Monday, January 30, 2012

Chris Tomlin 'I Will Rise' - Christian Music



Chris Tomlin ' I Will Rise' - YouTube

Chris Tomlin's 'I Will Rise' is Christian music at its best. It soars with the Holy Spirit!

The following excerpt is from the website of HearItFirst.com:

Chris Tomlin is an interesting enigma. With nine No. 1 songs and over three million album sales to his credit, he’s one of the most successful artists in music. At the same time, he’s one of the least known. Ask anyone about Chris Tomlin and only a few will tell you they know him well.

There’s a reason for the subtle mystery. All the songs---including such anthems as “How Great is Our God,” “Forever,” and “Holy is the Lord,” the sold out concert dates around the world and the millions in CD sales have never been about elevating Chris Tomlin, but about worshiping God.

“I just love that God uses me,” he says, “but my role isn’t to grab as much attention as I possibly can, but to really point people to God. I don’t spend my time thinking how to make myself more popular, so maybe that why I there’s a bit of a mystery there.”

When Tomlin stands in front of a throng of believers, it’s his desire to disappear, to surrender to the Holy Spirit and help others release the concerns of the world and focus on worshipping the God who created them. He’s excelled at that calling for more than a decade and at the very heart of his ministry is an arsenal of songs that have become anthems, sung by believers all over the globe. His last three albums Hello Love, See the Morning and Arriving have been certified gold, signifying sales of more than 500,000 units and Arriving has been certified platinum with sales over a million, truly impressive feats in an ailing music industry. On the CCLI charts, which measure the songs used in churches, Tomlin has five songs in the top ten and 15 in the top 100.

Read more: Chris Tomlin

Bruce Van Natta: Saved by Angels




Bruce Van Natta: Saved by Angels - CBN TV - Video

He was pinned under a massive logging truck. Bruce was certain he would die until the miraculous happened.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Healing Mass Celebration Scheduled for 2012 at World Apostolate of Fatima, USA

Fr. Paul Ruge - Photo by Loci B. Lenar

The World Apostolate of Fatima, USA, will celebrate a Healing Mass every third Sunday from May to December 2012 with Fr. Paul Ruge. The Mass will begin with Divine Mercy Prayer at 3:00 PM in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick will follow after the Homily.

The National Blue Army Shrine is located in Warren County on the grounds of the World Apostolate of Fatima at 674 Mountain View Road, (Asbury) Washington, New Jersey.

I would suggest calling the Catholic shrine at (908) 689-1700 for any changes or updates for the Healing Mass schedule.

Blessed Sacrament Chapel - Photo by Loci B. Lenar

If you have a medical condition, I would suggest attending the Healing Mass. If you cannot attend, consider calling or visiting your local church and request a copy of their annual mass schedule. Most Catholic churches will have at least one Healing Mass during the calender year which includes the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.

Other Christian denominations hold various healing services as well. Check with the local church pastor.

Holy scripture encourages those who are ill to receive the Anointing of the Sick.  So what does scripture say about God's healing grace?

Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. -James 5:14-15

Please consider joining Fr. Paul Ruge as he celebrates the Healing Mass in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. 

Healing Mass Schedule

May 20, 2012

June 17, 2012

July 15, 2012

August 19, 2012

September 16, 2012

October 21, 2012

November 18, 2012

December 16, 2012

Additionally, the shrine holds daily Mass at 12:00 Noon in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel.

Please consider visiting http://www.christian-miracles.com/ and reading Father Paul Ruge's interview with Fr. Hubert Schiffer. Father Schiffer miraculously survived the atomic explosion on August 6, 1945 at Hiroshima, Japan. To read the story and to view a documentary trailer, please visit the following link: Rosary Miracle at Hiroshima

Our Lady of Medjugorje's Monthly Message to Marija Pavlovic

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar


The Medjugorje Web - Apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Medjugorje

Our Lady's Message of January 25, 2012 to Marija Pavlovic:

 "Dear children! With joy, also today I call you to open your hearts and to listen to my call. Anew, I desire to draw you closer to my Immaculate Heart, where you will find refuge and peace. Open yourselves to prayer, until it becomes a joy for you. Through prayer, the Most High will give you an abundance of grace and you will become my extended hands in this restless world which longs for peace. Little children, with your lives witness faith and pray that faith may grow day by day in your hearts. I am with you. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Mary, Mother of Peace by Stephen B Whatley

Mary, Mother of Peace by Stephen B. Whatley


A new work of art created on the first day of 2012: World Day of Peace.

