1/31/11

Fr. Joseph Whalen, The Healing Priest


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Rev. Joseph F. Whalen, M.S.
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Fr. Joseph Whalen, M.S. was born in Quincy, Massachusetts and received his call to the priesthood late in life. He entered Pope John XXlll Seminary, a seminary for delayed vocations, and completed four years of advanced graduate studies. On September 9, 1989, at the age of 66, he was ordained a Roman Catholic priest by Bishop Alfred Hughes and became a La Salette Missionary. His dramatic life story is a story of "how God writes straight with crooked lines!" His ministries are many and he is a champion of the sick, the elderly, drug addicts, alcoholics, families, and those in need. The charism of the La Salette's is Reconcilliation ... of compassion and mercy to the repentant;he is noted for his ability to hear confessions hour upon hour. He gives us a tremendous story of Almighty God's love, grace and mercy in the circumstances of his own life; he is also the founder of the renowned Archangel St. Raphael Holy Healing Ministry. Father’s message is to realize that It’s Never Too Late to Live. Fr. Whalen conducts many healing services every year and his St. Raphael Healing Ministry is international. Fr. Whalen has spent his entire priesthood witnessing Christ’s healing presence and helping countless people to find hope in the midst of life's many challenges.
** Rosary and Healing Service, with Fr. Joseph Whalen, MS and Inspiration talk by Fr. John Welch, MS Temp Flex Cable26 Milford Rd South Grafton, MA 01560 contact: Rose 508-425-6420 Every 2nd Tuesday of the month! Refreshments served only 41 miles from Boston! only 35 miles from Providence! http://www.straphaeloil.com/
**You may also contact Fr. Whalen by mail at Saint James Church, 12 Franklin Street, Danielson Ct. 06239 or call 860-774-6553 or 802-343-0573 USA

1/30/11

Rejoice and be Glad, for your reward is Great in Heaven.


Matthew 5:1-12
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"Jesus, seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came to him.
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And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
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"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
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"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
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"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
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"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
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"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
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"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
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"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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"Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
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*Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you.

1/28/11

How To Know When Jesus Speaks



How To Know When Jesus Speaks?
My Dear People,
If God is all powerful, omnipotent, and all knowing, why would He seek us? Yet that is what Jesus did as He began His mission here on Earth. Our Lord did not seek out the brightest and best. He sought those whose hearts were open and ready. All of the Holy Apostles had sinned and were broken. None were perfect. But Jesus chose to use their imperfections to glorify His Father in heaven.

Jesus Calls Peter and Andrew
As Jesus walked along the Sea of Galilee, he called to Peter and Andrew. They were brothers who owned their own business. Matthew tells us that they immediately left their boat, and their father to follow Him. What could Jesus have said or done that would cause them to make such a radical change? We do not now for sure, but we do know that they did not hesitate to respond.
Jesus calls each of us by name at Baptism, just as He will when we die. Like the Holy Apostles we are weak and sinful. But will we hesitate when He calls? What must we do to soften our hearts that we may hear Him calling us? - Pray to the Holy Spirit to know when Jesus speaks. He promised to teach us all things, until the Second Coming. "Trust in your gifts and use them to glorify Our Lord."
Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,
Fr. Mark Bozada
May we always be ready to hear and serve the Lord as His Faithful Stewards.

1/27/11

Miracles of God's Mercy: Priest Blessed Dying Police Officer


Priest blessed dying police officer:

Matthew Sherwood for National Post
Father Fausto Bailo gave Sergeant Ryan Russell a final blessing as he lay on the street.
January 26, 2011 – 7:00 am

As Sergeant Ryan Russell lay dying on Toronto’s frozen streets in the early morning hours of Jan. 12, a local priest was running late for his morning mass.
Father Fausto Bailo, a chaplain at the downtown Ernescliff College student centre on the University of Toronto campus, recalls approaching the intersection of Avenue and Davenport roads — and finding an unexpected scene of chaos.
A police car in the middle of the road with its door open. A man lying motionless on the ground. A growing swarm of officers and curious onlookers. A tragic snapshot in time that would later form the heart of a bizarre murder case.
At the time, Fr. Bailo was not sure what he was looking at, but he knew one thing: The man on the road was not long for this world.
“I saw that he was badly hurt. It was so fast, the whole thing. I thought that he was dead,” the soft-spoken Catholic priest recalled in a heavy Spanish accent.
As more police cruisers screamed up Avenue Road, Fr. Bailo says his religious instincts kicked in, prompting him to deliver a final blessing.
“It was an instant reaction, the moment I saw him,” Fr. Bailo explained.
He performed what is known as a conditional absolution, a blessing to absolve the dying officer of his worldly sins, regardless of his religion. The ritual requires no direct contact, so Fr. Bailo was able to stand on the sidelines, praying for Sgt. Russell as panic and confusion reigned around him.
“It was a very emotional moment…. On a personal level I had a reaction that I should have basically gone to the man and talked to him, but I was overtaken by the whole situation,” Fr. Bailo recalled.
He was at the scene only a few minutes before police began ushering curiosity-seekers away.
Fr. Bailo says he did not immediately realize the fallen man was a police officer. On his way back from morning mass, about 7:30 a.m., Fr. Bailo turned on his car radio.
“I heard what happened in the car, and then I realized it was a policeman,” he recalled. “My first reaction was to pray again for him. I was quite shocked.”
Sergeant Angela Theriault of 52 Division, where Sgt. Russell worked, acknowledged there were many witnesses on scene that day, but no way to verify whether Fr. Bailo was among them. She said Sgt. Russell formally received his last rites from a police chaplain shortly before he was pronounced dead in hospital.
“It’s tough,” Sgt. Theriault said, asked how officers were coping a week after more than 12,000 police and emergency workers descended on Toronto for Sgt. Russell’s funeral. “We have little reminders now and again of him and his personality, and things that he could have been involved in with us, but we’ll get through it.”
The man accused of running down Sgt. Russell while driving a stolen snowplow made a second court appearance Tuesday. Richard Kachkar, 44, had not yet obtained a lawyer, and is to return to court Thursday.
Mr. Kachkar appeared via video link, wearing a white T-shirt and with one arm in a sling. His blond hair and beard were neat, and the bandage that had been on his nose last week was removed.
When asked for his name, Mr. Kachkar spoke quietly, staring downward.
Posted in: Crime, Posted Toronto Tags: , , ..........http://hicatholicmom.blogspot.com/

