Catholic woman to take angel pins, message of hope on U.S. tour

Published: 2006-06-26

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- In some ways, Patricia Gallagher, a Catholic woman from Pennsylvania, is no different from thousands of other summer travelers loading up her van with necessary supplies for an upcoming road trip. But it's the supplies that set Gallagher apart. Gallagher was filling her van with 50,000 angel pins she designed and 120,000 laminated poems that she planned to distribute at military bases, churches and organizations from Delaware to the states along the Gulf Coast starting July 4. Her travels, continuing until the third week of August, were to include a separate trek with stops in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Chicago, Detroit and Des Moines, Iowa. At each stop, Gallagher, who will be accompanied by family members, planned not only to give away these items, but hoped also to provide some inspiration. Gallagher, a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Royersford, Pa., said she wanted to convey a message of hope, telling people that no matter what they are going through, they are not alone and they can find comfort and strength in prayer.

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