The Remarkable Music of Tony Melendez

You Tube - The Remarkable Music of Tony Melendez

News Story and Video by Loci B. Lenar

On Sunday, October 18, 2009, Tony Melendez and his band played a selection of inspirational music of faith at The Blue Army Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. The Catholic shrine held a televised event of One World Praying for Life and Peace. EWTN was broadcasting the prayer service with Tony's beautiful music.

Remarkably, Tony was born without arms, but is gifted with an ability to play a guitar with his amazing feet. I attended the event and recorded some video with my Canon G7 digital camera.  The video is of course not on the same scale as someone using professional equipment.  However, it's presented for the purpose of exhibiting the artistic talent of Tony Melendez.

The following excerpt is from Tony's website:

It was an unforgettable moment when, on September 15, 1987, he played his guitar for Pope John Paul II in Los Angeles. Born without arms, he performed a touching song entitled Never Be The Same. When the Pope approached him from the stage to kiss him in appreciation, it seemed to reflect the sentiments of the entire country.

Tony Melendez Ministries is dedicated to bringing compassion and hope to people throughout the world while inspiring and changing the hearts of all God's people.


Photograph and Video Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar

Miracle of the Sun Witnessed at Knock Shrine in Ireland

Thousands wait for Knock apparition - The Irish Times - Mon, Oct 12, 2009

The following excerpt is from an article published on IrishTimes.com:

THOUSANDS GATHERED at Knock Shrine, County Mayo, yesterday hoping to see an apparition of Our Lady.

There were ripples of applause from a crowd estimated at more than 5,000 as some people believed they could see the sun shimmering, changing colour and dancing in the sky.

John Tunney, from Islandeady, Castlebar, said: “I’m 53 years old and I never seen the sun go like that before. I witnessed the sun go all different colours, yellow, red and green. Then it completely darkened and began shimmering. Sometimes the sun emitted a clean, bright light, then it would darken again.”

Mr Tunney’s wife, Nina, said: “The sun was spinning in the sky. I experienced a feeling of total happiness. It is a feeling I would love to experience again. It was amazing. I felt marvellous.”

Yvonne Rabbitte, from Dunmore, Co Galway, showed other pilgrims a photograph she had taken on her digital camera which showed vivid rays radiating downwards from the sun at the time the image was taken.

Maggie Ahern, from Castlebar, had no doubt that the happenings in Knock were due to “heavenly intervention”.

Earlier in the week Dublin-based clairvoyant Joe Coleman predicted Our Lady would appear at the old parish church – scene of the 1879 apparition – at 3pm. Quite a number of those present were members of the Travelling community.

The crowds waited in the open air despite an invitation on loudspeaker at about 2.30pm from Knock parish priest Msgr Joseph Quinn that those in the grounds enter the adjacent Basilica to participate in ceremonies to mark the annual Dominican pilgrimage.

Msgr Quinn was not available for comment last night.

(For additional information, read Joe Coleman's Profile.

(For additional information about the story, please visit Spirit Daily.com)

The Anointing of the Holy Spirit (Poetry)

Photographed inside St. Mary's Church, Denville, NJ

The Holy Spirit

Wings of loving freedom—

soaring peacefully into harmony with hymns of faith

encircling earth in search of virtuous souls

encountering scores of compassionate hearts
in tunes of praise and glory—

the gospel music of salvation.

Our Heavenly Father

aggrieved by turbulent winds

and clouds of fury

that displace innocent lives,

humanity is gifted with prayer to mitigate ominous storms,

protecting God’s children from misfortune.

The outpouring of divine love

thawing humanity’s chilled heart,

shadowed in moments of indifference,

blessed and thoughtfully forgiven by grace.

Photographed inside Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Boonton, NJ

In unified prayer of mercy,

Jesus pardons our sins,

wipes away tears—

prepares our soul to embrace the Holy Spirit.

Behold the Light of Resurrection—

the Choir of Heaven in symphony with the Book of Life

recording all who believe in God’s providence!

By Loci B. Lenar

Photographs © 2009 Loci B. Lenar 

Poem © 2005 Loci B. Lenar

Registration Number TXU1-286-432

Christian-Miracles.com

Leprosy patients from Hawaii to see canonization of Fr. Damien

Leprosy patients from Hawaii to see canonization of Fr. Damien

The following story regarding Fr. Damien appeared on Catholic News Agency:

Honolulu, Hawaii, Sep 26, 2009 (CNA)

Eleven elderly leprosy patients from Hawaii will travel to the Vatican for the canonization ceremony of Fr. Damien de Veuster, the heroic priest who cared for leprosy patients in Hawaii and died of the disease. The patients’ attending doctor called Fr. Damien their “personal saint.”

The Belgian-born priest is a hero in Hawaii for caring for those victims banished to the isolated Kalaupapa peninsula. Native Hawaiians were devastated by leprosy, which appeared after the arrival of Captain James Cook in 1778.

About 90 percent of the approximately 8,000 people exiled to the peninsula were native Hawaiians. The state of Hawaii stopped exiling leprosy victims in 1969, more than two decades after a reliable treatment was discovered.

Many patients chose to stay at the colony because the community had become their home.

