12/15/09
Mary, A voice crying in the dessert.
Today in our time,- Our Lady like John the Baptist is the voice of one Crying in the Dessert. We need to listen and pay attention to what she is saying to us.
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12/12/09
Greg Sousa Photography
Greg Sousa was born and raised in West Warwick, Rhode Island. He credits his spark in photography to his father, Edward. As a young boy Greg would watch as his father, a detective on the West Warwick Police Department, practice at home with the department issued black and white camera."My father would take a photo of my brother and I, and through the magic of film development, we would be able to see a photo of ourselves that was taken 15 minutes later. That would be the beginning of a fascination that has stayed with me until this day. I have always been amazed with capturing a single moment in time and preserving it forever."Greg began his professional career as a newspaper photographer. After several years covering breaking news, sports and community events, he left the news business to begin a career in "wedding photojournalism." His images have appeared in Time Magazine, U.S. News & World Report, People Magazine, Modern Bride and The Knot Magazine...http://www.gregsousa.printroom.com/studio_homepage.asp?domain_name=gregsousa
Greg Sousa Photography
greg0421@gmail.com
2147 Highway 581 North Pikeville, NC 27863 Phone: 919-440-1522 www.gregsousa.printroom.com
12/11/09
12/9/09
Our Lady's Message given to Ivan
My dear children, my little children! Even today the Mother loves you with her motherly love and desire, dear children, that in this time of grace, open your hearts so that the light of my Son, the light of the birth of my son come into your heart, enlighten your hearts, your souls and make them happy. I call you especially, dear children, pray for the families, pray for holiness in the family in this time. Even today, dear children, I want to say thank you because you welcomed me, you have accepted my messages and live my messages.
12/7/09
12/6/09
The Hour of Grace
THE REQUEST OF OUR BLESSED MOTHER FOR THE HOUR OF GRACE
Day and time of the Hour of Grace - December 8th Feast of the Immaculate Conception- to begin at 12 noon and to continue until 1 pm (one full hour of prayer)- During this hour the person making the 'Hour of Grace' either at home or in the Church must put away all distractions. (Do not answer the telephone, or answer any doors, or do anything but totally concentrate on your union with God during this Special H our of Grace).- Begin the Hour of Grace by praying three times the 51st Psalm with outstretched arms- The remainder of the Hour of Grace may be spent in silent prayer before God meditating upon the Passion of Jesus, praying the Holy Rosary, praising God in your own way or by using favorite prayers, singing hymns, meditating upon other Psalms, etc. You can read more about the Hour of Grace HERE
Posted by Esther G. Posted 2:45 PM 2 comments Links to this post
Day and time of the Hour of Grace - December 8th Feast of the Immaculate Conception- to begin at 12 noon and to continue until 1 pm (one full hour of prayer)- During this hour the person making the 'Hour of Grace' either at home or in the Church must put away all distractions. (Do not answer the telephone, or answer any doors, or do anything but totally concentrate on your union with God during this Special H our of Grace).- Begin the Hour of Grace by praying three times the 51st Psalm with outstretched arms- The remainder of the Hour of Grace may be spent in silent prayer before God meditating upon the Passion of Jesus, praying the Holy Rosary, praising God in your own way or by using favorite prayers, singing hymns, meditating upon other Psalms, etc. You can read more about the Hour of Grace HERE
Posted by Esther G. Posted 2:45 PM 2 comments Links to this post
12/5/09
Pope John Paul Prayed for Our Lady to Come to Earth
The Pope Prayed for Our Lady to Come to Earth...
In a recent question-and-answer session with English-speaking pilgrims at Medjugorje (October 3), the visionary Mirjana revealed that the late Pope John Paul II had prayed to the Blessed Virgin, asking Her to come on earth once more to assist him against the threat of communism. Two months later, She appeared in Medjugorje!
This was revealed in a response given by the visionary Mirjana to a question, asking if she ,or any of the other visionaries, had ever met with the Holy Father.
“I was in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican with all the other pilgrims. I was with an Italian priest. The Pope (John Paul II) was walking by, and he was blessing. He blessed me and just passed by. The priest with me said, ‘Holy Father, this is Mirjana from Medjugorje,’ and he came back and blessed me again. Then he left. And I said to priest, ’Most likely he thought I just need a double blessing!’
“In the afternoon, we received a note to go to Castel Gondolfo, close to Rome, the next day. And myself and the Pope were alone together, and among other things, he said to me, ‘I know everything, I have been following everything. Ask pilgrims to pray for my intentions. Take care of Medjugorje, because Medjugorje is the hope for the entire world.’
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“A priest told me that, from the very beginning, the Pope was very fond of Medjugorje, because two months before the apparitions in Medjugorje started, he was praying to Our Lady to come again on earth. He said, ‘I cannot do it all alone because Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Poland, etc., are all communist. I cannot do it on my own. I need you.’ And later he heard that in Yugoslavia, a communist country, in a little village (Medjugorje), Our Lady appeared and he said, ‘That is the response to my prayers.’ ” source-Spirit of Medjugorje
The Medjugorje Message
“A priest told me that, from the very beginning, the Pope was very fond of Medjugorje, because two months before the apparitions in Medjugorje started, he was praying to Our Lady to come again on earth. He said, ‘I cannot do it all alone because Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Poland, etc., are all communist. I cannot do it on my own. I need you.’ And later he heard that in Yugoslavia, a communist country, in a little village (Medjugorje), Our Lady appeared and he said, ‘That is the response to my prayers.’ ” source-Spirit of Medjugorje
The Medjugorje Message
Prayer Meeting and Healing Service with Fr. Joe Whalen
Don't Miss!
Tuesday 7:00 pm
December 8th at TEMP FLEX Cable
Prayer Meeting
(see Below for directions)
FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
Short talk by noted Theologian
Fr. John Welch, M.S.
Healing service with Fr. Joseph Whalen M.S.
Prayer Meeting!
Every 2nd Tuesday of the month!
7:00 PM
Temp Flex Cable
26 Milford Rd
South Grafton, MA 01560
contact: Rose 508-425-6420
Rosary and Healing Service
Refreshments served afterwards
only 41 miles from Boston!
only 35 miles from Providence!
Nov. 10th
Dec. 8th
2010
Jan. 12th
Feb. 9
March 9
April 13
May 11
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Why is Sarah Palin so Hated ?
WHY DO THEY HATE SARAH?
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” says McCain in the video below. And McCain has been around. He knows the ways of politics and campaigns. Most of us have never seen anything like it, and it is a cause for wonderment. Why is Sarah Palin so hated?
It began right away, when she first burst onto the scene one Friday. By Saturday, about 80 reporters had flown to Alaska, driven to Wasilla, found the home of the Heaths (Sarah’s parents) and knocked on the door. Sarah had hit a home run with her first speech and their mission was to destroy her. They were looking for something, anything, to take her down. What must it be like to have that as your mission, to search out and destroy someone who had done you no harm?
How had she hurt them? She had appeared as a fresh face on the scene, a breath of air from the boonies of Alaska, a strong woman with a natural charm, an achiever, a loving mother, a faithful wife, and a Christian. How bad is that? She was not a member of the beltway elite, she did not abort her Downs baby, she could catch a fish and dress a moose. How bad is that? Apparently Sarah threatened everything the left stood for — which makes you wonder what the left really stands for.
She came as a lamb to the slaughter and we were all amazed as we watched them go to work on her. She was one of us and I think that is why we rallied around her. They did shameful photoshopping of her family and son, Trig (see my previous post.) Words like ‘vitriol’ and ‘vicious’ were used to describe the media treatment. When a little girl is quoted as saying, “I think she’s mean,” we know she has been brainwashed for, of course, she has never met Sarah.
Sarah’s book, Going Rogue, has been parodied and trashed, but as I write it is #1 on the New York Times hard-cover non-fiction list. The comment of some on reading it and really getting to know Sarah for the first time is, “What’s not to like?”
Hello, out there. Help me to understand. You who hate Sarah. Please tell me why.
~~~
If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own, but because you are not of the world , therefore the world hates you. – John 15:18-19-----http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6y_VvQVp3rk&feature=player_embedded#
12/2/09
Our Lady's message to Mirjana of December 2, 2009
At this time of preparation and joyful expectation I, as a mother, desire to point you to what is the most important, to your soul. Can my Son be born in it? Is it cleansed by love from lies, arrogance, hatred and malice? Above all else does your soul love God as your Father and does it love your fellow brother in Christ? I am pointing you to the way which will raise your soul to a complete union with my Son. I desire for my Son to be born in you. What a joy that would be for me as mother. Thank you. December 2, 2009
12/1/09
Medjugorje: Colleen Willard's Miracle Testimony
Colleen Willard's Miracle Testimonial
For those who doubt the authenticity of Medjugorje-Just view this: http://en.gloria.tv/?media=39412.
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Colleen Willard was miraculously healed of a number of serious physical ailments after being prayed over by the visionary Vicka in Medjugorje. Colleen says that her suffering was the best thing that ever happened to her because it drew her closer to Jesus on the cross.
NEW MEDJUGORJE WEBSITE LAUNCHED
Monday, November 30, 2009
New Medjugorje web site launched in Ireland
A new Medjugorje web site was launched in Ireland last week. MIR.IE came to life when the National Medjugorje Council of Ireland held its annual retreat at Knock Shrine. Fr Danko Perutina from Medjugorje, a guest speaker at the retreat, assisted with the official launch.
Posted by pilgrim at 10:00 AM
New Medjugorje web site launched in Ireland
A new Medjugorje web site was launched in Ireland last week. MIR.IE came to life when the National Medjugorje Council of Ireland held its annual retreat at Knock Shrine. Fr Danko Perutina from Medjugorje, a guest speaker at the retreat, assisted with the official launch.
Posted by pilgrim at 10:00 AM
11/29/09
Famous Spanish Author Maria Vallejo Nagera testimony of her conversion experience in Medjugorje.
by Maria Vallejo-Nágera
London was a beautiful city in which to live while the war raged all over Bosnia. I remember feeling very safe and really blessed while I watched in horror the documentaries and the TV news that informed the audience about the magnitude of the violence of that cruel war. I am so glad that we are so far from the danger, I thought with relief while I watched my two twin little daughters playing safely in our London living room. As a Spaniard I have heard so many times from my parents about the criminal events that took place during the Civil war in my country. Both of them were young children when hate, blood and anger swept all over my country, but the painful memories remained with them through their lives. “I remember being starving for so many months,” my father used to tell me when he was in his fifties. “That is why I hate it when you, my child, leave a single piece of food on your plate. If you only knew what war is you would never do that! If you only knew what it is to starve you would never reject a crumb of bread…” I knew then that I have been really blessed in my life for not having had to go through that kind of hell, and when the war erupted in the former Yugoslavia I just knew that I had been blessed all over again.
Horrified by the news I watched on TV, I was dumb-struck when two of my best friends told me that they were embarking on a trip to a little, lost village called Medjugorje in the mountains of Bosnia-Herzegovina. “Are you nuts?”, I asked them with a shocked expression in my face, while we ate a very expensive lunch in a very trendy restaurant in London. “That country is at war!” “Yes, I know,” said one of the two. “But precisely where we go, nothing really has happened…, yet.”
“How come?” I asked in disbelief. “Everything has been bombarded in that area. They have exploded the bridge in Mostar.” And then they told me all about Medjugorje: the apparitions that had been taking place for so long, the young and stubborn visionaries who over and over again affirmed that they saw Our Lady, the miracles, father Jozo, the military forces of Tito´s regime that tried desperately to stop them, the promises of Our Lady during the war, etc…
“We are definitely going there,” she insisted in spite of my demands to recover mental order. “What for!” I exclaimed in shock. “Are you now two silly, naïve ladies that want to play Mother Teresa or what?” “No, we just want to pray there,” they told me in a low and shy tone of voice. “But… but… you can pray here, in London, where there is no war and where you can find churches everywhere!”
*I have to admit that at that time, even having been considered a Catholic all my life, my faith was tepid. I was a “Sunday Catholic”, always bored at the celebration of the Mass, not really understanding most of its parts, and always trying to make excuses to avoid going to the church. My parents have raised me Catholic, the schools I attended were Catholic, but no real feeling of God lived in our family or in our hearts. I like to describe my family as “social Catholics”: we attended Mass every Sunday, yes, but with no real feelings, only going through the motions, flowing with the Spanish catholic crowd. If all of our friends and family members were churchgoers in Madrid, we were going to do the same no matter what. I remember trying fiercely to convince my two friends during that trendy lunch that they were going to explore a senseless, ridiculous way to approach God. We were rich, we were young, we were happy healthy mothers of beautiful children, we had attractive husbands that adored us. In other words, we had the world in our hands. At least that was what it seemed. I was angry. how could two wonderful, intelligent ladies with young children under their care say such stupidities? Were they crazy? I tried really hard to make them understand that their idea to travel to Bosnia in such a tremendous moment of its history could be the worst decision of their lives. In my astonishment I just could not understand why they had decided to do such a crazy, ridiculous thing.I started to try to explain to them the dangers they were going to encounter, the pain that would come over their children and their husbands if something bad happened to them while they were “meeting God,”, etc. I was being hard on them, trying to be sincere and honest. They ate their pasta with their eyes focused on it, with shame in their faces and humbleness in their hearts. The more they went dumb, the angrier I got. “You are just two romantic, crazy women! And to make matters worse, you are not even Catholics! You are just two ridiculous Anglicans that believe the lies of six Catholic liars from a lost village in the middle of the war,” I said in disdain to put an end to our conversation. “Why do you consider us crazy?” asked one of my friends with eyes filled with sadness. “Because we want to pray in a holy place? Because we are thirsty for the love of God? Because we want to help the suffering in a moment of grace?” “No,” I answered with haste. “You are stupid because you are going to be killed in a place where six great liars have convinced a bunch of ignorant pilgrims that they see Our Lady!
London was a beautiful city in which to live while the war raged all over Bosnia. I remember feeling very safe and really blessed while I watched in horror the documentaries and the TV news that informed the audience about the magnitude of the violence of that cruel war. I am so glad that we are so far from the danger, I thought with relief while I watched my two twin little daughters playing safely in our London living room. As a Spaniard I have heard so many times from my parents about the criminal events that took place during the Civil war in my country. Both of them were young children when hate, blood and anger swept all over my country, but the painful memories remained with them through their lives. “I remember being starving for so many months,” my father used to tell me when he was in his fifties. “That is why I hate it when you, my child, leave a single piece of food on your plate. If you only knew what war is you would never do that! If you only knew what it is to starve you would never reject a crumb of bread…” I knew then that I have been really blessed in my life for not having had to go through that kind of hell, and when the war erupted in the former Yugoslavia I just knew that I had been blessed all over again.
