‘It’s a miracle:’ Baby starts breathing again after being declared legally dead

News excerpt and photo from MetroNews.ca

Robin Cyr’s fourth child has already packed a lifetime’s worth of emotional turmoil into her first 28 minutes in the world.

Cyr, 34, was told her baby girl had died just after being born in the IWK Health Centre in Halifax, Canada around 3 a.m. Saturday, March 8th.

But shortly after getting the devastating news, a stuttering, breathless nurse rushed back into the room to say the baby had started breathing again. 

“My aunt was there, and it’s a blessing because her prayers are very deep and strong,” said Cyr on Sunday, speaking in a whisper through tears at the hospital. “When she started praying, my baby came back.”

The big baby girl – who weighed nine pounds 14 ounces – got wedged in the birth canal during the delivery. Once she was born, Cyr lay on the bed waiting, for 25 minutes, for any sign of life.

A flummoxed surgeon told Cyr’s family that he had no explanation for the seemingly impossible recovery.

“He said it’s a miracle,” said Cyr. “He said, ‘I’m very sorry I gave up on your baby when I did, because I turned around and she’s breathing on her own.’”

Cyr’s family and friends say they’re still processing the miracle that trumped the miracle of birth.

Read more: It's a Miracle

Vatican panel approves Archbishop Fulton Sheen miracle

News excerpt and photo from Catholic News Agency (CNA)

The Bishop of Peoria has rejoiced at a Vatican medical panel’s unanimous approval of a reported miracle attributed to the famous television personality and evangelist, Servant of God Archbishop Fulton Sheen.

“There are many more steps ahead and more prayers are needed. But today is a good reason to rejoice,” Bishop Daniel R. Jenky of Peoria, Ill. said March 6.

“Today is a significant step in the Cause for the Beatification and Canonization of our beloved Fulton Sheen, a priest of Peoria and a Son of the Heartland who went on to change the world.”

The approval came from a seven-member board of medical experts advising the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, the Diocese of Peoria reports.

The reputed miracle involves the unexplained recovery of James Fulton Engstrom, a boy born apparently stillborn in September 2010 to Bonnie and Travis Engstrom of the Peoria-area town of Goodfield. He showed no signs of life as medical professionals tried to revive him. The child’s mother and father prayed to Archbishop Sheen to heal their son.

Although the baby showed no pulse for an hour after his birth, his heart started beating again and he escaped serious medical problems.

The Vatican’s medical advisory panel ruled that there is no medical explanation for the healing of the baby. The ruling means that a board of theologians will now review the case. If they approve the case, its consideration could pass to the cardinals and bishops who advise Pope Francis on beatifications.

If the case reaches Pope Francis, his approval would recognize Archbishop Sheen as “blessed,” the final stage before possible canonization as a saint.

Read more: Fulton Sheen Miracle

Oscars 2014: Matthew McConaughey one of few to thank God in Oscar acceptance speech

News Excerpt and photo from Fox News

Rather than thanking an assortment of managers, agents, publicists, assistants and lawyers when he won his Best Actor Oscar for his role in "Dallas Buyers Club" on Sunday night, Matthew McConaughey thanked his fellow nominees, cast mates and ... God.

And he was the one of the first of the night to do so.

"First off I want to thank God, because that's who I look up to. He's graced my life with opportunities that I know are not of my hand or any other human hand," the 44-year-old Texas native said. "He has shown me that it's a scientific fact that gratitude reciprocates. In the words of the late (British actor) Charlie Laughton, who said, 'When you got God you got a friend and that friend is you.'"

McConaughey then went on to show his appreciation for his wife, children, mother and late father.

Read More: Oscars 2014

Son of God is Now Playing in Theaters

Commentary by Mr. Loci B. Lenar

Son of God is a Cinematic and Visual Masterpiece which brings the gospels to life! Released on Friday, February 28, 2014, I went to see this inspiring movie on Saturday with my wife and her mother, including my nephew, Marc Anthony. We all loved it!

I highly recommend seeing this great film which encompasses the public ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus, and touches the heart and soul with the Holy Spirit.  A must see during Lent!

