Life In The Holy Spirit

~ JOY IN THE SPIRIT ~

"The disciples could not but be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit." -Acts 13:52

Paul and Barnabas suffered "violent abuse" and were expelled from the territory of Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:45, 50). Most people react to abuse with anger, unforgiveness, or other forms of retaliation. We tend to attack the abuser physically or at least in court. However, Paul and Barnabas responded to the abusive treatment they suffered by being "filled with joy and the Holy Spirit" (Acts 13:52).

The Holy Spirit makes us holy. He transforms us and empowers us to act in godly ways. In the Spirit, we respond to evil with good (see Rm 12:21), to violence with forgiveness, and to rejection with love. The Holy Spirit can take someone like Philip, who Jesus said didn't even know Him (Jn 14:9), and turn him into a missionary-martyr-saint. The Spirit can turn a fearful man like Peter into the preacher of Pentecost, the first Pope, and a glorious martyr. The Spirit can take us in our selfishness and compulsions and make us loving, pure, and free.

On the first Easter evening, Jesus breathed on the apostles and said: "Receive the Holy Spirit" (Jn 20:22). The Father and Jesus continue to give us the Spirit.

 Receive the Holy Spirit now and live a new life.

Prayer: Father, where there is hatred, let me give love, and where there is injury, pardon (from the Prayer of St. Francis).

Promise: "I solemnly assure you, the man who has faith in Me will do the works I do, and greater far than these." -Jn 14:12

Lord, let your Spirit shine on me   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXnY-dcAR1g&feature=related

Our Lady's Apparition to Mirjana of May 2, 2012

Dear children! With motherly love I implore you to give me your hands, permit me to lead you. I, as a mother, desire to save you from restlessness, despair and eternal exile. My Son, by His death on the Cross, showed how much He loves you; He sacrificed Himself for your sake and the sake of your sins. Do not keep rejecting His sacrifice and do not keep renewing His sufferings with your sins. Do not keep shutting the doors of Heaven to yourselves. My children, do not waste time. Nothing is more important than unity in my Son. I will help you because the Heavenly Father is sending me so that, together, we can show the way of grace and salvation to all those who do not know Him. Do not be hard hearted. Have confidence in me and adore my Son. My children, you can not be without the shepherds. May they be in your prayers every day. Thank you.

Former RI National Guard top official plans rally for Woonsocket cross memorial

Photo Steve Szyolowski

Breaking News

April 26, 2012 9:46 am

By Maria Armental                

WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- The former top National Guard official in Rhode Island is calling on the military, religious leaders and everyday Rhode Islanders to stand up for a war memorial in the parking lot of the Woonsocket Fire Department.

Lt. Gen. REGINALD CENTRACCHIO

"This is the line in the sand as far as I'm concerned," said Lt. Gen. Reginald Centracchio, state adjutant general for 10 years.
The Freedom from Religion Foundation has complained that the monument, which displays a cross, is an illegal religious symbol on city property.
Centracchio believes the controversy is less about the separation of church and state than protecting veterans' rights to be buried and memorialized the way they see fit.
He plans a rally in front of the memorial Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.

~Bishop Thomas Tobin~
.

War Monument Cross is to Religious For Atheist Group

by Dee DeQuattro: Bishop Thomas Tobin says the challenge to the war monument that features a cross in Woonsocket by a Wisconsin atheist group is a “serious attack on religious expression and religious freedom” and that the atheists are bullying those who have faith.
“The majority now is being bullied by the minority, by the atheists and by the secularists and we feel like we are on the defensive, we are being bullied and that is not a good feeling to have,” Tobin told WPRO’s John DePetro.
“We are seeing a slow but steady erosion of a basic American value and that is the freedom of religious expression,” said Bishop Tobin. Tobin said the cross should not be taken down but he is open to relocating it to an area of more prominence where it will not be an “issue.” Mayor Leo Fontaine of Woonsocket said he is looking at spaces on private land that the monument could be relocated to if necessary. A rally scheduled for next Wednesday May, 2 at 4:30 p.m. at the monument aims to urge the city to keep the monument where it is.
Tobin told John DePetro that religion is everywhere in American society and various faiths are represented. He said that it is impossible for someone “offended” by the presence of religion to avoid it completely so they need to come to terms with it. “It is very hard to be immune to all that. If people are offended by that they have to deal with their issues,” said Tobin. “They cannot live in a bubble. They cannot isolate themselves completely from every religious expression in our nation, in our culture, in our society.”
Tobin said he does not believe the monument violates the separation of church and state despite accusations from the Freedom from Religion Foundation that the memorial is an egregious violation of the constitution. “This certainly has nothing to do with the separation of church and state. This is not the establishment of a denomination, it is not the establishment of a particular church by the state,” said Tobin, “this is a cultural symbol, this is a religious symbol that speaks to most of our people especially when it is dedicated to our war veterans I think it has a very special reverence.”
Tobin described a cross or a Star of David as a very basic expression of faith and said they are very natural symbols for U.S. citizens. Tobin said this challenge is a “very grave threat to our way of life as Americans and our freedom of religion.”
Tobin said that Rhode Islanders are in a battle for the cross and he hope that the cross will come out on top. “This whole debate about the cross is taking place during Easter season when we celebrate a victory of the cross, so, I think we need another victory of the cross in Woonsocket and I hope that will ultimately prevail,” said Tobin.