Bishop Thomas Tobin Not Impressed by The President's Speech.


Bishop Tobin and Tucson: 'The President's Speech; Why I Wasn't Impressed'
As I watched Mr. Obama, I sensed there was something missing; there was something that left me cold, unimpressed and unmoved. And suddenly it became clear. President Obama's persistent and willful promotion of abortion renders his compassionate gestures and soaring rhetoric completely disingenuous. Full Story

Unexcused Absences: We should not absent ourselves from the Assembly


Hebrews 10:19-25, Psalm 24:1-6, Mark 4:21


We should not absent ourselves from the assembly, as some do, but encourage one another; and this all the more because you see that the Day draws near." -Hebrews 10:25


This Scripture passage is used to encourage people to go to church on Sundays, but it also applies to many other gatherings. How many have made worship a Sunday-only obligation? These too are absenting themselves from the assembly for almost all of the week.Some go to the assembly but stay to themselves. They are present in body but absent in spirit. Most Christians absent themselves from the assembly by confining prayer to church and not assembling for family prayer at home. Many Catholics look for the quickest Mass, come late, sit by the door, and leave early. Some people come to church for the wrong reasons; they may be merely cultural Christians or looking to make a deal with God. These too are absences. How many assemble in Jesus' name and not their own? We need to repent of our absences and be present at church, present to one another, and in God's presence.

Prayer: Father, You are always present, always there for me. May I be like You.

Promise: "In the measure you give you shall receive, and more besides." -Mk 4:24

1/25/11

Our Lady's Medjugorje message to Marija of January 25, 2011


HOPE RENEWED


"Dear children! Also today I am with you and I am looking at you and blessing you, and I am not losing hope that this world will change for the good and that peace will reign in the hearts of men. Joy will begin to reign in the world because you have opened yourselves to my call and to God’s love. The Holy Spirit is changing a multitude of those who have said ‘yes’. Therefore I desire to say to you: thank you for having responded to my call."

Rachael Weeping for her Children, Because they are no more. Jeremiah 31:15

Painting by Stephen Gjertson:
A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation and bitter weeping: Rachael Weeping for her Children Refused to be comforted for her children, Because they are no more. Jeremiah 31:15

This dramatic image is an eloquent expression of the grief that many women say they have experienced after an abortion. The artist chose Rachel because she symbolizes the torment suffered by women who have lost their children. The mourners have gathered in a secluded glen at a defaced old monument for the preborn dead. Like the Vietnam Memorial, it is covered with names, only here they are anonymous: Baby Boy... Baby Girl... Baby Boy... Baby Girl.... The children remain unknown to all but those who mourn. Gold stars mark the names of babies whose lives were taken in the third trimester. The trees in the background symbolize the dignity of life.


To express their anguish, some of the women have brought thistles with them. One woman clutches her breast, in grief at never having nourished her child. The comforter behind Rachel wears a wreath of interwoven anemones and baby's breath. Anemones are an ancient symbol of sorrow and death. A black bird, symbolic of sin, screeches from its perch on the desecrated body of a draped baby atop a clinic-turned-mausoleum. In the lower left is a vase carved with Babylonian figures sacrificing their firstborn to idols. Some of the folds in Rachel's black drapery are twisted into a grotesque monster showing that sin, though temporarily covered, will ultimately reveal itself. (Unfortunately, the drapery monster is invisible in the web reproduction.)


From the background emerges a hooded figure, through whom a skeleton can be faintly seen, expressing the fact that evil deceives by masquerading as good. His ringed fingers hold out a narcissus, mythical symbol of self-love. In the past, the mourners had given in to the temptation of self-love and consented to the elimination of their preborn children. Aware of their folly, they no longer listen to his lies. The figure therefore turns his gaze upon us.

1/23/11

Daily Grace: Do Your Part and Trust Him To Do The Rest


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"In the days of the beautiful Esther You saved Israel by the hand of a woman. In graceful obedience the young Hadassah came before Ahasueru mighty king..."

1/22/11

Two Year Old Baby Boy learning to sing at Church.



Baby Boy learning to sing at church. The Title of the Song,- God Will Take Care of You.

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Abortionist Kermit Gosnell brutally murdered hundreds of living newborn babies.


