John Paul the Great Catholic University Students Win National Video Contest

‪Get Clean‬‏ - YouTube

After a near 25,000 hits on YouTube, JP Catholic student Melinda Collins wins the nation-wide i-Confess video contest with her video "Get Clean."

Press Release from John Paul the Great Catholic University:

SAN DIEGO, CA - July 25, 2011 - The Diocese of Brooklyn partnered with the Archdiocese of New York and the Diocese of Rockville Centre to use social and digital media to shine light on the sacrament of Confession and promote a Lenten Day of Reconciliation on April 18. The contest, which ended on May 7, had simple criteria: each 60-second video needed orthodoxy and artistic quality, and would be judged on YouTube ratings and number of views. "Get Clean" was quickly noted for its high quality, stunning artistry, and compelling story of a girl suffering from the effects of sin who finds healing in the sacrament of Confession. Noticed by countless Catholic bloggers and shared enthusiastically on Facebook, "Get Clean" quickly reached close to 25,000 YouTube hits, surpassing every competitor.

Melinda Collins is a student at John Paul the Great Catholic University, an institution dedicated to Impacting Culture for Christ at the intersection of entrepreneurship, entertainment media, and theology in San Diego, California. Melinda Collins, a sophomore, had simple wishes for her entry. "My highest hope was that the idea would get me an 'A' in one of my media classes; I discovered God exceeds expectations," she stated. A devout Catholic and active participant in the sacraments, Collins hopes "Get Clean" will fuel thought about the authentic forgiveness offered through Confession, as well as encourage the appreciation and utilization of modern artistic mediums to spread the Gospel.

A $25,000 scholarship will go to Melinda Collins and her school of choice as a reward for her efforts.

Contact:
Martin Harold, Director of Admissions
John Paul the Great Catholic University
858-653-6740 ext. 1101
http://www.jpcatholic.com/

'Angelic Tails' is a must read for all canine lovers!

Angelic Tails: True Stories of Heavenly Canine Companions

By Loci B. Lenar

Angelic Tails is a wonderful collection of new stories that will touch a chord with all canine owners. I purchased an autographed copy of the book directly from the author, Joan Wester Anderson.

Joan takes a leap forward from her other books about angelic visitations (Where Miracles Happen) into an impressive theme revolving around man's best friend, canines. The accounts are uplifting and show how God can work through mysterious ways even with pets.

'Snow Angel' is one such heartwarming story. Joan writes in her new book that during a snowstorm, Linda Baxter and her daughter, Lesley, are saved by the neighborhood dog during a blinding blizzard. Praying for assistance, Punkie appears out of nowhere and guides them back on the appropriate path to their home.

Even more amazing is the story about St. John Bosco. Traveling at times in dangerous areas to help homeless children/teenagers, he was either robbed or assaulted. Praying for God's assistance, a large dog would appear and walk with John during his journeys. Joan writes that on one occasion, Grigo saved John from a shooter by running after the assailant. Later on, twelve men confront John with sticks. Before they could strike, Grigo suddenly appears and drives them away. Grigo would appear at St. John Bosco's side for thirty years as a heaven sent companion! Remarkable indeed!

This book is not only a great read for pet owners, but also for anyone interested in knowing how God can manifest his assistance and protection through canines.

I highly recommend purchasing Angelic Tails and reading all the inspirational stories; you will not be disappointed in this delightful book!

To order books, please visit the following link: Joan Wester Anderson

Tito Yupanqui could become the first Bolivian saint

Tito Yupanqui could become the first Bolivian saint

The video and following excerpt is from RomeReports.com:

The bishops of Bolivia have opened the beatification process of Francisco Tito Yupanqui. If approved, he would become the first blessed Bolivian. He was born in 1550 and was one of the first indigenous people to convert to Catholicism.

He carved the image of the Virgin of Copacabana, which is an extremely important figure in Bolivia. The miracles attributed to the image have prompted the possible holiness.