Our Lady's Medjugorje Meassage to Mirjana, Do Not Waste Time

This morning, on May 2, 2012, Our Lady appeared to the visionary Mirjana Soldo in front of the Blue Cross at the base of Apparition Hill. After the apparition, Mirjana reported that Our Lady gave the following message:

"Dear children! With motherly love I implore you to give me your hands, permit me to lead you. I, as a mother, desire to save you from restlessness, despair and eternal exile. My Son, by His death on the Cross, showed how much He loves you; He sacrificed Himself for your sake and the sake of your sins. Do not keep rejecting His sacrifice and do not keep renewing His sufferings with your sins. Do not keep shutting the doors of Heaven to yourselves. My children, do not waste time. Nothing is more important than unity in my Son. I will help you because the Heavenly Father is sending me so that, together, we can show the way of grace and salvation to all those who do not know Him. Do not be hard hearted. Have confidence in me and adore my Son. My children, you can not be without the shepherds. May they be in your prayers every day. Thank you."

Medjugorje Busier than ever

Medjugorje is busy as never before

By Jakob Marschner

All hotel and pansion rooms in Medjugorje were occupied last weekend, and pilgrims who came without a booking ended up sleeping in their car. I have lived here all my life, seen most big events throughout the years, and I can honestly say I never saw Medjugorje this busy, a local guide reports.

All the benches and the entire lawn next to the outdoor altar by St. James Church were afloat with people on April 29

Unusually many pilgrims visited Medjugorje last weekend April 28-29, and some arrived to the surprise that they could not find a bed to sleep in, local guide and webmaster Mate Vasilj tells us from Medjugorje.

“I think the whole of Italy moved to Medjugorje. I have lived here throughout my whole life, and I have been around on most of the busy events through the years, and I will say this with a clear conscience, I have never seen Medjugorje this busy” Mate Vasilj reports at medjugorje.net.

Mate Vasilj

“There are people still looking for a bed to sleep, there are some groups that arrived hoping they will find accomodation once they arrive since they were not able to do it by the phone/email, they ended up sleeping in the van.”

“I went to the evening Mass last night, and the whole space behind the church, all of the benches and all of the lawn was packed. It was pretty impressive but also quite intriguing, I wonder where did they all find accommodation?” Mate Vasilj writes.

http://is.gd/c6Xh69

The Holy Spirit Comes

Pentecost: the Holy Spirit Comes

by Victor Hoagland, C.P.

Following his resurrection Jesus was seen by his apostles for a period of forty days, according to the Acts of the Apostles, during which “he spoke to them of the kingdom of God”. (Acts 1) The sundays of Easter before the Feast of Pentecost recall these meetings when the Good Shepherd, risen from the dead, goes searching for his sheep. He will not leave them orphans, he tells them, “I will come back to you.”
      
At the same time Jesus directed his apostles to “wait for the gift promised by the Father, of which I told you.” The gift of the Holy Spirit.
     
So they waited in Jerusalem until the Jewish feast of Pentecost arrived, fifty days after the Passover. Then, as they were all together in one place, a strong wind and sound filled the house where they were, and flames like tongues of fire came to rest on them. They were filled with the Holy Spirit.
      
The Holy Spirit is Jesus’ “first gift to those who believe, to complete his work on earth, and bring us the fulness of grace.” ( 4th Eucharistic Prayer) Just as the Father sent him, his disciples are to go into the world to renew the face of the earth. With different gifts, they form one body. Performing different works, they are members of the body of Christ, the church.

They were not to be survivors reminiscing until death about those few glorious years he was with them. They were to be on their way to new uncharted lands. “Go and make disciples of all the nations. Baptise them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you.” Their lives were not ending, but beginning.
     
The Acts of the Apostles records the beginnings of the church. Jesus’ disciples would take his message from Jerusalem to all parts of the world through the power of the Holy Spirit.
     
“Receive the Holy Spirit”, Jesus said to his apostles when he first appeared to them on Easter sunday. A new age has come.

The same Holy Spirit still abides in the church, with us, making all things new.

Come, Holy Spirit, Creator come
from your bright heav’nly throne:
come take possession of our souls,
and make them all your own.

You who are called the Paraclete,
best gift of God above,
the living spring, the living fire,
sweet unction and true love.

You who are sev’nfold in your grace,
finger of God’s right hand:
his promise, teaching little ones
to speak and understand.

O guide our minds with your blest light,
with love our hearts inflame;
and with your strength, which ne’er decays,
confirm our mortal frame.

