1/30/16
The Medjugorje Message: I give you what gives me joy…
The Medjugorje Message: I give you what gives me joy…: Ever wondered why so many pilgrims return from Medjugorje with a desire in their heart to share their experience and encourage others to mak...
1/29/16
To Men---A Call to Battle - A Short Film on ‘Society’s Crisis in Masculinity’..
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix released for the first time ever in its history a documentary-style short film that seeks to create awareness of a crisis in masculinity found in today’s society.
1/26/16
Signs of the End Times: A Catholic Perspective
Published on May 26, 2015
Ralph Martin and Peter Herbeck, give a Catholic view of the End Times .
1/25/16
Our Lady's Message to Marija of January 25, 2016
"Dear children! Also today I am calling all of you to prayer. You cannot live without prayer, because prayer is a chain which brings you closer to God. Therefore, little children, in humility of heart return to God and to His commandments so that with all of your heart you are able to say: as it is in Heaven so may it be on earth. You, little children, are free to, in freedom, decide for God or against Him. See where Satan wants to pull you into sin and slavery. Therefore, little children, return to my heart so that I can lead you to my Son Jesus who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Thank you for having responded to my call."
People find peace and prayer in Medjugorje"
Married couple Tereza and Miroslav Ljubic: "People find peace and prayer in Medjugorje"
date: 17.01.2016.
The spiritual renewal of families was recently held in Medjugorje when whole families came and there were around 200 participants, 90 children among them. Tereza and Miroslav Ljubic from Kastel Luksic came and two of them fostered two children after being in a marriage without their own children. They spoke about their testimony of faith and relying on Jesus and the help of God in the programme of radio Medjugorje. Miroslav said that he came here for the first time ten years ago: " I saw that people were coming here for one day, but I feel one cannot have experience of Medjugorje in one day only, one needs to stay here longer. You can see how people find peace here, they find prayer, when so many people are praying Rosary, miracles need to happen. Medjugorje is a place of prayer, of special relationship towards Our Lady, while the biggest grace is in confessionals." Tereza said that they as family are everyday praying Rosary: "Rosary was hard for children in the beginning as they were not in the centre of attention. Today, each of them says one decade every time we pray. We are directing them to faith, to know that only faith could help them in their lives." http://www.medjugorje.hr/en/
1/24/16
Teens celebrate Mass along Pennsylvania Turnpike
Stranded after blizzard, Twin Cities teens celebrate Mass along Pennsylvania Turnpike
Students from six dioceses celebrate Mass on an altar made of snow on the side of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Jan. 23. The students were stranded by the East Coast blizzard after attending the March for Life in Washington, D.C. Courtesy Sarah Herrlin
Some 200 teenagers from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis are stranded on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, but are trying to make the best of the situation.
The group was on its way back from Friday’s March for Life in Washington, D.C., when the Blizzard of 2016 stranded their three buses along the side of the road with thousands of other travelers. Instead of burying themselves in their cell phones and complaining to their friends back home, they went to work on sculpting a snow altar and walking up and down the road inviting people in 10 to 15 other buses to attend a noon Mass Jan. 23.
The group’s leader, Bill Dill of the archdiocese’s Office of Marriage, Family and Life, said trying to organize the Mass posed challenges.
“We started with no hosts and no priests,” he said. “We asked everyone to bring hosts, but everyone said they didn’t have any. Someone gave us four they said were extra. We told those we invited that they probably wouldn’t get Communion, but could certainly receive spiritual Communion.”
Dill isn’t sure how many people attended the roadside Mass, which was celebrated by Father Pat Boehm from Sioux City, Iowa, and concelebrated by a handful of other priests. He said students and adults from Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Omaha, Nebraska; Fargo, North Dakota; St. Louis, Missouri; and Erie, Pennsylvania received the Eucharist in a most unusual place.
“The priest broke the Eucharist into the smallest reasonable size pieces,” he said. “In the end every person received Communion.”
One teenage girl said she had chills during the Mass, but not because it was cold. Many thanked Dill and the group from the Twin Cities.
It is unclear when road crews will remove the snow and reopen the heavily-used stretch of turnpike, and it probably doesn’t concern the group from the archdiocese because they just received supernatural bread for their journey.
1/23/16
Our Lady Calls Us to Pray For Her Intentions
(c)Mateo Ivankovic 2016
J.M.J.
January 20, 2016
St. Fabian, St. Sebastian
Dear Family of Mary!