In September 2011, the art and faith of Stephen B. Whatley was the subject of a major feature and interview in Catholic Life magazine.

For anyone who was unable to obtain a copy, the full feature is now available to read online at:
www.christian-miracles.com/artofstephenbwhatley.htm

Mary Mother of Peace - January 1, 2012 by Stephen B. Whatley
Charcoal on paper, 23.4 x 16.5in/ 59 x 42cm

Monday, January 16, 2012

Dr. Alveda King Calls Martin Luther King, Jr. a “Pro-Life Social Conservative”


Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - Photo by Loci B. Lenar
 


The following excerpt is from FoxNewsInsider.com:

As we remember the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., his niece, Dr. Alveda King, tells Peter Johnson, Jr. that she believes her uncle would have been considered a pro-life social conservative if he were alive today.

Earlier on Fox and Friends, King discussed her uncle’s beliefs and said that since MLK was someone who gave his life to all humanity, “he would really support the best quality of life, and that is conception until natural death.”

Read more: MJK

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Native American woman to soon become a saint




The following excerpt is from RomeReports.com:

The first canonization of a Native American woman has been approved. Her name is Kateri Tekakwitha, but she's also known as “Lily of the Mohawks” and the patroness of American Indians. Last December, Benedict XVI cleared the way for her canonization, after a miracle was attributed to her.

The case deals with a young boy from Washington State, who was hospitalized for several months, after being diagnosed with a flesh eating disease. His case was serious, until his parish priest, asked his family and their parish to pray for the intercession of Kateri. Soon after, the family says, the boy began to heal without any medical explanation. 


Read more: Kateri Tekakwitha

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Join in Prayer for God's Spiritual Blessings at St. Mary's Church on January 19, 2012

St. Mary's Catholic Church, Denville, NJ
Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

All are Welcome to Join in Prayer for God's Spiritual Blessings at St. Mary's Church on January 19, 2012

Please consider visiting St. Mary's Catholic Church for Mass and prayer services.

St. Mary's holds a monthly service for prayer with Fr. Richard Tartaglia including special prayer intentions which are submitted through the website of www.Christian-Miracles.com.

Previous services have included prayer for Christian Unity. However, prayers for world peace are always included.

The next prayer service is scheduled for Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 7:30 PM (EST).  The prayer service is held every third Thursday of each month with a new theme. January will focus on Life and the Unborn.

St. Mary's Church is located on 15 Myers Avenue, Denville, New Jersey.

There is great power through the Holy Spirit when people join together in agreement while praying for God’s help and intervention. However, if you cannot attend, you can still join in with your own special prayer intentions with St. Mary's Church between the hours of 7:30-8:00 PM on January 19th.

Prayer requests can posted directly on www.Christian-Miracles.com at the following link:
http://www.christian-miracles.com/apps/prayers/

May Our Lord have mercy and bless your prayer requests with divine favor.

Monthly Prayer Schedule with Related Topics for 2012

Pray for Life - Thursday, January 19 at 7:30 P.M.

Candlemas and Lent - Thursday, February 16 at 7:30 P.M.

Lent and Penance - Thursday, March 15 at 7:30 P.M.


Easter and Resurrection - Thursday, April 19 at 7:30 P.M.

No evening prayer service in May

John the Babtist - Thursday, June 21 at 7:30 P.M.

(Additional dates will be added when available.)


