In Memory of Ashley & Billy Streiter, by her best friend Caitlin Dwyre.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pS2Oegkeh-8
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In Memory of Ashley and Billy Streiter who were both killed by a drunk driver on April 5, 2003.
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I had an assignment for one of my tech classes to create a digital story about what inspired me to become a teacher. The sole inspiration was my best friend Ashley. This story is just a short look at our lifelong friendship and the strength that she has left me.
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Remembering Ashley http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94uf3AvKkCA
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For the girls In honor of Ashley's would-be 25th! Our moms introduced us to each other when we were still in diapers. She liked to play with Barbie, and I liked to play with He-man; she made me have tea parties, and I made her roam through the woods...but somehow we got along! In those early days, we were always the "3 Musketeers" with Caitlin. Gradually throughout grammar school and high school, our group of girlfriends grew. On April 5th, 2003, Ashley and her brother were hit and killed in their car by a drunk driver going over 100 mph on the Garden State Parkway. We miss them terribly, but we are pressing on =) ... Think before you drink!

Faith does not depend on Feeling

Messages
On the first of every month, Our Lord gives Anne a new message about His call to service.
April 1, 2009

Jesus
My beloved apostles, please know that you obtain a constant stream of grace for the world. You do this by serving so generously. Your generosity obtains for others sublime graces of calm and peace, sublime graces of charity and truth, and sublime graces of conversion and perseverance. When you see how heaven has used your service, you will rejoice that you gave so willingly and consistently. My friends, you should not be distracted by your feelings. Your feelings are like the smallest stems of grass blowing in the wind, so quickly do they pass. Do not be tormented. Simply allow feelings of temptation to move along and concentrate on the truth, which is that you have remained in My holy company. If you do this you will be less distracted. You will be able to say, “Today I am sad, tomorrow I may be happy, the next day I may feel fear and afterwards rejoicing. What difference does it make as long as I am united to My Jesus and serving His kingdom.”

Yes, many in this time find that they are so distracted by their feelings that they question their decision to serve at all. This is the ultimate degree of temptation. If I did not wish you to serve, I would not have called you into service. I need My chosen ones to remain closely tied to their decision to bring My light to others. Only in this way will the renewal push further into the world. Submit your feelings to me. When your feelings make you doubtful, sit with Me and together we will examine them, one by one. If examined in My company, you will see that your feelings in no way change My truth which is that you have been formed to serve Me and truly, I need your service. Please be loyal to your decision for heavenly service as you live your time on earth. If you remain faithful, I can do many things. I am with you. I am directing all that occurs in your life. We walk together and together we will triumph over all temptations.

Anne, lay apostle.

The Blue Angels: - Photo by photographer Greg Sousa

Greg Sousa (wearing sunglasses) with crew members of the Blue Angels.

Fr. Jay Finelli's Interview with Fr. John Randall

iPadre Podcast #34 - Interview w...

Father John Randall speaks of the Holy Spirit in his life.

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In today’s show, we have an interview with Fr. John Randall. Priest of the Diocese of Providence. Fr. Randall had a major experience of the Lord back in the early days of the Charismatic Renewal. He has also had a radio show, “The Spirit & The Word” for the past 30 years....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbsheBwT7YY

In the Spiritual life.
You will never leave where you are until you decide where you would rather be.

" Come Holy Spirit "

Our Lady's Medjugorje Message to Marija of April 25, 2009

Message of April 25, 2009

“Dear children! Today I call you all to pray for peace and to witness it in your families so that peace may become the highest treasure on this peaceless earth. I am your Queen of Peace and your mother. I desire to lead you on the way of peace, which comes only from God. Therefore, pray, pray, pray. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

The Crucified Christ in Sharya, Russia

Forgiveness and Greatness

The church that is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, as does Mark my son. Greet one another with the embrace of true love. Peace." —1 Peter 5:13-14

John Mark quit the first missionary journey (Acts 13:13). It may have been the biggest mistake he'd ever made. When he realized his mistake, he asked Paul to give him a second chance and take him on the second mission.

"But Paul insisted that, as he had deserted them at Pamphylia, refusing to join them on that mission, he was not fit to be taken along now. Surely it hurt Mark to be called "unfit" for ministry. ( Barnabas, Mark's cousin, also took offense at Paul's evaluation of Mark. "The disagreement which ensued was so sharp that the two separated.

Barnabas took Mark along with him and sailed for Cyprus. Paul and John Mark could have gone through life and even through death bitter and unforgiving toward each other. But the good news is that they reconciled. Paul later tells Timothy: "Get Mark and bring him with you, for he can be of great service to me.

Mark, once "unfit," is now considered "of great service."Instead of bitterness and unforgiveness, Paul had a love for Mark which prompted him to command the Colossians to make Mark welcome. Paul, the great missionary and apostle, and Mark, the earliest Gospel-writer, were among the most important people in human history. But this would never have happened if they hadn't forgiven each other.

Father, I have decided to accept Your grace to forgive everyone for everything immediately.

Feast of St Mark, Evangelist
And Jesus said to them, “Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation.” Mark 16 : 16

Dear Children! Today I invite all of you who have heard my message of peace to realise it with seriousness and with love in your life. There are many who think that they are doing a lot by talking about the messages, but do not live them.

