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2/27/14
Tajci Tatjana Matejas-- interview and her music.
Kathryn Raaker interviews Tajci (Tatjana Matejas) and learns about her life and loves. As a pop star in the former Yugoslavia in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Tajci became a superstar in Central Europe when she electrified an international TV audience, estimated at over a billion people, in the Eurovision Song Contest. By 1991, war had come to Croatia. The young artist sang at giant concerts for peace, entertained wounded soldiers in hospitals and visited those on the front lines. Tajci joined thousands of young people flocking to the churches, now that the atheist regime had fallen. Tajci had experienced a nation of young people looking to her for answers, but she had none. She had come to America to be free of her celebrity, and to find herself. While staying at a retreat house run by the Carmelite Sisters in Los Angeles, Tatiana found her future husband, Matthew Cameron, who encouraged her to tell the story of her own quest for spiritual healing. Today, the list of churches requesting Tatiana's appearances has stretched to nearly a thousand. Because Tajci sings in nine languages, new requests are coming in from around the world—including the Philippines, Latin America, Africa and Europe.
The Medjugorje Message: Far from prayer and peace...
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| Photo by Bernard Gallagher http://crownofstars.blogspot.com/ |
2/26/14
HERE TODAY AND GONE TOMORROW
"You have no idea what kind of life will be yours tomorrow." -James 4:14
Contrary to Scripture, most of us have many ideas about our lives tomorrow. We don't expect major changes. We certainly don't expect to die. We believe we're in control.
God's Word disagrees; it bluntly states: "You are a vapor that appears briefly and vanishes. Instead of saying, 'If the Lord wills it, we shall live to do this or that,' all you can do is make arrogant and pretentious claims" (Jas 4:14-16). We're just thinking like everybody else, and God's Word calls us "arrogant and pretentious."
The Lord wants us neither to rest on our laurels nor count on the future but live for the present. "Now is the acceptable time! Now is the day of salvation!" (2 Cor 6:2) We're not taking anything for granted. Life on earth is a gift, every heartbeat a grace. There's no guarantee that I will be able to finish writing this sentence, or you will be able to finish reading it. Our lives are fragile, precarious, and fleeting. Anything can happen at any time.
"Only in God is my soul at rest; from Him comes my salvation. He only is my Rock and my Salvation, my Stronghold; I shall not be disturbed at all" (Ps 62:2-3).
Jesus, in a constantly changing world, You are my Rock, my Fortress, my Refuge (see Ps 18:3).
2/25/14
Tajci: Love Lives On - Live
Published on Apr 16, 2013
Tajci's song for those who have blessed us with their lives. Filmed live at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Manitowoc, WI on Palm Sunday 2013 in memory of Nora, the "Little Croatian Lion".
"With deep gratitude to people who inspired this song: Sue, Gerry, Colleen, my Dad and Nora. Special thanks to Bryan Kravec for his thoughts and words." - Tajci
Words and Music by Tajci
Performed by Tajci and Dan Roeder
String/ MIDI Arrangement by Denny Bouchard
Filmed by Danko Puttar
"With deep gratitude to people who inspired this song: Sue, Gerry, Colleen, my Dad and Nora. Special thanks to Bryan Kravec for his thoughts and words." - Tajci
Words and Music by Tajci
Performed by Tajci and Dan Roeder
String/ MIDI Arrangement by Denny Bouchard
Filmed by Danko Puttar
Our Lady's Medjugorje message to Marija of February 25, 2014
"Dear children! You see, hear and feel that in the hearts of many people there is no God. They do not want Him, because they are far from prayer and do not have peace. You, little children, pray - live God's commandments. You be prayer, you who from the very beginning said 'yes' to my call. Witness God and my presence and do not forget, little children: I am with you and I love you. From day to day I present you all to my Son Jesus. Thank you for having responded to my call."
2/24/14
Incredible story
An incredible story
"The Doctor who treated the late Mother Teresa."
This talk by Dr. George Lombardi holds one absolutely spell-bound
from start to finish.