Eleven of the about 20 patients still living at Kalaupapa will make the 12,000-mile trip to Rome for the priest’s canonization, according to the Associated Press.

Their physician, Dr. Kalani Brady, said the trip will be an “energy-laden” voyage for many patients.

"They're going to see their personal saint canonized,” Brady told the Associated Press. The event is “incredibly important, incredibly personal for them.”

Since 1936, Fr. Damien’s body has rested in his Belgian hometown of Tremelo. However, his grave at Kalaupapa contains a relic of his right hand.

The canonization of Fr. Damien was announced earlier this year after the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints ruled that there was no medical explanation for a woman’s recovery from terminal cancer. She had prayed to Fr. Damien to intercede for a cure.

Pope Benedict XVI will preside over the canonization on October 11. The priest was beatified in 1995 by Pope John Paul II.

Pope Benedict is expected to meet privately with the patients during their stay in Rome.

About 650 people from Hawaii are traveling to Rome for the canonization. Most are expected to be part of the delegation of the Catholic Diocese of Honolulu.

A Boy Scout group called the St. Damien Boy Scouts of Oahu will document the capstone event and their travels on the internet using a blog, YouTube and Facebook.

In an August interview, Scout Master John Fielding told CNA about his scouts’ planned journey and the place of Fr. Damien in Hawaii.

“Fr. Damien is not only a symbol of our Church, but he is a hero to the Hawaiian people for his sacrifice,” he explained. “Fr. Damien’s statue is in the front of the Hawaii State Capitol and the U.S. Congress. Damien Memorial High School, where one of our scouts attends, is named in his honor.”

“Even if you are not Catholic, you know of his sacrifice and love for the many Hawaiians left to die there [at Molokai].”

The scouts have set up a Facebook account under the name of Damien de Veuster and have set up a YouTube channel named “saintdmienscouts.”

They will also report on their journey at http://stdamienboyscouts.wordpress.com/

Tower of Remembrance

The Tower of Remembrance has steel from the North Tower Building of the World Trade Center. The steel is combined with bells from the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity's Seminary in Monroe, Virginia.

The bells are a reminder by calling all people to pray and strive for world peace. The names of each innocent victim who died at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in the field in Pennsylvania from Flight 93, are inscribed on the memorial walls.

The structure is located on the grounds of the Shrine of Saint Joseph, Stirling, NJ, USA.

The memorial site is a place of healing, prayer, and peace, honoring the innocent victims who died on September 11, 2001.

Photograph Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar

Signs, Wonders, and Miracles - The Memorare

The Memorare

Intercessory Prayer to the Blessed Mother

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help or sought your intercession, was left unaided.

Inspired with this confidence, I fly to you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful.

O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me.

Amen

Photographed at St. Theodore Roman Catholic Church, located on 855 Route 57, Port Murray, New Jersey.

Photo Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar

Christian-Miracles.com

Cross Appears in Sky over Russian Home

Excerpt from YouTube:

According to news reports, Vladimir Rostovcev, a resident of Sharya, Russia, became a witness of a interesting phenomenon: In the sky right above his house he saw a glowing cross. Vladimir Rostovcev shot a video on his camera and the story subsequently appeared on Russian News.


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Photo Captures Image of an 'Angel' in Hospital Hallway

CharlotteObserver.com reported a story on December 23, 2008 regarding fourteen year old Chelsea Banton of recovering miraculously from recurrent bouts of pneumonia. According to the news report, she was on a respirator for nearly eight weeks. Several attempts were made to wean her off the respirator without any success. However, some are saying that reports of an Angel supposedly seen on the surveillance camera at the hospital is responsible for her miraculous recovery. Fox News (Fox and Friends) reported the story with an inspirational interview with Dr. Ophelia Garmon-Brown. The story can be viewed at the following link: Caught on Camera

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Sacred Heart of Jesus and The Miracle Prayer

The Miracle Prayer

Lord Jesus, I come before Thee, just as I am, I am sorry for my sins, I repent of my sins, please forgive me. In Thy Name, I forgive all others for what they have done against me. I renounce Satan, the evil spirits and all their works. I give Thee my entire self, Lord Jesus, I accept Thee as my Lord God and Savior. Heal me, change me, strengthen me in body, soul, and spirit.

Come Lord Jesus, cover me with Thy Precious Blood, and fill me with Thy Holy Spirit, I love Thee Lord Jesus, I praise Thee Lord Jesus, I thank Thee Jesus, I shall follow Thee every day of my life. Amen.

Mary, My Mother, Queen of Peace, all the Angels and Saints, please help me. Amen.

Say this prayer faithfully, no matter how you feel. When you come to the point where you sincerely mean each word with all your heart, Jesus will change your whole life in a very special way. You will see.

The above prayer can be found on catholic websites.

Prayer © 1993 Servite Fathers, O.S.M.