Dear children, I invite you to life and to change all the negative in you, so that it all turns into the positive and life. Dear children, I am with you and I desire to help each of you to live and by living, to witness the Good News. I am here, dear children, to help you and to lead you to heaven, and in heaven is the joy through which you can already live heaven now. Thank you for having responded to my call!--Our Lady's Medjugorje message of May 25, 1991
Posted by pilgrim

Come Holy Spirit-Let the fire of your Spirit pour down upon us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbsheBwT7YY

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Come Holy Spirit

A Profile in Courage: I Am Dying by John Antonizio

ALS/MND nickname "The Thief"...
Thu, 9th April, 2009

ALS/MND is a terminal disease with no known cure, it can strike women/men in the mid term of their life. Though no reason or why this disease strikes, it is mostly in men. It's nickname is "The Thief", a muscle and nerve disease. It is a breakdown in communication between the brain and nerves that command the muscles. Walking, talking, eating ar some of the areas that are affected. Simple things like turning a key, holding a face cloth, taking a showere, dressing/undressing, hands in and out of pockets, buttoning, zippering become major tasks. Everyone is different, but with me, speaking has become labored. Go to my website; Tomorrowisnotmine.com check out the variety of links, information and views. If my site can help one person with ALS/MND or someone you might know that might have it, to me it is worth it! Please pray for my family, and may God have mercy on me.

You can view John's website at http://www.tomorrowisnotmine.com/

Better for us to obey God than men.

SINFUL OBEDIENCE?"

Better for us to obey God than men!" —Acts 5:29

When the apostles disobeyed the religious authorities, they were arrested and threatened with more severe punishments, even death. Peter and the apostles responded: "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight for us to obey you rather than God...Better for us to obey God than men!"

They implied that if they disobeyed God by obeying man, they would stifle the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit is given to those who obey God (Acts 5:32).

Furthermore, disobedience to God not only deprives us of the Spirit, but also of life. "Whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure the wrath of God" (Jn 3:36).

Clearly it is much better to obey God than man. If we disobey man, we may suffer briefly, be imprisoned, or be killed. If we disobey God, a prison can be put in us; we may be damned and suffer eternally.

The Holy Spirit will show us where in our society man's law contradicts God's. The Spirit will show us how to oppose that most heinous law, the law legalizing abortion. The Spirit will teach us how to disobey man's laws that contradict God's.

Father, show me how to practice "divine obedience," even when that means civil disobedience.

Fr. Jozo's Reflection of Our Ladys Medjugorje message of March 25, 2009

Message of March 25, 2009

"Dear children! In this springtime, when everything is awakening from the winter sleep, you, too, should awaken your souls with prayer so that they may be ready to receive the light of the risen Jesus. Little children, may He draw you closer to His Heart so that you may become open to eternal life. I pray for you and intercede before the Most High for your sincere conversion. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear brothers and sisters! Dear members of our big prayer family! We are well into Lent. This Lenten program is also the wish of the Church that is trying to interpret Christ's call and will for conversion and a radical change of life. One should die to oneself, one should get out of the old self. It is a dying that is directing us daily to the Risen Lord that we may walk in the light and hope to recognize Him alive, as the apostles did, in his Word and the sacraments through our humble prayer.

The Queen of Peace takes a picture from the nature without fear: the picture of spring. Winter deprived the nature of the appearance of life. Winter allows no vegetation. At the first sight everything is black and dead. All deciduous trees are without signs of life. On the outside no difference between a dead and a living tree can be observed. They are all alike, the same. But it is not so. Living trees are alive in winter conditions as well. This life is hidden to the eye, but it is real.

Springtime reveals this best. After winter months the sun appears and remains longer and longer in our sky with each day. Its warm rays awaken the dormant life in every tree, in every seed. This heliotropism hides in every even the least living grain and its delicate embryo, wakening it and directing it to grow towards the sun. In the heart of each of us hides a longing after God. In our soul there is an irresistible yearning after the Living God. As the nature awakes from the winter sleep, so the Queen of Peace wants us to awaken to a new life. The Resurrected Jesus, our Lord and God, is our sun that we are searching and irresistibly pining for. And we are all looking for him and we all need him. How is it possible to give up the dream?! Is it possible not to wake up and remain in sleep for Easter?! Yes, it can easily happen. This happens to those who in these times are busy hectically watching the Church and censuring it for lack of feeling and
loyalty for others. They do not hear what is being preached to them and what they are called to. They dwell on weaknesses or disorganization of the faithful which prevent them from giving more help, especially to the infirm and the poor. And indeed, Our Lady has no words of praise for us. She allows unbelievers to teach us a lesson, reminding us in this way that we are not perfect, that we have not by far responded to her call. A Christian who has ruined his family and his sacramental marriage by his haughtiness, is always on the lookout for somebody else's weakness to show the Church and other Christians that they are no better than him. How to wake up and turn to oneself? This is not possible without true conversion. And again, conversion cannot occur without persistent and humble prayer. That we may wake up in this holy Eastertide, let us watch the pictures of spring. Every bud is an untold life story. Every shoot, every flower is a miraculous sign before our eyes.

Man often tries to make flowers, leaves, fruit and the like by imitating nature. From afar you think it is alive. But when you look closer or touch it with your finger, you see it is an imitation. It is no original. Only God creates and gives life. Only he renews it. So we are responsible for our life. We have been called to bear fruit. We cannot do it without God. It is a grace of God to be a fruitful Christian. It is no imitation of holiness, love, goodness, but a gift of God given to each of us.