Abortionist brutally murdered ‘hundreds’ of living newborns: clinic worker
by Kathleen Gilbert
Thu Jan 20, 2011 11:57 EST
Kermit Gosnell


PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, January 20, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A massive, photograph-laden Grand Jury Report released Wednesday has detailed the bone-chilling practices of a Philadelphia abortionist, who clinic workers testified had delivered “hundreds” of living, breathing newborn children before severing their spinal cords or slitting their necks to complete the abortions.
Abortionist Kermit Gosnell was arrested Wednesday for eight counts of murder. One of the charges was for the botched-abortion death of 41-year-old Karnamaya Mongar, a Nepalese refugee. The other seven were for children who police had discovered, by examining their remains, had been born alive and then killed.
District Attorney R. Seth Williams released the 281-page report that was the basis for the murder charges against Gosnell and nine of his associates. Included in that report were photos of some of Gosnell’s victims.
In the report, the Grand Jury notes that several agencies and groups became aware of what has become known as Gosnell’s “shop of horrors,” but did nothing. They also provide extremely explicit descriptions of botched abortions, late-term abortions and infanticides rarely seen in court documents.
“Pennsylvania law requires physicians to provide customary care for living babies outside the womb. Gosnell chose instead to slit their necks and store their bodies in various household containers, as if they were trash,” stated the report.
The report provided detailed testimony from clinic staff who said that “killing large, late-term babies who had been observed breathing and moving was a regular occurrence” at the filthy clinic: one staffer said such events happened “hundreds” of times.
Another clinic worker, Tina Baldwin, told the jurors that Gosnell once joked about a baby that was writhing as he cut its neck: “that’s what you call a chicken with its head cut off.”
According to clinic worker Kareema Cross, Gosnell resorted to regularly killing babies after birth because he was not skilled enough to kill the baby in utero with a digoxin injection, a usual means of late-term abortion.
The report noted that one unlicensed worker at the clinic attempted to justify Gosnell’s practice of cutting of the newborns’ spinal cords as a “partial-birth abortion.” The Grand Jury concluded that the two procedures were different, however, because sucking the brains out of the baby’s head in a partial-birth abortion occurred while the head was still inside the mother, and thus served to make delivery of the evacuated head easier, whereas Gosnell’s victims were killed “when there was clearly no need or medical reason to collapse the skull.”
The day after the death of Karnamaya Mongar, Gosnell had applied for membership to the National Abortion Federations, but failed to meet its requirements. Even though an NAF staff person spent several days in Gosnell’s abortion mill noting numerous violations, they failed to report him to the proper authorities, notes the document.
“Despite his various efforts to fool her, the evaluator from NAF readily noted that records were not properly kept, that risks were not explained, that patients were not monitored, that equipment was not available, that anesthesia was misused,” states the report. “Of course, she rejected Gosnell’s application. She just never told anyone in authority about all the horrible, dangerous things she had seen.”
While saying that “bureaucratic inertia is not exactly news,” the jurors said, “We think the reason no one acted is because the women in question were poor and of color, because the victims were infants without identities, and because the subject was the political football of abortion.”
The group also had a stern rebuke for regulatory organizations who looked the other way, giving their stamp of approval to his criminal practices.
The pro-life watchdog group Operation Rescue called for massive reforms in the way abortionists and abortion clinics are handled by regulatory agencies nationwide. Kermit Gosnell’s shop of horrors, they said, is certainly not the only abortion mill of this kind in operation in America.
“Operation Rescue calls for immediate emergency inspections of every abortion clinic in the nation. We have often said that if this were to ever happen, no abortion clinic would remain in operation because we have yet to discover one that adheres to all the laws that apply to them,” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman.
“As the 38th memorial of Roe v. Wade approaches, it is time for Americans to consider the horrors of abortion and demand that government abolish this barbaric practice forever.”

1/18/11

Dan O'Connor-Thoughts on Medjugorje After my Pilgrimage



(Here is an email I sent out to a group of my Catholic friends regarding a pilgrimage to Medjugorje I went on from July 28th to August 6th, 2010)

Hello Good People!
Many of you are aware I recently returned from a trip to Medjugorje. I know that among good, orthodox, devout Catholics there are varying opinions on this place, so I want to let you in on my own thinking. Whatever you decide, let us not allow any division to occur from this; we have too much in common with each other; things that we share with so few in today’s world!