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The Miracle Prayer is written by Father Peter M. Rookey, O.S.M, the founder of International Compassion Ministry (ICM). Father Rookey and the ministry has received invitations for healing services from nations throughout the world including England, Ireland, and Mexico, to name a few. The ministry is located in Olympia Fields, Illinois and is part of the Servite Order's USA Province. The Lord has gifted and blessed Father Rookey and the International Compassion Ministry with a grace of healing. The Saint Michael Center for the Blessed Virgin Mary has numerous testimonies of God's healing grace working through Father Rookey and the compassion ministry. To read testimonies, please visit the following link: The Mail Box.

The following scripture is noted in Mark 11:24, when Jesus said, "Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours."

The statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is found in Saint Mary's Church, located at the corner of Route 46 and Myers Avenue, Denville, NJ. I am also a parishioner of the church.

Photograph © 2008 Loci B. Lenar

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Miracle of the Sun Witnessed by Visitors at New Jersey Shrine

On October 13, 2008, some visitors at the National Blue Army Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary were blessed to witness the Miracle of the Sun. I would estimate over a thousand faithful came to celebrate the 91st anniversary of the Fatima apparitions. The Catholic shrine is located in scenic Warren County on Mountain View Road, Washington, NJ. The shrine has the distinction of being known as the World Apostolate of Fatima, USA.

In 1917, the Blessed Mother appeared in Fatima, Portugal to three shepherd children and conveyed God’s message for salvation and conversion. Remarkably, the three children, Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta, were told by the Blessed Mother that God would provide a miracle in order to validate the apparitions and message of Fatima. On October 13, 1917, over 70,000 people witnessed the Miracle of the Sun in Fatima, Portugal. Our Lady also disclosed that an era of peace would eventually be granted to the world through prayer. For additional information about the Fatima message, please visit the website of the National Blue Army Shrine at the following link: http://www.wafusa.org/fatima_message/fatima_message.html

The anniversary celebration included a rosary procession with display of the Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima. A speech was given by Reverend Lawrence Joseph Schroedel while Father Andrew Apostoli spoke on the sanctity of life for the unborn. Other events included Holy Mass with Father Anthony M. Sirianni as well as Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament with farewell prayers and brown scapular enrollment.

A short time after the celebration, I walked into the parking area and observed numerous people appearing in awe as they looked directly at the sun. Margie Penkala of Hopatcong, NJ, said she was “watching the sun dance and change colors.” The time was between 3:00 and 4:00 PM. Margie also took an interesting photograph of the Cross of Reconciliation.

Although not seeing the solar phenomena; however, I did walk over and introduced myself to two priests standing nearby, and recognized Father Frederick Otieno Nyanguf, AJ of the Blue Army Shrine. I brought the matter to their attention and gave them some details on what people were observing. Both did not see any sun phenomena but agreed to look into it.

I am reminded of John 20: 29, when Jesus said, “Blessed are those who believe without seeing.” On a personal level, I witnessed the Miracle of the Sun on September 8, 1991 in northern New Jersey. Recalling my own experience, faith does not necessitate seeing the same sign over again. However, for many people a sign from Jesus and the Blessed Mother is an affirmation of God’s continued love for humanity. Moreover, I have seen other signs and wonders from our Lord Jesus Christ. For information regarding my personal testimony on the matter, please visit the following link: http://lenarpoetry.blogspot.com/2007/11/miracle-of-sun-testimony-of-spiritual_13.html

In order to corroborate the recent sun phenomena, I called Fran Zucchetto of the Immaculate Conception Rosary Society. She helped organize a pilgrimage to the shrine from the parishes of the Immaculate Conception and Assumption Church, both located in Tuckahoe, NY. Unavailable at the time; however, her Husband Vincent allowed me to speak to Tina, their 20 year old daughter. Tina Zucchetto confirmed that she attended the shrine with her sister and mother, part of a group of 30 from both churches. She said the group all observed the "sun dancing and changing colors.” She described the colors as “changing from pink to yellow and blue to green.” Without question, the Lord provides a special grace in order to allow people to observe the solar event without creating eye injury. However, eye contact with the sun should be avoided otherwise.

I also contacted Betty DeFusco; she coordinated a trip to the shrine through Saint Anne Church, Fairlawn, NJ. She indicated that no one in her group noticed any solar phenomena.

However, my telephone conversation with Lina Sumanga of Our Lady of Fatima Holy Rosary Crusade confirmed that she saw a visual phenomenon. She conveyed that a group of 40 came to the shrine on October 13, 2008 from the Sacred Heart Church, Mount Holly, NJ. Lina said her entire group saw the “sun dancing or spinning while changing colors.” She also gave details about her daughter Roxanne using a cell phone camera to photograph the sun and described the subsequent image appearing as the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

I followed up with a phone call to Judi Ritchie, a supervisor at the National Blue Army Shrine; she confirmed "sporadic" reports of some visitors observing a phenomena.

The following scripture is conveyed in Luke 8: 16-17, “No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lamp stand so that those who enter may see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.”

We are witnessing signs, wonders, and miracles in order for God to create a reaction in society for constructive change and hence prepare the world for an era of peace.

The story with an additional photograph is posted on the following link:
http://www.christian-miracles.com/njvisitorswitnessmiracle.htm

(A press release circulated through Catholic Online has been beneficial in spreading the news of the miracle to the public).

Copyright 2008 Loci B. Lenar

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