2/23/14
When Heaven Calls--Assignment from Our Lady
My Assignment from Our Lady
By Theresa G.
I went to Medjugorje at the end of May and while I was praying on the top of the Apparition Hill, I felt that Our Lady was calling the priest of my parish to go there so that She could renew his priesthood mission. I felt really awkward about that, I generally do not feel things about other people. I did not know if it was my imagination or it was a real message for him. I also knew that he did not believe in Medjugorje, and that he had no desire to go there. I pondered in my heart what to do. I prayed. I thought it could be my imagination, but also that if this were a real message for him, I had no choice but to tell him. The fact that he didn't believe in Medjugorje really put me off. Eventually I decided to tell him, but with great humility and love (explaining that it might have been my imagination). It took me almost 2 months, but I finally went to see him, gave him a blessed rosary from Medjugorje as a present and told him what had happened to me.
I could not believe my ears when he told me that he's been questioning his vocation since last year and he has thought of giving it up completely (you would never tell this - everybody in the parish loves his enthusiasm and love for God!) and recently he has asked God and Our Lady to tell someone what he should do and if he was meant to go to Medjugorje...That person was yours truly. Father kissed the rosary from Medjugorje that I gave him, thanked me a lot for being open to Our Lady's voice and for the courage of delivering Her message. He said that he felt already renewed in his priesthood mission and that he will soon go to Medjugorje.
I'm so amazed, Our Lady has used someone like me (I'm so unworthy!) to deliver Her message in such a powerful way! This has been a huge grace both for me and for the priest of my parish. I've experienced the real presence of Our Lady with Her maternal love for Her priests! I felt the love of Our Lady for the priests...what a grace! I've also learned that we have to pray for our priests, because even when we think that everything is fine with them, the enemy does not leave them alone, and they might be struggling even if we do not see anything. We really need to pray for our priests every single day, they are so much in need of our prayer and fasting!
Editor’s note: Because of the personal information about the priest, the author has used a pen name. www.spiritofmedjugorje.org
2/22/14
"I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY, CATHOLIC CHURCH"
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| St. Anthony Church, West Warwick, Rhode Island |
"On this rock I will build My church, and the jaws of death shall not prevail against it." -Matthew 16:18
At the Masses of Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday, all the Catholics of the world will be asked to renew their baptismal promises. The last of the baptismal promises is: "Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy, catholic Church?", etc. When we renew our baptismal promises, we acknowledge that we were baptized in one Spirit into one body, the Church (1 Cor 12:13).
In baptism, we have committed ourselves to remain faithful to one another as members of the body of Christ. Thus, we are obligated to celebrate Mass each Sunday with the other members of Christ's body, and to go to Confession annually to be reconciled with the Church. We must also pray for, support, serve, and obey the Church.
Moreover, it is not an option for a Catholic to join another Christian denomination or religion. This would be denying our baptismal promises.
Do you love the Church as Jesus loves the Church? If you are to make the last baptismal promise, you must be willing to lay down your life for her (Eph 5:25). In baptism, we have made the commitment to love the Church unconditionally, even when it is most unlovable. This is humanly impossible, but the Holy Spirit, Who birthed the Church, will give us the grace to love the Church. In the power of the Spirit, love the Church and live the new life through baptism.
2/21/14
Fr. Jozo Zovko: He that can separate you from the alter is your only enemy.
Place your life upon this altar. You will witness how a priest will place a drop of water within a chalice full of wine. That drop of water intermingles with the wine and signifies you in the Holy Mass. You can become one, unite with and intermingle with Jesus. That is why the Holy Mass is called Communion ...union with God ...you and your God together ...that is the Holy Eucharist. All of us together and Jesus. That is the church, and that is where the one, holy Catholic apostolic church comes from.
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"He who can separate you from the altar is your only enemy. There is no other"
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Every time we come into the church and celebrate the Holy Mass, that is our embrace, our hanging onto Our Lord and saying, "Lord where would we go, for you are the Word of Life." Where did the martyrs gain so much strength from? In the Church, where did the witnesses gain their strength from? To date, in this year, 23 missionaries have been murdered around the world in four months. That is a lot. How can a man give his life for Jesus simply, with delight? It is the Holy Mass that does this within us, so that for you I'm able to give my very eyes, my arms and my life, my everything as Jesus gave His all; and the same way the Christian must give his all.