***

Excerpt from SonofGodMovie.com:

Now, the larger-than-life story of The New Testament gets a larger-than life treatment in the stand-alone feature SON OF GOD. Told with the scope and scale of an action epic, the film features powerful performances, exotic locales, dazzling visual effects and a rich orchestral score from Oscar winner Hans Zimmer. Portuguese actor Diogo Morgado portrays Jesus as the film spans from his humble birth through his teachings, crucifixion and ultimate resurrection. It marks the first motion picture about Jesus’ life since Passion of the Christ, released ten years ago.

Read more: Son of God

Dr. Michael Moran Evaluates Lourdes Miracles Reports

News Excerpt and Photo from the BBC

When Belfast doctor Michael Moran began volunteering in Lourdes 17 years ago, he had no idea that he would end up becoming part of a small, select team that evaluates miracles at the Catholic religious shrine in France.

The small market town lies in the foothills of the Pyrenees, and is famous for the Marian apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes that are reported to have occurred in 1858 to Bernadette Soubirous.

The trainee ENT surgeon is the first doctor from Ireland to take a place on the panel.

Dr Moran said his appointment came "very much by surprise".

"I'd been volunteering in Lourdes for years and had the normal contact that any doctor would have with the medical bureau there," he said.

Since 1858, there have been 69 verified miracles or cures in Lourdes.

"The most recent one was a lady with extremely high blood pressure who had a benign tumour on her adrenal gland that was secreting adrenaline and keeping her blood pressure very high and she felt suddenly well.

"That's a characteristic, that you suddenly feel something different has happened, she felt it when she was in the bath in Lourdes and that was in the 1980s and that was only just confirmed in 2011."

He said the first cure was of a paralysed arm that regained function suddenly.

"Another classic example of that is a gentleman from Italy who had a tumour of the pelvis and although you can see the destruction of the pelvic bone on x-rays which are available for the public to view in Lourdes, the bone actually re-grew, both in the pelvis and the femur in an anatomically correct way that would be very hard to explain," he said.

Michael said miracles were just the "tip of the iceberg" at Lourdes.

Read More: Dr. Michael Moran

Prayerful Healing for Children

Post by "Christian-Miracles.com".

Son of God comes to theaters February 28, 2014

'Son of God' movie brings Gospels to life, Catholic leaders say - Catholic News Agency (CNA)

News excerpt from CNA

A new movie about Jesus Christ – to be released by the makers of the popular History Channel television miniseries “The Bible” – has drawn praise from several Catholic bishops and leaders.

“It is the biggest, greatest story ever told,” said Roma Downey, a co-producer of “Son of God” who stars as Mary.

“The Story of the Son of God is one of the most-known stories in the history of the world,” added her husband and co-producer Mark Burnett. “And yet it never gets old. And the way we have told it is very connective, very young, very gritty and real. You really feel connected and can see yourself as these characters.”

The movie is based on the Bible and covers the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. A 20-minute preview of the video is already being distributed by 20th Century Fox.

The full movie will be released Feb. 28 in English, Spanish and Korean. Portuguese actor Diogo Morgado will play the role of Jesus. Morgado said the role is “overwhelming.”

Burnett said that teenagers and young people who see the movie are “absolutely connecting with the disciples” and realizing “they were just ordinary people.”

“They did not know they were in the Bible, they were just leading ordinary lives,” he said.

The movie was made in consultation with academics and faith leaders.

It has drawn praise from several Catholic leaders.

“It is a joy to watch this film bring alive the pages of the Gospel and help us see what those who lived at the time of Jesus experienced,” said Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C.

He said the movie helps individuals and families “be inspired all over again with the story of God’s love for us.”

Read more: Son of God

The movie’s website is www.SonofGodMovie.com

The 'miracle' recovery of last rites patient

Mary Young

Barnsley News from the Barnsley Chronicle

(News Excerpt)

A woman who was given the last rites stunned her family when she started to talk hours later.

Mary Young had received end of life care following a heart attack and was visited by Barnsley Hospital chaplain Fr. Peter Needham.

Mary, 87, of Taylor Crescent, Grimethorpe, was taken to hospital on January 11.

Daughter Marie Gledhill, of Bank End Road, Worsbrough Dale, was contacted the next day by staff to say her mother was deteriorating and that she and her brother Tommy should come.

"My mum was out of it, the nurse said she could have hours or days.

"She didn't even know Fr Peter was there but he came and gave her the last rites.

"I stayed with her after and was talking to her and all of a sudden she started answering me.

"It's a miracle, there's no other explanation. You take it as gospel what the doctors say, but they couldn't believe it."