Horrified by the news I watched on TV, I was dumb-struck when two of my best friends told me that they were embarking on a trip to a little, lost village called Medjugorje in the mountains of Bosnia-Herzegovina. “Are you nuts?”, I asked them with a shocked expression in my face, while we ate a very expensive lunch in a very trendy restaurant in London. “That country is at war!” “Yes, I know,” said one of the two. “But precisely where we go, nothing really has happened…, yet.”
“How come?” I asked in disbelief. “Everything has been bombarded in that area. They have exploded the bridge in Mostar.” And then they told me all about Medjugorje: the apparitions that had been taking place for so long, the young and stubborn visionaries who over and over again affirmed that they saw Our Lady, the miracles, father Jozo, the military forces of Tito´s regime that tried desperately to stop them, the promises of Our Lady during the war, etc…
“We are definitely going there,” she insisted in spite of my demands to recover mental order. “What for!” I exclaimed in shock. “Are you now two silly, naïve ladies that want to play Mother Teresa or what?” “No, we just want to pray there,” they told me in a low and shy tone of voice. “But… but… you can pray here, in London, where there is no war and where you can find churches everywhere!”
*I have to admit that at that time, even having been considered a Catholic all my life, my faith was tepid. I was a “Sunday Catholic”, always bored at the celebration of the Mass, not really understanding most of its parts, and always trying to make excuses to avoid going to the church. My parents have raised me Catholic, the schools I attended were Catholic, but no real feeling of God lived in our family or in our hearts. I like to describe my family as “social Catholics”: we attended Mass every Sunday, yes, but with no real feelings, only going through the motions, flowing with the Spanish catholic crowd. If all of our friends and family members were churchgoers in Madrid, we were going to do the same no matter what. I remember trying fiercely to convince my two friends during that trendy lunch that they were going to explore a senseless, ridiculous way to approach God. We were rich, we were young, we were happy healthy mothers of beautiful children, we had attractive husbands that adored us. In other words, we had the world in our hands. At least that was what it seemed. I was angry. how could two wonderful, intelligent ladies with young children under their care say such stupidities? Were they crazy? I tried really hard to make them understand that their idea to travel to Bosnia in such a tremendous moment of its history could be the worst decision of their lives. In my astonishment I just could not understand why they had decided to do such a crazy, ridiculous thing.I started to try to explain to them the dangers they were going to encounter, the pain that would come over their children and their husbands if something bad happened to them while they were “meeting God,”, etc. I was being hard on them, trying to be sincere and honest. They ate their pasta with their eyes focused on it, with shame in their faces and humbleness in their hearts. The more they went dumb, the angrier I got. “You are just two romantic, crazy women! And to make matters worse, you are not even Catholics! You are just two ridiculous Anglicans that believe the lies of six Catholic liars from a lost village in the middle of the war,” I said in disdain to put an end to our conversation. “Why do you consider us crazy?” asked one of my friends with eyes filled with sadness. “Because we want to pray in a holy place? Because we are thirsty for the love of God? Because we want to help the suffering in a moment of grace?” “No,” I answered with haste. “You are stupid because you are going to be killed in a place where six great liars have convinced a bunch of ignorant pilgrims that they see Our Lady!
* That´s why!” In that precise moment I sensed that someone was very close to me, almost touching my back with its presence. It was a very strange feeling that I never had felt before. It was more like a soft, kind voice of a woman trying to climb into my heart. “Why are you so scared to meet me?”,she said in this sweet, tender tone. “Do not be afraid, my child. I am here waiting for you. I call you from Medjugorje. I have been calling you all your life. Come to me. I am eager to see you next to me.” I fell into a deep silence and jumped on my chair. I glanced back from our table and went rigid. “Who has spoken to me? What is going on?” I said out loud raising my eyebrows. What the…?”
My two Anglican English friends looked at me with surprise. “Who has talked to me in…, in… Spanish?” I asked again, filled with awe, seeing that no one was at my back. The restaurant was packed with people, yes, but all of them looked English to me, and they were not even paying attention to us. “What are you talking about?” said one of my friends. “No one has said anything to you in Spanish. Actually, you were the only one talking, especially to us, and by the way: in a very harsh proper English way…” I started to shiver… Something or “someone” was there at the restaurant talking to me in Spanish, but I could not see anyone at all. The presence was getting deeper and deeper into my heart and into my intellect, and her voice was as clear as crystal, soft and tender. “Come, come to me, my child. Do not fear…,” she kept saying. And there and then I said some words that up to now I just don’t know why I said them. They were definitely going to change my life forever, my family, my profession and my faith. “Guys, “I said in a very shy, confused voice. “I just don’t know why on earth I am saying this, but…, but…, I am coming with you to Bosnia, to that hidden little place you are telling me about. Please take me with you.” One of my friends left her cutlery on the plate with a start, and the other looked at me raising both eyebrows. “What did you say?” she eventually said in disbelief. “I am coming with you, and I don´t know why…” “WOW!” they exclaimed in astonishment. “And why this sudden change of mind, may we ask?” “I just…, know I am coming with you. But I will go only on one condition…” “And what is that?”“I will go when the war is over. I am too scared to go now. Remember: only when the war finishes… Only then you must, you MUST, take me with you.” They both look at each other with bewilderment, and after a long minute of silence, one of the two said: “we will do as you please.”
*Two and a half years after, I was boarding and airplane at Gatwick airport, heading to Split with a bunch of unknown people, my two friends, a priest and my best Spanish girlfriend, whom I convinced to come along. I was still scared to death. Deep in my heart I was convinced that the whole idea was a gruesome stupidity and that the whole story was just a big bag of lies. Even with those feelings in my heart, I just could not forget that strange experience I felt while I was in the restaurant in London two and a half years before. The reality of that memory had stayed every day since it happened, and I knew it had been real and important. I did not know very much about Medjugorje apart from what my two friends told me about it. Actually, they went to Medjugorje some weeks after that lunch, and they returned four or five times more after that. I always went to visit them in their London homes after every pilgrimage and the beautiful changes that I perceived in them astonished me to extreme limits. They were the same wonderful, lovely people, but now with hearts full of joy, hope and faith. They were really happy and with an unstoppable desire to tell the world how and why they had converted. I hid in my heart the fear and doubts that I was feeling all the way through. An impelling wish to go with them as soon the war got over was something I had not been prepared for. At last, the big day arrived and off we went to Split.
My two Anglican English friends looked at me with surprise. “Who has talked to me in…, in… Spanish?” I asked again, filled with awe, seeing that no one was at my back. The restaurant was packed with people, yes, but all of them looked English to me, and they were not even paying attention to us. “What are you talking about?” said one of my friends. “No one has said anything to you in Spanish. Actually, you were the only one talking, especially to us, and by the way: in a very harsh proper English way…” I started to shiver… Something or “someone” was there at the restaurant talking to me in Spanish, but I could not see anyone at all. The presence was getting deeper and deeper into my heart and into my intellect, and her voice was as clear as crystal, soft and tender. “Come, come to me, my child. Do not fear…,” she kept saying. And there and then I said some words that up to now I just don’t know why I said them. They were definitely going to change my life forever, my family, my profession and my faith. “Guys, “I said in a very shy, confused voice. “I just don’t know why on earth I am saying this, but…, but…, I am coming with you to Bosnia, to that hidden little place you are telling me about. Please take me with you.” One of my friends left her cutlery on the plate with a start, and the other looked at me raising both eyebrows. “What did you say?” she eventually said in disbelief. “I am coming with you, and I don´t know why…” “WOW!” they exclaimed in astonishment. “And why this sudden change of mind, may we ask?” “I just…, know I am coming with you. But I will go only on one condition…” “And what is that?”“I will go when the war is over. I am too scared to go now. Remember: only when the war finishes… Only then you must, you MUST, take me with you.” They both look at each other with bewilderment, and after a long minute of silence, one of the two said: “we will do as you please.”
*Two and a half years after, I was boarding and airplane at Gatwick airport, heading to Split with a bunch of unknown people, my two friends, a priest and my best Spanish girlfriend, whom I convinced to come along. I was still scared to death. Deep in my heart I was convinced that the whole idea was a gruesome stupidity and that the whole story was just a big bag of lies. Even with those feelings in my heart, I just could not forget that strange experience I felt while I was in the restaurant in London two and a half years before. The reality of that memory had stayed every day since it happened, and I knew it had been real and important. I did not know very much about Medjugorje apart from what my two friends told me about it. Actually, they went to Medjugorje some weeks after that lunch, and they returned four or five times more after that. I always went to visit them in their London homes after every pilgrimage and the beautiful changes that I perceived in them astonished me to extreme limits. They were the same wonderful, lovely people, but now with hearts full of joy, hope and faith. They were really happy and with an unstoppable desire to tell the world how and why they had converted. I hid in my heart the fear and doubts that I was feeling all the way through. An impelling wish to go with them as soon the war got over was something I had not been prepared for. At last, the big day arrived and off we went to Split.
* My first day at Medjugorje was filled with disappointed. The little village was nothing but a little village. I got grumpy the minute we arrived and immediately thought that my trip was going to be a silly, immature ripoff. I tried to be polite to everyone, though. I made nice conversation with my new group of adventurers and tried to take advantage of having the company of a lovely, intelligent and very holy Irish priest with the group. He was extraordinarily kind to me, having enough patience to explain the most relevant information about Medjugorje and introducing me to wonderful Franciscan priests that were his friends in the village. We did that first day what every pilgrim does: we went to hear the English morning Mass in Saint James Church, we prayed the Rosary as we climbed Mount Podbrdo and we had lunch at Colombo’s. In the afternoon we just wandered around the shops and joined the huge groups of pilgrims in the Rosary of the parish. I have to admit that until then, I had never prayed the Rosary before. My family was not a devout Catholic family, as I have said before, and as far I could remember, to pray the Rosary was a very long and boring thing to do. Actually, when we climbed Podbrdo that morning I just though how bored I was and how eternal a Rosary could be for me. The next morning I just wanted to skip the morning Mass. “Didn’t we attend yesterday?” I asked my friend when she complained about my rejection to join them for morning Mass. “I will go next Sunday. Today is Monday and it is not compulsory.”But I went anyway when the rest of the group begged me to do so. Off we went then.
*Just when the Mass was over, our Irish priest advised us to hurry because the young visionary Jakov was going to give testimony of his extraordinary experiences with Our Lady in the huge auditorium in the back of the church. That sounded interesting, so off I went with my friends, driven by curiosity more that by faith.
*Just when the Mass was over, our Irish priest advised us to hurry because the young visionary Jakov was going to give testimony of his extraordinary experiences with Our Lady in the huge auditorium in the back of the church. That sounded interesting, so off I went with my friends, driven by curiosity more that by faith.
* I remember very well that we were walking in open air, just in front of that long line of confessionary boxes that are situated outside the big Saint James Church of Medjugorje. It was a sunny, beautiful day, with some sparse white cotton clouds in the sky. I was walking in haste between my Spanish best friend and a French lady that was in our group, when out of the blue I felt this urge to look up to that beautiful spring sky. I did not see anything out of order or anything supernatural, like many pilgrims have admitted to seeing in Medjugorje. I did not see, but felt an extraordinary experience of love. In my heart what happened to me lasted 10 minutes, but in reality, only three seconds passed. Believe me when I tell you that those three seconds changed my life forever. What I felt was that an immense, indescribable love poured all over me. It was not physical, but spiritual. I went completely rigid; I stopped my walk and stared at those beautiful clouds. Time seemed to have come to a halt. Nothing moved around me: the people, the birds, the noises… Everything went quiet, still… The love that surrounded me, that filled my skin, my eyes, my clothes, my head…, was something so, so powerful that I realized I wanted to follow it to till the end. My head was soaked with a huge understanding, an incredible light, that told me with no doubt that what was pouring over me was the eternal and perfect love of Jesus. I remember that I sensed a male voice in my heart that said to me: “My child, this is how I love you. This is how I love ALL AND EACH of you.” In my heart I just knew it was Jesus talking directly to me. I wanted to cry, I wanted to die! I remember that inside my brain I said to him: “Oh, my Lord…, my poor Lord Jesus! If this is the way you love us, I think it is an unfair love…” “And why do you say that, my child?” “Because it is humanly impossible to return this perfect, humongous, and eternal love. It is so unfair for you!” “My child, you cannot and you will not understand. Yes, no one realizes how much I love each and every one of you. But this Love is real, and I give it to every single human being.” “OH! Please, please, take me now with you!” I said, feeling my eyes welling up with joy and fear at the same time. “I don’t want to live anymore without this love!” But then everything went back to “reality.” The experience was gone and there I was, completely confused, wanting to explain to every person in the world what had happened to me, how much God loves us. I wanted to run to a little corner and call my husband, who was in London completely far from me, from my wonderful experience.
* I wanted to die of shame, I wanted to hide from the eyes of God. I felt the sadness and the shame of realizing how ungrateful I had been all my life with God. In Spain I had become a literally a little celebrity due to my first novel, which almost won the most important literary prize. It came out 5th among 400 novels, and it sold so well. But that novel had been very hard on the Church. Actually, I was cruel and coldhearted toward the priesthood in general. I had made fun of them and I had been cruel to them with my writings. I was so ashamed. I understood what a huge mistake my first novel had been. And to make matters worse, it had been very popular in my country, where many readers had bought the book and made a bestseller of it. I was so repentant that I wanted to scream with pain. But I did not say a word then. As only three seconds had really passed my friends did not notice anything, and I was scared to death to tell them. I remember walking to Jakov´s lecture in a daze of fear, shame, happiness and confusion. Jakov’s testimony was lovely, beautiful and touching, and it was then when I started to cry with long, sorrowful tears. Everyone in my group though that I was touched by Jakov´s words. If only they had known the truth! It took me six months to tell my dear Irish priest and my husband about this experience. I know very well that my conversion began that spring morning, the moment I felt in my heart for the first time and with the power of a snowstorm the immense love of God. I know it was in Medjugorje, while I walked by the confessionals outside the church. I know I will never be the same. There is a Maria before and a Maria after that moment. I came back to my London home filled with excitement, love and information about Catholicism. From that extraordinary moment in my life, I just felt this unknown need to know about God. I felt pushed by a tender force to attend Mass every day in London. The Mass started to be the most important thing in my life. Suddenly nothing mattered more to me than to Holy Communion. In fact, the day I had to skip Mass for any kind of a problem, I was uneasy, uncomfortable and sad. Information about my religion began to pour into my life with the force of the wind. I tried hard to find the right priest to confess to every month, the wisest priest to ask questions of and the right moment to pray at home with my sweet and wonderful family.
