Pope in Beirut: Those who wish to build peace must cease to see in the other an evil to be eliminated

The video and following excerpt is from RomeReports.com:

Continuing his call for peace, the Pope led Sunday's Angelus by calling for the violence to stop in the Middle East, especially in Syria where thousands have been killed.  

“Why so much horror? Why so many dead? I appeal to the international community!," said the Pope in Beirut.   

Benedict XVI

“Why so much horror? Why so many dead? I appeal to the international community! I appeal to the Arab countries that, as brothers, they might propose workable solutions respecting the dignity, the rights and the religion of every human person!”

Benedict XVI called on Our Lady of Lebanon, to intercede and bring peace, but part of that process, said the Pope, includes eliminating hatred and enemies. 

Benedict XVI

“Those who wish to build peace must cease to see in the other an evil to be eliminated. It is not easy to see in the other a person to be respected and loved, and yet this is necessary if peace is to be built, if fraternity is desired.”

With roughly 300,000 people from across the Middle East, the Pope also mourned for the thousands of civilians who have lost their lives in violent conflicts in the region. 

Benedict XVI

“Sadly, the din of weapons continues to make itself heard, along with the cry of the widow and the orphan. Violence and hatred invade people’s lives, and the first victims are women and children.”

Toward the end of the Angelus, the Pope also called on local Patriarchs and bishops to do their part in the peace building process, so that all people of all origins and religious convictions are respected. 

Pope calls for end to sending arms to Syria

The video and following excerpt is from RomeReports.com

In a meeting with journalists during the flight to Lebanon, Benedict XVI called for “an end to the importation of arms to Syria” to help stop the conflict. He suggested that “ideas of peace” be imported rather than weapons and begin an acceptance of differences.

In light of the recent tensions from religious conflict in the Middle East, the Pope explained that religions must display mutual respect for each other and for mankind.

Merry Christmas!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government

will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Wishing all Visitors a Blessed Christmas!

May your Christmas Holiday be shared with friends and family as we gather together to celebrate the birth of Jesus. May your homes be filled with God's peace and love as we move into a new year. And, may peace reign upon our world through Our Lord's blessing.

Wishing all people of good will a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The greeting card has a stained glass window which was photographed inside Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, Verona, NJ.

Photo Copyright 2011 Loci B. Lenar

www.christian-miracles.com

Muslim Student Group Invites Pope to Speak at Conference in Bali

CNS NEWS BRIEFS Sep-12-2011

The following excerpt is from Catholic News Service:

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Leaders of Indonesia's largest Muslim student group came to the Vatican to extend an invitation to Pope Benedict XVI to speak at a conference in Bali in 2012. The leaders of the Indonesian Islamic Student Association, or Himpunan Mahasiswa Islam, met Sept. 10 with Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, reported Fides, the Vatican's missionary news agency. The student association, which counts about 1 million members, was founded in 1947 and is "the oldest, largest and most influential" student group in Indonesia, Fides said. In addition to inviting the pope to address their conference on dialogue and peace, Fides said, the students spoke to Cardinal Tauran about ways to promote dialogue and religious pluralism and to begin forms of collaboration with Catholics.


Read more: Muslim Student Group Invites Pope to Bali

All are Welcome to Attend Prayer Services at St. Mary's Church in Denville, NJ

St. Mary's Catholic Church - (Front Windows)
Photo by Loci B. Lenar


All are Welcome to Attend Prayer Services held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Denville, NJ

St. Mary's Church holds a monthly service for prayer including special prayer intentions (requests) which are submitted through the website of Christian-Miracles.com.  This months prayer theme is for the Foundation of Church and Country. The next evening prayer service is scheduled for Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 7:30 PM (EST). 

Mark your calenders as well for March 17th, the prayer theme will focus on St. Patrick and St. Joseph.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) – Feb 08, 2011 – All are welcome to visit St. Mary's Catholic Church for daily Mass and prayer services.

With the support of Father Richard Tartaglia, prayer requests that are submitted through the website of Christian-Miracles.com are prayed for every Monday morning after the 8:00 A.M. mass - during Holy Hour Adoration, which is between the hours of 8:30 to 9:30 AM.