Yes, once again, I must return to the Holy Mass and the Holy Eucharist. Why is it that churches and sects do not tolerate the Mass, do not respect Our Lady? Because they go hand-in-hand. Yes, they go together. Our Lady teaches to come to love Jesus, to fall in love with Him, and that is why she places us before the Holy Eucharist, and pleads with us to pray before this holy, blessed Sacrament, so from Jesus we may learn to become bread for others; so that I not have fear to say, "Take this, all of you, of me, and eat of it."
I know a lot of Anglican and Protestant priests, ministers, that were in Medjugorje.
I know of a Presbyterian bishop that I have met from Washington. He had sent a multitude of his priests to Medjugorje as well. When I was in Washington a few years ago, I visited him because he visited me and came to Medjugorje.
He had a problem, a cross, that was inflicted upon him. His son was shot in Vietnam and became paralyzed. When his son returned from the war, he said to his wife, "Let us make a pilgrimage to Medjugorje. I believe Our Lady will hear us." And Our Lady gave a miracle. The son was healed and converted the parents. The bishop desired that all of his priests come to know Our Lady. Eight of those priests to date have become Catholic priests, without any shouts, without publication, without media. Our Lady works in miraculous ways. She was always the sign, the sign of a better world, the sign of peace and unity in the Church, the sign of our salvation. May it also truly be the same in your city or town. Let us commence this Holy Mass by preparing ourselves and involving this great grace.
He had a problem, a cross, that was inflicted upon him. His son was shot in Vietnam and became paralyzed. When his son returned from the war, he said to his wife, "Let us make a pilgrimage to Medjugorje. I believe Our Lady will hear us." And Our Lady gave a miracle. The son was healed and converted the parents. The bishop desired that all of his priests come to know Our Lady. Eight of those priests to date have become Catholic priests, without any shouts, without publication, without media. Our Lady works in miraculous ways. She was always the sign, the sign of a better world, the sign of peace and unity in the Church, the sign of our salvation. May it also truly be the same in your city or town. Let us commence this Holy Mass by preparing ourselves and involving this great grace.
2/19/14
Stand Ready--Revelation-- Diary of Saint Faustina Kowalska
Revelation
Today after Holy Communion, I
heard a voice in my soul: My daughter, (Stand Ready, for I will come
unexpectedly.)
Jesus, You do not want to tell me the hour I am looking forward to with
such longing: My daughter, it is for your own good. You will learn it, but not
now; keep watch. O Jesus, do with me as You please.
I know You are the merciful Savior and You will not change towards me at
the hour of my death. If at this time you are showing me so much special love,
and are condescending to unite Yourself with me is such an intimate way and with
such great kindness, I expect even more at the hour of my death.
You, my Lord God, cannot change. You are always the same. Heaven can
change, as well as everything that is created; but You, Lord, are ever the same
and will endure forever. So come as You like and when You like. Father of
infinite mercy, I, Your child, wait longingly for Your coming.
O Jesus, You said in the Holy Gospel, "Out of your mouth do I judge you."
Well, Jesus, I am always speaking of Your inconceivable mercy, so I trust that
You will judge me according to Your unfathomable mercy.
Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, 854
Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, 854
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* BE READY *
Message given to the Medjugorje visionary Mirjana this Good
Friday morning.
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Dear children, today I bless you in a special way and I pray for you to
return to the right way to my Son – your Saviour, your Redeemer – to him who
gave you eternal life. Reflect on everything human, on everything that does not
permit you to set out after my Son – on transience, imperfection and limitation
– and then think of my Son, of his Divine infiniteness. By your surrender and
prayer, ennoble your body and perfect your soul. Be ready, my children. Thank
you. - Medjugorje message, April 2, 2010
2/18/14
2/17/14
When God comes among men, He does not come to joke but to say serious things.