First I must touch on why I went there; it was not my plan. I vaguely intended on getting there eventually, but only at least after Rome, the Holy Land, and Ireland. God made this trip happen. First I was inspired by one of the most orthodox, holy, zealous, on fire priests I have ever met to look more into it a few Sundays ago. The next day I simply typed in “Medjugorje Pilgrimage” into Google, not expecting anything. Lo and behold the first result directed me to a pilgirmage leaving in a few days that perfectly filled the amount of time I had left until my new job started. Still certain nothing would happen (since these things are organized months in advance) I filled out an inquiry form online which surprisingly got me a response within minutes. He assumed I was looking to book next year’s pilgrimage, and when I informed him otherwise he told me that though this was the last possible minute, I would get there if Jesus and Mary wanted me there. Soon after he responded saying that it was a miracle, but there was one spot left on all the flights and one room left in the house. My time there corresponded with the “Youth Festival,” by far the most crowded time of the year at Medjugorje (I heard my tour guide there speaking about how impossible it was that there was a spot for me). Astonished I started looking for my passport; unable to find it anywhere for hours I finally prayed “God, if you want me on this trip, enlighten my mind as to the location of my passport. If you do not want me to go, do not let me find it in time.” It was in the very next spot I looked. You can see that for me to forego this trip would have been an abandonment of God’s will.
For most of the time I knew about Medjugorje I have been strongly opposed to it. When I first heard about it I was perusing a schismatic ultra-traditionalist “Catholic” website (bad idea) and they simply lied and falsely quoted Mary at Medjugorje as saying “all religions are equal.” She never said or implied that, but I never bothered to look into it further. For what she actually said, scroll down on this page: http://www.medjugorje.org/faq.htm#no20. After that, my dislike for Medjugorje was maintained by my distaste for what I deemed “boring” messages. This was a huge issue for me up to very recently, when it suddenly hit me. Sure, compared to much of the Bible and other sources, these messages can sometimes be comparatively bland. (update 8/13/10: remember, ‘sometimes’! I think the messages are very inspiring and beautiful, but we need not ignore that they do usually carry a different tone than some parts of scripture and other divine sources. Mary has her reasons for this, I believe.) But I was not considering the audience. These messages are anything but boring to the typical lukewarm/lapsed Catholic or new ager/secular humanist they are intended to convert. For me, it is nothing new to hear “You do not know that you cannot be happy without my Son” from Mary. But that is Earth-shattering to a lapsed Catholic or new ager who seeks happiness everywhere but Christ.
Having gotten past that, I saw that there are basically three descriptions possible of Medjugorje: as being from Heaven, from hell, or fraud.
I will tell you why it is not from hell. Satan gains nothing from what goes on there; daily he is beaten mercilessly by what happens at Medjugorje. Let me give you a glimpse into this by sharing some of the things I saw: 40,000 people gathered in such reverent prayerful silence before the Holy Eucharist that an unknowing passerby could have stumbled upon them. Homilies condemning great evils like homosexuality, abortion, and promiscuity. A priest announcing to the congregation of 40 thousand prior to communion “Holy Communion is received on the tongue!” Adoration meditations urging people to reject any new age methods they may have undertaken; reiki, yoga, transcendental meditation, palm reading, etc. A sense of penance I have seen nowhere else in the world; kneeling is expected everywhere but pads and pillows are nowhere to be seen (only marble floors, rocks, dirt, gravel, pavement, and grass), people of all ages and physical conditions scaling jagged rocky slopes (often barefoot) to pray by a crucifix and a statue of Mary, and prayer gatherings despite the late night hours or glaring midday sun. Massive lines for confessions with the dozens of priests gathered at any given time to hear them. Signs next to the Holy Water fonts banning immodest dress and pointing out Mary’s condemnation of abortion and divorce in her apparitions. The sight and sound of rosaries being prayed in more languages than I could name wherever I stumbled upon a group of people; in the paths, on the hills and mountains, in the churches and chapels. And we all know about the flood of miraculous conversions proceeding from Medjugorje.
Many will still argue that though producing good things, and not Satanic, it is at least fraudulent. Please consider what would be required to maintain this fraud. Six Catholic children (one only 10 years old) had to agree to or be convinced to fabricate an enormous lie and maintain this lie perfectly, without any denial, for thirty years. Expert psychological training far surpassing anything CIA agents go through being undertaken on these children prior to 1981 to prepare them for 30 years of boldly proclaiming a lie with no hint of dishonesty showing through. Expertly crafted messages memorized before each apparition so that despite a constant flow of them for 30 years, nothing has merited the Church’s condemnation which any error could have done over these decades (yet no apparitions are ever approved until they cease). Acting capabilities not seen among Hollywood’s greatest to fake the apparitions and deceptive skills surpassing Houdini’s to confound all the scientific tests performed on them. A degree of deceptive courage truly worthy of the history books to allow them to come to talk after talk, interview after interview and tell of what they have neither seen nor heard; an impossible cunning to create perfect consistency founded upon a lie (remember what Lincoln said; “no man has a good enough memory to make a successful liar”). The duping of hordes of holy men and women who simply cannot be so easily duped (especially Venerable Pope John Paul II and Blessed Teresa of Calcutta). Pulling all that off would make “Mission Impossible” look like a walk in the park.
