A Newsletter from Author Alberta Sequeira

"What is and isn't Working for the Alcoholic and Addict: In Their Own Words"

My name is Alberta Sequeira of North Dartmouth, Massachusetts.  When I lost my husband and daughter from the alcohol abuse, I became a speaker along with writing about my loss.  I visit churches, schools, halfway homes, substance abuse rehabilitations, jails, court-ordered programs, their families, and the public.

In 1998, I went to Medjugorje in Bosnia with my friends, Arlene Albert and Edward Sousa, along with his son Ed, Jr. before he became a priest.  All were from Warwick, RI.  Ten years ago, Arlene moved to Florida. 

I made the ten day journey thinking I was going for my father, Brigadier General, Albert L. Gramm,  who had passed away in 1990 at eighty years old from cancer. I wanted to pray for his soul.  Being one of the commanding officers of the 26th Yankee Division during WWII fighting in Metz, Lorraine and the Battle of the Bulge, he feared dying after killing to survive during the war. Our family took him to a priest to give him comfort and believe in God's love and mercy before his death.

In my heart, I came to realize the Blessed Mother was calling me to return back to the Church. While I was there, a visionary, Vicka, told us that it is Our Lady who calls each and everyone of us herself to visit those holy grounds in Medjugorje.  

I waited and wondered for years, why she had called me. I hadn't lost Lori until 2006, and came to realize after her death that my journey was not going to be on a tropical island at my retirement, but reaching out to others suffering from their addiction.  

So many of us around the world have cried tears with losing a loved one to their addiction with alcohol and drugs. What is the answer?  How do we help them? Why can't we stop this horrible, heartless action with our child, sibling, friend, parent, or a mate turning to a substance that kills them.

One day, I asked my cousin, who has a son battling heroine, "What do you think it takes for an Alcoholic or Drug user to realize they are killing themselves?"  She replied, "I often wonder that myself.  Maybe they are waiting for someone to do it for them and they don't realize they have to do the work.  Maybe they need to read it in a book or hear it from someone.  So, I'm telling you, "You can do it."

Enclosed is a link to my interview on  Sheriff Thomas Hodgson television show from the Bristol County Jail & House of Correction at 400 Faunce Corner in North Dartmouth, MA. Too my surprise, we talked mostly about Medjugorje and the spiritual side of life.  T the end, it contains my talk to the women in prison.   A month before, I had reached out to their men and women inmates with addiction from the family side. I wanted to share this with everyone, no matter where you are or from where. You have my permission to use the video at any educational location around the world.

https://vimeo.com/album/3341606/video/254517198

Maybe this video will help someone lost without faith or help an alcoholic or drug user find God in their lives.

God Bless!

Alberta Sequeira

Email: alberta.sequeira@gmail.com (I love to hear from people)

My books can be purchased at www.amazon.com/author/albertasequeira

Medjugorje: Our Lady's message to Marija of February 25, 2018

"Dear children! In this time of grace I am calling all of you to open yourselves and to live the commandments which God has given you, that they may lead you through the Sacraments on the way of conversion. The world and worldly temptations are testing you, but you, little children, look at God's creatures which He has given to you in beauty and humility and, little children, love God above everything and He will lead you on the way of salvation. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Medjugorje: Fr. Slavko 's Prayer

God, our Father, we thank you that you sent us your Son Jesus who lived amongst us as a child and as an adult, and who gave his life for our salvation. With Mary, at the beginning of this Advent, we turn to you, merciful Father, and ask you to give us all the grace needed so our hearts may be prepared to accept your Son, Jesus Christ – as you prepared Mary’s heart for the coming of your Son.

Free us from our pride, our selfishness, our fear and distrust so that, like Mary, we open ourselves completely for you and your Son, so that our hearts can become a living place for your Son. We ask you for the the grace of a good confession, so that every confession becomes a meeting for us with your mercy and your love. Give us the grace of recognising where we have sinned, of being sincerely repentant. Cleanse us and heal all the wounds of our sins.

Bless also the confessors and fill their hearts with love and peace, so that they may all become a merciful extension of your love. Along with Mary, we ask you that we may decide, without delay, for conversion and for the path to holiness.

Free us from all bad habits that have enslaved us, that block us from deciding for the path to salvation. Father, we give you our past and our future, and ask you for the strength to do your will today. Fill our hearts, our families and our prayer groups with the spirit of prayer so that we may meet you in prayer and that through every meeting in prayer we may grow in holiness. On behalf of all those entangled in lack of faith, in distrust, in dependencies, in bad habits, and who cannot respond to your Word, we ask for your grace to free them.

Mary, we thank you that you are with us; we thank you for your prayer and intercession. Accompany us in this time of preparation so, like you, we may accept Jesus and remain loyal to Him so that some day we may reach heaven, through Christ, our Lord, Amen.

LOOKING FOR A SIGN?

"[The Pharisees] were looking for some heavenly sign from Him as a test. With a sigh from the depths of His spirit He said, 'Why does this age seek a sign? I assure you, no such sign will be given it!' " -Mark 8:11-12

Do you need a sign from God to believe in His power and love? Well, then, despite not giving the Pharisees of His time a sign, the Lord is about to give the world an incredible sign, one that's not easily missed. In two days, hundreds of millions of Catholics worldwide will be walking around with an ashen sign of the cross drawn on their foreheads. No one will be able to avoid this sign. The only question is: Will people of "this age" who are seeking a sign (Mk 8:12) be so "blinded by the god of" this age (2 Cor 4:4), the secular culture which denies the power of God, that they miss the sign paraded in front of them all day?

