Saint Mary's Monthly Prayer Service Scheduled on October 15, 2015

Join us at Saint Mary's Catholic Church for its monthly prayer service at 7:30 pm with Fr. Richard Tartaglia on Thursday, October 15, 2015.

Saint Mary's Parish is located on 15 Myers Avenue, Denville, New Jersey.

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

If you cannot attend St. Mary's prayer service, you can still join us by praying in unity with St. Mary’s Church for all special prayer intentions. Prayer requests submitted through www.Christian-Miracles.com are also prayed for during the service.

There is great power through the Holy Spirit when people join together in agreement while praying for God’s help and intervention.

Regarding prayer, Jesus said, "Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst." (Matthew 18:19-20)

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

Submit your prayer requests to our website and our prayer ministry will pray for your needs: http://www.christian-miracles.com/prayerrequest.htm

Statue of Virgin Mary photographed at Saint Mary's Parish.

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar
www.Christian-Miracles.com

Our Lady of Hope by Artist Stephen B. Whatley

Our Lady of Hope | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Reprinted by permission of the artist.

A new 2015 tribute to the Holy Mother of God, Our Lady of Hope by expressionist artist Stephen B. Whatley - inspired by the recorded description as witnessed by those who saw her miraculous appearance in the French village of Pontmain in 1871.

She was said to be dressed in a blue dress amassed with golden stars, wearing a black veil and carrying a red cross; her message was " Hope Through Prayer and The Cross".

The artist has a great affection for the USA so was happy to learn that the Oblate Fathers introduced the devotion to the USA in 1952.

Peace blessings of peace, healing, joy - and Hope!

Pastel on Paper, 2015
24 x 17in/59 x 42cm
www.stephenbwhatley.com

For the Novena to Our Lady of Hope:
www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/novena/hope.htm


About the artist Stephen B. Whatley

Stephen B. Whatley is an expressionist painter, published in TIME magazine, whose major commissions include architectural paintings for public institutions including The Royal Collection of HM Queen Elizabeth II, London Underground and the BBC; and 30 paintings commissioned by the Tower of London permanently showcased throughout Tower Hill Underpass at Tower Hill. He has been presented to HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in recognition of his work.

The artist’s vibrant oil paintings are in private collections worldwide and public collections
including BBC Heritage, Historic Royal Palaces, the London Transport Museum, the Royal Collection, Westminster Cathedral & The Carrollton School of The Sacred Heart, Miami, USA.

 Born in London in 1965 he studied at The Ipswich and Norwich Schools of Art and The University of London in solo & group exhibitions, including London’s National Theatre, the ICA, the Lloyd’s Building, Olympia International Fine Art & Antiques Fair & Westminster Cathedral.

Stephen B Whatley’s work has also been published in The Guardian, Guardian Weekend magazine, HELLO!, MAJESTY, Metro London, The New York Times, The Sunday Express, The Daily Telegraph, The Times & USA TODAY; and is listed in David Buckman’s dictionary, Artists in Britain Since 1945.

Several of Mr. Whatley's Catholic Tributes are published on the website of www.Christian-Miracles.com.

Our Lady's Message and Apparition to Mirjana

The Medjugorje Web - Apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Medjugorje

Our Lady's Message of October 2, 2015

"Dear children, I am here among you to encourage you, to fill you with my love and to call you anew to be witnesses of the love of my Son. Many of my children do not have hope, they do not have peace, they do not have love. They are seeking my Son, but do not know how and where to find Him. My Son is opening wide His arms to them, and you are to help them to come to His embrace. My children, that is why you must ...pray for love. You must pray very, very much to have all the more love, because love conquers death and makes life last. Apostles of my love, my children, with an honest and simple heart unite in prayer regardless of how far you are from each other. Encourage each other in spiritual growth as I am encouraging you. I am watching over you and am with you whenever you think of me. Pray also for your shepherds, for those who renounced everything for the sake of my Son and for your sake. Love them and pray for them. The Heavenly Father is listening to your prayers. Thank you." 

Pope Francis to Release Pop Rock Album in November

News excerpt from ChurchPOP.com

Pope Francis is releasing a pop rock album featuring snippets of his preaching mixed with music. It’s called “Pope Francis: Wake Up!” and will be released on November 27, 2015.

If you have doubts, this is being reported by the Associated Press and Rolling Stone, among others, and you can already pre-order it on iTunes.

You can even listen to the first single from the album, “Wake Up! Go! Go! Forward!”

Apparently with full approval of the Vatican, the album is being released by the label Believe Digital, which has a website for the album. Some of the proceeds of the album will be donated to efforts to help refugees.

Read more: Pope Francis Album

Pope Francis Celebrates Mass in Madison Square Garden

Pope's Mass in Madison Square Garden: Go out and evangelize without fear or hesitation

News from RomeReports.com: 

 

This was the warm welcome Pope Francis received as he arrived to a packed Madison Square Garden in New York City. 