But my conclusion is not reached merely through process of elimination. There is plenty of direct evidence that the apparitions are from Heaven. Miracles abound at Medjugorje. I myself, though I would not preach this with 100% certainty, saw the miracle of the sun on two occasions. Several weeks before, when Medjugorje was as far from my mind as could be, I remember driving and pausing at a strange sight I had never before seen: two solitary patches of rainbow on either side of the sun. The patches were very clear yet there had been no rain and there was very little cloud cover. I wondered what was going on, and even pondered if it could be something miraculous. But shortly afterwards I forgot about it until I was at Medjugorje. I was speaking with a very knowledgeable and holy woman who told me that many who see the miracle of the sun will sometimes afterwards, back home, see a sign in the sky of two patches of rainbow appearing without cause on both sides of the sun; precisely what I saw. Mary provided me the gift of switching around the usual order of these events! Now I could not say to myself, as I otherwise would have, “perhaps I only saw it because I was looking for it.” I also saw a large glow in the clouds late one night, while I was sitting and praying on apparition hill. It was going in circles and my first reaction was “a searchlight,” since I sometimes see that here in the states. Rethinking that, I realized there was absolutely no beam leading up to this glow, nor source of light on the ground, and the radius of the circular path it was following was far too small for a searchlight to be causing it; the mechanics would be impossible. It also clearly had nothing to do with any man made flying object. I believe also that the order and peace maintained there was itself miraculous; the events I attended drew tens of thousands of youth, yet I almost never saw a police officer. In all the hours I spent at these varied events; from huge masses and seemingly unending processions to thousands climbing rocky slopes at the same time, I saw only two police cars on one occasion and two police officers on another occasion. I only mention these things because I myself witnessed them; they are tiny compared to the numerous other miraculous proofs of Medjugorje
Years before the apparitions started, the town of Medjugorje found itself in need of a new parish church. St. James was then built; for “some” reason far bigger than the town needed, and dedicated to this great patron saint of pilgrims (50 million pilgrims have visited Medjugorje). The statue of the resurrected Jesus next to this parish church is constantly secreting liquid from its right knee. The statue is made of thick copper, perhaps with some concrete in the middle, and is seated on a marble surface. I see no possibility of capillary action and no source of water to even make this occur in the first place. Countless thousands have seen the miracle of the sun. It goes on and on.
I admit I am not without my concerns. Three main ones come to mind, but none of them shake my belief in these apparitions.
-First, I have seen fluffy conversions. I do not think these are anywhere near the bulk of conversions that come from Medjugorje, but I am speaking of the type of conversion that rejects fear of the Lord as a good thing and neglects hatred of evil, the conversion that places little concern on modest dress, and the conversion that forgoes sacramentals (I am of the firm conviction that no serious Catholic should waste neck space with vain trinkets that serve no eternal purpose, considering the enormous promises given to us if we wear the scapular, the miraculous medal, St. Benedict’s medal, and many others.) This is easy to answer; first, many holy people could easily look at the extent of my own conversion with disgust. Second, I wonder what these people would be like without Medjugorje! (Update 8/13/10: more to the point, I wonder what they were like before Medjugorje!)
-Second, hand waving and clapping during mass disturbs me greatly. Anything that takes the attention off the Holy Sacrifice and turns it upon ourselves is detrimental. Pope Benedict, as Cardinal Ratzinger, called that tendency “utterly fruitless.” I am guessing this was due more to the ongoing Youth Festival than Medjugorje in general; and if I am to abandon Medjugorje based on this then I must to be consistent also abandon the Vatican for having that at World Youth Day masses, which I of course will not do. But consistency also demands that I take this same attitude to the sign of peace occurring in the middle of Holy Mass, which I do.
-Third, I was bothered that I heard no announcement cautioning non-Catholics and those not in a state of grace not to receive Communion. This is an essential duty for any large mass that will likely draw more than the usual crowd. It was always done at EWTN, but I have almost never seen it done elsewhere, so I cannot single out Medjugorje.
I did buy into other erroneous arguments and red herrings in my anti-Medjugorje days. I now frown upon what seems to be the intellectual dishonesty I had to exert to believe them.
1. “The local Bishop opposes it”- Perhaps Mary intends to teach us an important lesson here; that the Holy See supersedes our local Bishops. It is an important lesson to learn. Not realizing that lesson, many Catholics are fooled into thinking contraception is OK, women will soon be priests, homosexual acts are not sinful, etc. The Vatican has specifically taken the matter out of his (Bishop Ratko’s) hands, so those demanding that others submit to his opinion on the matter are committing the very act they are attempting to condemn: refusing to submit to valid Church authority.
Worth noting is that this Bishop does not believe in any apparitions (not Fatima, not Lourdes, not any). Also important to note is that despite the nasty and unfounded criticisms constantly hurled at Medjugorje and the many who have made themselves enemies of this place; the pilgrims in attendance, priests running the parish, and most importantly the seers themselves seem to be of constant peace, docility, and perseverance in their unbreakable focus on the message itself (instead of succumbing to the temptation to become distracted by constant self defense): Rosary, Eucharist, Confession, Fasting, Scripture.
2. “None of the visionaries are nuns or priests, and they live in nice houses”- Of the many people I have included in this email, none of them are nuns and only a couple are priests. ”But I am not claiming to have seen Mary,” One may respond. What does that change? We claim knowledge of Truth; a Truth so glorious and immense that the slightest hint of it should be enough to propel a soul into a life of complete self sacrifice without the slightest hesitation. We receive the Holy Eucharist; a privilege that makes a Marian apparition sound like playing cards. Let we who are not cloistered nuns or monks dare not criticize the Medjugorje seers for doing as we ourselves do.
I should also point out that I walked by a couple of their houses each day I was in town. There is nothing extraordinary about them.
All that being said, I know I have been wrong before. I am very grateful that there is currently a Vatican commission underway, and whatever its ruling is I will submit myself entirely to it. I know also there are many things both on the pro and the con side that I have not touched on, but I wanted this as specific to my own experience as possible. In conclusion, it seems to me that it would be quite difficult to maintain consistency while disbelieving in Medjugorje but believing in Fatima, Lourdes, La Salette, etc.. The degree of obstinate skepticism that need be applied to Medjugorje for its denial would seem to far exceed that required to deny any of the currently approved apparitions.
So pray your rosary daily, go to Holy Mass daily, go to confession at least monthly, Fast on Wednesdays and Fridays, and read Scripture daily!
In Christ, Through Mary,
Dan O’Connor
http://www.danielsvenoconnor.com/
Also, here is a YouTube video compilation of a few shots I took over there: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FnixBtc0_8