St. Mary's Weekly Mass Schedule

Sunday: 7:00, 8:30, 10:00, and 11:30 AM

Saturday: 5:00 PM

Weekdays: 8:00 AM and 12:05 PM - (Except June ~ Labor Day - No 12:05 PM)

First Fridays: 8:00 AM, 12:05 PM, 8:00 PM - (Except June ~ Labor Day - No 12:05 PM)

Holy Days: 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM, 12:00 noon, 7:00 PM

Eve of Holy Days: 5:00 PM

Friday, January 13, 2012

Stephen B. Whatley the Praying Artist

September 2011 issue of Catholic Life


Commentary by Loci B. Lenar

With permission of Stephen B. Whatley and Catholic Life magazine, we are reprinting a feature article about this talented contemporary artist on www.Christian-Miracles.com.

With the start of 2012, this story is making its public debut for the very first time on the internet. The feature first appeared in the September 2011 issue of Catholic Life, published in England, UK. Stephen is also a resident of London.

The Immaculate Heart of Mary by Stephen B. Whatley

Painting in bold and colorful abstract strokes, this Expressionist artist is gaining international recognition with collectors, especially for his Christian Tributes.

"My work springs from my heart and soul and I give credit to God. I thank God in particular for the blessing of sight..." -Stephen B. Whatley    
Stephen B. Whatley

Baptized as an Anglican, Stephen B. Whatley was drawn to the Catholic Church by friends that he met at school and also was influenced through liturgy of the faith by attending Mass. The life of the saints have left a profound impression on Stephen while his portraits of Jesus and the Blessed Mother are a reflection of his strong Christian faith. All of this combined with prayer has led him to be a practicing Catholic.

In light of the fact that many Anglicans are joining the Catholic Church today, I believe this artists' spiritual journey of faith is one of many signs of God's plan in unifying Christianity.

Stephen B. Whatley the Praying Artist is a heartfelt and amazing front page feature in Catholic Life magazine written by Tony Galcius.  

This feature story can be read on www.Christian-Miracles.com at the following link: Stephen B. Whatley the Praying Artist

To visitors of www.Christian-Miracles.com, Stephen's artwork appears on several pages with devotional prayers, including The Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Mother Teresa of Calcutta: A Personal Portrait - by Fr. Leo Maasburg



Mother Teresa of Calcutta: A Personal Portrait - by Fr. Leo Maasburg

The following excerpt is from Igantius.com:

Mother Teresa's life sounds like a legend. The Albanian girl who entered an Irish order to go to India as a missionary and became an "Angel of the Poor" for countless people. She was greatly revered by Christians as well as Muslims, Hindus and unbelievers, as she brought the message of Christian love for one's neighbor from the slums of Calcutta to the whole world.

Fr. Leo Maasburg was there as her close companion for many years, traveling with her throughout the world and was witness to countless miracles and incredible little-known occurrences. In this personal portrait of the beloved nun (Mother Teresa of Calcutta: A Personal Portrait), he presents fifty amazing stories about her that most people have never heard, wonderful and delightful stories about miracles, small and great, that he was privileged to experience at Mother Teresa's side. Stories of how, without a penny to her name, she started an orphanage in Spain, and at the same time saved a declining railroad company from ruin, and so many more.

Read more: Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Signs of Christian Unity: More than 1,400 Anglicans want to join Catholic Church




The video and following news excerpt is from RomeReports.com:

As of January 1, 2012, Anglicans in the United States, now have the option of joining the Catholic Church under a so called 'Personal Ordinariate.' The decision was established by the pope and the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith. This allows Anglicans to join the Church while still keeping part of their liturgical practices.

Its official name is “The Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter,” which will be led by former Episcopalian bishop Jeffrey Neil Steenson. It will be based in Houston, Texas.

Jeffrey Neil Steenson joined the Catholic Church in 2007 and was ordained a priest in 2009. The 59 year old priest is married and has three children. He will however, be part of the Conference of Catholic Bishops where he'll have voting power.