In "this age," many people have signs on their bodies. People are walking advertisements as they take pride in wearing clothes and shoes with the brand name displayed for all to see. Others wear "body art" in which tattoos cover nearly every exposed inch of skin. Still others use their bodies to glorify God (1 Cor 6:20) as signs for righteousness and evangelization by wearing crosses or medals, dressing modestly, and wearing a cheerful face as a "sign" of a heart that loves God (Sir 13:25).

The oldies song says, "Sign, sign, everywhere a sign." As Lent begins, Jesus sends to the world walking signs bearing His message of crucified love on their foreheads. Disciples of Christ, be signposts who lead the world to Jesus.

Prayer: Jesus, use me as Your sign so that those who don't know You might be able to "read the signs of the times" (Mt 16:3).

President Trump Praises God During National Prayer Breakfast - ENN 2018-...

President Trump tells more than 3,000 people gathered at the 2018 National Prayer Breakfast, “America stands with all people suffering oppression and religious persecution.” White House Correspondent Mark Irons reports.

Siroki Brijeg -- The Martyred Franciscans

The 8th Days of the Martyred Franciscans about to begin

On Sunday, February 4, the 8^th Days of the Martyred Franciscans shall begin, all on the occasion of the 73^rd anniversary of 66 martyred Franciscans by the Yugoslavian Communist Regime.

This event is organised by Vice-postulation of the martyrdom procedure “Fr. Leo Petrovic and 65 brothers”, led by Fr. Miljenko Stojic. Radio Siroki Brijeg shall broadcast the programme live on radio and Internet as well (radiosirokibrijeg.com).

The programme in the first three days shall begin with the Rosary and mediation at 5.30 pm, followed by the Holy Mass for the Dead at 6 pm. The main celebrants this year are: Fr. Antonio Sakota, Fr. Domagoj Simic and Fr. Ivan Matic. All three are currently involved in leading YouFra and OFS in their communities, or have done so in the last years.

The Thirty Franciscan Martyrs of Siroki Brijeg

The  Franciscan Martyrs of Široki Brijeg
Thousands of pilgrims visit the Franciscan Monastery in Široki Brijeg every year, about one hour distant from Međjugorje.

 On 7th February 1945 the Communist soldiers arrived and said “God is dead, there is no God, there is no Pope, there is no Church, there is no need of you, you also go out in the world and work.” The communists forgot that the Franciscans were working, most of the Franciscans were teaching in the adjoining school. Some of the Franciscans were famous professors and had written books. The communists asked them to remove their habits. The Franciscans refused. One angry soldier took the Crucifix and threw it on the floor. He said, “you can now choose either life or death.” Each of the Franciscans knelt down, embraced the Crucifix and said, “You are my God and my All.” The thirty Franciscans were taken out and slaughtered and their bodies burned in a nearby cave where their remains lay for many years. Today they are buried inside the Franciscan church.

 In our Gospel today Jesus said, “if anyone declares himself for me in the presence of men, I will declare myself for him in the presence of my Father in heaven.” The thirty Franciscan martyrs of Široki Brijeg are a powerful example of declaring oneself in the presence of others for Jesus. They lived something else Jesus also said in the Gospel, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; fear him rather who can destroy both body and soul in hell.”

Witnessing to Jesus and following God’s way helps others who are lacking courage to follow Jesus. One of the soldiers in the firing squad at Široki Brijeg later said, “Since I was a child, in my family, I had always heard from my mother that God exists. To the contrary, Stalin, Lenin, Tito had always asserted and taught each one of us: there is no God. God does not exist! But when I stood in front of the martyrs of Široki Brijeg and I saw how those friars faced death, praying and blessing their persecutors, asking God forgive the faults of their executioners, it was then that I recalled to my mind the words of my mother and I thought that my mother was right: God exists!” That soldier converted and now he has a son a priest and a daughter a nun. As I said, witnessing to Jesus and following God’s way also helps others in the crowd who are lacking the courage to follow Jesus.

Our Lady's Message Given to Mirjana Soldo on February 2, 2018

Our Lady's Message for the World February 2, 2018 Our Lady's Message For the World Given to Mirjana Soldo on February 2, 2018 "Dear children, you whom my Son loves, you whom I love with an immeasurable motherly love, do not permit for selfishness, for self love, to rule the world. Do not permit for love and goodness to be hidden. You who are loved, who have come to know the love of my Son, remember that to be loved means to love. My children, have faith. When you have faith you are happy and are spreading peace; your soul trembles with joy. My Son is in such a soul. When you are giving yourself for the faith, when you are giving yourself for love, when you are doing good to your neighbor, my Son smiles in your soul. Apostles of my love, I am turning to you as a mother. I am gathering you around myself and I desire to lead you on the way of love and faith, on the way which leads to the light of the world. I am here for the sake of love, for the sake of faith, because with my motherly blessing I desire to give you hope and strength on your way - because the way which leads to my Son is not easy. It is full of renunciation, giving, sacrifice, forgiveness and much, much love. But this way leads to peace and happiness. Video of Apparition https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87SGGlo8RwE