1/17/11

Blind Women Joelle Beuret Healed at Medjugorje


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Joelle walked in, saw her daughter and told her: “You washed your hair?” Vinciane, without noticing anything different, just said: “I did”, and asked “Why is that that we all had to come down here?” Joelle said: “Can’t you see any change on me?” Vinciane looked again, and said: “No” “Look better”, her mom told her, and Vinciane shouted with joy: "You can see!"

1/14/11

Father Corapi: In The Coming Years


Courageous Priests:
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Many Saints Will Be Forged In The Crucible!
From Fr. Corapi:

As we have entered a new era in politics and perhaps society in general, keep something in mind: WE WIN! No matter what political party is in power at a given point in time, in the end those that remain faithful to Jesus Christ win the war. We may have to fight many battles outnumbered and even despised and looked upon as criminals and outcasts by a society that is unraveling and degenerating into something no one could have imagined.
*What matters is that we run the race to the finish line and fight the good fight. Don’t “go with the flow,” for as the great Archbishop Fulton Sheen reminds us, “Dead bodies float downstream.” More than ever we shall have to be strong in the faith. Regular and worthy reception of the sacraments, constant prayer, and rigorous study of the faith is now essential, nor merely a luxury.
The front line and primary battle is going to be the fight for life: The dignity of every human life from the moment of conception to the last moment of natural life. If we lose that one, every other battle space will be compromised. If the government succeeds in establishing abortion as an inalienable “right”, then the elderly and sick will be next. It will then be a short and slippery step to the government deciding who lives and dies regardless of their inherent human dignity.
If you don’t already pray the Rosary every day, please start at once. The prayer of the holy Rosary is the prayer of the holy gospel, and that means it is the prayer of the Good News Who is Jesus Christ, the LIFE of the world. Many saints will be forged in the crucible of the coming years. Make sure you are among them.
January 14th, 2011 Category: Fr. John Corapi Authored or Posted by Jeff Gares

Servants to the World " The Lady is Calling "


Servants to the world " The Lady is Calling "
Ordinary people helping others DISCOVER, RENEW and STRENGTHEN their faith


Greetings to all,

Many begin this new year with renewed hope, new resolutions and continued commitments. This year presents another opportunity to fulfill our commitment to spread the messages of Our Lady, Queen of Peace, via Servants To The World Mission. God, Our Father, has presented us with a unique opportunity to present the messages of Mary, Our Lady of Medjugorje, through music video and message video. We now present to you the English version of the message video of Live The Message. Here is the link to view the message version :
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To Jesus through Mary,
Jerry Morin
A servant in the mission
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http://www.servantstotheworld.com/watch-video-19.html

We invite you to also view the song version of LIVE The MESSAGE, which was released in October of 2010:
http://www.servantstotheworld.com/watch-video-17.html

1/13/11

Former Director of Planned Parenthood Abby Johnson: I saw the Baby fighting for its Life.




I saw former director of Planned Parenthood Abby Johnson on O’Reilly tonight and wanted to post that interview where she tells the story of her decision to become pro-life. I was then turned on to an interview that Huckabee did this weekend and I’ve decided to post it instead. In Hucakbee’s interview Abby goes into much greater detail on the horror that she saw during an abortion procedure and it’s quite powerful to hear. In fact, I couldn’t watch it without shedding a few tears, and I’m man enough to admit it.
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How so many in our country can justify the murder of the innocent life of a child is way beyond me. The depth of depravity of those who perform these procedures and those who advocate them knowing full well what they are really like is paramount. In China women are forced to get abortions and it’s horrible. Here we don’t force it – it’s even worse, that we’ve convinced women that it’s their ‘reproductive right’ to choose to murder. How selfish are we!
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Please watch the entire video and spread it around so people can hear first hand what abortion is really like. It’s not only life changing to watch this video but it may save a child’s life.

1/12/11

Interview with Sister Briege McKenna on the power of the sacraments.


Sunday, January 2, 2011
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Mending Souls

As a young woman, Sister of St. Clare Briege McKenna was miraculously healed of rheumatoid arthritis. Not long after, she received the gift of healing, and began a ministry to Catholic clergy and laity that has spanned four decades and five continents. But Sister Briege learned long ago that the deepest healing is that which can’t be seen by the naked eye.
That is the healing of the soul, and it comes to us first and foremost through the sacraments. In her newest book, “The Power of the Sacraments” (Servant, $9.99), Sister Briege calls Catholics to rediscover the sacraments and encounter their healing power. Recently, Our Sunday Visitor spoke with Sister Briege about her new book and the need for healing in the Church today...Read the full interview at Our Sunday Visitor
Posted by John Barry at 10:47 PM

Mary TV - Put On the Armor of God


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Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

1/11/11

You Will Be Chilled.



You will be Chilled by the student’s final answer.

