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. 

‘I am a miracle’: Woman tells story of accident, recovery

The following excerpt is from The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

Pamela Avellanosa, who made a personal appearance in a Baton Rouge church Saturday, is officially declared by the Roman Catholic Church to be a miracle.

When she was 14 years old, she suffered a head injury in a bicycle accident on Jan. 2, 1995, and slipped into a coma.

Physicians told her family that even if she survived emergency surgery, she’d spend the rest of her life in a vegetative state.

But her grandmother and her aunt and the “Pink Sisters” of Baguio City, Philippines, never stopped praying for a miraculous recovery. First, she survived the surgery. After two weeks, she regained consciousness and eventually fully recovered.

“I am a miracle,” Avellanosa, now 31, declared to about 200 people gathered in the sanctuary of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church after Saturday morning’s Mass. “If you do not believe in God, then you should not believe I am standing here in front of you.”

“God is good...” she asserted to members of the congregation, who enthusiastically responded, “... all the time!”

“I was riding my bicycle down a steep hill going very fast, and I did a somersault over the handlebars and hit my head,” she said.

Avellanosa related how, after one trip to a hospital where doctors told her aunt she’d be fine, she became violently ill upon returning home and was taken to another hospital where she lapsed into a coma.

“I was brain-dead for two to three hours,” Avellanosa said. “I saw a bright light and looked down to see myself lying on the bed. I went toward the light but an angel told me to go back. I slept for two weeks, a deep, restful sleep.”

The Pink Sisters, so named because they wear pink habits, daily prayed a novena, also called an intercession, to their founder, St. Arnold Janssen (1873-1909), asking God to heal her.

Avellanosa awoke from her coma on Jan. 15, the Feast Day of St. Arnold. Her recovery sparked an effort by the Pink Sisters and other Philippine Catholic Church officials to have Avellanosa’s case declared a miracle.

The full name of the Pink Sisters’ order is the Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration. Members of the order take turns praying 24 hours a day, seven days a week, said St. Paul’s pastor, the Rev. Vincent Alexius.

Read More: Pamela Avellanosa

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.

Our Lady of Altagracia

By Stephen B. Whatley

Our Lady of Altagracia by Stephen B Whatley | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

By Stephen B. Whatley

Today, September 8th, is the Feast Day of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. There are numerous devotions to Mary through the ages and throughout the world. Our Lady of Altagracia a devotion originating in the 16th century translates beautifully from the Spanish into Our Lady of High Grace. She is the Patron Saint of the Dominican Republic.

September 5th marked the anniversary of my baptism when just over a month old in 1965 - and on that day this year I turned the pages of the Illustrated Book of Mary (William J Hirten Co. 2010) - a gift from a loved one - and discovered Our Lady of Altagracia; and through prayers of Hail Mary this tribute drawing evolved.

From Mary Day By Day (1987 Catholic Book Publishing Corp., NY) in September 5th entry: "Mary is the echo of God. If we say 'Mary', she will answer 'God'. That is why union with her is always followed by union with God".

Peace & blessings of healing and relief on this special day.

Charcoal on paper,
16.5 x 11.5in

More Christian Artwork: Stephen B. Whatley

Charles Goodman Healed of ALS

A 2-Year Death Sentence That Never Came - CBN TV - Video

The following excerpt is from CBN.com:

Charles Goodman suffered with Lou Gehrig's disease for years, but one day he experienced a miraculous healing.  Eleven years later, Charles is still free from ALS.

Loci B. Lenar to Share Personal Testimony Regarding Signs of Archangel Michael at Prayer Service in New Jersey

Mr. Lenar

Mr. Lenar will speak at St. Mary’s Catholic Church during its evening prayer service scheduled for 7:30 PM on Thursday, September 20, 2012. 

The service will focus on Michaelmas, the Feast of St. Michael and the Archangels. 

The Catholic Church celebrates this feast day on September 29 each year.

St. Mary’s prayer service is held every third Thursday of each month with Fr. Richard Tartaglia. The Catholic Church is located on 15 Myers Avenue, Denville, NJ.  Fr. Martin Glynn is the head pastor of St. Mary’s.

Mr. Lenar will share his personal testimony regarding a photograph he took of a statue of Archangel Michael which shows a trail of colorful rainbows appearing behind the figure. The icon sits in front of a display that is designed to appear as a glass window in St. Michael’s Church, Netcong, New Jersey.  

While visiting the church, Mr. Lenar captured the rainbow phenomena by photographing the statue without using the camera’s flash. “Church lights were turned off, so the only inflowing light was from some nearby windows.   While examining the photograph closely, there is a distinct shadow by the arms of the statue which indicates light from the rainbow is creating an interesting phenomena.  However, photographing the statue with the camera flash on, the rainbow is diffused because of added light," says Mr. Lenar.

St. Michael's Church - Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

Mr. Lenar adds, “God works in mysterious ways to affirm His presence through angels. Our Lord is indeed a divine artist and confirms His existence through remarkable signs.”

“After the photographing the statue, I shared the images directly as captured on the camera's memory card with my spiritual advisor, Father Richard Tartaglia. The original digital images were transferred onto a CD for church archives,” says Mr. Lenar.

Mr. Lenar adds, “There is significance to the photograph and its meaning in the global community. Unfortunately, violence seemingly has become a frequent occurrence around the world.  One cannot avoid noticing while watching television programs, that there are recurring stories of acts of violence reported on network news shows. Therefore the question must be asked: Is our world losing control?”

Mr. Lenar says the following scripture appears to answer the question: “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered."  (Daniel 12:1)

“St. Michael the Archangel is the protector of God’s people and church,” says Mr. Lenar.  He believes and says that through prayerful discernment, "Our Lord Jesus is calling for all to join together and 'pray for divine protection' in order to mitigate violence throughout the world. It’s now more important than ever before, to pray for our nation and families, especially for people who are subjected to malevolent behavior on a daily bases. Our world is in dire need of healing and peace - with prayer everything is possible.”  

Mr. Lenar also says that the Catholic Church teaches and recognizes that we all have guardian angels to protect and guide us during our lifetime.  He suggests reciting the intercessory Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel for God’s protection. 

Additional information about Mr. Lenar’s testimony including photographs of the Statue of Archangel Michael can be seen on the following link: http://www.christian-miracles.com/signsofstmichael.htm

Mr. Lenar has shared his spiritual journey of faith several times as a guest on the Catholic program, Sacred Treasures, hosted by Kathie Duggan on Radio Maria.  On May 7th of this year, Fr. Richard Tartaglia and Loci B. Lenar were both interviewed on Radio Maria regarding a cross of light that appeared on Mr. Lenar’s residence during Lent and Good Friday.  Fr. Tartaglia validated the sign by photographing the cross of light that was visible on Mr. Lenar’s fence.

In 2008, Mr. Lenar founded and launched www.Christian-Miracles.com as a tool of evangelization in order to reach out with the gospels and publicize news of miracles.  Since its inception, the site has grown globally with visitors coming from the United States, Canada, UK, India, United Arab Emirates and many other countries. 

The website receives prayer requests on a regular bases, which are prayed for daily and on Monday mornings during Holy Hour Adoration including at the monthly prayer service held at St. Mary’s Church with Fr. Richard Tartaglia. Prayer requests can be submitted to the following link: PrayerRequest@Christian-Miracles.com

For those interested in the topic of angels, please join Fr. Richard Tartaglia and Mr. Lenar at St. Mary’s Catholic Church during its prayer service scheduled for Thursday, September 20, 2012 at 7:30 PM.

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

For additional information, please visit www.Christian-Miracles.com.

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