Dear children! Today I call you, through prayer and sacrifice, to prepare yourselves for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Little children, this is a time of grace and so, again, I call you to decide for God the Creator. Allow him to transform and change you. May your heart be prepared to listen to, and live, everything which the Holy Spirit has in his plan for each of you. Little children, allow the Holy Spirit to lead you on the way of truth and salvation towards eternal life. Thank you for having responded to my call. Medjugorje message, May 25, 1998

Daily Grace: May Your Hears Open Toward God

Daily Grace: May Your Hears Open Toward God: Our Lady Queen of Peace gave her monthly message to Marija on April 25, 2012. Her beautiful words invite and encourage us like onl...

Animals in Medjugorje

This is an excerpt taken from an article that was published in spiritdaily.   http://www.spiritdaily.com/

"Just this weekend, I was telling some friends of my experience with animals in Medjugorje," wrote another correspondent of that alleged and famous apparition site, which is under Vatican study. "I was praying the Stations as I ascended the mountain of the cement Cross. There was only one other person ascending ahead of me. The valley below was peaceful after several days of rain. I could hear the prayers being said in the church in preparation for the apparition (October, 1998). At the time of the apparition, I stepped over to the side to look down at the valley and at that very moment, every creature in the valley below came to life. The birds took flight, the dogs began to howl, the sheep and every animal lifted their voices in a loud cacophony. It was amazing! I knew then that what was happening in Medjugorje was of God because all of His creation was crying out in reverence to the very presence of the Queen of Heaven. I have never forgotten that special moment."

In the early years, a flock of swallows or sparrows always lit on the ledges of the church chirping and singing but halting at the very moment of apparition.

"I observed that the birds would sing around the clock," said Joe Kleczka to a newsletter. "I remember one evening walking back to our house, after the Adoration of the Cross at St. James Church, at about 10:00 p.m., the birds were singing. Early one morning, while in Medjugorje, I awoke at about 1:30 AM and went out on the balcony to get some fresh air and I heard the birds singing. Also, the birds used to all stop chirping in unison when Our Lady would appear to the visionaries and start chirping again in unison when she left. I remember saying to myself what kind of birds are these. I thought they may be a special breed of bird in Yugoslavia."

The opposite seems true of evil places. "I've been to Auschwitz twice and I have to say, it was very quiet. It was really eerie," said a blogger.

Noted another: "From the trees and bushes alongside the newly erected Crucifix beside St. James church, the sparrows swoop down into the fountains of waters circulating beneath the cross. Cleansed and refreshed, they hop onto a ledge and ruffle their feathers to dry themselves before flying back to a nearby lofty branch or bush. Similarly, on the opposite side of the church, pilgrims are restored and revived, their souls cleansed and absolved by the healing sacrament of reconciliation. How God works in mysterious and providential ways. Our Lady once spoke to the visionaries about God’s providence. She suggested that they read regularly, Matthew 6 : 25-34. (Trust in Providence: "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them...). The life of the sparrows at Medjugorje are a wonderful illustration of this promise."

Fr. Dwight Longenecker-My Medjugorje Story

My Medjugorje Story  

I was an Anglican priest living in England, in 1985 when I was invited by a group of Anglicans and Catholics to visit Medjugorje. I didn’t want to go. Being a former Evangelical-fundamentalist I wasn’t too keen on apparitions of the Blessed Virgin. I opted out. They insisted. I dug in my heels. They said someone else would pay for it. I didn’t want to go. They cajoled and twisted my arm until I said ‘yes’.

So off I went and this was in Medjugorje’s hey day. All I can do is report my memories of that visit: People were everywhere making confessions. Mass was non stop in the church of St James in the village square. Crowds lined up to see the visionaries who were still living there and still teenagers and still having daily apparitions.The Franciscans preached mightily. There was a strong charismatic element–praise and worship music and fervent preaching.

If my memory serves me, at six o’clock in the evening the visionaries would go to the side room off the sanctuary of the church where the visions occurred. The whole town would begin praying the rosary. All the visitors prayed too. At 6:20 the visions would start. Around 6:40 they would stop and the people would pray the last set of mysteries.

On our second day there I sat on the balcony of our guesthouse with a large woman named Eleanor. As we began the rosary I looked up and the sun was a blaze of light in the sky. I looked down to the car parked below and the sun was reflected in the hood of the car as a blaze of light. Eleanor and I prayed the rosary together. I had my eyes closed. At 6:20 Eleanor gave me an elbow in the ribs and pointed. The sun was now a disc of white light in the sky like a Eucharistic host. Then as I watched it began to spin, first clockwise then anti clockwise. Sparks spit out from the rim of the sun like a firework. I looked down and the sun was a white spinning disc on the hood of the car. I don’t think this would have happened if it was just my eyes playing tricks on me. Plus, Eleanor saw it too. That’s why she gave me an elbow in the ribs. I am not sure how long this lasted, but when we spoke about it to our fellow pilgrims they said many people in the town square had reported the same phenomenon.