Yesterday we talked about how important it is to gather as prayer groups. Today let's hear from Our Lady about how to pray. She needs us to pray for her intentions. She has been given a mandate from the Lord, a mission to accomplish in our time. She is coming to Medjugorje to carry out this mandate. And she has gathered us around her so that we can help her accomplish this plan. She cannot tell us the details. We have to trust her, and support her with our prayer and sacrifice. That is our job. But it is important!!
I find it helpful to read a few of her messages about praying for her intentions. The messages below span 24 years! We are still being given the task of praying for Our Lady's intentions. Let her words inspire us and encourage us to continue:
September 25, 1991 "Dear children! Today in a special way I invite you all to prayer and renunciation. For now as never before satan wants to show the world his shameful face by which he wants to seduce as many people as possible onto the way of death and sin. Therefore, dear children, help my Immaculate Heart to triumph in the sinful world. I beseech all of you to offer prayers and sacrifices for my intentions so I can present them to God for what is most necessary. Forget your desires, dear children, and pray for what God desires, and not for what you desire. Thank you for having responded to my call."
September 25, 1996 "Dear children! Today I invite you to offer your crosses and suffering for my intentions. Little children, I am your mother and I wish to help you by seeking for you the grace from God. Little children, offer your sufferings as a gift to God so they become a most beautiful flower of joy. That is why, little children, pray that you may understand that suffering can become joy and the cross the way of joy. Thank you for having for responded to my call."
October 25, 2000 "Dear children! Today I desire to open my motherly heart to you and to call you all to pray for my intentions. I desire to renew prayer with you and to call you to fast which I desire to offer to my Son Jesus for the coming of a new time - a time of spring. In this Jubilee year many hearts have opened to me and the Church is being renewed in the Spirit. I rejoice with you and I thank God for this gift; and you, little children, I call to pray, pray, pray - until prayer becomes a joy for you. Thank you for having responded to my call."
November 25, 2004 "Dear children! At this time, I call you all to pray for my intentions. Especially, little children, pray for those who have not yet come to know the love of God and do not seek God the Savior. You, little children, be my extended hands and by your example draw them closer to my Heart and the Heart of my Son. God will reward you with graces and every blessing. Thank you for having responded to my call."
June 25, 2006 "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."
October 25, 2008 "Dear children! In a special way I call you all to pray for my intentions so that, through your prayers, you may stop satan's plan over this world, which is further from God every day, and which puts itself in the place of God and is destroying everything that is beautiful and good in the souls of each of you. Therefore, little children, arm yourselves with prayer and fasting so that you may be conscious of how much God loves you and may carry out God's will. Thank you for having responded to my call."
August 25, 2011 "Dear children! Today I call you to pray and fast for my intentions, because satan wants to destroy my plan. Here I began with this parish and invited the entire world. Many have responded, but there is an enormous number of those who do not want to hear or accept my call. Therefore, you who have said 'yes', be strong and resolute. Thank you for having responded to my call."
August 25, 2014 "Dear children! Pray for my intentions, because Satan wants to destroy my plan which I have here and to steal your peace. Therefore, little children, pray, pray, pray that God can act through each of you. May your hearts be open to God's will. I love you and bless you with my motherly blessing. Thank you for having responded to my call."
November 25, 2015 "Dear children! Today I am calling all of you: pray for my intentions. Peace is in danger, therefore, little children, pray and be carriers of peace and hope in this restless world where Satan is attacking and tempting in every way. Little children, be firm in prayer and courageous in faith. I am with you and intercede before my Son Jesus for all of you. Thank you for having responded to my call."
In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
©Mary TV 2016
Something terrible has happened in your country
I was in the town of Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina during 9/11. Our tour guide came up to us and said, "Something terrible has happened in your country!"
9/11 Twin Towers Cross
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)
9/12/2011 (4 years ago)
KNOXVILLE, TN (Catholic Online) - I was in the town of Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina. Some friends and I traveled there with a tour group and arrived on September 7, 2001. Medjugorje became known world-wide when our Blessed Mother appeared to six young people in 1984, and she continues appearing to them to this day. I had heard about the apparitions, messages and miracles, and I was intrigued. I wanted to go. So many years later, I finally arrived.