Learn from flowers. Learn from the least living creatures and they will teach you. Everything is a miracle and everything speaks of Him – their Creator.

How is it possible to wake up in this springtime permeated by the Easter grace and light? Only through the inner activity. Let us start with prayer.

Let us prepare through prayer for Easter and the meeting with Jesus. These days all churches are full. Every believer is eager to give up his sin. Just think: Sin is our real death. Not a semblance of death. It is indeed our death. Go to confession in contrition, and like the prodigal son decide to return to the father. Who is the prodigal son and who is the father? A sinner is the prodigal son, and the father is the merciful God who is waiting for us. He is not sleeping. He is waiting for us awake. And he always feels compassion and is always sensitive to our tears, our repentance, and our decision to remain faithful to the Father.

Through the sacrament of reconciliation the good Father embraces us, and takes us to his feast. This feast is Holy Mass. Ever since the Lateran Council Easter communion has been a commandment of the Church and our obligation to feed on the food of immortality by God's grace. It is this light that shines from these divine sources. Freed from death and given eternal, immortal life to drink, a Christian receives the light of the Resurrected Jesus. Jesus became man, died and rose from the dead only that all men may be saved.

This truth of salvation and our redemption brings us to his pierced Heart from where we got everything. That fortunate apostle Thomas, after having put his hand into the pierced heart, fell prostrate, confessing repentantly against all unbelief: "My Lord and my God!"

And his new life started from this meeting. This is what happens to each of us when we kneel down in the confessionary and, beating our chest, find his grace and salvation. This is the Easter light and his peace, the truth that never passes, that never devalues, because it is divine. To this grace do I open myself, and it secures eternal life for me. So, my God is alive, risen from the dead, and he is my peace. He is my eternal life. Already here did he plant into our souls this aspiration, this heliotropism after eternity. This is not an empty wish or a phrase of awkward preachers of old, but the truth of his Resurrection.

The Queen of Peace is in prayer for us and our conversion, i.e. our springtime of faith. Let us wake up and continue waking up others and preparing for the meeting with him. Here we have the prudent virgins to teach us. They took both the lamps and the oil, and were awake when the Bridegroom and the guests arrived. And they went in with him to the wedding feast. And the door closed. This is the time when we can wake up our neighbors and help them fill their lamps with oil. Let us turn in this holy and gracious Easter time to the Resurrected and his Mother, and let us recognize him in every brother.

In this month of spring, April, we are going to pray for the following intentions:

For our successful and fruitful Assembly, that the Queen of Peace may instruct us this year, too, how to respond to the call and how to live her messages in a more fruitful way.

For all members of our fraternity – the prayer community of Visitation – that we may truly wake up, that our community may grow not only in numbers but also in holiness.

For the visionaries, parishioners, for all pilgrims, for all priests in Međugorje and those leading the pilgrims, that they may do nothing out of habit, but that they may rather live and preach the grace of Our Lady's apparitions as witnesses.

Dear brothers and sisters! One more message and one more call, one more chance like spring stands before us. Let us be grateful to Our Lady for everything. I ask the Queen of Peace to instruct us in everything, to be close to us, lest nobody should fall off. I pray to the Resurrected Lord to come out into the paths and roads of our life and to liberate us from every fear and illusion, to plant us deep into his Easter truth. At the end I wish each of you a happy and blessed EASTER. With sincere greetings
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"Pray! Pray! Pray!" -Our Lady of Medjugorje

Graces come in all shapes and sizes.

Graces come in all shapes and sizes to everyone! Here in Medjugorje, for example, there is not one month that goes by without an experience of Divine Providence, either with the multiplication of food or some other little need Providence deigns to fill. Why then this help from Heaven that is so perceptible?

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Jesus is preparing us. He is teaching us to rely solely on Him and His promises.

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If one day we are left with no food, no heating, or no medical coverage, we will not be at a loss! Jesus will again make unexpected miracles in our lives. Be not mistaken, Jesus has not weakened in 2000 years, He remains the same!
When our “securities” fail us, we will not despair, but at last live as the apostles in The Acts of the Apostles because the Father loves us and He knows what we need. So why not train ourselves now by “seeking first the Kingdom of God and Its righteousness? Thus, all these things shall be ours as well,” (Mat 6:33); and we will not be left wanting like the “foolish virgins” (Mat 25:1-13).
After all, Jesus told St Catherine of Siena: “Take care of Me, and I will take care of you!”
Sister Emmanuel - Medjugorje

From Night to Light

NIGHT TO LIGHT" Nicodemus...came to [Jesus] at night." —John 3:1-2

Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a "teacher of Israel" a prominent Jewish leader. He was intrigued by Jesus. In his prayers he realized God was with Jesus, for he knew no one could do such wonders without God's approval (Jn 3:2).

Nicodemus approached Jesus at night (Jn 3:2). This tells us several things about Nicodemus. First, he was open to Jesus and wanted to learn from Him. If Nicodemus were hostile to Jesus, he would have simply confronted Jesus during the day as did other Pharisees. Second, Nicodemus had the humility to realize that God was moving in a new way through Jesus. Nicodemus wanted to move where God was moving, and thus he was impelled to approach Jesus. Third, Nicodemus was fearful of the opinion of others. He did not want to be associated with Jesus publicly.

Nicodemus next appeared amid an assembly of Pharisees and chief priests who had attempted to arrest Jesus. He took the next step in discipleship by publicly associating himself with Jesus. He spoke up to defend Jesus and encouraged them to listen to Jesus and learn the facts about Him.

