BRAINTREE -- On May 21 wives and widows of Boston Permanent Deacons gathered at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center for an annual Day of Recollection.

The day began with Morning Prayer and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Following breakfast, keynote speaker, Maureen Heil, archdiocesan director of projects and development for the Pontifical Societies for the Propagation of the Faith gave a presentation on the founders of the Society, their inspiration, and their call to be missionaries. After lunch she spoke to the group about the work of the Pontifical Mission Societies, Propagation of the Faith, Holy Childhood Association and the St. Peter Apostle Society Missionary Union. She gave each of the attendees a World Mission Rosary and explained the need to pray for the missions. Heil reminded the group of women of their baptismal call to be missionaries and evangelizers in their daily lives, especially as they assist and support their husbands in the ministry of the diaconate.