On the evening of 9/11, I had just finished dinner and was preparing to go to St. James Church for prayers with our group when our tour guide came up to us and said, "Something terrible has happened in your country!" When he told us the shocking news, I felt as if the ground fell from beneath my feet. I rushed back into the house to watch the news, but I could not understand what was being said. The news was in Croatian. I watched the Twin Towers burning but did not understand the full impact of what had happened, nor did I know the number of innocent lives lost. The reality set in as we learned more about the tragedy through interpreters.
When we went to church the next day, one of the Franciscan priests gathered the Americans together and asked us if anyone had relatives that lived in New York. He said the local church would do everything possible to help those with family and friends who may have been involved in the tragedy, and they would make every effort to help contact them.
As I aimlessly walked through the town, the reality of the attacks was sinking in deeper. Now, home seemed so far away. I felt isolated and confused. Something terrible just happened in the U.S., and it was as if that unseen protective wall around our nation came tumbling down. How could this have happened? Who was responsible? Are we under attack? Will we be able to get home? And the thought of flying was not appealing--where was the nearest boat?
I called my husband from the local post office. They had the only public phones for international calls. He was concerned for my safety and how I would get back home. He said that friends and co-workers had called to see if I was okay, and he also said they were praying for all of us and for our safe return. Their prayers were comforting to me.
That evening, I was back inside St. James Church standing next to my friends, and remembering the prayers from back home, I whispered to one of them, "We are going home on the wings of prayer." She nodded, and just then a feather floated down in front of us. We stood motionless watching it as it landed on the church floor. Her mother picked it up and still has it to this day. For some reason, that falling feather was a reminder: we are not alone, Jesus and Mary are with us. We would get home on the "wings of prayer."
We heard that all flights had been cancelled, even in Germany where I needed to catch a connecting flight to New York. In a couple of days, I was supposed to travel back to the U.S.--would it even be possible?
When that day did arrive, we were told the airports opened up. We gathered our belongings and stepped onto the bus to travel to the airport in the ancient city of Dubrovnik to catch our flight to Germany. When I had left Medjugorje to travel to Dubrovnik, I felt a little sad, not only because of the tragedy that just occurred, but also my own personal pilgrimage was now over. Did I grow at all in my faith? What did I gain to take back with me?
I had heard that so many people who traveled there had their rosaries turn gold, witnessed the miracle of the sun, and other miracles, but those things did not happen to me. In spite of our tour guide repeatedly telling us those miracles were not the reason for our visit, that the pilgrimage was a time to grow in our faith and to come closer to Jesus and Mary, I was still disappointed. The drive was a long one to Dubrovnik, and when we arrived, we waited for over an hour, only to find out that we could not fly into Germany after all! We had to return to Medjugorje.
I had heard that so many people who traveled there had their rosaries turn gold, witnessed the miracle of the sun, and other miracles, but those things did not happen to me. In spite of our tour guide repeatedly telling us those miracles were not the reason for our visit, that the pilgrimage was a time to grow in our faith and to come closer to Jesus and Mary, I was still disappointed. The drive was a long one to Dubrovnik, and when we arrived, we waited for over an hour, only to find out that we could not fly into Germany after all! We had to return to Medjugorje.
As we traveled back to Medjugorje from Dubrovnik, it dawned on me that maybe Our Lady sensed my emptiness. Somehow, I felt like she said, Come back, let's get this right. My faith journey would be ongoing, and there were still some things I needed to understand.
After our return to Medjugorje, that evening we joined the Friday night prayer group. They meet on the top of a large, rocky hill. We carefully walked up the steep, dark hillside using our small flashlights to light the way. There must have been hundreds of people there that night. When we finally got to the top and found a spot to sit, the prayer group started singing, and we all joined in. Our Lady was to appear to Ivan, one of the visionaries. I noticed a dog wandering among the crowd that I had seen earlier in the town. He must have followed someone up the hill.
After the singing, we all started praying the rosary, and then the praying stopped. It was at this time, Our Lady appeared to Ivan. Just then, the dog started barking; a woman yelled out, "Jesus, save me;" and a baby in the crowd started whaling inconsolably. The whaling went on and on; piercing me to the depth of my heart. I do not think there was a person on the hill that night who was not begging Our Lady to console that baby. As I begged her myself, I felt like she said, I hear that every day.
After the singing, we all started praying the rosary, and then the praying stopped. It was at this time, Our Lady appeared to Ivan. Just then, the dog started barking; a woman yelled out, "Jesus, save me;" and a baby in the crowd started whaling inconsolably. The whaling went on and on; piercing me to the depth of my heart. I do not think there was a person on the hill that night who was not begging Our Lady to console that baby. As I begged her myself, I felt like she said, I hear that every day.