Mary was allowed home on January 24.

Read More: The Miracle Recovery

Satan is Real – Read these Amazing Stories

News story from www.patheos.com

Post by "Christian-Miracles.com".

Pope Francis on the Cover of Rolling Stone Magazine!

Pope Francis' Gentle Revolution: Inside Rolling Stone's New Issue

Who’s ‘godless’ now? Russia says it’s U.S.

Post by "Christian-Miracles.com".

The Miracles of Thomas Aquinas - Catholic Exchange

Post by "Christian-Miracles.com".

PRAY IN THE PRESENCE OF ANGELS

Post by "Christian-Miracles.com".

Our Lady's Messages of January 2014

Medjugorje Today - Apparitions of Virgin Mary

The Virgin Mary's message of January 25, 2014 given during apparition to Medjugorje visionary Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti

“Dear children! Pray, pray, pray for the radiance of your prayer to have an influence on those whom you meet. Put the Sacred Scripture in a visible place in your families and read it, so that the words of peace may begin to flow in your hearts. I am praying with you and for you, little children, that from day to day you may become still more open to God’s will. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

The Virgin Mary's Message of January 2, 2014 to Medjugorje visionary Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo

“Dear children! For you to be able to be my apostles and to be able to help all those who are in darkness, to come to know the light of the love of my Son, you must have pure and humble hearts. You can not help for my Son to be born in, and to reign in, the hearts of those who do not know Him, if He does not reign – if He is not the King – in your heart. I am with you. I am walking with you as a mother. I am knocking on your hearts. They can not open because they are not humble. I am praying, and you my beloved children also pray, that you may be able to open pure and humble hearts to my Son and to receive the gifts which He has promised you. Then you will be led by the love and strength of my Son. Then, you will be my apostles who everywhere around them spread the fruits of God’s love. My Son will act from within you and through you, because you will be “one”. My motherly heart yearns for this – for unity of all of my children – through my Son. With great love I bless, and pray for those who are chosen by my Son – for your shepherds. Thank you!”

Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

Post by "Christian-Miracles.com".

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."

Read more: Tribute to King: Signs from God's Heavenly Kingdom

Pope's Mass: To seek path of worldliness is to reject the Lord

News from RomeReports.com

In his Friday morning Mass, Pope Francis said that Catholics who try to be blend into a "worldly uniformity,” are in fact rejecting their role as children of God.

Citing a reading from the Old Testament, he described how the Jewish people asked an elderly Samuel to choose a king for them, so they could be like other nations. The Pope said they chose the path of worldliness, effectively rejecting God.
 

POPE FRANCIS

"A normal life for Christians demands loyalty to their choices, and to not exchange it for the path of worldly uniformity. That is the temptation of the people, and also ours. Many times, we forget about the Word of God, what the Lord tells us, and we take up fashionable words, right? Even those from soap operas are fashionable, and we use them, they're more enjoyable.”

The Pope added that worldliness makes the heart soft, but opening their heart to God makes it stronger.
 

SUMMARY FROM THE POPE'S HOMILY

Source: Vatican Radio

We must not sell out the gift of being God’s children for a distorted sense of normality. These were the words of Pope Francis at Mass on Friday morning in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta. As Christians, Pope Francis said, we must actively strive against the normality of our everyday lives to remain faithful to God’s choosing. We must not sell out to the temptation of worldliness, of living as if God didn’t exist.

We often forget the Word of God, Pope Francis continued, we forget what the Lord says, and we listen instead to whatever word is more fashionable, more fun. This temptation, the Pope said, is more dangerous than an outright renouncing of faith, because it is more subtle, and less clear. It is true, he recognised, that Christians must be normal people, but they must also bear in mind the Word of God which says to them ‘you are my people, I have chosen you, I am by your side’.

We must resist the temptation of feeling inferior to normality, Pope Francis explained, because this temptation hardens the heart, and when the heart is hardened, the Word of God cannot enter. This was the temptation of the Jewish people in the Old Testament, he added, referring to the daily reading taken from the First Book of Samuel. Neither must we allow our hearts to be softened by worldliness, the Pope said: our hearts must simply be open to the Word of God, open to receiving it, in order not to move away from being chosen by God.

Let us ask, Pope Francis concluded, for the grace to overcome our own selfishness, our own desire to do as we please: let us listen instead to the Word of God, which will lead us on the path of truth.