A few other strange things: the days we spent there were ones of incredible fellowship. We seemed to be on a higher plane of consciousness. We seemed to love one another and we laughed joyously almost constantly. Think of being on vacation with  really good family and friends and being high the whole time on the love and joy you were sharing. We also met pilgrims from around the world and established an instant family like rapport, and oh yes, the new rosary I bought there was a pewter color, but when I got it home–still in its package–it had turned a gold color.

So now what do I make of all this? Well, the same as I make of the other supernatural experiences I have had. It was inexplicable. That’s why it was supernatural. I cannot rule on the authenticity and I am not much interested in the controversy. I know the experience I had bolstered my faith. It was one of the things that drew me to Catholicism ’cause let’s face it, the Protestants don’t really have stuff like that! Also I was drawn closer to the Blessed Mother. Somehow I understood her role and the blockage I had as a Protestant was further eroded.
Does this mean I am a die hard Medjugorje devotee? No. I’ve followed the story a bit over the years. I wish them well and I hope it will one day all be sorted out. If the church says the whole thing is authentic I don’t have a problem. If it is ruled inauthentic I don’t have a problem.

My own opinion is that something authentic happened there at some point, but that it has been infected with human ego, greed and probably a concerted attack by Satan. The waters have been muddied. Bad stuff has now happened to discredit the events. Whatever transpires, I will accept the church’s decision and don’t really mind one way or another.

I thank God for what I experienced at Medjugorje, but the truths of the Catholic faith and the authority of the Catholic Church are what are most important, and I am sure the Blessed Virgin would approve of that.
I tell this story, by the way, because I have been asked to–not because I wish to cause controversy or upset people on either side of the controversy. As it happens, I’ve had some pretty wonderful supernatural experiences along my way with Christ, and I take them all with a sense of wonder and a pinch of salt and try to keep my eyes on Jesus.

John Barrys Blog: Medjugorje Visionary Mirjana asks young people to follow Jesus...

John Barrys Blog: Medjugorje Visionary Mirjana asks young people t...: Tommaso Rossi reports: Osimo (AN), -Hundreds of people came from all over Italy and gathered for the moment of encounter and prayer held a...

Kara Russo -Loves Women of Grace

Published on Mar 18, 2012 by womenofgraceonline      

Hi! I''m Kara Russo in Galilee, Rhode Island, and I LOVE Women of Grace!

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Relevant Radio® Comes To The East Coast

1/20/12

(GREEN BAY)-Rev. Francis J. Hoffman, Executive Director of Relevant Radio, was pleased to announce that Relevant Radio entered into an agreement with Salem Communications to purchase WBZS 550 AM located in Providence, Rhode Island, on January 6th, 2012. The official FCC Application was filed on January 17, 2012.

“Through the unbelievable generosity of a supporter, a gift was given with the hope of expanding the foot print of Relevant Radio,” said Fr. Hoffman. “After much discernment and prayer, plus consultation with His Excellency Thomas J. Tobin, Bishop of the Diocese of Providence, the Board of Directors selected WBZS based upon the signal coverage and strength, the size of the Catholic population and the affordable purchase price of $750,000.”
Fr. Hoffman stated, “For the New Evangelization we pray first; sacrifice second; and then get to work. We are thrilled that Relevant Radio can step out with faith into Providence in this upcoming Year of Faith. Our first station license was granted on December 12, 2000, the feast day of our Patroness, Our Lady of Guadalupe. It is fitting that both parties entered into the agreement on the feast of St. Andre Bessette, January 6, 2012. He had a great devotion to St. Joseph, and St. Joseph had a hand in this transaction.”
Since December of 2000, Relevant Radio has been helping people bridge the gap between faith and everyday life. Thought-provoking and engaging dialogue, commentary and listener call-in programs are the hallmarks of Relevant Radio twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week. The Relevant Radio network is currently serving the Church with 12 stations and 21 affiliates in 12 states with a potential listening audience of 28 million. The national headquarters of this listener-supported lay apostolate are located in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

AND AMAZING GRACE: MEDJUGORJE TESTIMONY OF JUDY & JOHN

AND AMAZING GRACE: MEDJUGORJE TESTIMONY OF JUDY & JOHN: John and Judy - Our Medjugorje Testimony - Done with love for Jesus and Mary Our miraculous images on photo and we also have images on video...

Let the greatest sinners place their trust in My mercy.