In 2008, Loci B. Lenar launched Christian-Miracles.com as gathering place for all who are seeking Jesus, especially for Catholics and Christians to renew their faith through news of miracles. Additional information can be read on the subject matter by visiting the website.

Fr. Richard Tartaglia and Loci B. Lenar were recently interviewed on Radio Maria regarding their Catholic faith as connected to Christianity. Both were guests on the radio program Sacred Treasures which is hosted by Kathie Duggan.

Furthermore, prayer requests are prayed for every third Thursday of each month during the 7:30 PM evening prayer service held at St. Mary's Church. This months prayer theme is for the Foundation of Church and Country. Other themes have included prayer for peace and Christian unity. The new prayer service is scheduled for February 17, 2011.

Mark your calenders for Thursday, March 17th, the prayer theme will focus on St. Patrick and St. Joseph including special prayer intentions.

If you live in the area or plan on visiting New Jersey, please consider attending and joining in the evening prayer service with Fr. Richard Tartaglia.  The service begins with singing of hymns followed with psalm prayers and then reading of the gospels.  After the reading, Fr. Tartaglia gives his homily which is followed with a prayer of intercession for Special Prayer Intentions (prayer requests).  The Lord's Prayer is recited and after that there is a closing prayer with a blessing given by Fr. Tartaglia.  The service is concluded with a closing song.

St. Mary's Catholic Church is located on 15 Myers Avenue in Denville, New Jersey. Father Martin Glynn is the head pastor of the church.

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

Regardless of your religious denomination, please feel free to submit your prayer request by visiting the following link: http://www.christian-miracles.com/apps/prayers/. Your email address will remain confidential.

Loci Lenar visits Father Richard Tartaglia on a regular bases for spiritual guidance and shares with him the prayer requests. As a result, Mr. Lenar will hand deliver all emails requesting prayers to his spiritual advisor, Father Tartaglia.

St. Mary's Church Window (detail)
Photo by Loci B. Lenar

Regarding prayer, Jesus said in Matthew 18:19-20, "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."

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)

***

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

Doctors acknowledge "miracles" in Giffords' recovery

WCSH6.com | Portland, ME | Doctors acknowledge "miracles" in Giffords' recovery

(My prayers are with the families and victims of the senseless and horrific shootings in Tucson.  Please pray as we mourn for those that have lost their lives and for the families.  Pray for Gabrielle Giffords' recovery and for all the survivors.  Additionally, please join in prayer for God's healing grace to embrace our nation and world with peace.   -Loci B. Lenar)

From the website of WCSH6.com:

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- After 5 days of urging caution, even Gabrielle Giffords' doctors are starting to call her recovery a miracle.

The Democratic congresswoman, who was shot in the head in an assassination attempt Saturday, is moving both legs and both arms, has opened both eyes and is responding to friends and family. Doctors have sat her up on the side of the bed and dangled her feet over the edge.

Her neurosurgeon, Dr. Michael Lemole, told reporters today: "We're wise to acknowledge miracles."

Few people who take a bullet to the brain -- just 10 percent -- survive such a devastating wound.

Dr. Peter Rhee says the next milestone will be removing her breathing tube, and possibly having her sit in a chair tomorrow. Doctors want to make sure Giffords doesn't backslide, and they're watching for pneumonia and blood clots.

May the Miracle of Christmas be a Blessing of Love and Peace to All!

The Birth of Jesus - Church Window
Photo by Loci B. Lenar

Wish you a Merry Christmas!

The Birth of Jesus - Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Luke 2:1-20 - The Birth of Jesus

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

***

The stained glass window detail of the birth of Jesus can be seen inside Our Lady of the Lake Church. The Catholic church is located in Sparta, NJ, USA.

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar
Christian-Miracles.com

The Peace of Saint Francis of Assisi

This is a guest post by Kenji Crosland of TeachStreet.  TeachStreet is a website dedicated to providing online and local classes, as well as classes on religion.