* My husband was very much impressed with my new faith. Our growth in faith has not always been an easy path. It has taken him five years and three pilgrimages to Medjugorje, (one of them was a retreat with father Jozo), to understand clearly what had happened to me. As a result of my conversion, my children pray with us from the heart. They are believers and we are very happy indeed as a Catholic, united little family. Our Lady lives with us in our home through prayers and fasting. They do not always accompany me to the daily Mass, but they don’t skip the Sunday and Feast day Masses. . We talk a lot about God at home, and finally I found the right time to bring them to Medjugorje. They all loved the experience of that pilgrimage. But there was another huge change in my life.
* My profession as a writer changed completely since that moment. God erased my guilt through confession, but He asked me also to repair, and most of all, to help Him with the talent He has entrusted to me: to write. Since then, I have written 5 more novels, all of them with the message of our God’s love. I have been very successful in my work, even though I have had to take many humiliations and criticisms by unbelievers, and especially by the atheistic press of my country. But my intentions are pure and my wish is to help my Lord. I will never forget the immense gift of love I received in Medjugorje. I just pray to the Lord that I will be able to be up to the standards of being a worker for Him, with Him and in Him.
by Maria Vallejo-Nagera (www.mariavallejonagera.com)
for www.medjugorje.net - February 12th 2007. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DUxYo8OCU8&feature=related
by Maria Vallejo-Nagera (www.mariavallejonagera.com)
for www.medjugorje.net - February 12th 2007. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DUxYo8OCU8&feature=related
Dear Children Listen, because I wish to speak to You.
Dear Family of Mary!"
Dear children! Listen, because I wish to speak to you and to invite you to have more faith and trust in God, who loves you immeasurably. Little children, you do not know how to live in the grace of God, that is why I call you all anew, to carry the word of God in your heart and in thoughts. Little children, place the Sacred Scripture in a visible place in your family, and read and live it.
Teach your children, because if you are not an example to them, children depart into godlessness. Reflect and pray and then God will be born in your heart and your heart will be joyous. Thank you for having for responded to my call" (Our Lady's Medjugorje Message of August 25, 1996)..
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I would like to finish sharing my journal with you on Psalm 23. It struck me that the words of this Psalm instruct us on the loving intentions of our Father in heaven. We hear in this Psalm the way that the Father wants to love us. His intention is to lead us, protect us, feed us, teach us, and celebrate us. We need to know God's intentions towards us so that we will not fall into the trap of the enemy, who lies to us about our Father.
Psalm 23: "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul." "He leads me on the paths of righteousness for his name's sake" (v. 3).
Your voice will always lead me to do the right thing won't it? "Yes, my voice speaks in your conscience, directing you to the good and to my particular will for you. It is the way for you to glorify My Name. My voice will speak clear words of counsel for you, so that all your works will be holy.""Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me" (v. 4).
"The rod of my correction and the staff of my leading bring you safely through all temptations and all evil. You will feel my words as comfort, never fear, only love. My words do not inspire fear even when I correct you. I always speak love to you. That is my voice.""Thou preparest a table before me in the sight of my enemies" (v.5).
"I feed you, I feast your soul with my words so that you are never hungry, no matter how beset you may be. My voice will keep you fed with peace and hope.""Thou anointest my head with oil" (v.5).
My voice will bring the anointing of the Holy Spirit, with power. As you listen to my voice you will receive My Spirit, who will empower you to do the good."My cup overflows." (v.5)
"That very Holy Spirit will overflow from your heart like a spring that wells up to eternal life. Just like the oil in the widow's jar that never ran dry, it will never empty. That is the fruit of my Shepherd's voice.""Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life" (v.6).
Dear children! Listen, because I wish to speak to you and to invite you to have more faith and trust in God, who loves you immeasurably. Little children, you do not know how to live in the grace of God, that is why I call you all anew, to carry the word of God in your heart and in thoughts. Little children, place the Sacred Scripture in a visible place in your family, and read and live it.
Teach your children, because if you are not an example to them, children depart into godlessness. Reflect and pray and then God will be born in your heart and your heart will be joyous. Thank you for having for responded to my call" (Our Lady's Medjugorje Message of August 25, 1996)..
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I would like to finish sharing my journal with you on Psalm 23. It struck me that the words of this Psalm instruct us on the loving intentions of our Father in heaven. We hear in this Psalm the way that the Father wants to love us. His intention is to lead us, protect us, feed us, teach us, and celebrate us. We need to know God's intentions towards us so that we will not fall into the trap of the enemy, who lies to us about our Father.
Psalm 23: "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul." "He leads me on the paths of righteousness for his name's sake" (v. 3).
Your voice will always lead me to do the right thing won't it? "Yes, my voice speaks in your conscience, directing you to the good and to my particular will for you. It is the way for you to glorify My Name. My voice will speak clear words of counsel for you, so that all your works will be holy.""Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me" (v. 4).
"The rod of my correction and the staff of my leading bring you safely through all temptations and all evil. You will feel my words as comfort, never fear, only love. My words do not inspire fear even when I correct you. I always speak love to you. That is my voice.""Thou preparest a table before me in the sight of my enemies" (v.5).
"I feed you, I feast your soul with my words so that you are never hungry, no matter how beset you may be. My voice will keep you fed with peace and hope.""Thou anointest my head with oil" (v.5).
My voice will bring the anointing of the Holy Spirit, with power. As you listen to my voice you will receive My Spirit, who will empower you to do the good."My cup overflows." (v.5)
"That very Holy Spirit will overflow from your heart like a spring that wells up to eternal life. Just like the oil in the widow's jar that never ran dry, it will never empty. That is the fruit of my Shepherd's voice.""Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life" (v.6).
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"Those who listen to my voice in their hearts will follow me and as they follow me they will leave a legacy of only goodness and mercy. The fruit of your life will be goodness and mercy if you follow your Shepherd faithfully.""And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." "My voice will lead you to your true home, the heart of the Trinity. My voice leads you home. You will know my voice because it leads to the Father, your true home."Yes, Lord, you're Shepherd's voice is my hope. I want to be led by you in thought, word and deed!
There you have it! My little attempt at journaling with the Lord. You can see how much God can give us if we just take some time with His Word!
In Jesus and Mary,
Cathy Nolan
"Those who listen to my voice in their hearts will follow me and as they follow me they will leave a legacy of only goodness and mercy. The fruit of your life will be goodness and mercy if you follow your Shepherd faithfully.""And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." "My voice will lead you to your true home, the heart of the Trinity. My voice leads you home. You will know my voice because it leads to the Father, your true home."Yes, Lord, you're Shepherd's voice is my hope. I want to be led by you in thought, word and deed!
There you have it! My little attempt at journaling with the Lord. You can see how much God can give us if we just take some time with His Word!
In Jesus and Mary,
Cathy Nolan
11/28/09
Pray-Pray-Pray
PRAY-DAY, PRAY-DAY"
Pray constantly for the strength to escape whatever is in prospect, and to stand secure before the Son of Man." —Luke 21:36
The Lord already has commanded us to pray always, but today may be a day of more intense prayer. A tremendous spiritual war is raging. Some Christians are winning this war by giving up their lives for the gospel. Others are so defeated they don't even know a war is going on.
Their spirits have "become bloated with indulgence and drunkenness and worldly cares" (Lk 21:34). Still others are neither winning nor losing; they are in the middle of the fight of their lives, for their lives. Many of these Christians are resisting sin to the point of shedding their blood (Heb 12:4).
The Lord calls us to join them in the struggle by our prayers on their behalf (Rm 15:30). Our brothers and sisters in the Lord are crying: "Pray for us that the word of the Lord may make progress and be hailed by many others, even as it has been by you. Pray that we may be delivered from confused and evil men" (2 Thes 3:1-2). Therefore, "at every opportunity pray in the Spirit, using prayers and petitions of every sort.
Pray constantly and attentively for all in the holy company" (Eph 6:18). At the beginning of his papacy, Pope John Paul II exhorted us: "We feel not only the need but even a categorical imperative for great, intense and growing prayer by all the Church. Only prayer can prevent all these great succeeding tasks and difficulties from becoming a source of crisis" (The Redeemer of Man, 22, emphasis added).On this last day in the Church's year, the Lord wants to complete His works, transform His people, forgive our sins, restore broken relationships, and more. For this to be done, there is "the necessity of praying always and not losing heart" (Lk 18:1). Father, may this be a day of exceptional conversions and mighty wonders.
11/27/09
Why Rep. Patrick Kennedy attacked Bishop Tobin.
This is a great article!
Please pray for our Bishops who are on the front lines fighting for the truth!!
http://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/articles.cfm?id=407
Please pray for our Bishops who are on the front lines fighting for the truth!!
http://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/articles.cfm?id=407
11/25/09
Our Lady's Medjugorje message of November 25, 2009
On the 25th of every month, Our Lady gives the Medjugorje visionary Marija a message for the world. This is today's message:
"Dear children! In this time of grace I call you all to renew prayer in your families. Prepare yourselves with joy for the coming of Jesus. Little children, may your hearts be pure and pleasing, so that love and warmth may flow through you into every heart that is far from His love. Little children, be my extended hands, hands of love for all those who have become lost, who have no more faith and hope. Thank you for having responded to my call."
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. Watch on Youtube
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Thank You Pilgrim
11/23/09
Opinion: Chris Matthews should be fired for his Offensive Interview of Bishop Tobin
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Matthews showed how inept he is as an interviewer, how misinformed he is as a Catholic, how rude he is as a person and how threatened he is by the Moral truth.
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Matthews showed how inept he is as an interviewer, how misinformed he is as a Catholic, how rude he is as a person and how threatened he is by the Moral truth.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZPl8EJwAmc See Video of Chris Matthews interview with Bishop Thomas Tobin.
Medjugorje: Ninth Anniversary of Fr. Slavko Barbaric Death.
Ninth anniversary of death of late Fr. Slavko Barbaric
On Tuesday, 24th of November there we will remember ninth anniversary of death of late Fr. Slavko Barbaric, who spent eighteen years of his life spreading Our Lady’s messages and taking care of pilgrims. Fr. Slavko was born on March 11, 1946, and he entered Franciscan order when he was nineteen years old, and received ordination in 1971. He was doctor of religious pedagogy and had title of psychotherapist. He wrote and published fifteen books that were translated in more than twenty world languages. He also founded institution of Mother’s village, Foundation of Friends of talented students, started International Meetings of Priests, Festival of Youth, and so on. He died close to XVI. Station on the Cross Mountain after having completed the Way of the Cross for parishioners and pilgrims. His grave at the local graveyard Kovacica became one of the prayer places in parish of Medjugorje.
On the ninth anniversary of late Fr. Slavko’s death we will pray the Way of the Cross on the Cross Mountain at 2 p.m. and celebrate the Holy Mass at 6 p.m. in the church of St. James.
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IN MEMORY OF FATHER SLAVKO BARBARIC March 11, 1946 - November 24, 2000
Click Here - For Fr. Pervan's Funeral Homily
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Father Slavko Barbaric died on November 24, 2000 at 3.30 p.m. After the Way of the Cross, that he animated usually every Friday on the Hill of Krizevac for parishioners and pilgrims, he felt some pain. He sat down on a rock, then lay down on the ground, lost consciousness and gave his soul over to the Lord.
Father Slavko Barbaric was born on March 11, 1946, as the son of Marko and Luca born Stojic at Dragicina (parish of Cerin). He attended elementary school in Cerin and then went on to high school in Dubrovnik. He entered into the Franciscan order at Humac on July 14, 1965. He made his final vows September 17, 1971. He was ordained priest the December 19, 1971. He studied at Sarajevo, Graz and Freiburg. He finished his studies at Graz (Austria) with a master's degree. After 5 years of pastoral service in the province of Herzegovina, in the parish of Capljina, he continued his studies at Freiburg, where he obtained his doctorate in religious pedagogy and the title of psychotherapist.
As Franciscan priest, he was in Capljina from 1973 to 1978. From the spring of 1982 to September 1984, he was chaplain for students at Mostar, and he held retreats in the house of religious sisters at Bijelo Polje near Mostar. His fruitful work with the students and his retreats very well accepted by the students, however, the Communist government in power at that time persecuted him. In those difficult moments, his eminence, Cardinal Franjo Kuharic, protected father Slavko’s mission.
Thanks to his knowledge of the main European language and despite his numerous obligations in different parishes, father Slavko put himself ceaselessly at the service of Medjugorje pilgrims from the time he finished his studies and came back to the country in 1982. He was officially sent to Medjugorje in 1983. According to the order of Mgr. Zanic, bishop of Mostar, he was transferred to the parish of Blagaj, and in 1988 to Humac, where he was parish vicar and assistant of the master of novices.
At the beginning of the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, when all elderly friars were exiled to Tucepi, with the oral accord of + father Drago Tolj, former provincial, father Slavko remained at Medjugorje.
From the very beginning of his mission in Medjugorje, father Slavko has been writing spiritual books: "Pray With the Heart", "Give Me Your Wounded Heart", "Celebrate Mass With the Heart", "In the School of Love", "Adore my Son With the Heart", "With Jesus and Mary Climbing the Golgotha to Meet the Risen Lord", "Pray Together with a Joyful Heart", Interviews, and "Fast With the Heart", which is now in print. Fr. Slavko Barbaric’s books have been translated in twenty languages and more than 20 million copieshave been printed in the whole world. He published also numerous articles in various publications. He was editor of the St Francis’ Bulletin in Capljina, collaborated in Krsni Zavicaj, Glas Mira and the Radio "Mir" Medjugorje. He gave unceasingly conferences for pilgrims, animated adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, veneration of the Cross, the rosary up the Apparition Hill, the Way of the Cross on the Mount Krizevac, where he finished his earthly life. He animated annual meetings for priests and youth, in the prayer house of the Franciscan province "Domus Pacis" he animated "Fasting and prayer retreats". The destructions of the war inspired him to found and lead an institution for the education and care of the young, the "Mother’s Village", where more than 60 persons have found their home (war orphans, children from separated families, unwed mothers, elderly abandoned persons and sick children). If there was a man who loved children, it was Fr. Slavko. Children loved him in return: they always gathered around him and he knew always how to gather them – just like Jesus! His psychotherapeutic formation and education allowed him to work with drug addicts in the Community of the Cenacolo, founded by Sister Elvira, mostly in their house in Medjugorje, "Campo della vita". He oriented the help received from the whole world in two directions: "Foundation for children of deceased defenders" who died during the war, and "Foundation of friends of talents" to help students.