Before celebrating Mass,  he made his way through the crowds, blessing some of them along the way. In an emotional moment, a couple shed tears as Pope Francis blessed their ill child, as thousands looked on. 

Referencing the hustle and bustle of New York City, the Pope reminded Christians that God and the Church are also present and alive amid the chaos of big cities.  He asked that foreigners, the sick, poor, vulnerable, homeless and the elderly not be overlooked. 

News Coverage of Pope Francis in the United States

Courtesy of CNA

Special Coverage of Pope Francis trip to the United States: Catholic News Agency - CNA

Stay up-to-date on all the latest news, photos and video from Catholic News Agency about Pope Francis' visit to the United States of America, September 22-27, 2015.

Rainbows of light appear around statues of Jesus at World Apostolate of Fatima, USA

World Apostolate of Fatima, USA

By Loci B. Lenar

On Saturday, September 19, 2015, I attended 12:00 Mass at the Blue Army Shrine and photographed the Stations of the Cross next to the Holy House Chapel with my iPhone 6. In two separate  areas, both photos show sunlight creating similar colorful rays of light around the statues of Jesus.

The lower photo has a band of light that creates the appearance of a cross. Interestingly, it's more than coincidence that the photo shows Jesus carrying the cross.

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." -Matthew 5:14-16

If you're interested in visiting or attending Mass, Our Lady's Blue Army Shrine is located on 674 Mountain View Road East, Washington, NJ, USA.

Photographs Copyright 2015 Loci B. Lenar

PRAYER TO OUR LADY, HELP OF CHRISTIANS

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

Mary, powerful Virgin,
You are the mighty
and glorious protector of the Church.
You are the marvelous help of Christians.
You are awe inspiring as an army in battle array.
In the midst of our anguish,
struggle, and distress,
defend us from the power of the enemy,
and at the hour of hour death,
receive our soul in Heaven.

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

A miracle that could canonize Mother Teresa

Photo by Manfredo Ferrari

Is this the miracle that could canonize Mother Teresa? - Catholic News Agency (CNA)

Excerpt from CNA/EWTN

Vatican City - The Vatican is studying the case of a Brazilian man inexplicably cured of brain abscesses – which could be the miracle that leads to the canonization of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

Pope Francis voiced his desire to canonize Mother Teresa during the Jubilee Year of Mercy which will begin on Dec. 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, as a ¨sign of mercy for the world¨ in service to the poor.

Father Caetano Rizzi, who works in the Vatican's congregation for saints, told CNA that the Pope “wants to beatify and canonize men and women that were a sign of mercy for the world in this Jubilee (Year), and Mother Teresa is a model, because of that there's a certain urgency in her process.”

The possible miracle that would bring about Mother Teresa's canonization occurred in 2008. A man from Santos, Brazil, whose identity has not been divulged in order to maintain the discretion needed to conclude the investigation, was unexpectedly cured from eight abscesses in his brain that required an operation.

In Presença Diocesana, a Brazilian newspaper, Father Elmiram Ferreira explained that he ministered to the family during this time.

The priest gave the family a prayer to ask for the intercession of Blessed Teresa and told them to pray without ceasing. “Mother Teresa turned into their comfort and strength during that long time. So when his complete recovery was verified and the doctors could not explain it, I understood that there was the hand of the Blessed.”

Read more: A miracle that could canonize Mother Teresa

Ted Cruz Responds to the Arrest of Kentucky Clerk Kim Davis

BRILLIANT! Read Ted Cruz’s IMPASSIONED response to the arrest of KY Clerk Kim Davis!

Excerpt and photo from The Right Scoop:  This should be the response of every conservative who cares about liberty! Ted Cruz has released an impassioned response to the arrest of Kim Davis.

“Today, judicial lawlessness crossed into judicial tyranny. Today, for the first time ever, the government arrested a Christian woman for living according to her faith. This is wrong. This is not America.

“Those who are persecuting Kim Davis believe that Christians should not serve in public office. That is the consequence of their position. Or, if Christians do serve in pubic office, they must disregard their religious faith–or be sent to jail.

“Kim Davis should not be in jail. We are a country founded on Judeo-Christian values, founded by those fleeing religious oppression and seeking a land where we could worship God and live according to our faith, without being imprisoned for doing so.