Ivan said that our Lady was the saddest he had ever seen her. She felt the loss of so many lives in America and felt it deeply. She witnessed it all. Ivan told us that she was holding her hand over her heart, and she said, "Peace, peace, peace." She wanted us to come to her and share our feelings. She knew how we were affected by the American tragedy and that we all shared in the suffering of those families who lost loved ones.
When I finally left Medjugorje, I thought about the horrific tragedy in my country and my journey of faith. I knew that I would carry these experiences with me for the rest of my life. The crying of that baby reminds me of what Jesus and Mary witness every day. The feather, too, is a gentle reminder that Jesus and Mary are always with me. I also feel called to pray more fervently for the protection and dignity of all human beings, as well as pray for the conversion of sinners.
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Dorothy Terheyden is a wife and mother. She is a board member of Tennessee Right to Life, and active in St. John Neumann parish.
1/21/16
1/19/16
Fr. John Randall's New Rosary Prayer Book
Father John J. Randall's new Rosary Prayer Book has been reprinted with a hard
cover with his picture on the cover.
It also contains the Novana to the Holy Spirit and the Divine Mercy chaplet. It is being sold at Saint Charles Borromeo Church, 178 Dexter Street, Providence, R.I Tel-401-421-6441 at the cost price of $4:00 - Also available at Gabriel's Trumpet book store at 477 Washington Street, Coventry, R.I. Tel: 401-823-4884
This Scriptural Rosary booklet contains all the prayers of the
Rosary with a verse of Scripture for each of the twenty mysteries of the
Rosary.
Father John Randall had been a radio personality in Rhode Island
for many years and was also instrumental in bringing about and
furthering the Catholic Charismatic movement. The Spirit and the Word was the name of Father Randall's radio ministry.
~As compiled by Father John Randall~
This Scriptural Rosary booklet contains all the prayers of the
Rosary with a verse of Scripture for each of the twenty mysteries of the
Rosary. For example, the Joyful Mysteries begin like this:
Our Father
The Archangel Gabriel appeared to a young maiden in Nazareth of Galilee names Mary. (Luke 1:26-27)
Hail Mary
"Hail, full of grace! God is with you." (Luke 1:28)
Hail Mary
Mary was filled with fear at this message of the angel. (Luke 1:29)
Hail Mary
And so on. Each of the mysteries is Scripturally explained so that
one's focus remains on one small part of the mystery for each Hail Mary
prayed.
A FRESH ANOINTING
"There - anoint him, for this is he!" -1 Samuel 16:12
Some of us are grieving. We are disappointed and listless. The Lord's word to us is: "Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way" (1 Sm 16:1). Although we may be grieving, let's not grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30). Rather, let's say with Jesus: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; therefore He has anointed me" (Lk 4:18). Let us receive a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit and anoint others with the power of the Spirit.
Are you disappointed with your spouse, job, parish, government, etc.? Don't just sit there spiritually paralyzed. You are Christians, followers of Christ, Whose name means "the Anointed One." Let God's anointing be renewed in your life. Then ask the Lord to show you someone you can anoint with the Holy Spirit. Maybe there is only one family member, parishioner, co-worker, or neighbor willing to receive your prayers for the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Maybe several people are open to the Spirit, but the Lord leads you to reach out to only a certain one (see 1 Sm 16:7ff). As Samuel ministered the Spirit to David, Ananias to Saul (Acts 9:17ff), Peter to Cornelius (Acts 10:25ff), and Paul to twelve Ephesians (Acts 19:2ff), so follow the Lord's lead and anoint someone with the Holy Spirit.
Father, as You anointed Jesus, anoint me with the Holy Spirit and power so I may go about doing good works and healing those in the grip of the devil (Acts 10:38).
"The Son of Man is Lord even of the sabbath." -Mk 2:28
1/18/16
The Medjugorje Message: Opening to the Holy Spirit
The Medjugorje Message: Opening to the Holy Spirit: Jesus replied: “No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak; if he does the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and ...