It is difficult to extract something from the life of this big and unusual man. If we would try to do it, it is undoubtedly the period of his life in Medjugorje. Father Slavko Barbaric has traveled throughout the whole world, spreading the message of peace and reconciliation of Our Lady. He was the soul and the heart of the peace movement born in Medjugorje 19 1/2 years ago. He had wonderful gifts: knowledge of languages, facility of communicating with people, education, simplicity, care for human beings in need, inexhaustible energy – one could not believe that one single man could have it, diligence, and above all piety, humility, charity. He prayed and he fasted a lot, he loved Our Lady with a childlike love. It was, in fact, the essence of his life: through prayer and fasting to take souls to God through Mary - the Queen of Peace.
It seemed sometimes above the reality to live near him – he was here, in the world, but at the same time so much out of the world. In his presence, the words of Jesus from his high priestly prayer became reality: "They do not belong to the world, as I myself do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth, your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, I sent them into the world. I sanctify myself for them, in order that they may be sanctified by the truth…" (Jn 17,16-19)
The burial will be at the cemetery in Medjugorje "Kovacica", on Sunday, November 26, 2000, after the mass in the church of St James at 2 p.m.
Medjugorje, November 25, 2000 Marija Dugandzic
Father Slavko Barbaric died on November 24, 2000 at 3.30 p.m. After the Way of the Cross, that he animated usually every Friday on the Hill of Krizevac for parishioners and pilgrims, he felt some pain. He sat down on a rock, then lay down on the ground, lost consciousness and gave his soul over to the Lord.
Father Slavko Barbaric was born on March 11, 1946, as the son of Marko and Luca born Stojic at Dragicina (parish of Cerin). He attended elementary school in Cerin and then went on to high school in Dubrovnik. He entered into the Franciscan order at Humac on July 14, 1965. He made his final vows September 17, 1971. He was ordained priest the December 19, 1971. He studied at Sarajevo, Graz and Freiburg. He finished his studies at Graz (Austria) with a master's degree. After 5 years of pastoral service in the province of Herzegovina, in the parish of Capljina, he continued his studies at Freiburg, where he obtained his doctorate in religious pedagogy and the title of psychotherapist.
As Franciscan priest, he was in Capljina from 1973 to 1978. From the spring of 1982 to September 1984, he was chaplain for students at Mostar, and he held retreats in the house of religious sisters at Bijelo Polje near Mostar. His fruitful work with the students and his retreats very well accepted by the students, however, the Communist government in power at that time persecuted him. In those difficult moments, his eminence, Cardinal Franjo Kuharic, protected father Slavko’s mission.
Thanks to his knowledge of the main European language and despite his numerous obligations in different parishes, father Slavko put himself ceaselessly at the service of Medjugorje pilgrims from the time he finished his studies and came back to the country in 1982. He was officially sent to Medjugorje in 1983. According to the order of Mgr. Zanic, bishop of Mostar, he was transferred to the parish of Blagaj, and in 1988 to Humac, where he was parish vicar and assistant of the master of novices.
At the beginning of the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, when all elderly friars were exiled to Tucepi, with the oral accord of + father Drago Tolj, former provincial, father Slavko remained at Medjugorje.
From the very beginning of his mission in Medjugorje, father Slavko has been writing spiritual books: "Pray With the Heart", "Give Me Your Wounded Heart", "Celebrate Mass With the Heart", "In the School of Love", "Adore my Son With the Heart", "With Jesus and Mary Climbing the Golgotha to Meet the Risen Lord", "Pray Together with a Joyful Heart", Interviews, and "Fast With the Heart", which is now in print. Fr. Slavko Barbaric’s books have been translated in twenty languages and more than 20 million copieshave been printed in the whole world. He published also numerous articles in various publications. He was editor of the St Francis’ Bulletin in Capljina, collaborated in Krsni Zavicaj, Glas Mira and the Radio "Mir" Medjugorje. He gave unceasingly conferences for pilgrims, animated adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, veneration of the Cross, the rosary up the Apparition Hill, the Way of the Cross on the Mount Krizevac, where he finished his earthly life. He animated annual meetings for priests and youth, in the prayer house of the Franciscan province "Domus Pacis" he animated "Fasting and prayer retreats". The destructions of the war inspired him to found and lead an institution for the education and care of the young, the "Mother’s Village", where more than 60 persons have found their home (war orphans, children from separated families, unwed mothers, elderly abandoned persons and sick children). If there was a man who loved children, it was Fr. Slavko. Children loved him in return: they always gathered around him and he knew always how to gather them – just like Jesus! His psychotherapeutic formation and education allowed him to work with drug addicts in the Community of the Cenacolo, founded by Sister Elvira, mostly in their house in Medjugorje, "Campo della vita". He oriented the help received from the whole world in two directions: "Foundation for children of deceased defenders" who died during the war, and "Foundation of friends of talents" to help students.
It is difficult to extract something from the life of this big and unusual man. If we would try to do it, it is undoubtedly the period of his life in Medjugorje. Father Slavko Barbaric has traveled throughout the whole world, spreading the message of peace and reconciliation of Our Lady. He was the soul and the heart of the peace movement born in Medjugorje 19 1/2 years ago. He had wonderful gifts: knowledge of languages, facility of communicating with people, education, simplicity, care for human beings in need, inexhaustible energy – one could not believe that one single man could have it, diligence, and above all piety, humility, charity. He prayed and he fasted a lot, he loved Our Lady with a childlike love. It was, in fact, the essence of his life: through prayer and fasting to take souls to God through Mary - the Queen of Peace.
It seemed sometimes above the reality to live near him – he was here, in the world, but at the same time so much out of the world. In his presence, the words of Jesus from his high priestly prayer became reality: "They do not belong to the world, as I myself do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth, your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, I sent them into the world. I sanctify myself for them, in order that they may be sanctified by the truth…" (Jn 17,16-19)
The burial will be at the cemetery in Medjugorje "Kovacica", on Sunday, November 26, 2000, after the mass in the church of St James at 2 p.m.
Medjugorje, November 25, 2000 Marija Dugandzic
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*Message of our Lady of November 25, 2000."Dear children! Today when Heaven is near to you in a special way, I call you to prayer so that through prayer you place God in the first place. Little children, today I am near you and I bless each of you with my motherly blessing so that you have the strength and love for all the people you meet in your earthly life and that you can give God’s love.
I rejoice with you and I desire to tell you that your brother Slavko has been born into Heaven and intercedes for you. Thank you for having responded to my call."
Bishop Tobin disappointed in Rep. Kennedy for going public in Communion decision.
Providence, Rhode Island, Nov 22, 2009 - 04:47 pm (CNA).
In a strong response to Congressman Patrick Kennedy’s public revelation that he has been banned from Communion for his stand on abortion, the Bishop of Rhode Island, Thomas Tobin, expressed his “disappointment” and “surprise” at Kennedy’s decision to make public a matter that was private and aimed at his spiritual well-being.
In an interview published on Sunday by the Providence Journal, Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-Rhode Island), son of the late Edward Kennedy, said that “the bishop instructed me not to take Communion and said that he has instructed the diocesan priests not to give me Communion.”
Kennedy also said that Bishop Tobin allegedly explained the penalty by telling him “that I am not a good practicing Catholic because of the positions that I’ve taken as a public official.”
The congressman declined to say whether he has obeyed the Bishop’s request.
Later in the day, Bishop Tobin issued a statement clarifying the terms of his decision.
“I am disappointed and really surprised that Congressman Patrick Kennedy has chosen to reopen the public discussion about his practice of the faith and his reception of Holy Communion. This comes almost two weeks after the Congressman indicated to local media that he would no longer comment publicly on his faith or his relationship with the Catholic Church,” Bishop Tobin writes.
Bishop Tobin said that on February 21, 2007, he wrote to Congressman Kennedy stating that “in light of the Church's clear teaching, and your consistent actions, therefore, I believe it is inappropriate for you to be receiving Holy Communion and I now ask respectfully that you refrain from doing so.
“My request came in light of the new statement of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops that said, ‘If a Catholic in his or her personal or professional life were knowingly and obstinately to repudiate her definite teachings on moral issues, he or she would seriously diminish his or her communion with the Church. Reception of Holy Communion in such a situation would not accord with the nature of the Eucharistic celebration, so that he or she should refrain.’”
In the same letter, Bishop Tobin wrote to Congressman Kennedy: "I am writing to you personally and confidentially as a pastor addressing a member of his flock . . . At the present time I have no need or intention to make this a public issue.”
On February 28, 2007, the Congressman responded to the Bishop sating: “I have the utmost respect for the work you do on behalf of the Catholic community in Rhode Island… I understand your pastoral advice was confidential in nature and given with the best intentions for my personal spiritual welfare.”
“I am disappointed that the Congressman would make public my pastoral and confidential request of nearly three years ago that sought to provide solely for his spiritual well-being,” the bishop writes in his Sunday statement.
Bishop Tobin explains that he has “no desire” to discuss Congressman Kennedy's spiritual life in public.
“At the same time, I will absolutely respond publicly and strongly whenever he attacks the Catholic Church, misrepresents the teachings of the Church, or issues inaccurate statements about my pastoral ministry. It should be absolutely clear the Congressman himself has once again chosen to make this discussion a matter of public record. In the meantime, I will continue to pray - sincerely and fervently - for his conversion and repentance, and for his personal and spiritual well-being. I wish him well.”
In a strong response to Congressman Patrick Kennedy’s public revelation that he has been banned from Communion for his stand on abortion, the Bishop of Rhode Island, Thomas Tobin, expressed his “disappointment” and “surprise” at Kennedy’s decision to make public a matter that was private and aimed at his spiritual well-being.
In an interview published on Sunday by the Providence Journal, Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-Rhode Island), son of the late Edward Kennedy, said that “the bishop instructed me not to take Communion and said that he has instructed the diocesan priests not to give me Communion.”
Kennedy also said that Bishop Tobin allegedly explained the penalty by telling him “that I am not a good practicing Catholic because of the positions that I’ve taken as a public official.”
The congressman declined to say whether he has obeyed the Bishop’s request.
Later in the day, Bishop Tobin issued a statement clarifying the terms of his decision.
“I am disappointed and really surprised that Congressman Patrick Kennedy has chosen to reopen the public discussion about his practice of the faith and his reception of Holy Communion. This comes almost two weeks after the Congressman indicated to local media that he would no longer comment publicly on his faith or his relationship with the Catholic Church,” Bishop Tobin writes.
Bishop Tobin said that on February 21, 2007, he wrote to Congressman Kennedy stating that “in light of the Church's clear teaching, and your consistent actions, therefore, I believe it is inappropriate for you to be receiving Holy Communion and I now ask respectfully that you refrain from doing so.
“My request came in light of the new statement of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops that said, ‘If a Catholic in his or her personal or professional life were knowingly and obstinately to repudiate her definite teachings on moral issues, he or she would seriously diminish his or her communion with the Church. Reception of Holy Communion in such a situation would not accord with the nature of the Eucharistic celebration, so that he or she should refrain.’”
In the same letter, Bishop Tobin wrote to Congressman Kennedy: "I am writing to you personally and confidentially as a pastor addressing a member of his flock . . . At the present time I have no need or intention to make this a public issue.”
On February 28, 2007, the Congressman responded to the Bishop sating: “I have the utmost respect for the work you do on behalf of the Catholic community in Rhode Island… I understand your pastoral advice was confidential in nature and given with the best intentions for my personal spiritual welfare.”
“I am disappointed that the Congressman would make public my pastoral and confidential request of nearly three years ago that sought to provide solely for his spiritual well-being,” the bishop writes in his Sunday statement.
Bishop Tobin explains that he has “no desire” to discuss Congressman Kennedy's spiritual life in public.
“At the same time, I will absolutely respond publicly and strongly whenever he attacks the Catholic Church, misrepresents the teachings of the Church, or issues inaccurate statements about my pastoral ministry. It should be absolutely clear the Congressman himself has once again chosen to make this discussion a matter of public record. In the meantime, I will continue to pray - sincerely and fervently - for his conversion and repentance, and for his personal and spiritual well-being. I wish him well.”
11/22/09
Bishop Tobin asked Rep. Patrick Kennedy to stop receiving Communion in a 2007 letter.
EAST PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island — The Roman Catholic bishop of Rhode Island said Sunday that he asked Rep. Patrick Kennedy in a 2007 letter to stop receiving Communion, the central sacrament of the church, because of the congressman's public stance on moral issues.
Bishop Thomas Tobin divulged details of his confidential exchange with Kennedy after the Democratic lawmaker told The Providence Journal in a story published Sunday that Tobin had instructed him not to receive Communion. The two men have clashed repeatedly in the past few weeks over abortion.
Kennedy did not say where or how he received those instructions. He declined to say whether he has obeyed the bishop's request.
"The bishop instructed me not to take Communion and said that he has instructed the diocesan priests not to give me Communion," Kennedy told the paper in an interview conducted Friday.
Kennedy said the bishop had explained the penalty by telling him "that I am not a good practicing Catholic because of the positions that I've taken as a public official," particularly on abortion.
The outspoken prelate and Kennedy, a son of the nation's most famous Roman Catholic family, have feuded since Kennedy in an interview last month criticized Roman Catholic church leaders for threatening to oppose an overhaul of the nation's health care system unless it included tighter restrictions on abortion.
Kennedy voted against an amendment tightening abortion restrictions that was sought by the bishops. But he voted in favor of a health care plan that included the amendment he opposed.
Tobin urged Kennedy not to receive communion in a February 2007 letter, a portion of which was released publicly by Tobin's office Sunday.
"In light of the Church's clear teaching, and your consistent actions, therefore, I believe it is inappropriate for you to be receiving Holy Communion and I now ask respectfully that you refrain from doing so," Tobin wrote.
It was not immediately clear whether Tobin and Kennedy spoke further about the request. Kennedy spokeswoman Kerrie Bennett did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment on the letter.
Tobin, the spiritual leader of the nation's most heavily Roman Catholic state, demanded an apology from Kennedy after the congressman criticized church leaders who opposed universal health care unless the plans included more restrictions on abortions. He also requested a meeting with Kennedy.
"While I greatly respect the Catholic Church and its leaders, like many Rhode Islanders, the fact that I disagree with the hierarchy of the church on some issues does not make me any less of a Catholic," Kennedy wrote in a letter to Tobin, agreeing to a sitdown. "I embrace my faith which acknowledges the existence of an imperfect humanity."
