striking features of the afternoon were prayers offered in 10 different languages and representatives of each culture dressed in native attire.

What do you love most about being Catholic?

The reason I like to be involved with the Legion is I like to see miracles — people getting to know Jesus again. It amazes me the gratitude of the people we visit; they’re so appreciative.

How does Radio Family Rosary help your faith?

I learn a lot about my faith because we have many authorities on our program and I’m able to keep up with things that are developing in our Church. The people we meet are splendid examples of what our faith should be and how it is lived.

Do you have a favorite quote that you live by?

The words of St. Padre Pio: “Pray, hope and don’t worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayers.”

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