From the desk of Sr. Emmanuel
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1/16/16
AS I AM, BUT NOT AS I WILL BE
"People who are healthy do not need a doctor; sick people do. I have come to call sinners, not the righteous." -Mark 2:17,
Saul, the first king of Israel, was outwitted by some asses shortly before he was anointed king (1 Sm 9:4). Then Saul asked Samuel, the seer, where the seer was. Samuel responded that Saul could see the seer right before his eyes, because Samuel was the seer (1 Sm 9:18-19). Saul seemed to have trouble doing anything right. Saul tried to get out of being made king by "hiding among the baggage" (1 Sm 10:22). He didn't do that right either, for they found him and made him king. Nevertheless, the Lord accepted Saul as he was and anointed him. The Lord accepts us just as we are. He has "come to call sinners" (Mk 2:17).
After the Lord accepts us as we are, He refuses to accept our staying as we are. He calls us to repentance and growth in holiness. He even became a human being and died on the cross to make it possible for us to receive a new nature and to become holy as He is holy (see 1 Pt 1:16).
The Lord invites everyone to His wedding banquet. All are to come as they are but not stay as they are. We must put on the wedding garment of righteousness and holiness, or we will be bound and thrown "out into the night to wail and grind" our teeth (Mt 22:13). Come as you are to no longer be as you are.
Father, make me holy in every aspect of my conduct (1 Pt 1:15).
"You gladdened him with the joy of Your presence." -Ps 21:7
1/13/16
The Medjugorje Message: Praying for ‘miracles’
The Medjugorje Message: Praying for ‘miracles’: During his homily for the Mass at Santa Marta this morning Pope Francis described an event that happened in the Shrine of Luján, in Buenos ...
1/12/16
The End Of Prayer Shaming
Published on Dec 22, 2015
Enough is enough. It's time to take a stand. Today, students at East Catholic High School rise up and declare that we're more concerned with God than we are with being politically correct.
We encourage you to do the same. Please watch our video...then SHARE it with your friends and encourage THEM to SHARE it as well. TAG a friend, a community leader, or even the media. Let's get this powerful message out there.
No more prayer shaming. Let's bring God and prayer back into our lives.
You can watch and share this video on our East Catholic High School Facebook page.
For more information visit us at - http://www.echs.com/
We encourage you to do the same. Please watch our video...then SHARE it with your friends and encourage THEM to SHARE it as well. TAG a friend, a community leader, or even the media. Let's get this powerful message out there.
No more prayer shaming. Let's bring God and prayer back into our lives.
You can watch and share this video on our East Catholic High School Facebook page.
For more information visit us at - http://www.echs.com/
1/11/16
Medjugorje Documental
Fr. Svetozar Krajlevie, here in Medjugorje there is that grace of God, a touch there is a bibical moment a very special intervention of the providence of the love of God for humanity...
1/10/16
52 ways to be merciful during the jubille year of mercy
The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”God, who is merciful, desires our mercy. Here are 56 ways to keep to mercy during the Jubilee Year. Try randomly selecting one each week and putting it into practice. (We gave you some extras; mix them up!)
—Matthew 9:11–13
1) Resist sarcasm; it is the antithesis of mercy: “”Set, O Lord, a guard over my mouth; keep watch, O Lord, at the door of my lips!” (Psalm 141:3).
2) Pare down possessions: share your things with the needy.
3) Call someone who you know is lonely, even if you understand why they’re lonely. Especially if you do.
4) Write a letter of forgiveness to someone. If you cannot send it, sprinkle it with holy water, ask Christ Jesus to have mercy on you both and then burn or bury it.
5) Learn to say this prayer: “Dear Lord, bless [annoying person’s name] and have mercy on me!”
6) Plan a mini pilgrimage to a local shrine; make an effort along the way to live the corporal work of mercy of “welcoming the stranger” as Christ.
7) Do something kind and helpful for someone who you don’t get along with, or who has wronged you.
8) Be mindful of your behavior online. Is that post designed to improve your image … and leave others feeling bad? Are you hammering people in order to serve your anger and humiliate others?
9) Have masses said for the living: friends and family members, even strangers you read/hear about, who are having a hard time.
10) Be generous enough to allow someone to help you; people need to feel needed.
11) If you didn’t mean to be a pain in the neck to someone, admit you were and ask the person to forgive you.
12) Take a tip from Cardinal Timothy Dolan and carry around $5 Starbucks and McDonald’s gift cards for the homeless.
13) Take time in prayer to contemplate the good qualities of someone who is difficult for you. Do the same for each member of your family.
14) Send a card, flowers, gift or note to someone on the six-month anniversary of his or her loved one’s death. By then, most people have stopped recognizing their grief.