Their meeting fell apart. While Tobin called it a mutual decision, Kennedy accused Tobin of failing to abide by an agreement to stop discussing the congressman's faith publicly.
Tobin followed up with a biting public letter published in a diocesan newspaper.
"Sorry, you can't chalk it up to an 'imperfect humanity.' Your position is unacceptable to the Church and scandalous to many of our members. It absolutely diminishes your Communion with the Church," Tobin wrote.
Susan Gibbs, a spokeswoman for Washington Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl said officials with the archdiocese didn't know whether Kennedy attends Mass in the nation's capital. Anyone who does not believe in core Catholic teachings would be asked not to come forward for Communion, she said. Church leaders continue teaching and counseling those individuals, Gibbs said.
As for Kennedy, Gibbs said "we have not barred anyone from receiving Communion.
"We don't know of his worship habits," she said. "Most legislators return home on the weekends."
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Associated Press Writer Brett Zongker contributed to this report from Washington.
11/19/09
Medjugorje Video: You're the Way
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Medjugorje! Medjugorje! Its the spiritual heart of the world.
Pope John Paul 1988
11/18/09
Watch for the blacklash of Cardinal Schonborn visit to Medjugorje.
Bluecross-Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 10:00 pm Post subject: Watch for the backlash...
I see that the visit of Cardinal Schonborn, now officially confirmed by his personal secretary, has caught opponents of Medjugorje on the back foot.
Their disbelief and anger has now turned against cardinal Schonborn and there is some very negative reporting against him starting to appear in the media.
I suppose it was to be expected. Fear of any sort of recognition by the Church for Medjugorje will turn into anger by many opponents. I’m sure there will be a barrage of heat turned up on Medjugorje over the next few weeks in an effort to combat any good news that may be forthcoming from the cardinal’s visit, even though it is a private occasion.
So don’t be surprised if all the old arguments and nastiness comes to the surface again and the visionaries and priests connected with Medjugorje come under fire.
The boat will be well and truly rocked as the storms blow against it. But rest assured that Jesus is in the boat. Our faith in Medjugorje will be tested. Of that I have no doubt.
Fair play to the cardinal for not letting opponents deter his visit.
I see Benedict hasn’t pulled rank and tried to stop him from visiting Medjugorje. How could he? Didn’t he also visit on two occasions when he was cardinal? I also know of another well-respected cardinal who was in Medjugorje on a private visit a year or so ago.
I see that the visit of Cardinal Schonborn, now officially confirmed by his personal secretary, has caught opponents of Medjugorje on the back foot.
Their disbelief and anger has now turned against cardinal Schonborn and there is some very negative reporting against him starting to appear in the media.
I suppose it was to be expected. Fear of any sort of recognition by the Church for Medjugorje will turn into anger by many opponents. I’m sure there will be a barrage of heat turned up on Medjugorje over the next few weeks in an effort to combat any good news that may be forthcoming from the cardinal’s visit, even though it is a private occasion.
So don’t be surprised if all the old arguments and nastiness comes to the surface again and the visionaries and priests connected with Medjugorje come under fire.
The boat will be well and truly rocked as the storms blow against it. But rest assured that Jesus is in the boat. Our faith in Medjugorje will be tested. Of that I have no doubt.
Fair play to the cardinal for not letting opponents deter his visit.
I see Benedict hasn’t pulled rank and tried to stop him from visiting Medjugorje. How could he? Didn’t he also visit on two occasions when he was cardinal? I also know of another well-respected cardinal who was in Medjugorje on a private visit a year or so ago.
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*It is useful to be reminded that Our Lady is fully aware of satan’s plans against Medjugorje. She has warned in several of her messages of the evil one’s intentions. These days Satan wants to frustrate my plans. Pray that his plan not be realized.... These days you have been experiencing how Satan is working.... Pray, because Satan wishes to complicate my plans still further...
Dear children! This Christmas Satan wanted in a special way to spoil God's plans. You, dear children, have discerned Satan even on Christmas day itself. But God is winning in all your hearts. So let your hearts keep on being happy. Thank you for having responded to my call.
(December 12, 1984) My dear children! Satan is so strong and with all his might wants to disturb my plans which I have begun with you. You pray, just pray and don't stop for a minute! I will pray to my Son for the realization of all the plans I have begun. Be patient and constant in your prayers. And don't let Satan discourage you. He is working hard in the world. Be on your guard!
(January 14, 1984) These days Satan is working underhandedly against this parish... Satan wants to work still more fiercely to take away your joy from each one of you.... Dear children! These days Satan is manifesting himself in a special way in this parish. Pray, dear children, that God's plan is brought into effect and that every work of Satan ends up for the glory of God. I have stayed with you this long so I might help you along in your trials. Thank you for having responded to my call. (February 7, 1985)
*It is useful to be reminded that Our Lady is fully aware of satan’s plans against Medjugorje. She has warned in several of her messages of the evil one’s intentions. These days Satan wants to frustrate my plans. Pray that his plan not be realized.... These days you have been experiencing how Satan is working.... Pray, because Satan wishes to complicate my plans still further...
Dear children! This Christmas Satan wanted in a special way to spoil God's plans. You, dear children, have discerned Satan even on Christmas day itself. But God is winning in all your hearts. So let your hearts keep on being happy. Thank you for having responded to my call.
(December 12, 1984) My dear children! Satan is so strong and with all his might wants to disturb my plans which I have begun with you. You pray, just pray and don't stop for a minute! I will pray to my Son for the realization of all the plans I have begun. Be patient and constant in your prayers. And don't let Satan discourage you. He is working hard in the world. Be on your guard!
(January 14, 1984) These days Satan is working underhandedly against this parish... Satan wants to work still more fiercely to take away your joy from each one of you.... Dear children! These days Satan is manifesting himself in a special way in this parish. Pray, dear children, that God's plan is brought into effect and that every work of Satan ends up for the glory of God. I have stayed with you this long so I might help you along in your trials. Thank you for having responded to my call. (February 7, 1985)
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I invite you to call on everyone to pray the Rosary. With the rosary you shall overcome all the adversities which Satan is trying to inflict on the Catholic Church. All you priests, pray the Rosary! Dedicate your time to the Rosary! (June 25, 1985)
I am with you and I am protecting you even though Satan wishes to destroy my plans and to hinder the desires which the Heavenly Father wants to realize here... Today also I invite you to prayer, now as never before when my plan has begun to be realized.
I invite you to call on everyone to pray the Rosary. With the rosary you shall overcome all the adversities which Satan is trying to inflict on the Catholic Church. All you priests, pray the Rosary! Dedicate your time to the Rosary! (June 25, 1985)
I am with you and I am protecting you even though Satan wishes to destroy my plans and to hinder the desires which the Heavenly Father wants to realize here... Today also I invite you to prayer, now as never before when my plan has begun to be realized.
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Satan is strong and wants to sweep away plans of peace and joy and make you think that my Son is not strong in his decisions... Today again I would like to say to you that I am with you also in these troubled days during which Satan wishes to destroy all that my Son Jesus and I are building.... Pray, little children, in a special way, because Satan is strong and wants to destroy hope in your heart. I bless you... _________________http://www.crownofstars.blogspot.com/ http://medjugorjegallery.blogspot.com/ source-Medjugorje forum
11/15/09
Prayer Request for Sister Assumpta
+My dear Brothers and Sisters in St. Dominic, Family and Friends,
Last week I received the good news that I was in remission. Several days following, I had a consultation with a bone marrow transplant doctor who gave me the hard facts of exactly what I was dealing with. His diagnosis was AML-Agressive Cancer of the Bone Marrow of which the only cure is a bone marrow transplant.
When I learned what it would entail, I wasn't sure the weakened state of my body would be able to tolerate its harsh treatment. Also, the success rate is 20% with relapse 75% and death from complications 5-8%. So, not wanting to deal with this, I turned to the Lord asking for a complete healing if it were for my good and His glory.
One of the sisters here asked if I considered imploring the help of one of our Dominicans in need of a miracle. Drawn to Rose Hawthorne since her cause was first initiated, I pulled out the information of 2002/2003 that was provided on her and emailed Fr. Gabriel O'Donnell,OP to see if in fact she still needed a miracle. He affirmed this and contacted Mother Mary Francis of Rosary Hill to kindly ask the sisters to join me in prayer. Continued chemo would never provide a cure for me. To do nothing, I will die in three months. No doubt, you can see why I am seeking a miracle.
So-- I come to you, begging for prayers of intercession through Mother Mary Alphonsa, OP (Rose Hawthorne). With heartfelt thanks, please know of my prayers for you.
With love in the Heart of Christ,
Sr. Mary Assumpta, OP NOVENA PRAYER FOR THE CANONIZATION OF ROSE HAWTHORNE
( Mother Mary Alphonsa, OP)
Lord God, in your special love for the sick, the poor and the lonely, you raised up Rose
Hawthorne (Mother Alphonsa) to be the servant of those afflicted with incurable cancer and with no one to care for them. In serving the outcast and the abandoned she always strove to see in them the face of your Son. In her eyes, those in need were always Christ's poor.
Grant that her example of selfless charity and her courage in the face of great obstacles will inspire us to be generous in our service of neighbor. We humbly ask that you glorify your servant Rose Hawthorne on earth according to the designs of your holy will. Through her intercession, grant the favor that I now present (Here make your request).
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us (3X)
Our Father -- Hail Mary-- Glory Be
P.S.
If you wish to email Sister and assure her of your prayers and support you can contact her at http://us.mc451.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=assumptaop@gmail.com
Last week I received the good news that I was in remission. Several days following, I had a consultation with a bone marrow transplant doctor who gave me the hard facts of exactly what I was dealing with. His diagnosis was AML-Agressive Cancer of the Bone Marrow of which the only cure is a bone marrow transplant.
When I learned what it would entail, I wasn't sure the weakened state of my body would be able to tolerate its harsh treatment. Also, the success rate is 20% with relapse 75% and death from complications 5-8%. So, not wanting to deal with this, I turned to the Lord asking for a complete healing if it were for my good and His glory.
One of the sisters here asked if I considered imploring the help of one of our Dominicans in need of a miracle. Drawn to Rose Hawthorne since her cause was first initiated, I pulled out the information of 2002/2003 that was provided on her and emailed Fr. Gabriel O'Donnell,OP to see if in fact she still needed a miracle. He affirmed this and contacted Mother Mary Francis of Rosary Hill to kindly ask the sisters to join me in prayer. Continued chemo would never provide a cure for me. To do nothing, I will die in three months. No doubt, you can see why I am seeking a miracle.
So-- I come to you, begging for prayers of intercession through Mother Mary Alphonsa, OP (Rose Hawthorne). With heartfelt thanks, please know of my prayers for you.
With love in the Heart of Christ,
Sr. Mary Assumpta, OP NOVENA PRAYER FOR THE CANONIZATION OF ROSE HAWTHORNE
( Mother Mary Alphonsa, OP)
Lord God, in your special love for the sick, the poor and the lonely, you raised up Rose
Hawthorne (Mother Alphonsa) to be the servant of those afflicted with incurable cancer and with no one to care for them. In serving the outcast and the abandoned she always strove to see in them the face of your Son. In her eyes, those in need were always Christ's poor.
Grant that her example of selfless charity and her courage in the face of great obstacles will inspire us to be generous in our service of neighbor. We humbly ask that you glorify your servant Rose Hawthorne on earth according to the designs of your holy will. Through her intercession, grant the favor that I now present (Here make your request).
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us (3X)
Our Father -- Hail Mary-- Glory Be
P.S.
If you wish to email Sister and assure her of your prayers and support you can contact her at http://us.mc451.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=assumptaop@gmail.com
11/12/09
A Special Grocery List
SPECIAL GROCERY LIST
Louise Redden, a poorly dressed lady with a look of defeat on her face, walked into a grocery store. She approached the owner of the store in a most humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few groceries. She softly explained that her husband was very ill and unable to work, they had seven children and they needed food.
John Longhouse, the grocer, scoffed at her and requested that she leave his store at once. Visualizing the family needs, she said: 'Please, sir! I will bring you the money just as soon as I can.
John told her he could not give her credit, since she did not have a charge account at his store. Standing beside the counter was a customer who overheard the conversation between the two. The customer walked forward and told the grocer that he would stand good for whatever she needed for her family. The grocer said in a very reluctant voice, 'Do you have a grocery list?
'Louise replied, 'Yes sir O.K.' he said, 'put your grocery list on the scales and whatever your grocery list weighs, I will give you that amount in groceries.
Louise hesitated a moment with a bowed head, then she reached into her purse and took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. She then laid the piece of paper on the scale carefully with her head still bowed.
The eyes of the grocer and the customer showed amazement when the scales went down and stayed down. The grocer, staring at the scales, turned slowly to the customer and said begrudgingly, 'I can't believe it. The customer smiled and the grocer started putting the groceries on the other side of the scales. The scale did not balance so he continued to put more and more groceries on them until the scales would hold no more.
The grocer stood there in utter disgust. Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper from the scalesand looked at it with greater amazement. It was not a grocery list, it was a prayer, which said: 'Dear Lord, you know my needs and I am leaving this in your hands. The grocer gave her the groceries that he had gathered and stood in stunned silence. Louise thanked him and left the store. The other customer handed a fifty-dollar bill to the grocer and said; 'It was worth every penny of it.
Only God Knows how much a prayer weighs.' THE POWER: When you receive this, say a prayer. That's all you have to do. Just stop right now, and say a prayer of thanks for your own good fortune.
11/11/09
California Fires, be sure to look at all of these photos. Notice the Cross on the bottom of the hill on fire.
This must have been really something for those who witnessed it.
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The next Day.
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Even the fire fighters that were near the Cross said it was going to be destroyed. The next day Gene Blevins, the photographer went back to the scene to get some more shots and saw the Cross was not even touched not ever scorched from the heat.
May you be blessed always.
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THANK YOU MAGGIE FOR SHARING THESE PHOTOS WITH ME. ED
Medjugorje: Good News Cardinal Schonborn to visit Medjugorje
Cardinal Schonborn is to visit Medjugorje from December 8 (feast of the Immaculate Conception) to January 4.
What an incredible newsflash!! Cardinal Schonborn will be in Medjugorje for such a long time....and will be there for Christmas and to enter the New Year! Allelujia! I am sure much more news will follow :)
Ljubav i mir!
Maureen
What an incredible newsflash!! Cardinal Schonborn will be in Medjugorje for such a long time....and will be there for Christmas and to enter the New Year! Allelujia! I am sure much more news will follow :)
Ljubav i mir!
