Wednesday, December 31, 2014

A New Year Prayer for 2015

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar
A New Year Prayer

Dear Lord,
We pray that this New Year will bring us closer to You.
May we take the time to get to know You.
Help us to truly celebrate the gifts You have graciously given us
and use them to serve You and spread Your word,

May we also see and love you in all the people we meet,
so that in turn, they can see You in us.

We know that all human relations take time
if they are to grow and deepen.
This is also true of our relations with You,
the Father and the Holy Spirit,
which must grow over the course of our lives.
In this new year,
let us realise that every action of ours
no matter how great or small
enables us to be in touch with You.
Let us accept You in our lives,
in the way it pleases You,
as Truth, to be spoken,
as Life, to be lived,
as Light, to be lighted,
as Love, to be followed,
as Joy, to be given,
as Peace, to be spread about,
as Sacrifice, to be offered among our relatives,
friends, neighbours and all people.

Amen.

(Prayer from www.Catholicdoors.com)



Thursday, December 25, 2014

The Virgin Mary's Christmas Messages of December 25, 2014


Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

Our Lady of Medjugorje's message given during apparition to Medjugorje visionary Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti: 

 “Dear children! Also today, in my arms I am carrying my Son Jesus to you and I am asking from Him peace for you and peace among you. Pray to and adore my Son for His peace and joy to enter into your hearts. I am praying for you to be all the more open to prayer. Thank you for having responded to my call.”


The Virgin Mary's message given during apparition to Medjugorje visionary Jakov Colo:

"Dear children! Today, on this day of grace, I desire for each of your hearts to become a little stable of Bethlehem in which the Savior of the world was born. I am your mother who loves you immeasurably and is concerned for each of you. Therefore, my children, abandon yourselves to the mother, so that she may place each of your hearts and lives before little Jesus; because only in this way, my children, your hearts will be witnesses of God’s daily birth in you. Permit God to illuminate your lives with light and your hearts with joy, so that you may daily illuminate the way and be an example of true joy to others who live in darkness and are not open to God and His graces. Thank you for having responded to my call."
 

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Power of Prayer? 'Miracle' Priest Rises from Wheelchair and Walks



News Excerpt and photo from NBC News.com

A Catholic priest who was paralyzed from the chest down in a fall four years ago says he has proof that prayer can heal.

Doctors had told Father John Murray of Brooklyn, New York that he would never walk again after bone chips from his neck sliced into his spinal cord.

"'You should expect no voluntary movement,'" said Murray. "That's a quote. 'No voluntary movement for the rest of your life.'"

Watch Part Two of Cynthia McFadden's Two-Part Report on the Power of Prayer Tuesday on "Nightly News"

But within a year and a half after he tripped on a Jersey Shore boardwalk, the priest was able to rise from his wheelchair and walk.

"I think it's a result of prayer," said Murray. "Other people's prayers and my prayers, without a doubt."

Father Murray has a lot of company. Half of all Americans believe that prayer can heal. But medical studies increasingly show the same thing, says the medical professor who runs Duke University's Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health.

"People who are more religious just live longer; that's kind of the bottom line," said Dr. Harold Koenig.


Read More: Fr. John Murray

Wishing You a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!


May your Christmas be filled with peace and joy as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. May 2015 bring peace and prosperity to all people of good will.

Monday, December 22, 2014

Celebrate the Birth of Jesus by attending Church Services on Christmas Day




We invite you to attend Mass this Christmas. Contact your local church for Mass times and join our big Catholic family in celebrating the birth of Jesus, the reason for the Christmas season.

St. Mary's Church
15 Myers Avenue
Denville, New Jersey, 07834

Rectory: 973-627-0269

CHRISTMAS EVE, December 24th

8:00 am, 5:00 pm, 7:00 pm, 10:00 pm

CHRISTMAS DAY, December 25th

7:00 am, 8:30 am, 10:00 am, 11:30 am

Saint 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

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Advent 2014: Prepare and Celebrate the Birth of Jesus on Christmas Day!



Advent Prayer

Father, all-powerful God, your eternal Word took flesh on our earth when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your plan. Lift our minds in watchful hope to heart the voice which announces his glory and open our minds to receive the Spirit who prepares us for his coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Prayer from Catholic Online)

More Prayers:http://www.christian-miracles.com/devotionalprayers.htm

 

Sunday, December 07, 2014

Vatican Museums in 3D: Documentary will hit international big screens starting December 10th




News from RomeReports.com

About six million people visit the Vatican museums every year. For those who can't make the trip, now there's a 3D experience where viewers can see it all up close and personal. 

COSETTA LAGANI
Vatican Museums 3D, Producer 
"With this 3D footage you feel like you're actually visiting the museum. It's as if you're reaching out and touching the works or art. It seems like you're part of the frescoes, in  all their dimensions.” 

Making this happen wasn't easy. It was the first time Ultra HD/3D cameras were allowed to film inside the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. Day in and day out, a team of 40 Italian crew members, were given unlimited access to priceless pieces of art. In essence, it's an attempt to make a masterpiece out of a masterpiece. 

