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