Monday, December 30, 2013

Prayer for a Blessing on the New Year


Sunday, December 29, 2013

Biblical films' Hollywood comeback in 2014


News excerpt from The Telegraph

Superheroes are being elbowed out by Noah and Mary as Hollywood makes 2014 year of the biblical epic.

The saint-like image of a hooded woman looms out from the movie poster, her arms outstretched as a divine light bursts from the sky. A message written above is simple and unambiguous: “You Will Believe.”

So goes the promotional campaign for the forthcoming Hollywood blockbuster Mary Mother of Christ. “It is a part of Mary, Joseph and Jesus’s life that has not been shown on the big screen before,” reads a synopsis. “Under the reign of terror of Herod the Great and, against all odds, they survive as young parents in one of the most treacherous times in history.” It promises “faith-based high action drama” − and there is no room in the audience for doubting Thomases.
 
Mary Mother of Christ, whose title character will be played by Odeya Rush, a 16-year-old Israeli-born actress, is one of a series of  Christian biblical epics due to appear next year, marking an unprecedented overture by Hollywood to America’s evangelical heartland.

In March audiences will be treated to Noah, a $150 million special effects-laden extravaganza, in which Russell Crowe will build an ark and rescue mankind from the Great Flood. Harry Potter actress Emma Watson will play his adopted daughter, and Sir Anthony Hopkins is portraying Methuselah.

Noah will be followed by Sir Ridley Scott’s Exodus, in which Christian Bale, as Moses, will part the Red Sea. Scenes from ancient Egypt have been reconstructed in southern Spain, with Bale wielding a bow and arrow and Sigourney Weaver playing the Pharaoh’s wife.

Read more: Biblical films' Hollywood comeback in 2014

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Wishing all Family, Friends and Visitors a Joyful and Merry Christmas!

Photo by Loci B. Lenar

Please join us at St. Mary's Church to celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day!

St. Mary's Christmas Schedule:

December 24th, Tuesday
Christmas Vigil Masses: 5:00 pm, 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm


December 25th, Wednesday
Christmas Day: 7:00 am, 8:30 am, 11:30 am


Saint Mary's Church is located on 15 Myers Avenue, Denville, New Jersey, 07834. For more information, please call St. Mary's Parish on 973-627-0269. Website: http://www.stmarys-denville.org/

The photograph shows a live nativity scene from the 2013 Radio City Christmas Spectacular.
 
Photographed by Loci B. Lenar on Thanksgiving Day at Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Avenue of the Americas, New York City, NY.
 

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Pope Francis named Time's 2013 Person of the Year


News story and excerpt from TODAY.com

By Eun Kyung Kim

Pope Francis, the first Jesuit pontiff who won hearts and headlines with his humility and common touch, was named Time magazine's Person of the Year for 2013, the magazine revealed Wednesday on TODAY.

Pope Francis stood out "as someone who has changed the tone and perception and focus of one of the world's largest institutions in an extraordinary way," Time managing editor Nancy Gibbs said Wednesday.

The magazine staff makes the ultimate decision, Gibbs said, but they poll readers and take public opinion into account. This was the third time Time named a pope as its Person of the Year.

Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi told TODAY in a statement that "the Holy Father is not looking to become famous or to receive honors. But if the choice of Person of Year helps spread the message of the gospel — a message of God's love for everyone — he will certainly be happy about that."

Read more: Pope Francis

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Man Attributes Miracle Survival to Psalm 54



CBN News - CBN.com

Video of a man's miracle survival after being trapped underwater for three days has gone viral.

Harrison Okene, a Nigerian cook, is the lone survivor of a 12-member crew of an upended tug boat. He attributed his survival all to prayer.

Footage of his rescue, which happened more than six months ago, was just posted online this week.

During the time he was trapped, Okene found an air pocket in the boat and said he was praying to God the whole time, reciting Psalm 54, also called the prayer for deliverance.

That was the last Psalm his wife had sent him via text message. Okene said he believes his rescue after more than 60 hours at 100 feet underwater is a sign of divine deliverance.

Monday, December 09, 2013

Join St. Mary's Parish for an evening of "Lessons and Carols" on December 15th

Photo by Loci B. Lenar

Saint Mary's Parish - Advent and Christmas Schedule

Advent Evening of Reflection - "Lessons and Carols" - Sunday, December 15th at 7:00 pm in St. Mary's Church.
 
Parish Advent Reconciliation Service - Wednesday, December 18th, 7:30 PM

Saint Mary's Church is located on 15 Myers Avenue, Denville, NJ, 07834.  For more information, please call St. Mary's Parish on 973-627-0269.

St. Mary's Christmas Mass Schedule
December 24th, Tuesday
Christmas Vigil Masses: 5:00 pm, 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm

December 25th, Wednesday
Christmas Day: 7:00 am, 8:30 am, 11:30 am

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


(Loci B. Lenar is a parishioner of the Parish and is the founder of www.Christian-Miracles.com