Mirjana’s face is very intense, completely absorbed in what is taking place
in the apparition. No one who studies the face of Mirjana as She receives Our
Lady’s latest message can take lightly her words, or receive them only with
curiosity.
It brings to mind the message Our
Lady gave in 1983, “…When God comes among men, He does not come to joke but to
say serious things.
2/16/14
Children of Medjugorje Newsletter
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Message from Our Lady.....you will not regret it
"Dear children! With great joy in my heart I thank you for all the prayers that, in these days, you offered for my intentions.
" Know, little children, that you will not regret it, neither you nor your children. God will reward you with great graces and you will merit eternal life."
I am near you and thank all those who, through these years, have accepted my messages, have poured them into their life and decided for holiness and peace.
Thank you for having responded to my call."
2/14/14
Holy Mass for killed Franciscans and parishioners in Medjugorje parish
Holy Mass for all killed Franciscans during and after the World War II,
as well as for all parishioners killed in the First, Second and recent Homeland
War was celebrated in the parish church of St. James on Monday, February 10, on
the feast of Blessed Alojzije Stepinac. Up to this day, graves of so many killed
persons have remained unknown, but memory on them is still alive in hearts and
prayers of faithful. Fr. Ivan Dugandzic celebrated the evening Holy Mass with
six priests that have concelebrated. As he spoke about killed Franciscans, he
said:
“Every year, Herzegovinian Franciscans and all faithful recall with
sadness and pride their most recent history. With deepest sorrow, we remember
how 66 Franciscan priests were killed in February 1945 by evil communists,
but we also remember thousands of husbands and wives who have never returned
home after their execution Way of the Cross that took place after the World War
II. Their graves remain still unknown. As we proudly remember them we know that
our killed
Franciscans were martyrs and witnesses of our Christian faith who were
killed just because they protected their people and their faith. Communist
executors thought that by killing them, they will kill the faith of these
people. We know they were mistaken – the case was also here proved that blood of
martyrs was a seed of new Christians.
As we remember today in our liturgy Blessed Alojzije Stepinac, who was a
victim of those same executors and witness of our faith in a kind of different
way, we also remember Fr. Krizan Galic, parish priest of this parish who was
brutally murdered here in the parish office and six other priests who were born
in this parish and murdered throughout Herzegovina: Fr. Jozo Bencun, Fr.
Benardin Smoljan, Fr. Marko Dragićević, Fr. Mariofil Sivrić, Fr. Grgo Vasilj and
Fr. Jenko Vasilj.
Along with them, we also in this Holy Mass, recommend into God’s grace
all those who were killed and who went missing in the First, Second World War,
in the period after the war, as well as in the recent homeland war.” source http://www.medjugorje.hr/en/
Medjugorje: Commemoration Day of the Murdered Franciscans
Fr. Jozo speaks of the Martyrs of
Siroki BrijegOctober 2000.
You see on your right here, there is a tomb, a very interesting tomb. When the Communists came here fifty-five years ago, they found thirty Franciscans here in the monastery and they told them that there was no more God. And those soldiers that came were inspired by terrorism telling them that there was no more God, there was no more church, there was no more priesthood nor the need for them.
They were told to remove their habits. But not one of those thirty Franciscans was willing to even enter into a debate about this. An enraged soldier took the crucifix from the wall, threw it at the feet of the Franciscans and said, "Now you can choose, this is your last chance, choose - death or life."
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| click on to enlarge photo |
2/13/14
Today is the 9th anniversary of the death Sister Lucia
Sister Lucia died on Feb. 13, 2005, just a few
weeks before Pope John Paul II. The two friends are pictured above.
Sister Lucia Mary's witness
Our Lady of Fatima appeared to the three shepherd children
Sister Lucia, "Mary's witness" at Fatima, died in February 2005 — on the 13th.
Dr. Branca Paul, MD, felt the last earthly beat of the heart of Sr. Lucia. It was a final beat that echoed through nine decades, and sounds yet today.