[Let] the greatest sinners place their trust in My mercy. They have the right before others to trust in the abyss of My mercy. My daughter, write about My mercy towards tormented souls. Souls that make an appeal to My mercy delight Me. To such souls I grant even more graces than they ask. I cannot punish even the greatest sinner if he makes an appeal to My compassion, but on the contrary, I justify him in My unfathomable and inscrutable mercy. Write: before I come as a just Judge, I first open wide the door of My mercy. He who refuses to pass through the door of My mercy must pass through the door of My justice…

Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, 1146

Our Lady's Medjugorje message to Marija of April 25, 2012

 

Dear children! Also today I am calling you to prayer, and may your heart, little children, open towards God as a flower opens towards the warmth of the sun. I am with you and I intercede for all of you. Thank you for having responded to my call. Medjugorje message, April 25, 2012

God enables the weak to overcome all odds

By Gary Wilkinson  April 23, 2012
   

The powerful nation of Syria moved to attack Israel but God revealed to Elisha every move Syria was about to make. Because of this, the prophet was able to warn Israel's army and keep them out of harm's way.

The Syrian military was comprised of mighty battalions, huge chariots and up-to-date weapons. Yet it was thwarted at every move because of Elisha, which infuriated Syria's king. Finally, he gave up his attacks on Israel and turned his entire army on Elisha: "Go, find out where he is . . . so I can send men and capture him" (2 Kings 6:13, NIV).

Elisha was staying in Dothan. The Syrian king sent ". . . a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city" (6:14). The next morning, Elisha's servant woke to see the enemy forces and cried out to Elisha in a panic, "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?"

Have you ever felt panic as this servant did? "There's no way out of this problem. It's too big! What can I possibly do?"

At such times, our prayers can turn into worry sessions, filled with anxiety. We tell ourselves, "There's no way God can pull me out of this."

Elisha answered his servant, "Don't be afraid. . . . Those who are with us are more than those who are with them" (6:16). Elisha prayed for his servant, saying, "O Lord, open his eyes so he may see" (6:17). Suddenly Elisha's servant saw what was invisible to the naked eye: "He looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha" (6:17).

Right now in your crisis, the odds against you may be 10,000 to 1. But as Elisha's story shows, 10,000 is a meager number when weighed against the infinite number of angels at God's service. You may feel overwhelmed and outnumbered — but God never loses. He never retreats and He never negotiates. He is with you in the midst of your battle to deliver you supernaturally.

You may ask, as Elisha's servant did, "What shall I do?" God has already answered you in Elisha's story: "Trust in the Lord." When all else seems to fail — when you feel there's no hope left, that you're about to fall in defeat — God enters and transforms everything.

Here was the end result: "The bands from [Syria] stopped raiding Israel's territory" (2 Kings 6:23). It was yet another faith-building lesson for Israel. Elisha was showing God's people, "Having the Lord on your side is better than having the world's most powerful army. Trust in Him!"

Sicilians flocked for Marija visit

Marija at Berbera Stadium, Palermo, April 21. Photo: Petyx

---

Reputed seer fills stadium as seventy priests con-celebrate

by Jakob Marschner

90 buses were set in from all over Sicily, and other attendees came from all parts of Italy when Medjugorje visionary Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti had a public apparition on Palermo’s football stadium on Saturday, April 21. More than 30,000 heard Marija tell them to rally around the Church.

Only one single Mass per year

Pictured:  Fr. Edward Sousa Jr.

One single mass per year?

  Many are still unaware of a magnificent and astonishing element in Medjugorje’s history. It is a joy for me to share this with you today, because it is directly linked to Divine Mercy Sunday!

The Turks ruled the country for more than four centuries (1463-1873). Now during this period of time, the Christians were submitted to terrible persecution and forced to convert to Islam. In fact, according to the Papal visitor Peter Masarecchi, by 1624 40-50,000 Croat Catholics were forced to convert to Islam in the central part of Bosnia. (This explains the presence of Muslims in the country, who are in fact “ex-Christians” according to their roots).

The government at that time did not allow Catholics to celebrate the Mass, so a sort of secret Christian life grew that was similar to the secret life of the first Christians who celebrated Mass in the Catacombs of Rome, (also similar to the lives of Christians in modern day China). The Bosnian government did however make one concession: Christians were granted permission to celebrate one Mass per year, only one, in a predetermined place, in the middle of nowhere, far from any city. The date of this Mass was predetermined too - the first Sunday after Easter, the same date that Jesus would later choose as the Feast of the Divine Mercy, according to the revelations of Saint Faustina Kowalska. The Christians, who were so fervent in this era, did not hesitate to go by foot to this chosen place in their thousands, walking for days and through the night in all weather facing dangers along the way, in order to be able to live this Mass and “see Jesus” present in the host at least once in the year. This pilgrimage was, for them, the source of their strength, their hope, their joy, and their light in the night of persecution.

We know that there is method in God’s ideas! We will only see in Heaven, the whole tapestry that he weaves in the world in his Divine Providence, and how strongly we are connected to one another through the communion of Saints! Only then will we discover how certain events, which appear to be new to us, are in fact deeply rooted in the past, in the heart of several generations of believers who have prayed and paid the price, who have even spilled their blood for their faith. It happens that sometimes God reveals a little of his mysterious designs and illuminates a surprising continuity in His choices.