In so doing, Nicodemus was ridiculed and taunted (Jn 7:52).Finally, Nicodemus appeared in broad daylight to bury the crucified Jesus, "bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes which weighed about a hundred pounds. Though the other disciples fled for fear of death, Nicodemus would not be fleeing. He showed his total commitment to Jesus by carrying a hundred pounds of spices, a quantity fit for the burial of a king. Nicodemus, now a bold disciple, had accepted Jesus as his King, Lord, and God.

Jesus, like Nicodemus, I will not be ashamed of You or Your gospel. You are my King!

The Courageous Story of Irene Sendler

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXP5Gvxqgsg&feature=related



Sunday, April 19, 2009

**CBS to air movie on 'courageous' Polish Catholic who rescued Jewish children

*This is really an amazing story and I am really surprised that it has made it to the mainstream. It is airing tonight at 9 PM Eastern: *
On Sunday evening CBS will broadcast a movie about the heroic efforts and “courageous heart” of Irena Sendler, a Polish Catholic social worker who created and led an underground group that rescued Jewish children from Nazi persecution.
It is even more amazing that this is being shown on Divine Mercy Sunday! God is good!Here is more on Irena from one of my previous posts:I found this at the Rural Revolution site. Rural Revolution is the site of Patrice Lewis and is very well worth visiting!Irena Sendler passed away last year and her story is one everyone should hear about:During WWII, Irena got permission to work in the Warsaw Ghetto as a plumbing/sewer specialist. She had an ulterior motive. She KNEW what the Nazis' plans were for the Jews (being German). Irena smuggled infants out in the bottom of the tool box she carried and she carried in the back of her truck a burlap sack (for larger kids). She also had a dog in the back that she trained to bark when the Nazi soldiers let her in and out of the ghetto. The soldiers of course wanted nothing to do with the dog and the barking covered the kid/infant noises. During her time of doing this, she managed to smuggle out and save 2500 kids/infants. She was caught, and the Nazis broke both her legs, arms, and beat her severely. Irena kept a record of the names of all the kids she smuggled out and kept them in a glass jar, buried under a tree in her back yard. After the war, she tried to locate any parents that may have survived it and reunited the family. Most of course had been gassed. Those kids she helped got placed into foster family homes or adopted. - Last year Irena was up for the Nobel Peace Prize. She was not selected. Al Gore won, for a slide show on Global Warming. Posted by Padre Steve at 10:18 AM

Today is the great day of Our Lord's Divine Mercy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FiUynPzI0E&feature=PlayList&p=DC423CADDA28F69A&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=4

THE CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY

A nice story by my friend Easter from Hawaii

The Cat Came Back

Honey when we first rescued her as an abandoned kitten After almost 4 months MIA, our pet Honey has returned to the fold. The prodigal cat is back home! It was quite an adventure for our wayward kitty.

She went missing the day after my birthday in December and found while my father was in the hospital a little over two weeks ago. My husband shared a detailed account with me on how he eventually got her home. Suffice to say, that he saw a wild cat transformed into the sweet and affectionate cat we knew, as soon as she got home.There are a few people that need to be thanked. First of all, I truly believe my dear ol' dad helped me get my cat back. He knew how heartbroken I was about her being lost. Now that he is able to help his loved ones, he didn't hesitate us recover our pet. My husband also believes St. Francis' intercession had a hand in this small miracle. My sister who also firmly believes my dad helped us, reminded me that my father had a deep devotion to St. Francis, the patron saint of animals. He had a big garden statue of St. Francis in a prominent place in room. It was my father and mother's love of animals that all of us inherited. Okay, now for the people who helped:- My friends like Betty, who knew Honey would be found. She shared with me a St. Martin de Porres connection one morning when she walked home from Mass. St. Martin de Porres is another patron saint of animals.- My homeschooling friends who prayed for Honey to be found and continually asked about any updates.- Our neighbors who actually went beyond the call of duty in helping us search high and low for this cat! Jon, Barbara, Takeo, Wyman, et al.- The security guards all over town who couldn't have been nicer when we posted signs and asked them to keep an eye open for the krazy kat.- The many people who called us when they saw our Lost Cat signs all over our neighborhood. The last one, actually paid off. It was a good thing we never dismissed any call even though it seemed like a slim chance it was Honey. It was a feral cat colony caregiver who called us. She was sure this cat was different than the rest. She called because she saw the sign I posted in the area where she fed the cats.- My family who commiserated with me. I know I am forgetting many, many people for their help and I'm sorry about that. We are very appreciative though. And, last but not least my husband Dan who suffered with me when we lost Honey. He actually felt my pain and prayed, prayed and never gave up hope. He is the actually cat-lover in the family....http://hicatholicmom.blogspot.com/

COMMENT: Esther's father recently passed away and he is with the risen Lord.

Do not be Afraid.

Do not be afraid to come to Medjugorje. Be more afraid of not coming.

Medjugorje the church and what Pope John Paul Said.