This is David Horowitz speaking at USC in San Diego.
A student member of the MSA (Muslim Students Assoc.) asks him a question.
Listen to her response when he asks HER the question.
See this short video......

http://collive.com/show_news.rtx?id=8982

1/9/11

Receive the Christmas Spirit


Sunday, January 9, 2011, Baptism of Jesus Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7, Acts 10:34-38, Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10, Matthew 3:13-17, or Mark 1:7-11

The Last Day Of Christmas
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Immediately on coming up out of the water He saw the sky rent in two and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove." -Mark 1:10 The Church waits until the last day of the Christmas season to pray for us to receive the Christmas Spirit, the Holy Spirit. As the Spirit came to Jesus at the River Jordan, so we can receive the Spirit today in a new way, if only we thirst for Him (Jn 7:37).The Lord wants to give us the Spirit much more than we want to receive Him. Therefore, the purpose of all these days of Christmas is to increase our desire for and openness to the Spirit. We may not want the Holy Spirit of Christmas because in the Spirit we cannot do our own thing. The Spirit will lead us out of a life of selfishness, isolation, petty pleasures, and slavery, and into a life of service, evangelization, persecution, and freedom. The Spirit will lead us into the desert where we will fight Satan and emerge victorious (Lk 4:1).If we receive the Holy Spirit, our whole lives will be different and our new year will be truly "new." On this last day of the Christmas season, trust your Father with your life and your lifestyle so as to receive the Holy Spirit of Christmas.
Prayer: Father, by the power of the Spirit, may I know for sure that I am Your beloved and favored child (Mk 1:11).
Promise: "I take it you know...of the way God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good works and healing all who were in the grip of the devil, and God was with Him." -Acts 10:37-38
Praise: Praise Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, in Whom the Father is well pleased. Praise the Holy Spirit, the Heavenly Dove. Alleluia!

1/8/11

Bishop Thomas Tobin Lashes out at Rhode Island Leaders




Catholic Bishop Tobin lashes out at R.I. leaders for pushing gay marriage
01:00 AM EST on Saturday, January 8, 2011
By Philip MarceloJournal State House Bureau

Chafee /Tobin
PROVIDENCE –– Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas J. Tobin lashed out at Governor Chafee and legislative leaders on Friday for trying to advance legislation that would legalize gay marriage in Rhode Island, suggesting that the state’s leaders should focus on job creation and the state’s economy.
But Chafee and House Speaker Gordon D. Fox, who is openly gay, reiterated their support for allowing same-sex couples to legally marry. Chafee repeated his argument that gay marriage, in his view, is an economic issue.
Tobin’s comments came Friday, the day after bills to legalize gay marriage were introduced again in the General Assembly. They represent the bishop’s second public rebuke of the new governor, who took office on Tuesday.
In a Thursday column in The Rhode Island Catholic, Bishop Tobin criticized Chafee’s reasoning for not having a public prayer service before his inauguration, as had been the custom in recent inaugurations. (A Chafee spokesman told The Journal in December that the decision to forgo such a service was done out of respect for “the separation of church and state.”)
The bills, introduced by state Rep. Arthur Handy, D-Cranston, and Sen. Rhoda Perry, D-Providence, would recognize “civil marriage” between people of identical gender, while leaving religious institutions the right to refuse to participate.
Tobin, in a statement to the media, said the drive to allow same-sex marriage in Rhode Island was “morally wrong and detrimental to the well-being of our state” and called out Chafee in particular for his support of the measure.
“It is particularly disturbing that our new governor, who has trumpeted his desire to bring our state together in unity, would adopt such a very divisive agenda item as one of his first priorities,” he said. “His proposal violates the sincere conscience of many of our citizens and inflames passions on both sides of the issue. … Our state leaders could better serve all Rhode Islanders by working on initiatives that will create jobs and improve the overall economic health of our state.”
Chafee, who is Episcopalian, stood by his support of gay marriage, repeating an argument he made in his inauguration speech that permitting gay and lesbian couples to legally marry is, to some degree, an economic issue for the state.
“The status quo economically is not working. Our foundation here in Rhode Island was built on tolerance and acceptance, and this is an area I want to move our state forward on, by building on our strengths of centuries ago,” he said. “Let’s give marriage equality a chance to grow our state.”
Chafee senior adviser Stephen Hourahan said later that the governor believes that legalizing gay marriage can provide incentive for “the best and brightest” talents — especially gay and lesbian professionals — to consider relocating to the state for job opportunities. It can even help boost the wedding industry. “It’s the idea that to have it in place is a very positive thing to a state,” said Hourahan.
Fox also spoke out against the bishop on Friday. “This has been debated for decades, and it will be debated [again]. No one is saying just because we want it early in the session that it’s not going to get a full debate. Of course it’s going to get a full debate,” he said. “We’re familiar with the issue. It’s not being rushed. But at some point, at some time, you need to bring this to a conclusion, and I think this is the year to do it.”
If legislation is approved this year, Rhode Island would join Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Vermont among the New England states that recognize gay marriage, though there is a repeal effort under way in New Hampshire.
pmarcelo@projo.com

1/7/11

Messages from Our Lady of Medjugorje


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DanZwbnK-7w&feature=player_embedded

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Medjugorje messages mixed to "To The World" music by Jerry Morin

Revelation from Saint Maria Faustina



REVELATION:

I want to be completely transformed into Your mercy and to be Your living reflection, O Lord. May the greatest of all divine attributes, that of Your unfathomable mercy, pass through my heart and soul to my neighbor.
Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful, so that I may never suspect or judge from appearences, but look for what is beautiful in my neighbors' souls and come to their rescue.
Help me, that my ears may be merciful, so that I may give heed to my neighbors' needs and not be indifferent to their pains and moanings.
Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful, so that I should never speak negatively of my nieghbor, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all.
Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds, so that I may do only good to my neighbors and take upon myself the more difficult and toilsome tasks.
Help me, that my feet may be merciful, so that I may hurry to assist my neighbor, overcoming my own fatigue and weariness. My true rest is in the service of my neighbor.
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Help me, O Lord, that my heart may be merciful so that I myself may feel all the sufferings of my neighbor. I will refuse my heart to no one. I will be sincere even with those who, I know, will abuse my kindness. And I will lock myself up in the most merciful Heart of Jesus. I will bear my own suffering in silence. May Your mercy, O Lord, rest upon me (...).
O my Jesus, transform me into Yourself , for you can do all things. (163)

1/6/11

Song/ Stand By Me/ Playing for Change/ Songs Around the World



Stand By Me Playing For Change Song Around the World
playingforchange.com - From the award-winning documentary, "Playing For Change Peace Through Music", comes the first of many "songs around the world ...

Are We Loving


Thursday, January 6, 2011, St. Andre Bessette 1 John 4:19-5:4, Psalm 72:1-2, 14-15, 17, Luke 4:14

ARE YOU LOVING?

"The commandment we have from Him is this: whoever loves God must also love his brother." -1 John 4:21 Most people like to think of themselves as loving others. However, are we truly loving or just deceiving ourselves? We are truly loving if: * We are "beloved," if we have first received God's love (1 Jn 4:19). * We love God with all our heart (1 Jn 5:2; Mt 22:37). * We obey God's commandments (1 Jn 5:3). * We love ourselves (Mt 22:39). * We love the brothers and sisters we see in our everyday life (1 Jn 4:20). * We love our enemies (Mt 5:44).


* The Spirit has poured out love in our hearts (Rm 5:5). When we see what it means to be loving, we realize that not so many people are loving. Loving is not something we can do by our own power. We can't "make love." Loving is a gift, freely given by God to those willing to receive it. Open your best Christmas gift, the gift of love, the gift of God, Who is Love (1 Jn 4:16).

Prayer: Father, beginning this Christmas season, may I love those I have never loved before.

Promise: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me; therefore He has anointed Me. He has sent Me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives." -Lk 4:18

Brother Andre entrusted to Saint Joseph the prayers of those who came to him, and was not disappointed.
Video of St. Brother Andre... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_6AYehGNJs

1/4/11

Jesus' Gentle Touch: He Sold His Soul to the Devil: Then God Stepped In...






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Heavy metal rocker Kirk Martin made a pact with the devil. But then one day a mysterious stranger pinpointed Kirk's deepest secret and Kirk began a journey to God. See how Jesus Christ changed his life.

1/3/11

New Years Prayer Encounter in Medjugorje



New Year's prayer encounter in Medjugorje
date: 02.01.2011.

Along with many parishioners and people from this region, numerous pilgrims have arrived from all over the world to be here, in Medjugorje for New Year’s prayer vigil. According to the registration data in Information Office, there were pilgrims from around 15 European countries, as well as groups from Korea, Lebanon, United States, Ghana, Honduras, Benin and other countries. After Holy Mass of Thanksgiving, community Cenacolo had another live Nativity scene performance in front of the church of St. James. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament started at 10 p.m. and Vigil Holy Mass at 11.30 p.m.
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Fr. Danko Perutina was the main celebrant and there were 136 priests concelebrating as well. The whole evening prayer programme was simultaneously translated in many world languages, and International Youth Choir and Orchestra accompanied the whole programme with their song and music. Thousands of these young people came to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Medjugorje, far from the usual, ordinary way of celebration practiced in the rest of the world. Church of St. James was too little for so many people, and programme was broadcasted through video walls in the Yellow Hall, in the green tent, while the White Dome and the area in front of the church were also full of people that could not fit any of these provided areas. Radio station “Mir” Medjugorje, as well as many internet portals broadcasted the whole programme from the church of St. James.
source-Medjugorje Official

1/2/11

Our Lady's Medjugorje message of Janauary 2, 2010 to Mirjana


Our Lady Queen of Peace of Medjugorje’s January 2, 2011 Message Through Mirjana Soldo

“Dear children; Today I call you to unity in Jesus, my Son. My Motherly Heart prays that you may comprehend that you are God’s family. Through the spiritual freedom of will, which the Heavenly Father has given you, you are called to become cognizant of the truth, the good or the evil. May prayer and fasting open your hearts and help you to discover the Heavenly Father through my Son. In discovering the Father, your life will be directed to carrying out of God’s will and the realization of God’s family, in the way that my Son desires. I will not leave you alone on this path. Thank you.”

Mirjana felt that she could say to Our Lady: “We have all come to you with our sufferings and crosses. Help us, we implore you.” Our Lady extended Her hands towards us and said:
“Open your hearts to me. Give your sufferings to me. The Mother will help.”

Mirjana also stated, after the apparition, that Our Lady emphasized the importance of the priest's blessing.........Video of apparition to Mirjana http://www.gloria.tv/?media=120997
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JANUARY 1, 2010, OUR LADY'S APPARITION TO IVAN ON PODBRDO.

She said, “Pray, pray, pray, dear children, and help me to realise my plans for this parish and the world. Dear children, especially pray for vocations and for the strong faith of my priests. Know, dear children, I always pray with you when you go through difficult times, so persevere in prayer and pray with me. I thank you because you have answered, accepted and live my messages.”