So this place, blessed by the annual mass for these thousands of suffering Christians, was none other than the rocky countryside of Medjugorje, in the exact spot where the cemetery of Kovacica is now, (where Father Slavko is buried)!! It is found just a few meters away from St James, where thousands of pilgrims gather again today!

No wonder then to see rivers of graces flowing on this village! Isn't our God truly Amazing?    source- Children of Medjugorje 

www.childrenofmedjugorje.com

Medjugorje is full of pilgrims

NUMEROUS PILGRIMS IN MEDJUGORJE

Medjugorje is full of pilgrims in this Easter time. The Information Office registered smaller or bigger groups from: England, Romania, France, Slovakia, Albania, Portugal, Germany, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Lebanon, the United States, Ireland, Brazil, Poland, Mexico, Canada, Slovenia, Korea, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, Ukraine, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

We had opportunity to speak to Mrs. Maired Peoples who came from Northern Ireland. She came to Medjugorje in 1985 and brings groups since 1986. At the time she came first, she did not know a lot about Medjugorje, she was on her way to Italy and Medjugorje was just one place on that trip that they were to visit. “As we drove in the bus, they spoke about Medjugorje as of really beautiful place where Blessed Mother appears every day, but I found it hard to believe in that.

When we arrived to Medjugorje they said that there was going to be an apparition that evening. I was somewhere on the side and I started to pray the Rosary that I never prayed before. At the end of the Rosary, I knelt and started to pray. I said to Our Lady: ‘Our Lady, I do not know whether it is possible that you are coming here, but if you are here, please Mother, I need you, I need you!’ In that moment I felt as She embraced me, I felt love that I had never felt before and my life is not the same after that moment!”

She said how she witnessed that people changed because of Medjugorje, how they are being healed when they come here. At the end she added: “You need to come to Medjugorje, there are no words to describe this place. This is where one feels peace and love.”

Few days ago musical concert was held in the church of St. James and students of grammar school of St. Aloysius Gonzaga from Canadian town Mississauge were performing. All those who were present were thrilled, but especially relatives and friends of one student who is originally from Herzegovina. He is the only student out of 50 of them who comes from little place close to Siroki Brijeg, called Izbicno and who had huge influence at that group of students to come and visit Medjugorje.    Medjugorje Official

Marija says do not confess to psychologists

When the Virgin Mary invites everyone to go to confession, she means to priests, not to psychologists, visionary Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti told a packed parish church in Italy on Sunday. She also took the opportunity to speak against abortion and divorce which she ascribed to lack of prayer.
Our Lady invites us to return to the Mass and to confession, but before the priests, not before psychologists” Medjugorje visionary Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti told a crowd of at least 700 people who filled the parish church in Brescello, Italy, on April 15....
http://www.medjugorjetoday.tv/5377/marija-do-not-confess-to-psychologists/

Daily Grace: Be Not Afraid ~ Totus Tuus

Daily Grace: Be Not Afraid ~ Totus Tuus: “Be not afraid”, these are the beautiful words that Pope John Paul II began and ended his papacy with. The exhortation "Be not afraid...

Water and Spirit." -John 3:5

BAPTISM

I solemnly assure you, no one can enter into God's kingdom without being begotten of water and Spirit." -John 3:5

The early Church prayed that the Lord stretch forth His "hand in cures and signs and wonders" (Acts 4:30). The Lord answered their prayers, for "the place where they were gathered shook as they prayed. They were filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 4:31). Nevertheless, although the Lord is quite willing to do signs and wonders, the main thing on His mind is that we be begotten from above of water and Spirit (Jn 3:3, 5). Thus, when Nicodemus started talking to Jesus about signs and wonders, the Lord changed the subject and talked about being begotten from above, that is, being baptized and living the baptized life (see Jn 3:2-3).

Before Jesus ascended, He was again thinking about Baptism, for He commanded the Church to baptize the nations (Mt 28:19). Jesus taught that those who believe in the Good News and accept Baptism will be saved while those who refuse "to believe in it will be condemned" (Mk 16:16). Before His Ascension, Jesus also promised that within a few days His disciples would "be baptized with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 1:5).

As a result of receiving this Baptism on Pentecost, Peter proclaimed that Jesus was both Lord and Messiah (Acts 2:36). "Those who accepted his message were baptized; some three thousand were added that day" (Acts 2:41), and the Church was born through the waters of Baptism. Because Jesus is so preoccupied with Baptism, He has led the Church to call for its members to renew their baptismal promises on the first day of the Easter season.
Have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16). Think Baptism. Live Baptism. Be risen in Christ.
Prayer: Father, may I renew my Baptism daily as I bless myself with holy water.

Fathers Love Letter

My Child,

You may not know me,
but I know everything about you.
Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.
Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.
Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.
Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.
Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.
Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book.
Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live.
Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented
by those who don't know me.
John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.
1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father.
1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father.
Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.
Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul.
Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me.
Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.
Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you.
Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart.
Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes.
Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.
Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.
Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you.
1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love.
Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me.
1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7

I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…
Will you be my child?
John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.
Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad  Almighty God

Because He Lives

14/04/2012 16:27:50: Not the traditional Easter Song,
 beautifully sung captivated my heart and soul.
Yes, my risen Lord! thanks for the rising from the dead.