“I call upon every Believer, every Constitutionalist, every lover of liberty to stand with Kim Davis. Stop the persecution now.”  -Ted Cruz

Read more: http://therightscoop.com/brilliant-read-ted-cruzs-impassioned-response-to-the-arrest-of-ky-clerk-kim-davis/#ixzz3l0w1MBZc

Our Lady's Message of September 2, 2015

The Medjugorje Web - Apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Medjugorje

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

"Dear children, My dear apostles of love, my carriers of truth, again I am calling you and gathering you around me to help me, to help all of my children who thirst for love and truth who thirst for my Son. I am a grace from the Heavenly Father, sent to help you to live the word of my Son. Love one another. I lived your earthly life. I know that it is not always easy, but if you will love each other, you will pray with the heart, you will reach spiritual heights and the way to heaven will be opened for you. I, your mother, am waiting for you there because I am there. Be faithful to my Son and teach others faithfulness. I am with you. I will help you. I will teach you faith that you may know how to transmit it to others in the right way. I will teach you truth that you may know how to discern. I will teach you love that you may come to know what real love is. My children, my Son will make it so as to speak through your words and your actions. Thank you."

Our Lady of Medjugorje's Message of August 25, 2015

 

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

The Medjugorje Web - Apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Medjugorje

Our Lady's Message of August 25, 2015 to Marija

“Dear children! Also today I am calling you to be prayer. May prayer be for you the wings for an encounter with God. The world is in a moment of trial, because it forgot and abandoned God. Therefore you, little children, be those who seek and love God above all. I am with you and I am leading you to my Son, but you must say your ‘yes’ in the freedom of children of God. I intercede for you and I love you, little children, with an endless love. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

Statue of Mary is Miraculously Intact After Fire

 Virgin Mary Statue is Left Miraculously Intact After Fire

Photograph and excerpt from  http://iamproudtobecatholic.com/

A violent fire at a military base near Madrid spared nothing except a small statue and surrounding vegetation.

The events took place at the El Goloso military base, located near the Spanish capital, seat of the nation’s armored infantry brigade “Guadarrama.” According to several Spanish news sites, including Infovaticana and Religión en Libertad, a fire broke out that was impossible to control, burning most of the surrounding vegetation.

Once the flames were extinguished, to the soldiers’ surprise, in the middle of the charred area, stood a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes—totally undamaged! What’s more, the soldiers were shocked to see that the grass near the statue had not been touched by the flames and that it was even still surrounded by vases filled with flowers, also intact, as if the flames had respected the space around the statue.

The fire took place on July 30, in the middle of the heat wave which had descended upon Spain. The soldiers could not explain why the statue had suffered no damage nor why the flowers had not even been blackened or withered by the heat. The story quickly spread though social networks, some suspecting a fraud, but further investigations have dispelled all possible doubts. In the photographs, one can easily see that the ground is completely burnt, except near the statue.

Indeed, for the most part, the soldiers on the base did not know that there was a statue of the Virgin in their garden. However, some of them who had a special devotion to Mother Mary had recommended themselves to this representation of Our Lady of Lourdes. And, the statue had already participated in official ceremonies at the military base.

Read more: Statue of Mary is Miraculously Intact After Fire

PRAYER TO SAINT ANTHONY FOR PEACE

Prayer of the Month for August 2015

Dear Saint Anthony, yet again I greet you and thank you.
Throughout your life you always tried to be a peacemaker.
You were always reconciling enemies,
getting factions to work together,
smoothing and composing differences.

Our world is now upset with wars abroad,
with violence and dissension at home.
Everywhere in our cities and towns,
in our colleges and schools,
even in our churches,
a spirit of strife too often prevails.

These are all, as you know better than I,
the fruit of sin,
a sign of human instability and insufficiency.
Help us by your power before God to be peacemakers.
Help me especially to pray and work for peace in my family
and my neighborhood whenever I can.
I ask this favor in the name of our Lord, the prince of peace.
Amen.

V. Pray for us, St. Anthony,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

More Saint Anthony Prayers: http://www.christian-miracles.com/saintanthonyprayer.htm

More Catholic Prayers: http://www.christian-miracles.com/devotionalprayers.htm
 
The statue of St. Anthony and Infant Jesus can be seen inside St. Bonaventure Church, 174 Ramsey Street, Paterson, NJ, USA.

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

Tribute to Saint Martha

Artist Stephen B. Whatley - Flickr Photo Sharing

From the website of Mr. Whatley:  A New Drawing and Tribute to Saint Martha

Catholic artist Stephen B. Whatley often feels what he calls a 'Divine Push' to honour Christ and His Holy Mother and the Saints. His drawing was created on the Feast Day of Saint Martha on July 29th.

This special Novena To Saint Martha should be recited for nine Tuesdays: It's said that this miraculous Saint grants anything before the Tuesdays are ended, no matter how difficult.

"St. Martha, I resort to thee and to thy petition and faith, I offer up to thee this light which I shall burn every Tuesday for nine Tuesdays. Comfort me in all my difficulties through the great favour thou didst enjoy when Our Saviour lodged in thy house.

I beseech thee to have definite pity in regard to the favour I ask (Mention favour). Intercede for my family that we may always be provided for in all our necessities. I ask thee St. Martha to overcome the dragon which thou didst cast at thy feet.

