Charles Goodman Healed of ALS

A 2-Year Death Sentence That Never Came - CBN TV - Video

The following excerpt is from CBN.com:

Charles Goodman suffered with Lou Gehrig's disease for years, but one day he experienced a miraculous healing.  Eleven years later, Charles is still free from ALS.

Loci B. Lenar to Share Personal Testimony Regarding Signs of Archangel Michael at Prayer Service in New Jersey

Mr. Lenar

Mr. Lenar will speak at St. Mary’s Catholic Church during its evening prayer service scheduled for 7:30 PM on Thursday, September 20, 2012. 

The service will focus on Michaelmas, the Feast of St. Michael and the Archangels. 

The Catholic Church celebrates this feast day on September 29 each year.

St. Mary’s prayer service is held every third Thursday of each month with Fr. Richard Tartaglia. The Catholic Church is located on 15 Myers Avenue, Denville, NJ.  Fr. Martin Glynn is the head pastor of St. Mary’s.

Mr. Lenar will share his personal testimony regarding a photograph he took of a statue of Archangel Michael which shows a trail of colorful rainbows appearing behind the figure. The icon sits in front of a display that is designed to appear as a glass window in St. Michael’s Church, Netcong, New Jersey.  

While visiting the church, Mr. Lenar captured the rainbow phenomena by photographing the statue without using the camera’s flash. “Church lights were turned off, so the only inflowing light was from some nearby windows.   While examining the photograph closely, there is a distinct shadow by the arms of the statue which indicates light from the rainbow is creating an interesting phenomena.  However, photographing the statue with the camera flash on, the rainbow is diffused because of added light," says Mr. Lenar.

St. Michael's Church - Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

Mr. Lenar adds, “God works in mysterious ways to affirm His presence through angels. Our Lord is indeed a divine artist and confirms His existence through remarkable signs.”

“After the photographing the statue, I shared the images directly as captured on the camera's memory card with my spiritual advisor, Father Richard Tartaglia. The original digital images were transferred onto a CD for church archives,” says Mr. Lenar.

Mr. Lenar adds, “There is significance to the photograph and its meaning in the global community. Unfortunately, violence seemingly has become a frequent occurrence around the world.  One cannot avoid noticing while watching television programs, that there are recurring stories of acts of violence reported on network news shows. Therefore the question must be asked: Is our world losing control?”

Mr. Lenar says the following scripture appears to answer the question: “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered."  (Daniel 12:1)

“St. Michael the Archangel is the protector of God’s people and church,” says Mr. Lenar.  He believes and says that through prayerful discernment, "Our Lord Jesus is calling for all to join together and 'pray for divine protection' in order to mitigate violence throughout the world. It’s now more important than ever before, to pray for our nation and families, especially for people who are subjected to malevolent behavior on a daily bases. Our world is in dire need of healing and peace - with prayer everything is possible.”  

Mr. Lenar also says that the Catholic Church teaches and recognizes that we all have guardian angels to protect and guide us during our lifetime.  He suggests reciting the intercessory Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel for God’s protection. 

Additional information about Mr. Lenar’s testimony including photographs of the Statue of Archangel Michael can be seen on the following link: http://www.christian-miracles.com/signsofstmichael.htm

Mr. Lenar has shared his spiritual journey of faith several times as a guest on the Catholic program, Sacred Treasures, hosted by Kathie Duggan on Radio Maria.  On May 7th of this year, Fr. Richard Tartaglia and Loci B. Lenar were both interviewed on Radio Maria regarding a cross of light that appeared on Mr. Lenar’s residence during Lent and Good Friday.  Fr. Tartaglia validated the sign by photographing the cross of light that was visible on Mr. Lenar’s fence.

In 2008, Mr. Lenar founded and launched www.Christian-Miracles.com as a tool of evangelization in order to reach out with the gospels and publicize news of miracles.  Since its inception, the site has grown globally with visitors coming from the United States, Canada, UK, India, United Arab Emirates and many other countries. 

The website receives prayer requests on a regular bases, which are prayed for daily and on Monday mornings during Holy Hour Adoration including at the monthly prayer service held at St. Mary’s Church with Fr. Richard Tartaglia. Prayer requests can be submitted to the following link: PrayerRequest@Christian-Miracles.com

For those interested in the topic of angels, please join Fr. Richard Tartaglia and Mr. Lenar at St. Mary’s Catholic Church during its prayer service scheduled for Thursday, September 20, 2012 at 7:30 PM.

For directions to St. Mary’s Church, please visit the following link: http://www.stmarys-denville.org/directions.htm

For additional information, please visit www.Christian-Miracles.com.

For news updates, please join us on Facebook!

Pope urges laity to share Gospel with a world in darkness

The following excerpt is from the Catholic News Agency (CNA):

Pope Benedict XVI told a group of lay people this week that the world needs their courageous and credible testimony to bring the hope of the Gospel to all areas of society.