I remember the first time I had visited Assisi Italy, the home of St. Francis in the Summer of 2003.  Before we had even entered the town where St. Francis preached, we witnessed the fields sweep by our bus windows, radiating gold in the sun.  It was no small wonder that it was in this place that St. Francis found his calling, forsook his father's wealth, and took a vow of poverty to pursue his devotion to God.

Golden Fields near Assisi in Umbria

Photo Source: Un Raggazo 


As we passed through the quiet cobblestone streets, we met the Franciscan monks who had, just like the founder of their order had done centuries ago, taken a vow of poverty and donned the brown robes.  I can still remember to this day how the monks had such an aura of peace about them.  Just being in there in that beautiful place was enough to feel divine peace, and through them it shined.

From the sunlight and the peace of the Assisi streets we entered into the Basilica of St. Clare where we saw the copy of crucifix of San Damiano.  Although only a copy of the original crucifix that had spoken to St. Francis with a mission from God, the feeling that the icon would speak to any of us there at any moment was palpable.

The San Damiano Cross

Also, equally impressive was the Basilica of St. Francis, with the walls adorned with frescoes from the master artist Giotto.  However, I was more impressed by the simple hedges that spelled the word "Pax" (Peace) in front of the Basilica.  Although St. Francis was a fierce follower of the Church, he recognized the value of peace and how it could bridge the gaps between faiths.  So important this was that the Franciscan order had made "Peace" part of the landscape as a reminder of what the Saint had striven for and what they should strive for as well.

"Peace"

Photo by: Sacred Destinations


Of the many places that one can make a pilgrimage, this is one of the most extraordinary. In Assisi you can feel the peace the simplicity and the faith of St. Francis everywhere you go. If you ever have a chance to visit Rome, be sure to plan a day trip to Assisi.  You won't regret it.

October 18th a Day to Pray for Life and Peace

Fatima - Our Lady of Fatima - World Apostolate of Fatima, USA - Blue Army Shrine

The World Apostolate of Fatima and the Blue Army Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, Located on Mountain View Road in Washington, NJ, will hold on October 18, 2009, a special day of prayer for the sanctity of life and peace. The event will be televised by EWTN from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Scheduled guests include Reverend Clement J. Machado, Reverend Andrew Apostoli, C.F.R., Tony Melendez - Christian Singer, Joe DeVito - Artist and Sculptor of the Mary, Mother of the Life Within Statue, and MC and Special Guest Diana von Glahn.

Psalm 127:3 states, "Children too are a gift from the Lord, the fruit of the womb, a reward."

I am reminded of Psalm 139:13-16, which says, "You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother's womb. I praise you, so wonderfully you made me; wonderful are your works! My very self you knew; my bones were not hidden from you, When I was being made in secret, fashioned as in the depths of the earth. Your eyes foresaw my actions; in your book all are written down; my days were shaped, before one came to be."

Please join in prayer for the Lord's blessing and mercy to enfold humanity and the unborn with God's grace for respect and love of life including world peace. Thank you very much for the kind prayer support.

The Pray for Life and Peace poster was displayed recently at the National Blue Army Shrine. The poster was photographed during my visit.

Photo Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar

Christian-Miracles.com

Tribute to King

Photo of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr - Civil Rights Conference 1964
In Honor of the great legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

Tribute to a King

Freedom fighter in words of flaming love
Passionate zeal of soul through humbling marches and dreams

Unlocking the gateway to civil liberty
Announcing a legacy of social equality amid hands of joy and unity

Proclaiming peace and harmony on behalf of posterity
Messenger of the Lord into footsteps of Calvary—

By no means forgotten—

Resurrected in spirit and seated among the elect
Hero and saint of God’s heavenly kingdom

Champion of Christianity and Martyr of the 20th Century—
The great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

© Loci B. Lenar

Tribute to a King (Poem) was registered in December of 2003 though the United States Copyright Office with certificate number TXU 1-149-847.