Maureen
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Archbishop of Vienna to visit Medjugorje--BREAKING NEWS-- 11/11/2009 Fr. Neil Buchlein
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I just received an e-mail this morning from one of my friends who lives in Medjugorje and helps with the coordination of the music for the English speaking masses and lives there year round that Cardinal Schonborn will be visiting Medjugorje from December 8th through January 4th. No doubt this is very good news and the Cardinal has been a very strong supporter of Medjugorje since the late 1980s
He told Cardinal Ratizinger in 1989, "if Medjugorje were closed, he would also have to close the Seminary in Vienna, because the majority of those candidates had received their call to the priesthood through Medjugorje. To this, Cardinal Ratzinger replied: 'Closing Medjugorje is not even a question!'"
In 1998 he said, "I believe that the words of Mary at Cana: “Do whatever He tells you,” make up the substance of what s he says throughout the centuries. Mary helps us to hear Jesus and she desires with her whole heart and with all her strength that we do what He tells us. This is what I wish for all the communities of prayer which were formed from Medjugorje; this is what I wish for our diocese and for the Church. ...
Personally, I have not been to Medjugorjre, but in a certain way I have been there many times through the people I have met and the people I know. And in their lives I am seeing good fruit. I would be lying, if I said this fruit did not exist. This fruit is concrete and visible and I can see in our diocese and in many other places graces of conversion, graces of a supernatural life of faith, graces of joy, graces of vocations, of healings, of people returning to the Sacraments - to confession. All this is not misleading. Therefore, as far as I am concerned, as a Bishop, I can only see the fruit. If we had to judge the tree by it’s fruit, like Jesus, I must say that the tree is fruitful!"Will Cardinal Schonborn also pay a visit to the Bishop of Mostar? We can certainly hope and pray that he does! source: http://www.blessedmotherschildren.com/
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The Austrian cardinal recently met with the Medjugorje visionary Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti when she visited and gave witness at St Stephen’s cathedral in Vienna last month. Later in September Cardinal Schonborn spoke positively about Medjugorje at a retreat for priests in Ars, France, saying that in Medjugorje priests are overwhelmed by their experience of Confession.
Posted by pilgrim at 7:00 PM
Posted by pilgrim at 7:00 PM
11/10/09
11/9/09
Dear Family of Mary
November 9, 2009The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome
Dear Family of Mary!
"Today I invite you to offer your crosses and sufferings for my intentions --- Little children, offer your sufferings as a gift to God so that they may become a most beautiful flower of joy. Therefore, little children, pray that you may understand that suffering can become joy, and the cross a way of joy." (September 25, 1996)
Last night Denis received an unexpected phone call from Mary Jo Chenevert. Mary Jo loves Our Lady of Medjugorje. She has made several trips to Medjugorje. She had an beautiful experience with Pope John Paul II in 1993. She went to Rome with a group that was scheduled to meet with him, but the Holy Father broke his collar bone and the meetings were cancelled. Mary Jo felt that the Lord wanted her to meet the Holy Father and talk to him about Medjugorje and so she held out hope. Finally, just before leaving Rome, her group was admitted to a meeting with the Pope.Mary Joe said that Pope John Paul II was suffering from his injury, but that he greeted everyone. When he greeted her, he traced the Sign of the Cross on her forehead. She was very moved, and forgot to say anything about Medjugorje, but as he walked away she held out some Rosaries that she had brought from Medjugorje to give to him. She blurted out, "They are from Medjugorje!" The Holy Father turned around smiling, and came back to her and said, "Do everything you can to protect Medjugorje!" Mary Joe answered, "But, most Holy Father, I am only one person!" He answered, "Pray for the protection of Medjugorje!" As he walked on, he kissed the Rosaries. (Mary Jo's witness appears in Medjugorje and the Church, by Sr. Emmanuel and Denis Nolan, 1995, paraphrased here.) "Do everything you can to protect Medjugorje!" These words have since taken on a new meaning for Mary Jo. She has fallen very ill. She can no longer travel to Medjugorje, or even go to daily Mass. She is suffering. But she told Denis that she is offering up her suffering for Medjugorje. She is acting as a human shield for Medjugorje in the spiritual battle that is raging in the heavens. Indeed, one person can do a great deal in spiritual warfare, because we can offer our sufferings for the sake of souls, and win much ground for God's plan. Medjugorje is God's plan for the salvation of the world in these days. Medjugorje is renewing the Church, drawing her children back to the faith by the millions. The enemy is enraged against Medjugorje. Our Lady needs prayer warriors like Mary Jo who will pray for her intentions in Medjugorje. It is critical at this time that we respond to Our Lady's call. Let's pray for Mary Jo, that she can persevere in her intercession, and that the Lord will heal her. Thank you, Mary Jo, for your response to Our Lady's call. You teach us a great deal by your witness. Maybe Our Holy Father is speaking to all of us now, "Pray for the protection of Medjugorje!"
In Jesus and Mary!Cathy Nolan
Mary TV
Dear Family of Mary!
"Today I invite you to offer your crosses and sufferings for my intentions --- Little children, offer your sufferings as a gift to God so that they may become a most beautiful flower of joy. Therefore, little children, pray that you may understand that suffering can become joy, and the cross a way of joy." (September 25, 1996)
Last night Denis received an unexpected phone call from Mary Jo Chenevert. Mary Jo loves Our Lady of Medjugorje. She has made several trips to Medjugorje. She had an beautiful experience with Pope John Paul II in 1993. She went to Rome with a group that was scheduled to meet with him, but the Holy Father broke his collar bone and the meetings were cancelled. Mary Jo felt that the Lord wanted her to meet the Holy Father and talk to him about Medjugorje and so she held out hope. Finally, just before leaving Rome, her group was admitted to a meeting with the Pope.Mary Joe said that Pope John Paul II was suffering from his injury, but that he greeted everyone. When he greeted her, he traced the Sign of the Cross on her forehead. She was very moved, and forgot to say anything about Medjugorje, but as he walked away she held out some Rosaries that she had brought from Medjugorje to give to him. She blurted out, "They are from Medjugorje!" The Holy Father turned around smiling, and came back to her and said, "Do everything you can to protect Medjugorje!" Mary Joe answered, "But, most Holy Father, I am only one person!" He answered, "Pray for the protection of Medjugorje!" As he walked on, he kissed the Rosaries. (Mary Jo's witness appears in Medjugorje and the Church, by Sr. Emmanuel and Denis Nolan, 1995, paraphrased here.) "Do everything you can to protect Medjugorje!" These words have since taken on a new meaning for Mary Jo. She has fallen very ill. She can no longer travel to Medjugorje, or even go to daily Mass. She is suffering. But she told Denis that she is offering up her suffering for Medjugorje. She is acting as a human shield for Medjugorje in the spiritual battle that is raging in the heavens. Indeed, one person can do a great deal in spiritual warfare, because we can offer our sufferings for the sake of souls, and win much ground for God's plan. Medjugorje is God's plan for the salvation of the world in these days. Medjugorje is renewing the Church, drawing her children back to the faith by the millions. The enemy is enraged against Medjugorje. Our Lady needs prayer warriors like Mary Jo who will pray for her intentions in Medjugorje. It is critical at this time that we respond to Our Lady's call. Let's pray for Mary Jo, that she can persevere in her intercession, and that the Lord will heal her. Thank you, Mary Jo, for your response to Our Lady's call. You teach us a great deal by your witness. Maybe Our Holy Father is speaking to all of us now, "Pray for the protection of Medjugorje!"
In Jesus and Mary!Cathy Nolan
Mary TV
11/7/09
Medjugorje: Cross in the Sky
Just moments after Mirjana’s apparition of Our Lady Queen of Peace of Medjugorje on November 2, 2009 at the Blue Cross, the thousands of pilgrims present looked up to see this cross directly above Cross Mountain. Many of the pilgrims were touched, seeing this as a sign from God, directly after hearing Our Lady’s words calling us back to God the Father.
Medjugorje.com
11/4/09
Reflection on Mirjana's October Message
Reflection on Mirjana’s October Message
By Fr. Neil Buchlein
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Greetings! I hope that you have "caught your breath" by now after saying, "WOW! That is quite a message!" At the same time it could also "lull us" into a false complacency of how well we are doing. We may be on the other side of saying, “This is for non-believers, but that is not me!” Let's take a look at what Mirjana means when she says that she prays for non-believers. Here is what she has said in the past: “Our Lady prays together with me for the non-believers, though She says: `For those who have not yet known God's love.’ For this intention, Mary asks for the help of us all, or those who look at Her as Mother, because She says we can change the non-believers through our prayer and example. In these difficult times, Mary desires that we pray especially for them, because all the ugly things that happen (wars, homicide, suicide, divorce, abortion, drugs) are caused by the non-believers. That is why She repeats: ‘When you pray for them, you are praying also for yourselves and for your future.' On my part, I urge you to take this seriously. If only you could see just once the tears that run down Our Lady's face when She speaks of the non-believers, I'm sure you'd pray with all your heart. Mary says that this is time for deciding, thus, we who say we believe in God have a great responsibility when we know that our prayers and sacrifices dry the tears from Our Lady's face."
I'm going to "stretch the envelope" a little, and ask those of us who are sleeping or reading these messages with closed minds and hearts, "When we are not living the messages, then who do you think we are?" "We are non-believers!" We are certainly not going to win over those who say they are non-believers when we are providing a poor example and not living faithfully. Are we really using the Five Stones [prayer, Eucharist, Confession, Bible reading, fasting] to our advantage?
Take a look once again at the message: "Dear Children, As I look at you, my heart seizes with pain.” She is hurting as any mother would for her children who are wondering off. Her heart is in pain because of Her unconditional, merciful love for us. She will, as our Heavenly Mother, NEVER give up on us, but She will soon stop reminding us monthly, when Her Son tells Her that She will no longer appear to the visionaries.
Humanity is addicted to sin, and we are on the fast track to destruction. How quick we are to defend ourselves even when we are doing wrong. What a horrible and no-good priest am I when I question a person who does not attend Sunday Mass on a weekly basis! Gee, I thought that I was called and ordained (a Sacrament in the Church) to be a shepherd and lead them from going astray.
We live so fast, and have so much at our "beck and call" that many look to try to "fit God into their lives," rather than having Him as the center. We can justify anything today, even without thinking long and hard about it. This attitude is extremely prevalent in the world today. Gee, do you really think we want to humble ourselves and "Kneel down beneath the Cross and look at my Son." This message is not about "doom and gloom" but certainly a "Wake Up Call" and tell us that we are NOT doing what we need to do. Don't say, "Oh, Fr. Neil, but I am trying." Don't try, but DO IT.
Time is running out very quickly, and one day soon we will no longer have these Messages of Love. Our Mother does not want us to lose the race, but live with Her Son forever. BUT will we be responsible, or come up with some ridiculous or "worldly justifiable excuse" that "everyone is doing it"?
This is not an easy life, and once you know of the Messages, there are many obstacles that are thrown in our way. It takes courage, perseverance, and love. Doing what we need to do may even cause us heartache, and to become unpopular. I know priests (and I am one of them. . .imagine that!) who have lost "friends" because they spoke the Truth, but the friend(s) did not want to hear it. So the priest licks his wounds, cries out to the Lord and the Blessed Mother, and hears the words, "Thank You for being a priest and teaching the Truth." The Truth may not make me popular, but it will get me into Heaven. Isn't that where you want to be?
The clock is in motion. Do an inventory of your soul. Get to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and make the necessary changes that you need to make. Mother is waiting!
Editor’s note: Fr. Neil lives in Hurricane, WV. He has just launched a websitehttp://www.blessedmotherschildren.com/ Article from http://www.spiritofmedjugorje.org/
Greetings! I hope that you have "caught your breath" by now after saying, "WOW! That is quite a message!" At the same time it could also "lull us" into a false complacency of how well we are doing. We may be on the other side of saying, “This is for non-believers, but that is not me!” Let's take a look at what Mirjana means when she says that she prays for non-believers. Here is what she has said in the past: “Our Lady prays together with me for the non-believers, though She says: `For those who have not yet known God's love.’ For this intention, Mary asks for the help of us all, or those who look at Her as Mother, because She says we can change the non-believers through our prayer and example. In these difficult times, Mary desires that we pray especially for them, because all the ugly things that happen (wars, homicide, suicide, divorce, abortion, drugs) are caused by the non-believers. That is why She repeats: ‘When you pray for them, you are praying also for yourselves and for your future.' On my part, I urge you to take this seriously. If only you could see just once the tears that run down Our Lady's face when She speaks of the non-believers, I'm sure you'd pray with all your heart. Mary says that this is time for deciding, thus, we who say we believe in God have a great responsibility when we know that our prayers and sacrifices dry the tears from Our Lady's face."
I'm going to "stretch the envelope" a little, and ask those of us who are sleeping or reading these messages with closed minds and hearts, "When we are not living the messages, then who do you think we are?" "We are non-believers!" We are certainly not going to win over those who say they are non-believers when we are providing a poor example and not living faithfully. Are we really using the Five Stones [prayer, Eucharist, Confession, Bible reading, fasting] to our advantage?
Take a look once again at the message: "Dear Children, As I look at you, my heart seizes with pain.” She is hurting as any mother would for her children who are wondering off. Her heart is in pain because of Her unconditional, merciful love for us. She will, as our Heavenly Mother, NEVER give up on us, but She will soon stop reminding us monthly, when Her Son tells Her that She will no longer appear to the visionaries.
Humanity is addicted to sin, and we are on the fast track to destruction. How quick we are to defend ourselves even when we are doing wrong. What a horrible and no-good priest am I when I question a person who does not attend Sunday Mass on a weekly basis! Gee, I thought that I was called and ordained (a Sacrament in the Church) to be a shepherd and lead them from going astray.
We live so fast, and have so much at our "beck and call" that many look to try to "fit God into their lives," rather than having Him as the center. We can justify anything today, even without thinking long and hard about it. This attitude is extremely prevalent in the world today. Gee, do you really think we want to humble ourselves and "Kneel down beneath the Cross and look at my Son." This message is not about "doom and gloom" but certainly a "Wake Up Call" and tell us that we are NOT doing what we need to do. Don't say, "Oh, Fr. Neil, but I am trying." Don't try, but DO IT.
Time is running out very quickly, and one day soon we will no longer have these Messages of Love. Our Mother does not want us to lose the race, but live with Her Son forever. BUT will we be responsible, or come up with some ridiculous or "worldly justifiable excuse" that "everyone is doing it"?