Dr. Paul, who was Sister Lucia's personal physician for the last 15 years of the nun's life, saw her patient daily. When it became clear that Lucia had lost her will to live, Mother Celina, Prioress of the convent in Coimbra, Portugal, called Dr. Paul.
*A check of her vital signs showed the Fatima visionary would not live long. She had slipped into a coma. There was nothing to do but wait for this beautiful life to commend its spirit to God. But then Lucia surprised everyone. She lifted her head and began moving it back and forth, trying to see in front of her.
"For the Holy Father!" Lucia said. "Our Lady, Our Lady, holy angels, Heart of Jesus, Heart of Jesus! We are going, we are going."
"Where?" Mother Celina asked.
"To heaven," Sr. Lucia replied.
"With whom?" Mother queried.
"With Our Lord, Our Lady, and the little shepherds," Sr. Lucia answered. They were her last words. Francisco and Jacinta had come along to take her to heaven.
As Sr. Lucia's physician, Dr. Paul spent much time alone with Lucia over the final 15 years of her life. She got to know her as well as anyone. What was she like?
"She was bright, determined, funny, fun-loving, yet practical," Dr. Paul said. "She loved jokes and puns. She also, of course, had a profoundly humble spirituality.
"We were very close," Dr. Paul continued. "It was amazing that she was so normal, simple, and humble. Full of joy and laughter, always joking and smiling a lot. For example, when I came in to see her in a new hairstyle or new clothes, Sister would kid me about it. Sister Lucia was great to be around. Her infectious joy made everyone more happy."
Dr. Paul said Sr. Lucia never tired of talking about Fatima — Our Lady's message of reconciliation, reparation, and prayer, particularly reciting the Rosary. Lucia did become frustrated, however, when people wanted to focus on the miracles and secrets.
According to Dr. Paul, "She used to say, 'The miracles and secrets aren't important. We must concentrate on Our Lady's message. Live the Ten Commandments. That's what's important.' To this, Lucia added her 11th Commandment: 'Do whatever God tells you. That is what Our Lady wants.' "
That's a message as relevant today as it was 90 years ago.
Doctor Paul cared for Lucia up to her death at age 97 at 5:35 p.m., Feb. 13, 2005. Interestingly, the Great Mercy Pope, John Paul II, would die only a few weeks later on April 2.
The two spiritual friends were closely related through Fatima, Lucia for obvious reasons and John Paul because of his devotion to Our Lady and the attempt on his life in 1981. May 13, the date the Pope was gunned down, marked the 64th anniversary of Mary's first appearance to the three shepherd children at Fatima, Portugal. In a gesture of thanks for saving his life, the Pope made a pilgrimage to Fatima in 1982. He placed the bullet that had been taken out of his body into the crown of the statue of Our Lady of Fatima. In a gesture of solidarity, Sr. Lucia joined him.
No one had more intimate contact with Sr. Lucia than Dr. Paul, and in our talks, she invariably stressed the good humor and joyous nature of her famous, and famously humble, patient. This nature showed itself in many ways. For example, when a young nun was having trouble or dealing with a difficult problem, Sr. Lucia was always there to offer consolation and encouragement.
"Sister Lucia had a joyful spirit that was contagious," Dr. Paul says. "Even if you were glum, she found a way to brighten your spirits. I know she provided many consolations to her sisters in the convent, particularly the novices, postulants, and young nuns, who just adored her."
Anyone who spent much time with Sr. Lucia would soon be in the presence of a first-rate wit, a woman who loved jokes, humor, and kidding, even into her late 90s.
"In her last years, she had to use a cane to get around," Dr. Paul relates. "We often went on short walks, and when she reached for her cane, she would say, 'The cane needs me now. It cannot stand up or move without me.
I have to help that cane.' She'd say this with a twinkle in her eye and that wonderful laugh."
Lucia often talked to Dr. Paul about her days as a young child, usually spent with her cousins and fellow visionaries Jacinta, 7 years old in 1917, and Francisco, 9, at the time. She would mention Our Lady, the sound of her voice ("an interior voice you could not hear with the ears"), her radiant appearance. One time, when speaking with Dr. Paul about the apparitions, Lucia began laughing.