15) Offer to babysit for a busy mom to go out and have a couple of hours to herself.
16) Make a meal (or buy a gift certificate) for a mom who’s just given birth or adopted a child, or for someone who’s just gone through a loss.
17) Hold. Your. Tongue.
18) Offer to run an errand (groceries, dry cleaning pick-up, dog-walking) for a busy parent or homebound person.
19) If you can’t sit down beside a homeless person to talk for a while today, at least send a donation to a ministry that does do this (such as Christ in the City).
20) If you’re sharing a treat, take the smaller portion.
21) Memorize the 14 corporal and spiritual works of mercy and show your children what they mean.
22) Instead of losing patience with someone online (or in person), try to hear that person’s fear. Ask God for what Solomon asked for: “an understanding heart.”
23) Offer to drive an elderly person to Mass.
24) Recall a time you were not given the benefit of the doubt, and extend one to someone else.
25) Put down the phone and really listen to someone else. With eye contact.
26) Have alternative drinks, other than water, for times when those who have been struggling with alcohol come to visit.
27) Take advantage of sales to buy small toothpastes, soaps, shampoos, socks and feminine products/toiletries; donate them to parish outreaches or make gift bags and have them ready to hand out where needed.
28) Create a short end-of-day ritual to ask for (and extend) forgiveness with those you live with. “Do not let the sun set on your anger” (Eph. 4:26).
29) Make a list of your “enemies.” Then, every day, say a prayer for them.
30) Make a point to smile, greet or make conversation with someone who is not in your everyday circle.
31) Give away something of yours (that you really like) to someone you know would enjoy it.
32) Pray a Divine Mercy Chaplet as you are traveling to or from work.
33) When mercy for others is difficult, pray Cardinal Merry del Val’s Litany of Humility.
34) Make a gratitude journal for your spouse and jot down little things he or she does that you’re grateful for. Bite your tongue and go write in it (or at least read it) the next time you want to criticize in a moment of frustration.
35) Learn to make an Ignatian “Examen” every night. Remembering God’s mercy each night helps us be merciful.
36) Respond to provocation with the respect you wish a person would show you.
37) Learn the Jesus Prayer and use it.
38) Take a few minutes during the week to stop at a church and sit before the Tabernacle simply to be with Christ, the Merciful. If you cannot do that, meditate upon the crucifix.
39) Pray a novena for the good of someone you dislike.
40) Dig out your most attractive stationery and handwrite an actual letter to someone as a means of demonstrating his or her importance to you.
41) Offer to read to someone who is feeling ill or is just feeling blue.
42) Ask the Holy Spirit to groan for you when you cannot bring yourself to pray for someone who has done you an injury.
43) Lead with a kind comment with friends as well as strangers.
44) When conversations devolve into “the dark joy” of gossip, help change the subject.
45) Can you play the piano, or any instrument? Can you recite poetry? Give free “concerts” to the forgotten people in nursing homes and assisted-living centers.
46) Visit the graves of your ancestors, or visit a local cemetery and walk around, praying a rosary for all the souls buried there.
47) Go on retreat. It’s a way to be merciful to yourself and the people around you, who know you need to go on retreat. If you cannot do that, at least try to make a day, or evening, of recollection.
48) Admit your jealousy to yourself and your confessor.
49) Offer to pray with someone, even someone you encounter on the street or public transport who looks like they could use it.
50) Keep holy cards, short prayers or blessed medals handy and give them out to people you meet as you are inspired as a blessing to others.
51) Offer hospitality in your home to someone or a group of people you would normally never invite over.
52) With a few other people at your church, plan a party and invite all those from “the highways and byways” to come.
53) If someone you know seems to lack faith, share some of yours — tell him or her how Christ has changed your life.
54) Pay the parking or toll fee for the person behind you.
55) Give the much-maligned Pope Benedict XVI a fair reading sometime. You’ll be surprised.
56) Pray every day for the souls in purgatory. Pray for your dead.
And here is one last idea: Read John Paul II’s “Dives in misericordia” bit-by-bit throughout the year.
"The people were full of anticipation." -Luke 3:15
Many people expected John the Baptizer to be the Messiah (Lk 3:15). Their expectations for a Messiah were too low because Jesus, "Who is mightier" than John, is the Messiah (Lk 3:16)..