Divine Mercy -- St. Faustina's Chaplet Vision Instructions

ploaded by themaineman2001 on Sep 15, 2008

St. Faustina visions and Jesus' instructions to say and promote The Divine Mercy Chaplet. Music is "Divine Mercy Flood My Soul", written and sung by Annie Karto, Catholic singer/songwriter and inspirational speaker from Treasure Island FL.

The Divine Mercy Prayer in a Song

Uploaded by pbwence on Mar 27, 2008   

Available now to order! 'The Divine Mercy Chaplet In Song,' seen and heard worldwide on EWTN, comes from producer Trish Short and has become an international best-seller! To pray this beautiful chaplet anytime day or night, order at: www.divinemercyinsong.com God bless you as you spread this message... because the world has never been more in need of His mercy.

The Great Day of Divine Mercy

Divine Mercy Sunday

April 15, 2012

.

O Lord, our God. We place our trust in You, Because you are mercy itself. We repent of our sins and turn to You for mercy. We trust You to provide for our every need, according to Your will. Help us to forgive others as You forgive us. We promise to be merciful by our deeds, words and prayers. Though we have fears because of human weakness, we rely on Your infinite goodness and mercy. We entrust to You the future of our planet, our Church, our nations, our families and all our needs. With loud cries we implore your mercy on us and on the whole world. Look upon us, created in your image and likeness. Form us in the Heart of Mary by the power of your Holy Spirit into the living images of mercy. May all come to know the depth of Your mercy and sing the praises of Your mercy forever. Amen!

Revelation given to Saint Sr. Faustina.

You will prepare the world for My final coming. (Diary 429)
Speak to the world about My mercy ... It is a sign for the end times. After it will come the Day of Justice. While there is still time, let them have recourse to the fountain of My mercy. (Diary 848)
Tell souls about this great mercy of Mine, because the awful day, the day of My justice, is near. (Diary 965).
I am prolonging the time of mercy for the sake of sinners. But woe to them if they do not recognize this time of My visitation. (Diary 1160)
Before the Day of Justice, I am sending the Day of Mercy. (Diary 1588)
He who refuses to pass through the door of My mercy must pass through the door of My justice. (Diary 1146).

In addition to these words of Our Lord Sr. Faustina gives us the Words of the Mother of Mercy, the Blessed Virgin,

You have to speak to the world about His great mercy and prepare the world for the Second Coming of Him who will come, not as a merciful Savior, but as a just Judge. Oh how terrible is that day! Determined is the day of justice, the day of divine wrath. The angels tremble before it. Speak to souls about this great mercy while it is still the time for granting mercy. (Diary 635).

It is clear that, like the message of Fátima, the urgency here is the urgency of the Gospel, "repent and believe." The exact timing is the Lord's. However, it is also clear that we have reached some critical phase of the end times that began with the birth of the Church. To this fact Pope John Paul II alluded at the consecration in 1981 of the Shrine of Merciful Love in Collevalenaza, Italy, when he noted the "special task" assigned to him by God "in the present situation of man, the Church and the world." In His Encyclical on the Father he urges us "to implore God's mercy for humanity in this hour of history ... to beg for it at this difficult, critical phase of the history of the Church and of the world as we approach the end of the second millennium." (Rich in Mercy 15)
http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/mercy/index.htm.............http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7jej5Y74bE

Medjugorje: Photo taken on Pobdrobo in the summer of 2010

AN EVENING OF REFLECTION WITH OUR LADY

AN EVENING OF REFLECTION WITH OUR LADY, QUEEN OF PEACE

With Visionary Ivan Dragicevic of Medjugorje

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Corpus Christi Church

324 Quaker Meetinghouse Road, near Exit 3, E. Sandwich, MA

Main Celebrant
Rev. George Harrison

Reconciliation available from 5 p.m.
6:00 p.m. Rosary
6:40 p.m. Time of silence (apparition)

7:00-8:00 p.m. Holy Mass

8:00-9:00 Ivan Dragicevic will speak

For further information or directions please call
Maureen - 508-888-2740 or 508-326-8006

American Catholics – Is now the time to take a second look at Medjugorje?

American Catholics – Is now the time to take a second look at Medjugorje?
By Stephen k Ryan

A spaceship has landed in a remote village in Bosnia and a “being” from another dimension – a dimension six witnesses’ claim is the afterlife - has stepped out from the craft and rather than saying “take me to your leader” the pilot has unequivocally said to the world – “I have come to tell the world that God exists.”