"In speaking about Our Lady's warnings about the 'errors of Russia,' " Dr. Paul said, "Lucia would tell me that she and Jacinta thought 'Russia' was an evil woman. She said Francisco thought he knew better. He said, 'No, you girls are wrong. Russia's not a woman. It's my uncle's donkey!' "
Dr. Paul called it "a great honor" and a gift from God to be given this access to a patient, who, in many ways, "helped cure me." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFZ_pfpuiYU&feature=youtu.be
Medjugorje:
A talk (question and answer session) given by Mirjana in the Oasis of Peace on 3rd October 2009
A: Only about Fatima. She said, "What I have started in Fatima I will finish in Medjugorje. My heart will triumph." I cannot go into details. That's the only apparition she mentioned aside from Medjugorje.
2/12/14
Medjugorje You're the Way Message
Dear Children a great battle is about to take place a battle between
my Son and Satan.
The Medjugorje Message: A priest’s response to Medjugorje...
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| Photo by Bernard Gallagher http://crownofstars.blogspot.com/ |
The Medjugorje Message: A priest’s response to Medjugorje...: Dear B... Where do I start? Perhaps a very sincere thank you for the wonderful invitation to accompany your group to Medjugorje. I had m...
2/11/14
2/10/14
Pope Francis....We must carry the light of Christ
“We must carry the light of Christ with the witness of a genuine love,” encouraged the Pope on Feb. 9. “The Christian must be a luminous person who carries the light, a light that comes from one that his not his own, but a gift of God, a gift of Jesus. We carry this light forward!”
If a Christian loses this light, “his life doesn’t make sense. He is a Christian in name only,” Pope Francis cautioned.
Departing from his prepared remarks, the pontiff turned to query the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square. “I want to ask you now, how do you want to live? As a lamp that is lit, or one that is off?”
“I can’t hear your response!” he said, urging the crowd to reply louder.
“A lit lamp!” he affirmed, “This is the Christian vocation!”
Sunday’s gospel passage recounted Jesus’ encouragement to his disciples, “you are the salt of the earth…you are the light of the world.”
This story might “surprise us a little,” noted Pope Francis, “if we think of who was in front of Jesus when he said these words.”
The disciples were mere “fishermen, simple people...but Jesus saw them with the eyes of God.”
Christ “wanted to say to them: if you will be poor in spirit, if you will be gentle, if you will be pure of heart, if you will be merciful, you will be the salt of the earth and the light of the world!”
Such a calling extends to all Christians, the Pope explained. “All of us who are baptized are missionary disciples and we are called to become a living gospel in the world: with a holy life we will give ‘flavor’ to diverse settings and preserve them from decay, as salt does.”
After leading the crowds in the Angelus prayer, Pope Francis noted that Tuesday, Feb. 11 is the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and the World Day for the Sick.
“The dignity of of the person is never reduced to his faculties or capacities, and does not diminish when the person himself is weak, handicapped, and in need of help,” affirmed the pontiff.
He went on to thank health care workers for their “invaluable work,” and acknowledge the many letters he receives from families who have very ill members.
“So many write to me, and today I want to assure all of these families of a prayer, and I say to them: don’t be afraid of frailty! Help one another with love, and feel the consoling presence of God.”
Pope Francis then expressed his well wishes for those participating in the Winter Olympics in Sochi and greeted the many pilgrim groups who had travelled to St. Peter’s Square.
Before concluding with his usual “I wish everyone a good Sunday and a good lunch,” the Pope paused for a moment to ask again, “A lit lamp, or a lamp that is off? Which do you want?”
“A lit lamp!” the crowd enthusiastically replied.
“A Christian carries the light!” he affirmed. “He is a lit lamp. Always forward with the light of Jesus!”
*Dear children! In your life you
have all experienced light and darkness. God grants to every person to recognize
good and evil. I am calling you to the light which you should carry to all the
people who are in darkness. People who are in darkness daily come into your
homes. Dear children, give them the light! Thank you for having responded to my
call. Medjugorje Message March 14, 1985
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