Peter had seen God work through him to raise Tabitha from the dead (Acts 9:40). Under these circumstances, he expected his initial visit to the house of a Gentile to be significant. However, God far exceeded his expectations by pouring out the Holy Spirit on the Gentile, Cornelius, and his entire household (Acts 10:45).
Today, on the last day of the Christmas season, we should have high expectations. The Lord is sure to love us in wondrous ways. Nevertheless, no matter how high our expectations, they will always be too low because they can never match God's infinite love for us.
Because the Lord will do immeasurably more than we can ever ask for or imagine (Eph 3:20), we may not understand what He is doing. However, we must have faith in His promises. We have to expect the Lord to establish "justice on the earth" (Is 42:4), "open the eyes of the blind" (Is 42:7), "bring out prisoners from confinement" (Is 42:7), heal those "in the grip of the devil" (Acts 10:38), baptize us "in the Holy Spirit and in fire" (Lk 3:16), and so much more.
Father, surprise me again with the Holy Spirit. Thank You for this Christmas season.
"A voice from heaven was heard to say: 'You are My beloved Son. On You My favor rests.' " -Lk 3:22
Praise Jesus, the Christ-Child, Savior of the world, Light of lights, and risen Lord. Alleluia to Him Who was dead and yet lives.
1/4/16
WHAT IS TRUTH
"I have written you these things about those who try to deceive you." -1 John 2:26
"Who is the liar?" (1 Jn 2:22) Satan is "the father of lies...the truth is not in him" (Jn 8:44). Our secular culture believes the lies Satan is constantly feeding them:
* You won't go to hell; there is no hell. In fact there is no sin. If it feels good, do it.
* Sexual acts outside of marriage are not a sin; everyone does them.
* Marriage is not just between one man and one woman and "same-sex" marriage is legal, therefore, it's not sinful and actually it's right. In fact, you are hateful and intolerant to hold any other viewpoint.
* A unborn child is just a blob of tissue - aborting it is no different than cutting off a mole from your skin.
* It's not a grave sin to skip Mass on Sundays and Holy Days. All of your friends only go on Christmas and Easter.
There are many similar deceptions, falsehoods, and outright lies.
St. Paul cried when thinking of the "savage wolves" who would deceive his Christian flock (Acts 20:29, 31). Countless martyrs died for the truths that the Church teaches. If these truths were not important, why would people give their lives to defend them? If sin was no big deal, why did Jesus die for our sins?
Jesus, "the Truth" (Jn 14:6), "came into the world...to testify to the truth" (Jn 18:37). Learn what the Catholic Church teaches, for it guards the truth. "The truth will set you free" (Jn 8:32).
Father, may I act "only for the sake of the truth" (2 Cor 13:8) and thus make straight Your way in the world (Jn 1:23).
"He Himself made us a promise and the promise is no less than this: eternal life." -1 Jn 2:25
1/2/16
Medjugorje: Our Lady's apparition to Mirjana of January 2, 2016
Our Lady's message given to Mirjana on January 2, 2016:
"Dear children! As a mother, I am joyful to be among you because I desire to speak anew about the words of my Son and of His love. I hope that you will accept me with the heart, because the words of my Son and His love are the only light and hope in the darkness of today.
This is the only truth and you who will accept and live it will have pure and humble hearts. My Son loves those who are pure and humble. Pure and humble hearts bring to life the words of my Son, they live them, they spread them and they make it possible for everyone to hear them.
The words of my Son bring back life to those who listen to them. The words of my Son bring back love and hope. Therefore, my beloved apostles, my children, live the words of my Son. Love each other as He loved you. Love each other in His name, in memory of Him.
The Church is advancing and growing because of those who listen to the words of my Son; because of those who love; because of those who suffer and endure in silence and in the hope of final redemption. Therefore, my beloved children, may the words of my Son and His love be the first and the last thought of your day. Thank you."
This is the only truth and you who will accept and live it will have pure and humble hearts. My Son loves those who are pure and humble. Pure and humble hearts bring to life the words of my Son, they live them, they spread them and they make it possible for everyone to hear them.
The words of my Son bring back life to those who listen to them. The words of my Son bring back love and hope. Therefore, my beloved apostles, my children, live the words of my Son. Love each other as He loved you. Love each other in His name, in memory of Him.
The Church is advancing and growing because of those who listen to the words of my Son; because of those who love; because of those who suffer and endure in silence and in the hope of final redemption. Therefore, my beloved children, may the words of my Son and His love be the first and the last thought of your day. Thank you."
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