This "pilot- being” claims to be the Mother of Jesus Christ and importantly millions of Catholics from around the world are finally beginning to accept the message. The Virgin Mary, for thirty years, from a small town called Medjugorje, has been telling the world that God exists and She has been bringing with her special messages of peace. Her messages are a “mosaic” which taken together, overtime, have carefully constructed a sure path to eternity and paradise. Many, devoted to the events of Medjugorje, call the town “Mary’s School”. The Blessed Mother is calling us back to God and like at Cana, She is pointing the way to Her son Jesus. The fruits of Her message have been unprecedented in modern times.

Medjugorje is now the third most popular Catholic shrine in the world only behind Guadalupe and Lourdes. Medjugorje is an important spiritual phenomenon in many parts of the world but interestingly Medjugojre has suddenly put down deep roots in Italy. Medjugorje, some claim, is nearly laying siege to the Vatican. This is a particularly significant marvel in that the Vatican has formed a special investigative committee to determine the truth behind the alleged Marian apparitions. As the investigation moves its way to some kind of conclusion, millions of Italians read Our Lady's special messages that come from Medjugorje each month. As each day passes and as more Italians come to know Medjugorje the stakes for the Vatican, almost by definition, seem to rise with each passing day as well.

Italy is not alone with its strong attachment to the alleged Marian occurrences. The great friend of Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Christophe Schonborn of Austria - the Archbishop of Vienna - has invited the “seers’ of Medjugorje into his Cathedral to experience a close encounter with the Blessed Mother. It is quite extraordinary to think that a man, who is talked about as a serious candidate to be the next Pope, is unabashedly telling those who are open minded that indeed the Blessed Mother is here on earth engaged in an active ministry encouraging the world through special messages to seek peace in their hearts and to put God in the first place in their lives.

But here in the United States there seems to be a resistance to this fascinating spiritual, perhaps supernatural, occurrence.

Many reasons are given for this force against Medjugorje, but two stand above the rest - a dominant secular bullying press and a strong and active Protestant and evangelical Christian church that often sets the tone for Christian culture here in the United States. This "protestant tone" often forces Catholic Bishops, for ecumenical reasons, to down play the Virgin Mary's role as an Advocate for mankind. Many Catholic pundits often echo the secular press when it comes to writing about miraculous and supernatural events - there is basically a blackout on the subject - which keeps Medjugorje fenced in. Many Catholics bloggers and news organization are also quick to point out that “private revelations” are not a part of the body of the faith and therefore of little value to a practicing Catholic. They state that all revelations of Christ ended with the death of the last apostle and that veneration of the Blessed Mother interferes with the singular aspect to worship which is celebrating the Eucharist at Mass.

However, there seems to be a great paradox to ignoring the Blessed Mother's important presence in the Catholic Church If we minimize Her role than we must downplay Her enormous pastoral contribution to the Church throughout the ages that has led to the conversion of millions. Think of the Catholic faith without Guadalupe, Fatima and Lourdes - the fruits of the Blessed Mother our immeasurable.

The need for every Catholic is not to “believe” in Medjugorje but rather, it seems to us, every Catholic should understand that millions of devout Catholics have discovered something special with Medjugorje and importantly it should be understood that there is nothing intrinsically wrong with discerning the events taking place there. There is nothing wrong with taking a moment to ask what is going on in Medjugorje. What is wrong is to block the door.
Source  http://www.ministryvalues.com/

Easter Sunrise

Greg Sousa

Easter Sunrise by Greg Sousa
Sing Hallelujah to the Lord 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeAIKgv1430

Easter Services in Medjugorje

Photo's of Easter Services in Medjugorje

http://www.medjugorje.hr/en/multimedia/photos/photos/

medjugorje official

GOD'S WORD

 Holy Saturday
(no eucharistic readings)

PREACHING GOD'S WORD TO THE DEAD

"I put my hope in Your word." -Psalm 119:74

Yesterday, there was no Mass anywhere in the world; however, we were able to receive Holy Communion. During the day today, there is no Mass or Communion on this planet earth. We are identifying with the burial of Jesus by being deprived of His eucharistic presence.

The primary presence of Jesus in the world on Holy Saturday is not the Word-made-Flesh in Communion (see Jn 1:14), but simply the Word. During the time Jesus was buried, we know of only one thing He did. In the spirit, Jesus "went to preach to the spirits in prison" (1 Pt 3:19). "The reason the gospel was preached even to the dead was that, although condemned in the flesh in the eyes of men, they might Live in the Spirit in the eyes of God" (1 Pt 4:6). Jesus preached His lifesaving Word to the dead so that they could believe in Him (see Rm 10:17) and so enter into everlasting life.

Spend this Holy Saturday immersed in God's Word and therefore in God's presence. Read the nine readings and psalms for tonight's Easter Vigil. May our whole day be a liturgy of the Word which will culminate in the celebration of the Easter Vigil. Then tonight, may we recognize the risen Jesus in the breaking of the bread (Lk 24:31).

Prayer: Jesus, may I bathe in Your Word today (see Eph 5:26).

Medjugorje - Veneration Of The Cross

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Jesus

John 3:16-21

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.  But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”