So far, over 100 Anglican priests have applied to become Catholic priests in this newly established ordinariate. Fourteen hundred Anglicans from 22 different parishes have also showed interest. By being part of this personal ordinariate, members will be in full communion with the Catholic Church.

This is only the second Ordinariate to be established by the Church. The first one was back in January of 2011, under the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham for England and Wales. Currently, other cases are also being considered for Australia and Canada.

Worldwide roughly 77 million people belong to the Anglican Church. The U.S. Episcopal Church has just under 2 million members.

Monday, January 02, 2012

Our Lady of Medjugorje's New Year Message to Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo

Church Window - Photo by Loci B. Lenar



January 2, 2012 Message from Our Lady to Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo

"Dear children; As with motherly concern I look in your hearts, in them I see pain and suffering; I see a wounded past and an incessant search; I see my children who desire to be happy but do not know how. Open yourselves to the Father. That is the way to happiness, the way by which I desire to lead you. God the Father never leaves His children alone, especially not in pain and despair. When you comprehend and accept this, you will be happy. Your search will end. You will love and you will not be afraid. Your life will be hope and truth which is my Son. Thank you. I implore you, pray for those whom my Son has chosen. Do not judge because you will all be judged."

Sunday, January 01, 2012

Fr. John Murray sees Miracle as he begins walking after being paralyzed

Fr. John Murray - Catholic Free Press Photo


The following excerpt is from the CatholicFreePress.org

By George P. Matysek Jr.

EPHRATA, Pa. (CNS) — When Redemptorist Father John Murray bashed his head against a railing after tripping along a New Jersey boardwalk 15 months ago, the consequences were devastating.

The former pastor of St. Mary in Annapolis and St. Wenceslaus in Baltimore suffered a broken neck that left him instantly paralyzed from the chest down. Rushed to a hospital, he underwent emergency spinal cord surgery and later began rehabilitation at a prominent New Jersey institute.

Doctors had little encouragement for the once-active priest who was known across the East Coast for his preaching abilities. The chances he would ever walk again were virtually zero.

“When they said I’d never be able to move again, they took away all hope,” Father Murray told The Catholic Review, Baltimore archdiocesan newspaper.

But on Nov. 28, 2010, Father Murray did something everyone said would be impossible. While living and undergoing rehabilitation at Stella Maris in Timonium, Md., he moved his left leg ever so slightly, gently lifting his foot off the ground.

“I was ecstatic,” Father Murray recalled with a smile. “Here I was about six weeks after they told me in New Jersey I’d never move again and, lo and behold, I could move. Just the foot, but it kept going and going and going.”

Today, Father Murray is completely mobile. Using a walker, he is able to walk on his own at his new residence at St. Clement Mission House in Ephrata.

Father Murray sees only one explanation for his renewed gift of independence: An encounter with the miraculous.

When most people think of miracles, he said, they usually bring to mind instantaneous cures of a debilitating disease or terminal illness.

“We think of it as any exceptions to the laws of nature,” the priest explained. “In biblical times, what was called a miracle was anything that showed the power of God. What happened to me wasn’t instantaneous, but it certainly was miraculous.”

Reaching into his pocket, Father Murray pulled out a small object he carries with him at all times. Encased in a small locket, it houses a relic — a piece of bone — of Blessed Francis X. Seelos, a 19th-century Redemptorist priest under consideration for sainthood, who had been a rector of the same Annapolis parish Father Murray once led. The two also share a good sense of humor and a love for preaching.

“I think with those three common qualities, I had a little in with the guy,” said Father Murray, crediting Blessed Seelos for interceding on his behalf. “Ultimately, all prayers go to God. Seelos can’t give the grace, but he was the conduit for my prayers.”

Dr. Ernestine Wright, medical director of Stella Maris, was shocked by Father Murray’s recovery. She has seen other paraplegics regain limited use of their limbs — but nothing like Father Murray. A born-again Christian, Wright said she believes her patient experienced a touch of the miraculous.

Read more: Fr. John Murray