Medjugorje the church and what Pope John Paul II Said

by Pio Patrick

On going to church the other day, I was chatting to people as I left church. I was saying what a wonderful experience I have had in Medjugorje and commented that I had been there on several occasions. An Irish lady in our company said that she would like to go either to Medjugorje or Fatima, I mentioned that I had enjoyed both, but also mentioned the fact that it pleased me Our Lady's apparitions were presently taking place in Medjugorje. Whereupon a gentleman said "I wouldn't go there, what if it turns out to be fake. I found this rather upsetting although I bit my tongue as best I could. How and ever for the record can I just say that it can take many years for an apparition site to be approved in the case of Fatima it took thirteen years after the event. Clearly the apparitions at Medjugorje are ongoing. Pope John Paul II Praised Father Jozo the once spiritual director of the visionaries, and said "I am with you, protect Medjugorje! Protect Our Lady's messages!" He also said 'Our Poland is grateful for your every word, for every thing that you have done for us', said the Pope's collaborator, Krystyna Gregorezyk, who gave the note to Fr. Jozo himself in the Siroki Brijeg church.

On another occasion while in North Korea the pope said "THERE ARE BISHOPS, LIKE IN YUGOSLAVIA FOR EXAMPLE WHO ARE AGAINST THIS...., BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT THE GREAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ANSWERING HER INVITATIONS, THE AMOUNT OF CONVERSIONS... ALL THIS IS UNDERLINED IN THE GOSPEL, ALL THESE FACTS HAVE TO BE SERIOUSLY INVESTIGATED."(L`Homme Nouveau, 3. February 1991.)

I think it important enough to make this a news item at medjugorjenews as thousands of bishops and religious have been to Medjugorje. Indeed Bishop Joseph Ratzinger spoke positively about Medjugorje as a place of prayer, a place where people are converted, spurred by Mary, our Mother. It is the spirit of Medjugorje, something that is very difficult to put into words. something special not unlike Lourdes or Fatima. I also think it worth mentioning that had not the miracle of the sun be witnessed by some 100,000 people at the Cova da Iria in Fatima because people were to afraid to go look, because of what others might think or say, where would the testimony have been, not to mention the witnesses. I know what I have seen and I can bare testimony when that time comes.

So to those people who have not been to Medjugorje, I will pray that you take this wonderful opportunity while it is here and go to this place of pilgrimage. If only to pray to the Blessed Mother which pope John Paul II thought a wonderful thing. And today although not authenticated it is still a place of pilgrimage a place sent with love and peace, a place I will visit time and time again to be with like-minded pilgrims, who care enough to believe in the messages of Our Lady relayed by the visionaries...... Pio Patrick 11 may 2007

Beyond Doubt

BEYOND DOUBT"

Mary Magdalene went to the disciples. 'I have seen the Lord!' she announced." —John 20:18

Jesus delivered Mary Magdalene from several demons, and from that time on she remained faithful to Jesus and faith-filled. We have no indication in the Gospels that she ever wavered in faith. Unlike the apostles, Mary Magdalene was always there for Jesus. She walked with Him throughout His ministry. She stood fast even at the foot of the cross, and she was the first person to see the risen Christ. Mary was firm, con-firmed in her faith.

This is God's will for all of us. The Father and Son have sent the HOLY SPIRIT to confirm us in our faith (see 2 Cor 1:21-22), including our faith in Jesus' resurrection. Many Christians, however, seem to give only an intellectual assent to the resurrection. They don't believe in the risen Lord to the extent that they radically transform their lives. Doubt can have more influence on their lives and ours than does faith. We must let the Spirit confirm us in our faith in Jesus' resurrection.

Then we'll live accordingly. We will be a sign of contradiction to the world. We will be like Mary Magdalene. We must come out from our tomb of doubt to recognize that Jesus has come out from the tomb of death, and that "beyond any doubt" Jesus is risen Lord, Messiah, and God... Praise to the risen Jesus, Who calls us each by name! (see Jn 20:16)

Gifts Exuding from Risen Christ Statue Behind Saint James Church in Medjugorje.

Risen Jesus statue behind St. James
Gifts Exuding from the Statue at Medjugorje Increase During the Hour of Mercy
By Andrea Toto-Walshe

I met my husband in April of 2005 during a pilgrimage with Penny Abbruzzese and Fr. Moyna to Fatima, Lourdes, and Garabandal. Both of us booked relatively close to the date of departure unbeknownst to each other. There was a special calling that we both felt we needed to respond to, not realizing that a unique bond was being created by all of Heaven for us to be joined. From our very first trip many unexplained happenings occurred, sometimes on a regular basis.
We were married on December 10, 2005, and since my husband's family traveled from Europe for our wedding, we postponed our honeymoon till February, 2006. As we wanted to consecrate our marriage to the Blessed Mother and give thanks, we went to Medjugorje with Our Lady Queen of Prayer Group from February 11th until February 19th. The gifts that we were showered with from our Blessed Mother were incredible.

There is a castle in Medjugorje that is owned by a couple named Nancy and Patrick Latta. Nancy is Fr. Jozo Zovko's translator. Fr. Jozo is the priest who saved the children from the authorities when no one believed that they were seeing the Blessed Virgin.

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We were invited for breakfast Saturday morning along with some priests and sisters in our group. After a wonderful breakfast. Nancy asked us if we would stand in the middle of the kitchen, close our eyes, and open our hands. We thought we would be given a special blessing. We were known as the "newlyweds" and Patrick (my husband) was always asking priests for special wedding blessings. Nancy told us that the Blessed Mother appeared on Apparition Hill holding this heart made of red baby roses. The Blessed Mother gave it to one of the visionaries, who in turn gave it to Nancy and told her, "You will know who to give it to." To our utter surprise, Nancy gave it to us! We received a wedding gift from the Blessed Mother! Needless to say we couldn't find a scraper large enough to peel my husband Patrick off the ceiling!