Photo supplied by http://www.clipartguide.com/

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Tribute to a King: A Sign from Heaven

Pope Benedict XVI called for Christian unity on Friday, January 26, during a vespers service at Rome's Basilica of St. Paul's. He said during a prayer service that "Unity with God and our brothers and sisters is a gift that will come from on high." My response to Pope Benedict's statement is for the Catholic faith to respectfully consider honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with Beatification. The following story will provide insight to the issue:

Tribute to a King is written in honor of the great legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr with words flowing in revelation. In the early 1990s, the Spirit of the Lord imparted me with a vision of our world gifted and Blessed in Peace during a spiritual visitation. Through discernment, the Lord is preparing our Millennium for the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy by building a bridge of peace and unity between people and cultures, including reconciliation amongst religious denominations.

In Revelation 19:9, the following is conveyed: 'Then the angel said to me, "write this: Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb." And he said to me, "These words are true; they come from God." '

I discussed the matter with my spiritual advisor, Father Richard Tartaglia of Saint Mary's Church, Denville, NJ, and indicated that God's Will is to usher in an era of peace with unity. I also disclosed that through a spiritual locution/impartation, our Lord conveyed that Dr. King is "a saint of my kingdom."

The following is noted in Psalm 145:21, "My mouth will speak your praises, Lord; all flesh will bless your Holy name forever." With the power of the Holy Spirit, the Lord indeed speaks through the faithful. As a Christian and Catholic, the legacy of Dr. King should be remembered for not only his great dream, but for courage in following in the footsteps and gospels of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Quoting the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr : "So I say to you, seek God and discover Him and make Him a power in your life. Without Him all of our efforts turn to ashes and our sunrises into darkest nights. Without Him, life is a meaningless drama with the decisive scenes missing. But with Him we are able to rise from the fatigue of despair to the buoyancy of hope. With Him we are able to rise from the midnight of desperation to the daybreak of joy. St. Augustine was right - we were made for God and will be restless until we find rest in Him."

Dr. king also said, "Love is the most durable power in the world. This creative force, so beautifully exemplified in the life of our Christ, is the most potent instrument available in mankind's quest for peace and security."

Not only a great civil rights leader, but Dr. King was a Babtist Minister and a co-pastor with his father at Ebenezer Baptist Church from 1960 until his death in 1968. The Catholic faith should respectfully consider honoring King as a doctor of the church with Sainthood. Canonization should not be limited to Catholics, but also be considered for virtuous Christians of other denominations as well. I believe changes are needed in the church in order to help bring forth unity amongst all Christians and Catholics.

The following is conveyed in Isaiah 55: 9 and 11, "As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts. So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it."

In Psalm 37, Verse 4-6, the following is noted: "Find your delight in the Lord who will give you your heart's desire. Commit your way to the Lord; trust that God will act and make your integrity shine like the dawn, your vindication like noonday."

Let us not forget that in the house of God all are equal! In unified prayer all is possible through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The vision will come to pass with God's timing. I give praise and glory including thanks to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for all the gifts and spiritual wonders unfolding. (To read poem, please click on image)

Copyright 2008 Loci B. Lenar

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Pope urges prayers for Christian unity

(The article below is published on the website of The Star Phoenix)

Pope Urges Prayers for Christian Unity

Reuters
Published: Saturday, January 26, 2008

ROME (Reuters) -- Pope Benedict on Friday urged Christians around the world to intensify their prayers for unity of their divided Churches.

"We are ever more aware of how much the work of recomposing unity, which requires all of our energy and strength, is above our possibilities," he said at an evening vespers service at Rome's Basilica of St. Paul's.

"Unity with God and our brothers and sisters is a gift that will come from on high," he said at an ecumenical prayer service marking the end of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, head of the World Council of Churches, which groups most non-Catholic Christian faiths, attended the service along with representatives of other Christian Churches. Earlier in an interview, Kobia, the WCC Secretary General, called for full communion among all denominations by the middle of this century. He told the Vatican daily L'Osservatore Romano he was convinced relations between Catholicism and the Protestant and Orthodox churches in the Geneva-based Council would grow stronger in coming years.

The Vatican bars intercommunion because of disagreements about the Eucharist, the central act of worship in many Christian churches. Many Protestant churches allow members of other denominations to share their consecrated bread and wine.

Intercommunion would symbolize unity among Christians and ease practical problems in countries such as Britain, Germany and the United States where mixed marriages are frequent.

© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2008

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