This is not an easy life, and once you know of the Messages, there are many obstacles that are thrown in our way. It takes courage, perseverance, and love. Doing what we need to do may even cause us heartache, and to become unpopular. I know priests (and I am one of them. . .imagine that!) who have lost "friends" because they spoke the Truth, but the friend(s) did not want to hear it. So the priest licks his wounds, cries out to the Lord and the Blessed Mother, and hears the words, "Thank You for being a priest and teaching the Truth." The Truth may not make me popular, but it will get me into Heaven. Isn't that where you want to be?
The clock is in motion. Do an inventory of your soul. Get to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and make the necessary changes that you need to make. Mother is waiting!
Editor’s note: Fr. Neil lives in Hurricane, WV. He has just launched a websitehttp://www.blessedmotherschildren.com/ Article from http://www.spiritofmedjugorje.org/
11/3/09
Living in the Spirit
IN THE SPIRIT"
We have gifts that differ according to the favor bestowed on each of us." —Romans 12:6
Doctors recommend regular physical exercise to keep our bodies in shape. Physical therapists recommend specific exercises to enable an injured body part to work normally. Musicians practice exercises on their instruments to develop "muscle-memory." Thereby musicians hone their physical talents to the point of being automatic, making them free to enter into the spirit of the composition.
In an even greater way, Doctor Jesus commands us to exercise the gifts of the Spirit He has given us (see Rm 12:6. By exercising our spiritual gifts, the body of Christ becomes more vigorous. Each spiritual gift helps to heal the wounded parts of Christ's body when exercised properly (1 Cor 12:9). By exercising our spiritual gifts regularly, we become so "in tune" with the Spirit that we develop "Spirit-memory." We are more quickly able to recognize the movements of the Holy Spirit, even to the point that we become "co-workers" with the Spirit (1 Cor 3:9).The risen Jesus has given us the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:8, 10). Now we have a choice. Will we exercise these gifts or make excuses for not using them? Holy Spirit, "I will not treat God's gracious gift as pointless" (Gal 2:21). Fill me up and use me up.
We have gifts that differ according to the favor bestowed on each of us." —Romans 12:6
Doctors recommend regular physical exercise to keep our bodies in shape. Physical therapists recommend specific exercises to enable an injured body part to work normally. Musicians practice exercises on their instruments to develop "muscle-memory." Thereby musicians hone their physical talents to the point of being automatic, making them free to enter into the spirit of the composition.
In an even greater way, Doctor Jesus commands us to exercise the gifts of the Spirit He has given us (see Rm 12:6. By exercising our spiritual gifts, the body of Christ becomes more vigorous. Each spiritual gift helps to heal the wounded parts of Christ's body when exercised properly (1 Cor 12:9). By exercising our spiritual gifts regularly, we become so "in tune" with the Spirit that we develop "Spirit-memory." We are more quickly able to recognize the movements of the Holy Spirit, even to the point that we become "co-workers" with the Spirit (1 Cor 3:9).The risen Jesus has given us the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:8, 10). Now we have a choice. Will we exercise these gifts or make excuses for not using them? Holy Spirit, "I will not treat God's gracious gift as pointless" (Gal 2:21). Fill me up and use me up.
11/2/09
All Souls Day
"Our Lady's Message, November 25, 1986"
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“Dear Children! Today I wish to call you to pray daily for souls in purgatory. For every soul prayer and grace is necessary to reach God and the love of God.
By doing this, dear children, you obtain new intercessors who will help you in life to realize that all the earthly things are not important for you, that only Heaven is that for which it is necessary to strive.
Therefore, dear children, pray without ceasing that you may be able to help yourselves and the others to whom your prayers will bring joy. Thank you for having responded to my call. ”
Medjugorje: Our Lady's Message to Mirjana of November 2, 2009
Dear children,
Also today I am among you to point you to the way that will help you to come to know God’s love, the love of God who permitted you to call him Father and to perceive him as Father.
I ask of you to sincerely look into your hearts and to see how much you love him. Is he the last to be loved? Surrounded by material goods, how many times have you betrayed, denied and forgotten him?
My children, do not deceive yourselves with worldly goods. Think of your soul because it is more important than the body; cleanse it. Invoke the Father, he is waiting for you. Come back to him. I am with you because he, in his mercy, sends me. Thank you. November 2, 2009
10/30/09
Breaking News, The Vatican's Apostolic Nuncio of Austria was in Medjujgorje this week.
Austria's Papal Nuncio in Medjuorje ***BREAKING NEWS*** 10/30/2009
The Vatican’s Apostolic Nuncio of Austria was in Medjugorje this week for four days with a large group of Austrian pilgrims estimated at more than 1,000.
The Vatican’s Apostolic Nuncio of Austria was in Medjugorje this week for four days with a large group of Austrian pilgrims estimated at more than 1,000.
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Last Sunday, Archbishop Stephan Zurbriggen told the congregation at the English-speaking Mass that his benediction carried with it a special papal indulgence (with the usual conditions attached) for all those able to attend the Masses at which he was the Celebrant while he was in Medjugorje. Peace and Blessings. http://www.blessedmotherschildren.com/
10/28/09
Fr. Nick Mormondo,The Call to the Priesthood
I was a perpetually professed Capuchin brother, happy with my life as it was and truly looking for nothing more than to be holy. In April of 1995, I looked into the possibility of taking some of the members of our parish Youth Group to Medjugorje. With only $20 in our Youth Group account, the likelihood of making the journey seemed impossible. To make a long story short, in no time at all, I had $11,000 which covered the cost for myself, four youth and two parents. We already had our first miracle and we hadn't even left Tampa, Florida!
For the previous year, thoughts of returning to studies for the priesthood, which I had abandoned years earlier, kept coming to mind. I had been praying on it as well as taking it to Spiritual Direction. Now that I was going to Medjugorje, I decided to make a request of Our Lady. In my prayer, I reminded her that it seemed as though everyone who went to Medjugorje got some kind of a miracle and I wanted one, too. I told her that if I was supposed to be a Priest, I needed to hear those words in Medjugorje. Truthfully, almost as quickly as I made the request, I completely forgot about it.
*On July 19th, our group had the privilege of being present with the Visionary Vicka for an apparition. It was very prayerful but I cannot say that I had any kind of extraordinary sense of the event. Two days later, on July 21st, Sandy Tobin, our pilgrimage director, asked to speak to me. Expecting to hear something about the kids' behavior, I was surprised to earn that she had something else to tell me. After I had taken a seat in her room, she looked me right in the eye and, pointing at me, she said, - "You're supposed to be a priest."
At that instant, I remembered the request I had made of Our Lady prior to leaving for the pilgrimage and burst out in tears. I realized that my request was being answered. Sandy proceeded to tell me that, during the apparition, she had a sense that I was being called but that I was struggling with it. She heard, "believe first, then you will see." She sensed that I was wanting to see first; then I would believe.
You're waiting for a big miracle to happen and then you'll believe; but the Lord is saying, believe first and then you'll see. As far as I was concerned, the big miracle had just happened.
I spent about three or four hours that day, by myself, in front of the Blessed Sacrament in the little Chapel behind St. James Church. Basically, I told the Lord that I was willing to accept the call. The one sense that I can remember experiencing during that time was the awareness that my life was going to change again. I wasn’t looking for another change; but I knew that my life was going in another direction and that I couldn’t see what it would hold.
Immediately upon my return from Medjugorje, I told my superior that I wanted to study for the priesthood. Eventually, that door was opened and I began my seminary studies in August of 1997. I was ordained a priest on Saturday, June 23, 2001, the day on which the Church celebrated the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Nothing could have been more appropriate...http://www.pilgrimspeace.com/
For the previous year, thoughts of returning to studies for the priesthood, which I had abandoned years earlier, kept coming to mind. I had been praying on it as well as taking it to Spiritual Direction. Now that I was going to Medjugorje, I decided to make a request of Our Lady. In my prayer, I reminded her that it seemed as though everyone who went to Medjugorje got some kind of a miracle and I wanted one, too. I told her that if I was supposed to be a Priest, I needed to hear those words in Medjugorje. Truthfully, almost as quickly as I made the request, I completely forgot about it.
*On July 19th, our group had the privilege of being present with the Visionary Vicka for an apparition. It was very prayerful but I cannot say that I had any kind of extraordinary sense of the event. Two days later, on July 21st, Sandy Tobin, our pilgrimage director, asked to speak to me. Expecting to hear something about the kids' behavior, I was surprised to earn that she had something else to tell me. After I had taken a seat in her room, she looked me right in the eye and, pointing at me, she said, - "You're supposed to be a priest."
At that instant, I remembered the request I had made of Our Lady prior to leaving for the pilgrimage and burst out in tears. I realized that my request was being answered. Sandy proceeded to tell me that, during the apparition, she had a sense that I was being called but that I was struggling with it. She heard, "believe first, then you will see." She sensed that I was wanting to see first; then I would believe.
You're waiting for a big miracle to happen and then you'll believe; but the Lord is saying, believe first and then you'll see. As far as I was concerned, the big miracle had just happened.
I spent about three or four hours that day, by myself, in front of the Blessed Sacrament in the little Chapel behind St. James Church. Basically, I told the Lord that I was willing to accept the call. The one sense that I can remember experiencing during that time was the awareness that my life was going to change again. I wasn’t looking for another change; but I knew that my life was going in another direction and that I couldn’t see what it would hold.
Immediately upon my return from Medjugorje, I told my superior that I wanted to study for the priesthood. Eventually, that door was opened and I began my seminary studies in August of 1997. I was ordained a priest on Saturday, June 23, 2001, the day on which the Church celebrated the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Nothing could have been more appropriate...http://www.pilgrimspeace.com/
10/27/09
A New Blogsite by Father Neil Buchlein
Fr Neil Buchlein’s new blogsite: " Our Blessed Mother’s Children. "
http://www.blessedmotherschildren.com/
http://www.blessedmotherschildren.com/
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Father Neil Buchlein is a diocesan priest for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia and was ordained on June 13, 1998. He is the pastor of Ascension Church in Hurricane, WV. He has traveled to Medjugorje sixteen times since 2003 and has served as Spiritual Director on four of the pilgrimages. Father Neil is proactive in spreading the Medjugorje Message and fostering devotion to Our Lady. He looks forward each year to Medjugorje because of the powerful spiritual experiences which very much impacted his priesthood.
10/26/09
Bishop Thomas Tobin rebukes Rep. Patrick Kennedy
Providence bishop slams Rep. Kennedy
Representative Patrick Kennedy is in hot water with the Catholic Church, the latest politician to run afoul of the church in the health care overhaul debate.
The church, along with many Republicans, is pushing for the bills to explicitly outlaw the use of public money for abortions. The bill's supporters say it already includes such a ban, but abortion foes say that a public insurance plan could provide coverage that would include abortion services and that new federal subsidies to help poor people buy coverage from private plans could be spent on abortions.
Kennedy, a Rhode Island Democrat, criticized the Catholic Church's stand on the health care bill.
"I can’t understand for the life of me how the Catholic Church could be against the biggest social justice issue of our time, where the very dignity of the human person is being respected by the fact that we’re caring and giving health care to the human person--that right now we have 50 million people who are uninsured,” Kennedy told Catholic News Service in an article posted Thursday.
"You mean to tell me the Catholic Church is going to be denying those people life saving health care? I thought they were pro-life?” Kennedy added. “If the church is pro-life, then they ought to be for health care reform because it’s going to provide health care that are going to keep people alive. So this is an absolute red herring and I don’t think that it does anything but to fan the flames of dissent and discord and I don’t think it’s productive at all.
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That brought this rebuke today from the most Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence: “Congressman Patrick Kennedy’s statement about the Catholic Church’s position on health care reform is irresponsible and ignorant of the facts. As I wrote to Congressman Kennedy and other members of the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation recently, the Bishops of the United States are indeed in favor of comprehensive health care reform and have been for many years. But we are adamantly opposed to health care legislation that threatens the life of unborn children, requires taxpayers to pay for abortion, rations health care, or compromises the conscience of individuals." "Congressman Kennedy continues to be a disappointment to the Catholic Church and to the citizens of the State of Rhode Island. I believe the Congressman owes us an apology for his irresponsible comments. It is my fervent hope and prayer that he will find a way to provide more effective and morally responsible leadership for our state,” Tobin added.
That brought this rebuke today from the most Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence: “Congressman Patrick Kennedy’s statement about the Catholic Church’s position on health care reform is irresponsible and ignorant of the facts. As I wrote to Congressman Kennedy and other members of the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation recently, the Bishops of the United States are indeed in favor of comprehensive health care reform and have been for many years. But we are adamantly opposed to health care legislation that threatens the life of unborn children, requires taxpayers to pay for abortion, rations health care, or compromises the conscience of individuals." "Congressman Kennedy continues to be a disappointment to the Catholic Church and to the citizens of the State of Rhode Island. I believe the Congressman owes us an apology for his irresponsible comments. It is my fervent hope and prayer that he will find a way to provide more effective and morally responsible leadership for our state,” Tobin added.
10/25/09
Jesus Asked, What do you want me to do for You
Jesus asked him, 'What do you want Me to do for you?' " —Mark 10:51
One of Jesus' favorite questions is: "What do you want?" Many times we don't know what we want, and Jesus challenges us to clarify this.Often we want things which are incompatible. We want to sin and still have a loving relationship with the Lord. We want to "do our own thing" and still be free. We want both selfishness and happiness. If we face reality, we see that these things are incompatible. Therefore, we must decide what we want most and reject the other "wants."Another problem in deciding what we want is denial.
We see this especially with alcoholism and other addictive behavior. But all sin produces some denial. In denial, we will not admit our true needs. This prevents us from wanting these needs fulfilled.
. For example, if sinners deny their sin, they'll not want forgiveness. If the spiritually blind deny their blindness, they'll not want sight. If the enslaved deny their slavery, they'll not want freedom. We can even deny our denial.Therefore, we must repent, face reality, and come out of denial. Now, we can answer Jesus' question: "What do you want Me to do for you?" Sacred Heart of Jesus, may I want what You want....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wutmEjdbedE
Our Lady's Medjugorje message to Marija of Ootober 25, 2009
Dear children!
Also today I bring you my blessing, I bless you all and I call you to grow on this way, which God has begun through me for your salvation. Pray, fast and joyfully witness your faith, little children, and may your heart always be filled with prayer. Thank you for having responded to my call. October 25, 2009
10/24/09
Revelation from Saint Maria Faustina Kowalaka, Diary
Revelation
After Communion today, Jesus told me how much He desires to come to human hearts. I desire to unite Myself with human souls; My great delight is to unite Myself with souls. Know, My daughter, that when I come to a human heart in Holy Communion, My hands are full of all kinds of graces which I want to give to the soul. But souls do not even pay any attention to Me; they leave Me to Myself and busy themselves with other things. Oh, how sad I am that souls do not recognize Love! They treat Me as a dead object.