In a message sent to the International Forum of Catholic Action in Iasi, Romania, the Pope reflected on the laity's responsibility to the Church and society, reported Vatican daily L’Osservatore Romano.

“Co-responsibility demands a change in mentality, in particularly, about the role of the laity in the Church, who are considered not as ‘collaborators’ with the clergy, but as persons truly ‘co-responsible’ for being and acting of the Church,” he said.

The world needs a “a mature and committed laity,” which “can make its own specific contribution to the ecclesial mission with respect for the ministries and tasks that each one has in the life of the Church and always in cordial communion with the bishops.”

The laity's role is of fundamental importance, especially “in this phase of history,” the Pope stressed, to be interpreted “in the light of the Church’s social Magisterium.”

Lay men and women should also aim to “grow, with the whole Church,” he noted, “in the co-responsibility of offering humanity a future of hope and with the courage to formulate demanding proposals.”

Read more: Share Gospels

Our Lady of Medjugorje's Monthly Message to Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti

Photo by Loci B. Lenar

The Medjugorje Web - Apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Medjugorje

Our Lady's Message of August 25, 2012 to Marija

"Dear children! Also today, with hope in the heart, I am praying for you and am thanking the Most High for every one of you who lives my messages with the heart. Give thanks to God's love that I can love and lead each of you through my Immaculate Heart also toward conversion. Open your hearts and decide for holiness, and hope will give birth to joy in your hearts. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Miracle or medicine? A throat cancer patient's life-changing encounter

The following excerpt is by Ron Dzwonkowski | Detroit Free Press | freep.com

Frank Acosta had a lot on his mind, none of it good, when he pulled into a Costco store just outside Toronto on Nov. 10, 2010.

Ten days earlier, Acosta had been diagnosed with advanced throat cancer. He was facing weeks of grueling treatments and an uncertain outcome. A media broker, Acosta had made the trip to Canada to see one of his largest customers "to let them know what was going to be going on with me."

The Costco in Scarborough, Ontario, was a regular stop for him. He'd have a hot dog before getting on Highway 401 for the drive back home to Farmington Hills.

There weren't many people around when Acosta took some extra napkins and went to a table to slather his snack with the usual combination of ketchup and mustard. So he was a little surprised when a man approached and asked to sit down.

Acosta remembers the guy as bearded, about 5-foot-7, wearing a short-sleeve shirt on an unusually warm November day.

"Can I have a napkin?" the man asked.

"I gave him one," Acosta said. "It had two mustard spots on it."

"Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ?" was the next question. Acosta, who describes himself as "a good Catholic," was taken aback. But after a moment he said yes, he did.

The man took out a pen and began printing words on the napkin. He handed it back to Acosta.

"Say this," he said, looking the traveler in the eye, "and you will be healed."

Acosta, who had no outward signs of his illness, glanced at the napkin and "really, because I didn't want to be rude," folded it into his pocket. The man left. Acosta drove home.

"I couldn't make sense of it," he said of the brief encounter. But he read the napkin. It was a prayer that began with "Jesus loves you ..." Acosta put it in his nightstand.

"I had seen a lawyer; I was getting my affairs in order, preparing for the worst," said Acosta, an Oklahoma native who has lived in the Detroit area since the early 1980s. "I was ready to give up everything I had just to stay alive. ..."

"I cried my guts out," he said. "I had been a good man. I didn't smoke or drink. Why was this happening to me? Why was I being punished?"

Some weeks later, ravaged by three rounds of radiation and chemotherapy and reduced to a liquid diet when he had any appetite at all, Acosta became violently ill one night, worse than ever. He took out the napkin and read it again, as he had several times during his ordeal.

"I sat on the edge of the bed and I asked the Lord to heal me," he said. Then he vomited.

"Something came up, came out, I don't know; it smelled terrible," he said. "I had my hand on the (toilet) handle, and I immediately flushed it away."

Five days later, Acosta reported as scheduled for tests and treatment at the University of Michigan hospital.

He can still hear the sweet words of Dr. Francis Worden, a medical oncologist, who examined him: "Frank, I don't think you have cancer anymore."

"Wow," he said. "That's unbelievable."

Read More: Frank Acosta

Feast Day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Stephen B. Whatley

A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.  Revelation 12:1

The Feast Day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated by the Catholic Church on August 15. This colorful abstract oil painting is by Stephen B. Whatley. This talented artist is internationally recognized for his Christian Tributes.

Virgin Mary 'crosses the finish line' with Olympic gold runner

The following excerpt is from the Catholic News Agency (CNA)

Ethiopian athlete Meseret Defar provided one of the most emotional moments of the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games when she crossed the finish line in the 5000 meter race to win the gold.

She then pulled a picture of the Virgin Mary out from under her jersey, showed it to the cameras and held it up to her face in deep prayer.

An Orthodox Christian, Defar entrusted her race to God with the sign of the cross and reached the finish line in 15:04:24, beating her fellow Ethiopian rival Tirunesh Dibaba, who was the favorite to win.