One Our Father and three Hail Marys, and a Glory Be. Amen.

Light a candle every Tuesday and recite the above prayer, and make it known with the intentions of spreading devotion to St. Martha.

Charcoal on paper
24 x17in/59 x 42cm
 www.stephenbwhatley.com

Join us at Saint Mary's Church for an Evening of Prayer for Persecuted Christians

Saint Mary's Catholic Church - Denville, NJ

Bishop Arthur Serratelli from the Paterson Diocese of New Jersey, has designated August as a "Diocesan wide month of prayer for those suffering religious persecution.”

As Pope Francis recently remarked, "The dramatic news...about violence, kidnapping...and harassment against Christians and other groups does not stop. We want to assure those involved in these situations that we do not forget them, but we are close to them and pray insistently that, very quickly, the intolerable brutality of which they are victims is put to an end." (Angelus, May 1, 2015).

St. Bernard, one of the Saints we celebrate in the month of August had a deep faith in the power of prayer, and in the intercession of the Blessed Mother. “In danger, in distress, in uncertainty,” he says,

“think of Mary, call upon Mary.” 

In this spirit we will gather in prayer to “strengthen those who suffer persecution and move the
hearts of those who oppress them to embrace a life of peace.” -Bishop Arthur Serratelli

Please join us in prayer with Fr. Richard Tartaglia on Thursday, August 20th at 7:30 PM at St. Mary’s Church, 15 Myers Avenue, Denville, New Jersey, USA. 

For more information please call St. Mary's Rectory: 973-627-0269

Contact Loci B. Lenar:  http://www.christian-miracles.com/contact.htm

Read more news related to the persecution of Christians and our present time: A Message regarding Archangel Michael and Revelation 20:1-3

The statue of Jesus is displayed inside Saint Mary's Church, Denville, NJ.

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar
www.Christian-Miracles.com


 

Our Lady's Message of August 2, 2015

2015 | MEDJUGORJE TODAY

Our Lady's Message to Visionary Mirjana Dragicevic- Soldo

“Dear children, I, as a mother who loves her children, see how difficult
the time in which you live is. I see your suffering, but you need to
know that you are not alone. My Son is with you. He is everywhere. He is
invisible, but you can see Him if you live Him. He is the light which
illuminates your soul and gives you peace. He is the Church which you
need to love and to always pray and fight for – but not only with words,
instead with acts of love. My children, bring it about for everyone to
come to know my Son, bring it about that He may be loved, because the
truth is in my Son born of God – the Son of God. Do not waste time
deliberating too much; you will distance yourselves from the truth. With
a simple heart accept His word and live it. If you live His word, you
will pray. If you live His word, you will love with a merciful love; you
will love each other. The more that you will love, the farther away you
will be from death. For those who will live the word of my Son and who
will love, death will be life. Thank you. Pray to be able to see my Son
in your shepherds. Pray to be able to embrace Him in them.”

Our Lady's Message of July 25, 2015

MEDJUGORJE TODAY- News agency reporting on the Virgin Mary's apparitions in Medjugorje

VIRGIN MARY'S MESSAGE GIVEN ON JULY 25, 2015 TO VISIONARY MARIJA
PAVLOVIC-LUNETTI

“Dear children! With joy I am with you also today and I call all of you, little children, pray, pray, pray so as to comprehend the love which I have for you. My love is stronger than evil, little children, therefore draw closer to God so as to feel my joy in God. Without God, little children, you do not have a future, you do not have hope or salvation; therefore leave evil and choose good. I am with you and, with you, I intercede before God for all of your needs. Thank you for having responded to my
call.”

A MIRACLE? Virgin Mary painting caught on tape moving lips along with the Lord's Prayer (VIDEO)

News Story from Catholic Online

The lips on a painted image of the Virgin Mary, on display at the St. Charbels Church in New South Wales, Australia, were reportedly witnessed moving along with the reading of the Lord's Prayer.

The video featuring the Virgin Mary seemingly moving her lips went viral after a man named George Akary posted it to his Facebook page on July 19. It has attracted curiosity from many Christians and skeptics.

"I saw this during mass and at the end of mass the rosary is prayed," explained Akary. "I went to the altar and wanted to confirm via recording it... lights are not relevant and there flickering etc as I have seen this occur under various lighting and have considered those possibilities. It is what it is."

According to Akary, the pace of the congregation's prayer seemed to be parallel to the movement of the Virgin Mary's lips. Apparently, he was not the only person who witnessed the reported miracle.

Read More: A MIRACLE?

Pope Francis Featured on Cover of National Geographic Magazine

National Geographic Magazine - August 2015

News Release: For the August 2015 cover story, National Geographic was given special access to the pope and permission to document his daily life inside the Vatican. The United States is preparing for its first papal visit since 2008.