There is a fifteen foot bronze statue of the 'Cross of the Risen Christ' that has been exuding a substance that drips from the knee. This has been happening since the apparition's 20th anniversary in 2001. A friend of ours was here about six months prior and she had this liquid tested. It came back human tears. We believe that when Jesus was crucified, our Blessed Mother was holding him around the knees, and that these are the tears of Our Blessed Mother. We wanted to bring home some of the handkerchiefs with the tears to those who were sick.
It was approximately 3 p.m. when we went and we brought with us ten white and ten blue handkerchiefs to absorb the liquid. Also note that at sometimes this liquid smelled like roses. My husband tasted the liquid and said it had a salty taste, like tears. We noticed that between 3 and 4 p.m. (the hour of Divine Mercy,) the liquid ran out instead of shedding several droplets every ten seconds.
Patrick was taking each handkerchief and soaking it with the "tears." He handed it to me and we both noticed there was blood on it! The first thing Patrick said was "bronze does not rust." It looked like blood and water mixed.
We took it back to the house where we were staying at to show everyone. We were still in shock. When we arrived home I had no idea where we were going to keep the heart and the blood soaked handkerchief. By accident I noticed a small hat box and mentioned to Patrick I must have purchased this during my compulsive days, because I do not remember buying it. Patrick commented that it would be perfect for our heart and handkerchief. What I did not notice was the top of the box was a blue butterfly (seen at other sites of apparition.) Perfect !
Mary's Mantle, Winter Issue 2007

A Powerful Message from Fr. Neil Buchiein, on Our Lady's Medjugorje message of April 2, 2009 to Mirjana.

Fr. Neil Buchlein, Thursday, April 2, 2009

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Our Lord Jesus Christ and His Blessed Mother, Greetings and Peace!

What a "Wake-Up Call" of a message we received today:"

Dear children, God's love is in my words. My children, that is the love which desires to turn you to justice and truth. That is the love which desires to save you from delusion. And what about you, my children? Your hearts remain closed; they are hard and do not respond to my calls. They are insincere. With a motherly love I am praying for you, because I desire for all of you to resurrect in my Son. Thank you."

"AND WHAT ABOUT YOU MY CHILDREN?"-- Those words took me back to many years ago (No, I'm not going to give away my age and shock you) and I could see myself being asked those words by my Mom with the exception that it was personalized; "And what about you, Neil?

"Well, as we get ready to enter into Holy Week we are asked an extremely important and significant question. If we don't spend time in examining ourselves so that we can really enter into the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus, then we really are delusional and a bunch of "Medjugorje Want-a-bees."

How have we spent this season of Lent? Have we really grown closer to our Lord? Did we thirst like the Samaritan woman for that "Living Water?" Have we had our eyes opened so that we can really see? DID WE GO AND RECEIVE THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION? The Church teaches that this is our Easter Duty. . .once a year unless a mortal sin is committed. Many of us probably don't even pay attention to to Our Blessed Mother when she says to go monthly. It is easy to come up with so many excuses. Well, think of what our beloved PJP II said that Medjugorje was the closing chapter of Fatima. If you cannot remember when to go. . .GO ON THE FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH! Today we remember our beloved Holy Father and how his death impacted all of the world.

My priestly life is constantly changing. . .thankfully for the better. . .Praise God! I strongly believe in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and don't miss an opportunity to preach about it when the Gospel gives me "an open door" to go for it. This past Monday there were four priests for the sacrament. I do not know when the other three left/were finished but we started at 7PM and I still had one penitent waiting at midnight! That penitent (who served their penance in advance by waiting for two + hours) set an appointment. I have never spent that much time hearing confessions but it was AWESOME! I walked home totally "on fire and full of energy" and thanked the Lord for having so many people come and open their hearts and minds to experience the mercy and love of Jesus. I heard His voice throughout my body say, "Neil, you told them to come and 'dump' and 'dump' they did!" Praise God!

Our Blessed Mother's message today is certainly about the Sacrament of Reconciliation. If we go, as she suggests, how can our "hearts remain closed?" Even if we are failing with the 4 other "Stones" we can still confess them.Notice how she uses the words "resurrect in my Son." She is pointing to Holy Week and Easter. But, where will we be during next week? Will some of us choose to bury ourselves into our own tombs early and refuse to come out? We need to get rid of the barriers that are blocking ourselves from getting to Jesus. If you have yet to get to the Sacrament of Reconciliation; DO IT NOW! Don't let the "clock tick away" valuable time where you can lose. . .lose eternity... (if your sins are mortal). Look at the world and what is going on. . .do you really think God is pleased with humanity?!?! How long will we be on the receiving end of thse "Love Letters" from Our Blessed Mother. I don't want to sound pessimistic but I think Jesus is beginning to run out of patience and may say to His Mother soon, "Mom, they are not listening to you or me. Its time. . ." Do we really want "to push the envelope?"