A teary-eyed Defar proudly showed the picture of the Virgin Mary with the Baby Jesus that she carried with her for the entire race.

Throughout the event, Defar kept pace with three other Ethiopian runners and three from Kenya, until speeding past them on the homestretch to win gold.

The silver medal went to Vivian Cheruiyot of Kenya and the bronze to Dibaba.

Read more: Meseret Defar

Kerrville cross a site of miracles?

Kerrville Cross - Kens5.com News

'You can feel the presence of God': Kerrville cross site of miracles? | kens5.com San Antonio

The photo and following excerpt is from Kens5.com/news:

By Joe Conger

SAN ANTONIO – Visitors to a Kerrville monument claim spiritual phenomena are manifesting at the prayer site.

“You can feel the presence of God here. And that’s just an added bonus,” said Pat Jordan, a long-time contributor to the Coming King Prayer Garden.

The bonuses are the images visitors are capturing on film and in snapshots: orbs surrounding the monument like soap bubbles.

In another photo taken by Ron Hicks, there is an image of a blurry figure many believe is an angel appearing at the foot of the cross. Hicks said there was no one near the cross on the April evening when he took the photo.

Like many believers, Hicks said the manifestations show that God is at work here.

“Is there things manifesting? Yeah. But a lot of it is physical healing. A lot of it is emotional healing. Peace itself,” said Bobby Dendy.

Read more: Kerrville Cross

St. Francis Receiving the Stigmata

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

The following excerpt regarding the stained glass window of St. Francis is written by Fr. Daniel Grigassy, O.F.M. and can be found in the booklet, Franciscan Saints Surround Us, published by St. Bonaventure Church, 174 Ramsey Street, Paterson, NJ:

The image of St. Francis shows him receiving the Stigmata, the five brand marks of Christ on his hands, feet, and side.  From the beginning of his conversion, he had a great devotion to Christ crucified.  He spent most of his life preaching the glories of the cross and the joyful hope of the Resurrection. 

St. Bonaventure tells us that Francis had begun a fast of forty days in honor of the Archangel Michael whose feast is on September 29.  One morning near September 14, the feast of the exaltation of the Cross, as he was in deep contemplation of the mysteries of the cross, he saw what appeared as a seraph with six bright wings brilliant as fire coming down from heaven.  The figure was not only winged but also crucified.  Francis was thrilled at the sight, his heart filled with joy and pain, both at the same time.  This was truly Christ graciously and intimately appearing before him. St. Bonaventure writes: "...the awe-inspiring vision of Christ nailed to the cross aroused in his soul a joy of compassionate love."

After the vision vanished and his encounter with Christ ended, Francis was internally "Aglow with seraphic love in his soul."  Yet externally, marks like those of the Crucified were left onn his body: "The figures of the nails appeared immediately on his hand and feet.  His right side too showed a blood-red wound as if it had been pierced by a lance, and blood flowed frequently from it."

Bonaventure concludes: "Francis came down from the mountain a new man...bearing in his body the image of the Crucified...fashioned in his members by the hand of the living God."

The Stigmata represents the visible conformity to Christ and remains the deepest witness of Francis's intense love for the Passion of Christ.

(The stained glass window of St. Francis can be seen inside St. Bonaventure Church, Paterson, NJ. The window was photographed on August 4, 2012 while attending Mass.   -Loci B. Lenar)

Join us on Facebook: "www.Christian-Miracles.com"

50 artists from Progetto Arte Poli give facelift to new churches

The following excerpt is from RomeReports.com:

For 60 years the Italian artist Albano Poli has been working to renew the aesthetics of Catholic churches as well as promoting meditation through art.

From his art gallery in Rome, he creates stained glass windows, mosaics and statues with a group of artists known as Progetto Arte Poli. It's a team of around 50 people located in Verona, Italy.

ANDREA MEZZETTI
Assistant, Progetto Arte Poli“Around 80 to 90 percent of our work is related to the Church. From sunrise to sunset, we are thinking about how to give a greater sense to the liturgy. We're also helping priests to deepen their celebration of the Eucharist at Sunday Mass, in every religious rite.”

Among the art pieces in the gallery, there is a giant mosaic of John Paul II that highlights his facial features. There's also this mosaic of the risen Christ made of marble in different planes.

This team of artists now has an international reputation for their work that has traveled to places like Japan, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, France and most recently in Chile.

ANDREA MEZZETTI
Assistant, Progetto Arte Poli
“We are doing important work in Coquimbo, Chile, which is the location of the tallest Cross in Latin America. It's the Cross of the Third Millennium, it's close to 300 feet tall and was created by Ramón Bravo. We were asked to make the bronze door to this great temple and bronze figure of the Blessed John Paul II.”

The Progetto Arte Poli was also responsible for the design of the vestments worn by priests at Mass.
Their work of precision art goes to show that many forms of artwork have a deeper meaning behind the beauty.