Carlos Federico de la Riva
Bolivia's ambassador to the Vatican
"The attribution of the miracle is not directly related to the sculptor, Tito Yupanqui. Rather the miracles are linked to the image of the Virgin. That's simply a fact."

The sculptor is so popular in his native country, there's actually a village in the western part of Bolivia, named after Tito Yupanqui. Now, Catholics in Bolivia are hoping his beatification will come soon.

Carlos Federico de la Riva
Bolivia's ambassador to the Vatican
"In a way Bolivians see it as justice. People say, 'gee, all the saints are from other countries,' as if there was no room for holiness in Bolivia.”

If he does in fact become a blessed, the ambassador says it will promote a Christian way of living in his home country.

Catholics Line Up To See Cross And Veil Relics

 

 Catholics Line Up To See Cross And Veil Relics - KTVI

The video and following excerpt is from Fox2now.com:

ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI-FOX2now.com)

Catholics are lining up to see one of the largest alleged pieces of Jesus Christ's cross and a piece of the Virgin Mary's veil. The Catholic relics are on display at St. Francis De Sales Oratory in south St. Louis.

Hundreds of St. Louisans gathered to see and touch more than 150 relics linked to saints.

They waited in long lines for the chance to say a prayer and touch a personal item to the relics specifically linked to the crucifixion and to St. Mary.

A relic is a term for a personal item linked to a saint. Friday night's exposition featured more than 150 relics, but two of them really stood out over the rest.

"The more significant relics that are here is a fragment of the veil of Our Lady of the Cloth, worn by the mother of God on her head, and wood from the cross on which Jesus died," explained Father Carlos Martins, who travels all over the country with these relics.

He says every exposition is a special experience for the people that come to see and touch them, "People have that experience, that encounter. And it's great to be a part of that. It's great to be able to be an instrument God uses to provide this for his people."

Rosaries, prayer cards, and necklaces were just a few of the many objects people waited in line to touch up against the relics on display Friday night.

Read more: Catholics Line Up To See Relics

Our Lady of Medjugorje - Queen of Peace

Our Lady Queen of Peace
By Artist Stephen B. Whatley

Our Lady, Queen of Peace - 2011 Oil Painting by Stephen B Whatley - Flickr Photo Sharing!

By Stephen B. Whatley

June marks the 30th anniversary of regular apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to six young people in Medjugorje, Bosnia-Hercegovina; through whom the Mother of God came to plead the message of Peace. 'Our Lady of Medjugorje' gave herself the title of Queen of Peace.

Our Lady first appeared on June 24, 1981 (also the birthday of John the Baptist) and on June 25, 2011, the unofficial Feast Day. I felt compelled to paint in deep prayer this tribute to the Holy Mother of God; accompanied by the knowledge of descriptions given by the witnesses and a devoted pilgrim whom I have been privileged to know.

I pray there may be peace, healing, and relief for anyone who views this new painting. Blessings of Peace in the name of Mary Mother of God and Her Son, Jesus Christ.

Our Lady, Queen of Peace
Oil on canvas - 27 x 24in

See more Christian paintings by the artist at the following link: Stephen B. Whatley
 
Copyright 2011 by Stephen B. Whatley

Hawaiian nun's cause for sainthood jumps forward with second miracle

Hawaiian nun's cause for sainthood jumps forward with second miracle

The following information is from RomeReports.com:

(Romereports.com) The cause for sainthood of Blessed Hawaiian nun Marianne Cope has received Vatican approval of a second miracle. A group of doctors from the Vatican's Congregation for Causes of Saints declared there is no medical explanation for the cure of a woman who was on her deathbed and made a miraculous recovery.

No other details on the case have been released.

Before moving to Hawaii in 1883 to help care for those suffering with leprosy, Marianne Cope worked as a member of the Sisters of St. Francis in Syracuse, New York. Her cause for beatification has been taken up there.