Notice that She did not end with "THANK YOU FOR HAVING RESPONDED TO MY CALL." Well, is it any wonder?! We are so delusional and worried about the economy and world economy that we are foregoing our own spiritual lives. This is what needs our attention if we believe in the messages of Medjugorje. Our lives should be different. Put on the spiritual armor and get ready to walk with Our Lord this week. . .will you go with Him and die with Him on Calvary? Peace and Goodness, --Fr. Neil Buchlein

Hillary Clinton in AWE of Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood

Congressman Smith: Mrs. Clinton, choose either Our Lady of Guadalupe or Margaret Sanger


Congressmen Chris Smith

Washington D.C., Apr 2, 2009 / 01:25 pm (CNA).- In an impassionate address to the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Congressmen Chris Smith (R-NJ,) argued that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s visit to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the speech delivered immediately after, in Houston, Texas, during Planned Parenthood’s Margaret Sanger Award were completely inexcusable.
Smith said that Clinton’s visit to the Catholic Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, where she presented a bouquet of flowers on behalf of the American people, was “a very nice gesture.”
But the gesture was at odds with her speech while receiving the Margaret Sanger Award.

*In her remarks, Secretary Clinton said she was ‘in awe’ --I repeat, ‘in awe’-- of Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood.”

“To our distinguished Secretary of State, I respectfully ask: Are you kidding? In ‘awe’ of Margaret Sanger, who said in 1921, ‘Eugenics…is the most adequate and thorough avenue to the solution of racial, political, and social problems’ and who also said in 1922, ‘The most merciful thing that a family does to one of its infant members is to kill it’?” asked Congressman Smith.
He went on to say that Secretary Clinton in her speech said that Margaret Sanger's “life and leadership” was “one of the most transformational in the entire history of the human race.”
“Mr. Speaker, transformational, yes. But not for the better if one happens to be poor, disenfranchised, weak, a person of color, vulnerable, or among the many so-called undesirables who Sanger would exclude and exterminate from the human race.”
According to the New Jersey Representative, “the juxtaposition of last week's two very public events in Mexico City and in Houston bring into sharp focus two huge and irreconcilable world views.”
“On the one hand, the miracle of Our Lady of Guadalupe has for five centuries brought a message of hope, faith, peace, reconciliation and protection for the weakest, most vulnerable among us. On the other hand, each year, Margaret Sanger's Planned Parenthood kills approximately 300,000 unborn baby girls and boys in their abortion clinics scattered throughout the United States,” he added.

After briefly narrating the story of the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Smith continued: “last Thursday, Hillary Clinton visited the shrine. On Friday, she paid homage to Planned Parenthood and to Margaret Sanger. Margaret Sanger is the founder of Planned Parenthood. She was a self-described pro-abortionist eugenist and a racist who considered charity care for impoverished, disenfranchised women, including women of color, especially pregnant women, to be ‘cruel’.”

Smith extensively quoted little known, terrifying passages of Sanger’s writings, loaded with racism and contempt for the poor.
“The most serious charge that can be brought against modern benevolence is that it encourages, and I say this again, the perpetuation of defectives, delinquents, and dependents,” was one of Sanger’s statement quoted by the NJ representative.
“Which begs the question, Mr. Speaker. Is our Secretary of State unaware of Margaret Sanger’s inhumane beliefs? Was she not briefed on Margaret Sanger’s cruel and reckless disregard for poor, pregnant women? Respectfully, Secretary Clinton should at a minimum return the Sanger award.”

“More importantly,” continued Smith “Congress and the White House must at long last take a long, hard, second look at the multimillion, almost billion, dollar corporation called Planned Parenthood – Child Abuse Incorporated.”
“There is nothing whatsoever compassionate, benevolent, ennobling, benign, or empowering about abortion. It is a violation of a child's fundamental human rights to life.
“I strongly urge my colleagues to take that second look at Planned Parenthood. It is time to respect the value and the dignity of all human life,” he concluded.

That which is built on sand is crumbling.

Those things built on sand are crumbling.

Everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined. (Matthew 7:26-27)


But that which is built on the rock of Peter is standing. For Christ promised that the gates of hell would not prevail against the Church which He himself would build.

Medjugorje: Our Lady's message to Mirjana of April 2, 2009

Dear children,

God’s love is in my words. My children, that is the love which desires to turn you to justice and truth. That is the love which desires to save you from delusion. And what about you, my children?

Your hearts remain closed; they are hard and do not respond to my calls. They are insincere. With a motherly love I am praying for you, because I desire for all of you to resurrect in my Son. Thank you. April 2, 2009

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2 Corinthians 4:4 - The god's of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

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You men, why shut your hearts so long, loving delusions, chasing after lies. Psalm 4 : 2

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As your word unfolds, it gives light and the simple understand. Psalm 119 : 130

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GOD’S LOVE IS IN MY WORDS...My son, pay attention to my words, listen carefully to the words I say, do not let them out of your sight, keep them deep in your heart.They are life to those who grasp them, health for the entire body. More than all else, keep watch over your heart, since here are the wellsprings of life. Turn your back on the mouth that misleads, keep your distance from lips that deceive. Let your eyes be fixed ahead, your gaze straight before you. Let the path you tread be level and all your ways made firm.Turn neither to right nor to left, keep your foot clear of evil.....Proverbs 4 : 20-27 -"posted by pilgrim"

Medjugorje: Interview with Auxiliary Bishop Eduardo Horacio Garcia

Interview: Mons. Eduardo Horacio García, Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires (Argentina)
Date: October 25, 2008

Mons. Eduardo Horacio García, Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires, was in Medjugorje with a group of pilgrims from Argentina in the beginning of October 2008. Mons. García is born in 1956, and he is a bishop for five years now. Marija Stegnar, an Argentinean Croat who is regularly bringing groups to Medjugorje for many years now, accompanied this pilgrimage.

