(The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

Public Square Rosary Rallies are being organized in several communities of the Diocese of Peoria on Saturday, Oct. 15, to pray for our nation and the conversion of sinners as Our Lady of Fatima requested.

According to the organization America Needs Fatima, the rosary will be prayed at more than 16,000 public locations around the United States on Oct. 15 — the Saturday following the 99th anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun in Fatima, Portugal, which took place on Oct. 13, 1917. Next year marks the centennial of Mary’s appearances to three children at Fatima.

Locations and times in the Diocese of Peoria made known to The Catholic Post, along with local contacts for more information, are as follows. The rallies usually last less than an hour, and most organizers request that participants bring their own lawn chair.

Champaign: 11:30 a.m. at Hessel Park, on the Grandview/Kirby side. Look for the banner. The prayers begin at noon. Contact: Tracy Duchinsky, (217) 721-2524, tded@sbcglobal.net

Geneseo: Noon on the public sidewalk of St. Malachy Church, 595 E. Ogden. Contact: Jolene Thompson, (309) 944-5966

Henry: Noon in Henry’s Central Park. It is sponsored by Henry Council No 2405 of the Knights of Columbus. Contact: Grand Knight Mike Herkert, (815) 228-0856.

Monmouth: Noon at the south side of the Warren County Courthouse, 100 W. Broadway. Contact: LeAnn Neubauer, (309) 313-3735.

Peoria: 11 a.m. in the parking lot of St. Mark Church, 1113 W. Bradley Ave. Participants are asked to bring their own chair. Contact: Angela Kenny at (309) 686-0017.

Thomasboro: Noon at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, 100 S. Church St. Contact: Christine Walsh at (217) 840-6740.