After Communion today, Jesus told me how much He desires to come to human hearts. I desire to unite Myself with human souls; My great delight is to unite Myself with souls. Know, My daughter, that when I come to a human heart in Holy Communion, My hands are full of all kinds of graces which I want to give to the soul. But souls do not even pay any attention to Me; they leave Me to Myself and busy themselves with other things. Oh, how sad I am that souls do not recognize Love! They treat Me as a dead object.
I answered Jesus, "O Treasure of my heart, the only object of my love and entire delight of my soul, I want to adore You in my heart as You are adored on the throne of Your eternal glory. My love wants to make up to You at least in part for the coldness of so great a number of souls. Jesus, behold my heart which is for You a dwelling place to which no one else has entry. You alone repose in it as in a beautiful garden.
Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, 1385
Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, 1385
All the good that is in me is due to Holy Communion. I owe everything to it. I feel that this holy fire has transformed me completely. Oh, how happy I am to be a dwelling place for You, O Lord! My heart is a temple in which You dwell continually…
Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, 1392
Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, 1392
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Oh, how painful it is to Me that souls so seldom unite themselves to Me in Holy Communion. I wait for souls, and they are indifferent toward Me. I love them tenderly and sincerely, and they distrust Me. I want to lavish My graces on them, and they do not want to accept them. They treat Me as a dead object, whereas My Heart is full of love and mercy. In order that you may know at least some of My pain, imagine the most tender of mothers who has great love for her children, while those children spurn her love. Consider her pain. No one is in a position to console her. This is but a feeble image and likeness of My love.
Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, 1447
Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, 1447
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After Holy Communion the Lord said to me, If the priest had not brought Me to you, I would have come Myself under the same species. My daughter, your sufferings of this night obtained the grace of mercy for an immense number of souls.
Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, 1459
Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, 1459
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Today, when the chaplain [Father Theodore] brought the Lord Jesus, a light issued from the Host, its light striking my heart and filling me with a great fire of love. Jesus was letting me know that I should answer the inspirations of grace with more faithfulness, and that my vigilance should be more subtle.
Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, 1462
Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, 1462
10/23/09
Springtime in October, Come Holy Spirit
" Why can you not interpret the present time?" —Luke 12:56 "
Most of the time it's easy to predict the weather. Jesus claimed it was also easy to interpret the signs of the times (Lk 12:56). What are the signs of our times? What time is it spiritually? Pope John Paul II prophesied it is early "springtime" for the Church (Mission of the Redeemer, 86). This means we have weathered a long, cold spiritual winter. Some have spiritually died during this winter; others are starving, sick, or weakened. We must reach out to resurrect, nourish, and heal our Christian brothers and sisters. We should also tell them the good news that, although early spring sometimes looks like winter, it is still spring.
We have the certain hope of new life. "For see, the winter is past, the rains are over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of pruning the vines has come, and the song of the dove is heard in our land" (Sg 2:11-12). Although we may be getting ready for winter in the calendar year, winter is over in the spiritual calendar.
The dove, the Holy Spirit, is singing a new song of new life in our land. Come, Holy Spirit of springtime!~~Father, send the Spirit to teach me to read the signs of the times. Come O Holy Spirit, please descend upon us through the most powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your most chaste and well beloved spouse~~http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2j5Ve0_rTg
Most of the time it's easy to predict the weather. Jesus claimed it was also easy to interpret the signs of the times (Lk 12:56). What are the signs of our times? What time is it spiritually? Pope John Paul II prophesied it is early "springtime" for the Church (Mission of the Redeemer, 86). This means we have weathered a long, cold spiritual winter. Some have spiritually died during this winter; others are starving, sick, or weakened. We must reach out to resurrect, nourish, and heal our Christian brothers and sisters. We should also tell them the good news that, although early spring sometimes looks like winter, it is still spring.
We have the certain hope of new life. "For see, the winter is past, the rains are over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of pruning the vines has come, and the song of the dove is heard in our land" (Sg 2:11-12). Although we may be getting ready for winter in the calendar year, winter is over in the spiritual calendar.
The dove, the Holy Spirit, is singing a new song of new life in our land. Come, Holy Spirit of springtime!~~Father, send the Spirit to teach me to read the signs of the times. Come O Holy Spirit, please descend upon us through the most powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your most chaste and well beloved spouse~~http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2j5Ve0_rTg
10/22/09
Are You Born Again? Do You Have the Holy Spirit?
Yesterday I came across a letter to the editor that I wrote during President Carter’s administration. It was never published as they said it was not in response to something in the newspaper, but, rather, evangelization.
So be it. Today it is being published.
TO THE EDITOR:
I seem to be a confirmed writer of letters to the editor. When issues are important to me, I want to make my views known, to stand up and be counted, and since I write better than I talk, I resort to letters.
It recently occurred to me that I have been silent on the most important issue of all.
We all know that President Carter and others claim to have been “born again,” but many people have only the vaguest idea of what that means. Some folks think they are Christians because they have been born into a Christian family, or attend a Christian church, or believe that Christ was the son of God, crucified for the sins of mankind.~ But a person is not really a Christian until he has personally, and I mean personally, committed his life to following Christ’s teachings, until he makes the decision that he is going to try to do God’s will. Then he becomes “another Christ,” is “born again” (John 3:5) as a child of God, and can call God “Father.”
Time is measured forwards and backwards, A.D. and B.C., from the time of Christ. An extraordinary star shone at his birth, the earth quaked at his death. His Word is the all-time best-seller. The shroud of Turin seems to be a modern-day testament to his resurrection. To this day people are living and dying for what he taught. Miracles continue to be worked in his name. His message of love touches all hearts, especially at Christmas-time.
What manner of man was this? He claimed to be God. He said, “The Father and I are one.” Was he a liar, lunatic, or truly what he said?
If Jesus Christ is truly God, I think the single most important decision a human being can make is to listen and to follow, to be born again. Christ’s life and death require some kind of response on our part. Who do you say that he is?
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***Nicodemus said said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God. – John 3:4-5 http://www.musingsat85.com/myblog/
10/19/09
Medjugorje: Bishop Siller Celebrating English Mass at Saint James Church
Bishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, seen here celebrating English Mass in St. James Church on September 29, 2009, grew up in the central-Mexico city of San Luis Potosi. He is the oldest of 15 children. He joined the religious order of the Mexico-based Missionaries of the Holy Spirit. He serves under the Archdiocese of Chicago. This was his first visit to Medjugorje.
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Homily of Bishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller
Bishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, from the Archdiocese of Chicago, spent a week in Medjugorje and celebrated Sunday Mass in Medjugorje on September 28, 2009. The message he gave in his homily this day speaks of the importance of allowing the HOLY SPIRIT to guide us all in being instruments of the New Pentecost.
We are not called to privatize - Read Bishop Stiller Homily at http://www.medjugorje.com/
10/18/09
Year of the Priesthood, Come Holy Spirit
The year for Priesthood: This month, let’s pray with Sr. Briege McKenna and Fr. Kevin the beautiful prayers for priests spread at “Intercession for Priests“(To say every day for a month, as announced in the Report of July 15th).
“Lord Jesus, you have chosen your priests from among us and sent them out to proclaim your word and to act in your name. For so great a gift to your Church, we give you praise and thanksgiving. We ask you to fill them with the fire of your love, that their ministry may reveal your presence in the Church. Since they are earthen vessels, we pray that your power shine out through their weakness.
In their afflictions let them never be crushed; in their doubts never despair; in temptation never be destroyed; in persecution never abandoned. Inspire them through prayer to live each day the mystery of your dying and rising.
In times of weakness send them your Holy Spirit, and help them to praise your heavenly Father and pray for poor sinners. By the same Holy Spirit put your words on their lips and your love in their hearts, to bring good news to the poor and healing to the brokenhearted.
And may the gift of Mary your mother, to the disciple whom you loved, be your gift to every priest. Grant that she who formed you in her human image, may form them in your Divine image, by the power of your Holy Spirit, to the glory of God the Father. Amen“.
Taken from Children of Medjugorje.
10/17/09
Through Our Lady's intercession, I beleive, Medjugorje is leading to the triumph of the Immaculate Heart.
“I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see.”
These lyrics from the hymn Amazing Grace testify to the life of Fr. David Gunter, a priest from Massachusetts, who through a brief experience of becoming blind and deaf from the abusive use of drugs led him to seek after and return to God.
These lyrics from the hymn Amazing Grace testify to the life of Fr. David Gunter, a priest from Massachusetts, who through a brief experience of becoming blind and deaf from the abusive use of drugs led him to seek after and return to God.
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Through his conversion he left the world of drugs behind, but it wasn’t until his encounter with Our Lady in Medjugorje that he found real healing of the soul that eventually led him to the priesthood.
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Through Our Lady’s intercession, I believe, Medjugorje is the beginning of a process leading to the triumph of the Immaculate Heart. This is what we are experiencing here in Medjugorje. And it is healing and it is mercy. So I tell you all now, be not afraid. There is so much more to come. So much more healing, so much more grace. Our Lord wants you all to have peace, peace.
Read Fr. Gunter testimony at http://www.medjugorje.com/
Read Fr. Gunter testimony at http://www.medjugorje.com/
10/15/09
My Heart Seizes with Pain
My Heart seizes with pain. (©http://crownofstars.blogspot.com)
October 15, 2009
St. Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor Dear Family of Mary!
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*"Dear Children, as I look at you, my heart seizes with pain. Where are you going, my children? Have you sunk so deeply into sin that you do not know how to stop yourselves? You justify yourselves with sin and live according to it. Kneel down beneath the Cross and look at my Son. He conquered sin and died so that you, my children, may live. Permit me to help you not to die but to live with my Son forever." (October 2, 2009)
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Someone shared with me the following transcription of a talk that Mirjana gave at Oasis of Peace, the day after this message was given. It is just the beginning of the talk. It reflects the typical no-nonsense approach to Our Lady's messages that all the visionaries have. I hope that the rest of the talk will be transcribed soon.
"Mirjana reflects on October apparition:The following is part of a question and answer session given by Mirjana at the Oasis of Peace on 3rd October 2009. I will transcribe the rest at a later date.
Q: Yesterday's message was very serious and very sad; can you elaborate a little bit?
A: Message was very sad and you were lucky because you did not have a chance to see the expression on Our Lady's face so that your heart breaks. Because she is mother, and as she said in one of her messages, she desires to bring all of us as the most beautiful bouquet of flowers to her Son. Once she realizes that we do not see, we do not understand that, she is the way she was yesterday.Talking about her message, I have no right to comment on the message because I received it the same way you did. Same like you, I also have to reflect on message in order to understand what it tells me. But I would like to ask you one thing. Yesterday when I talked with some people about message, most people said 'when shall this world change, when shall the world understand?' but no one said 'when shall I understand, when shall I change myself?' I am only asking from all of you to start from ourselves to see where we make mistake and what we can change. Once we change, it will be easier to change others, not always put the blame on others. We should start with ourselves.
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Q: She said her heart was seizing? A: I also say that my heart seizes when I see her so sad. Our Lady had a very sad expression on her face, filled with pain because she was looking at us and we know what she was able to see within us. - Taken from Medjugorje Forum.Fr. Ed Sousa, Jr. shared this transcription on his blog site: http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102765617965&s=662&e=001ukYigHCKs5O8KWAwr38q6lpAQWEtXBXKxnD6Hr5tmF42F59wgP1Y5VYdPcKs7pB_guGKOOmDzPSykfSmW9E-olUkWx_JLNvdsHjvUamGI47l2B28IkgCvXujb7w8inFPDNXY4-jjKu8tq6CnHRcU1U9VMmvn41b3ptiPut-ST0K5V5of5RC-le7vJLDiOVuwolwEvkm6ksw=
It is also found on the Medjugorje forum: http://www.medjugorje-online.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17840 You can see that Our Lady communicated her deep emotion to Mirjana, the seizing of her heart for her children. We need to take this message seriously, each according to our own reality with the Lord. It is indeed a call to self-examination. What does the Lord want of me right now? What is he asking of me? Like the rich young man who approached Jesus (Mark 10: 17-30), we need to ask Him what we must do to be saved. In Jesus and Mary!Cathy Nolan
Mary TV
"Mirjana reflects on October apparition:The following is part of a question and answer session given by Mirjana at the Oasis of Peace on 3rd October 2009. I will transcribe the rest at a later date.
Q: Yesterday's message was very serious and very sad; can you elaborate a little bit?
A: Message was very sad and you were lucky because you did not have a chance to see the expression on Our Lady's face so that your heart breaks. Because she is mother, and as she said in one of her messages, she desires to bring all of us as the most beautiful bouquet of flowers to her Son. Once she realizes that we do not see, we do not understand that, she is the way she was yesterday.Talking about her message, I have no right to comment on the message because I received it the same way you did. Same like you, I also have to reflect on message in order to understand what it tells me. But I would like to ask you one thing. Yesterday when I talked with some people about message, most people said 'when shall this world change, when shall the world understand?' but no one said 'when shall I understand, when shall I change myself?' I am only asking from all of you to start from ourselves to see where we make mistake and what we can change. Once we change, it will be easier to change others, not always put the blame on others. We should start with ourselves.
.
Q: She said her heart was seizing? A: I also say that my heart seizes when I see her so sad. Our Lady had a very sad expression on her face, filled with pain because she was looking at us and we know what she was able to see within us. - Taken from Medjugorje Forum.Fr. Ed Sousa, Jr. shared this transcription on his blog site: http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102765617965&s=662&e=001ukYigHCKs5O8KWAwr38q6lpAQWEtXBXKxnD6Hr5tmF42F59wgP1Y5VYdPcKs7pB_guGKOOmDzPSykfSmW9E-olUkWx_JLNvdsHjvUamGI47l2B28IkgCvXujb7w8inFPDNXY4-jjKu8tq6CnHRcU1U9VMmvn41b3ptiPut-ST0K5V5of5RC-le7vJLDiOVuwolwEvkm6ksw=
It is also found on the Medjugorje forum: http://www.medjugorje-online.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17840 You can see that Our Lady communicated her deep emotion to Mirjana, the seizing of her heart for her children. We need to take this message seriously, each according to our own reality with the Lord. It is indeed a call to self-examination. What does the Lord want of me right now? What is he asking of me? Like the rich young man who approached Jesus (Mark 10: 17-30), we need to ask Him what we must do to be saved. In Jesus and Mary!Cathy Nolan
Mary TV
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