Monsignor, would you be so kind to tell us why you came to Medjugorje?

A group of Catholics invited me, and I accepted. I was thinking about this invitation for only two minutes. I am not here because of the journey, but because of conversion. I came to see, and I see that this is a place of grace, of prayer, of silence, most of all a place of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. This is what struck me mostly - people in front of the Blessed Sacrament. I think that precisely the awakening of faith is the greatest miracle that our Mother has accomplished.

Is there a difference between Medjugorje and other Marian shrines?

Everywhere, there is prayer, everywhere, Holy Masses are celebrated, but here we find the Apparition Hill and Cross Mountain, and most of all – Adoration. Adoration is a sign of our times. This is very special here. People come late in the evening; they come for Adoration at night. This is where inner wounds are healed.

Have you noticed any signs of the presence of Our Lady?

The fruits are the signs. Love for Mary, love while waiting for the moment of apparition, joy… are indicative of the presence of Mary. People seek peace. The Medjugorje messages lead to peace. These are simple messages for everyone. Simple faith. Love, joy. Joy to believe, joy to love, joy to share with others. I have no words.

Have you been hearing confessions in Medjugorje?

Yes. I heard confessions of those who did not go for confession for 30 years, as well as of those who went three days ago.

What is the significance of Medjugorje for the universal Church today?

This is a place of grace for the whole Church. It offers in a special way graces of prayer and of Adoration… it leads to inner transformation, which can be seen in daily life. This is contagious. In Argentina, more and more young people seek Adoration that leads to inner prayer. Life without inner life is no life. In Adoration, they encounter Christ who changes them. I was impressed by the universality of the Medjugorje messages. Mary is inviting all people of all countries, and she strengthens our faith. Here we can experience the “globalization of faith” and universal brotherhood. The apostles went into the whole world. This is how the Church grew.

Did you assist at an apparition?

This morning, people started to gather about four o’clock to be present for the apparition with Mirjana. I was praying every day for a special intention. Today, I was praying for priests. I was there for the apparition, and during the apparition, I felt within as if Mary had told me: “I am taking care of you all”. When, after the apparition, Mirjana told that Our Lady is inviting us in a special way to pray for priests, I was deeply touched. God is speaking.

Have you met the visionaries?

I met Vicka. She asked for my blessing and this impressed me. I was also impressed by her normality, simplicity, joy.

All the visionaries are married…

Yes. God’s presence can be experienced in a normal daily life.

It is interesting that lay people are intensely involved in the organization of the pilgrimages to Medjugorje, because priests and bishops are not allowed to do so.
God is speaking. We have to open our hearts and listen to him… and wait patiently. If this is God’s work, it will remain. If it is not from God, it will vanish by itself. When people pray for inner renewal – let them continue.

Would God give so many graces if these events were based on a fraud?
**The Pope himself told that he wanted to come to Medjugorje. This is the Approval of Medjugorje.

Fr. Danko's Commentary on Our Lady's Message of March 25, 2009

AWAKEN YOUR SOULS WITH PRAYER

"Dear children! In this time of spring, when everything is awakening from the winter sleep, you also awaken your souls with prayer so that they may be ready to receive the light of the risen Jesus. Little children, may He draw you closer to His Heart so that you may become open to eternal life. I pray for you and intercede before the Most High for your sincere conversion. Thank you for having responded to my call." Message of March 25, 2009

If we look around, we see that, although slowly, nature is awakening thus announcing the spring. In her message of 25 March 2009, on the feast of the Annunciation, Our Lady called us to awaken our souls with prayer so that they may be ready to receive the light of the risen Jesus. When Our Lady calls us to prayer, what first comes to our mind is to pray for the conversion of sinners, for this world, and the like. Only a few people realise that the call for prayer refers primarily to ourselves. The words of Our Lady are always permeated with love and again in her latest message she says: awaken your souls with prayer. These words are a call to change our attitude towards prayer that we have had so far. We have been called to pray primarily for our own conversion, and only then for the conversion of others. It is us that need to change first. Only then will our fellow men and the world start to change. When awaken in this way it will be easier for us to open ourselves to God and to receive the light of the risen Christ. The pierced heart of Jesus is the utmost reflection of God's love towards man. In all cultures, apart from being an organ of our body, the heart is a symbol of love. That is why Our lady says to us: “May He draw you closer to His heart so that you may become open to eternal life.” Jesus loved people so much that He did not spare Himself. He eventually exhausted Himself and became worn out in order to show people His love. However, in those times Jesus was not accepted. Neither is He accepted today. He is being insulted, hurt, killed with language, curse, slander, hatred. That is why with her tonight’s message Our Lady calls to get closer to Jesus’ heart not only us, Catholics, but the whole world, so that we may become open to eternal life. Will this call get lost yet one more time in the desert and wasteland of this world? Will we miss hearing yet another call of the Queen of Peace from Medugorje? It is a duty of all those who have experienced the love of God and the love of Our Lady to witness and show not only to Europe, but to the whole world the love that was crucified, that died on the cross, the love resurrected and alive today. Every new day is an opportunity for us to be witnesses of this love. May our greatest advocate, mediator and intercessor Blessed Virgin Mary – Our Lady help us. Fr. Danko Perutina Medugorje 26/03/2009_________________"Pray! Pray! Pray!" -Our Lady of Medjugorje