COSETTA LAGANI
Vatican Museums 3D, Producer
"Our team covered the Vatican's Raphael rooms. We also include works by Giotto and Caravaggio. There's also some pieces from the Museum of Modern Art, done by Dali and Van Gogh.” 

After four months of post-production, a one hour documentary will hit international big screens starting December 10, 2014. More than 500 theaters will show the film, through the SpectiCast Network and the Fathom Event's Digital Broadcast Network. 

COSETTA LAGANI
Vatican Museums 3D, Producer
"The audience will never forget what it sees, because the images include so much detail. The narration that accompanies the film is also very original. It describes the history of Laocoonte, the Torso of Belvedere and of course the Sistine Chapel. You can't forget it.” 

A documentary that triggers intrigue and inspiration, based on some of the most powerful works of art, ever produced by mankind.  
 
 

Saturday, December 06, 2014

Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal by Artist Stephen B. Whatley

Our Lady Of The Miraculous Medal 2014 by Stephen B Whatley


Flickr - Photo Sharing!

The Most Recent Catholic Tribute Painting by Expressionist Artist Stephen B. Whatley

(Reprinted from the website of the artist.)

The origins of this devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary (Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal) date back to 1830, in the Chapel of The Sisters of Charity (now known as The Chapel of Our Lady of The Miraculous Medal) in Paris, France, where Sister ( now Saint ) Catherine Laboure received three miraculous visitations from Our Lady informing her that She was giving her a mission.

On November 27, 1830 Sister Catherine saw a vision of Our Lady standing on a globe that the Mother of God explained represented the whole world; especially France that was experiencing great poverty during the aftermath the many wars of the time. Her foot is placed on a serpent, below her representing Satan.

Streaming from rings on Mary's fingers were many rays of light that symbolised the graces she obtains for those who ask. Framing the vision was an inscription,

"O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you"

Mother Mary instructed Sister Catherine to have a medal - now known as the Miraculous Medal - created of this image. She then showed her what should be detailed on the reverse of the medal: 12 stars encircling a large "M" from which arose a Cross, below which are two hearts, representing The Sacred Heart of Jesus and The Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The Blessed Virgin Mary told Sister Catherine that "…Those who wear the medal will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around their neck"

Painting in prayer, the artist embroidered all the elements of the Blessed Virgin Mary's instructions into his painting - with a special intention that the painting should bring light, peace, hope and blessings of healing to those who view it.

'Miraculous Medals' cut to this divine design can be bought from cathedrals, churches & Catholic shops.

A Novena (9 day prayer) to the Miraculous Medal can be see read via this link to the official website of The Chapel of Our Lady of The Miraculous Medal in Paris , 140 rue du Bac, Paris, France:
www.chapellenotredamedelamedaillemiraculeuse.com/EN/h5.asp

The work of Stephen B. Whatley has been published in TIME magazine and in numerous periodicals including the Catholic press. His work can be found in collections worldwide and in public collections including the BBC Heritage, London Transport Museum, The Royal Collection, The Tower of London (where there is a permanent walkway of the artist's work at Tower Hill) and London's Westminster Cathedral which staged an exhibition of his Catholic tributes, "Paintings From Prayer" - which included a portrait of Pope Francis - in August 2013.

The Feast Day of Our Lady of The Miraculous Medal is celebrated the same day as that of Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception: December 8th.

Prayers for peace and miracles of strength & healing during Advent, Christmas, and in the New Year.

Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
Oil on canvas,
38 x 24in

Visit the following link for more artwork by the artist: www.stephenbwhatley.com

Visit the following link to read the Catholic Life article:  Stephen B. Whatley The Praying Artist

Friday, December 05, 2014

'Women of the Bible' Premieres Sunday, December 7th on Lifetime

https://www.facebook.com/BibleSeries

Mark your calendars! 'Women of the Bible' premieres Sunday, December 7, 2014 at 7/6c on Lifetime!  From Executive producers Mark Burnett and Roma Downey (Son of God and The Bible Series).

Tuesday, December 02, 2014

The Virgin Mary's Message to Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo

Virgin Mary

Our Lady of Medjugorje - Message of December 2, 2014

“Dear children, remember – for I am telling you that love will win. I know that many of you are losing hope because around you, you see suffering, pain, jealousy, envy… But, I am your mother. I am in the Kingdom but am also here with you. My Son is sending me anew to help you. Therefore, do not lose hope, instead, follow me – because the victory of my heart is in the name of God. My beloved Son is thinking of you as He has always thought of you. Believe Him and live Him. He is the Life of the world. My children, to live my Son means to live the Gospel. This is not easy. This means love, forgiveness and sacrifice. This purifies and it opens the Kingdom. Sincere prayer, which is not only words but is a prayer which the heart speaks, will help you. Likewise fasting (will help you), because it is still more of love, forgiveness and sacrifice. Therefore, do not lose hope but follow me. I am imploring you anew to pray for your shepherds so that they may always look to my Son who was the first Shepherd of the world and whose family was the entire world. Thank you.”