Saturday, March 23, 2013

Pope Francis: 'Build bridges' across religions, beliefs for peace



News from RomeReports.com

The Vatican holds diplomatic relations with about 180 countries worldwide. Most of them were represented Friday during the Pope's audience with accredited diplomats to the Holy See.

Meeting inside the Sala Regia, Pope Francis delivered brief remarks on the work he shares with the other countries to build lasting peace in the world.

FRANCIS
“I wish that the dialogue between us will help build bridges between mankind, so that each person can find in others, not an enemy or competitor, but a brother welcomed with open arms.”

Ditching the red cape that covers his upper body, traditionally used for meetings with diplomats, Pope Francis encouraged dialogue between different religions, to achieve peace.

He said it was also important to reach out to non-believers, and those in search of truth. Be he added that God plays an important role in the process.

FRANCIS
“You cannot in fact build bridges between mankind forgetting about God. But it's also true inversely. You cannot live in truth with God by ignoring others.”

The newly-elected Pope explained how his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, inspired him to look after the poor, and those who are suffering, as well as the Church's role in protecting them.

But he also gave a second explanation. Echoing the words of his predecessor Benedict XVI, he spoke spiritual poverty in the richer countries, caused by individualism.

FRANCIS

“You cannot have peace if each person is the measure of oneself, if each person claims their own rights without, as the same time, looking out for the good of others, of all others, starting with mother nature which accommodates each and every person on this Earth.”

During his nine minute speech, he thanked the presence of Muslim leaders, as well as those countries who do not have diplomatic ties with the Vatican, but still attended his Inaugural Mass. He closed off the meeting, individually greeting each delegate and their spouses.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Orthodox and Catholic Breakthrough? Pope Francis Embraces 'My Brother Andrew'



International News - Excerpt from Catholic Online

By Deacon Keith Fournier

Pope Francis, has made it clear. He will continue the work toward the day when the two lungs of the Church, East and West, breathe together again.

First, I want to share my heart with my readers. I long for the full communion of the Orthodox and Catholic Church. I pray daily for the full communion of the Orthodox and Catholic Churches. I do so because I believe it is the will of God that "All May be One" (John 17: 21).

I am also persuaded that the healing of the division between the two sister churches would unleash a profound renewal of the entire Church at the dawn of this new missionary age. I believe that the gifts found in the whole Church will enrich both East and West and assist us in the One mission which we must face together in our One Lord.

Read more: Orthodox and Catholic Breakthrough

Monday, March 18, 2013

St. Mary's Prayer Service Scheduled for March 21, 2013

"Into Your Hands I commit My Spirit" - Photo by Loci B. Lenar 

Please consider visiting St. Mary's Catholic Church for Mass and prayer services. 

Are you in need of prayer? Perhaps a family member or friend is in need of God's mercy and grace?

With help from Loci B. Lenar and support of Father Richard Tartaglia, including Barbara Jones from the National Conference of Catholic Women (NCCW), prayer requests which are submitted through "Christian-Miracles.com" are prayed for every Monday morning after Mass during Holy Hour Adoration, between the hours of 8:30 to 9:30 am. If you're unable to attend St. Mary's Church, please join in prayerful unity on Monday mornings every week as we petition God to answer all of our prayers.

Submit your prayer requests to PrayerRequest@Christian-Miracles.com

The church also holds a monthly service for prayer with Fr. Richard Tartaglia including special prayer intentions which are submitted through the website of Christian-Miracles.com.

Previous services have included prayer for Christian Unity. However, prayers for world peace are always included.

St. Mary's prayer service is held every third Thursday of each month at 7:30 PM with a new theme. March will focus on the Crucifixion of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and his Resurrection on Easter Sunday. The prayer service is scheduled for March 21, 2013.

There is great power through the Holy Spirit when people join together in agreement while praying for God’s help and intervention.

However, if you cannot attend St. Mary's prayer service, you can still join in by praying in unity with St. Mary’s Church for all special prayer intentions.

God wants us to approach him with the desires of our heart. Our Lord calls us to connect with his divine grace in order to receive blessings in our lives.

Trust and believe in God's word and wait for his timing to receive an answer to your prayers. Miracles happen when least expected!

Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. (Isaiah 65:24)

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

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)

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 prayer 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 email to PrayerRequest@Christian-Miracles.com. Your email will remain confidential.

Prayer request can also be submitted at the following link: http://www.christian-miracles.com/prayerrequest.htm

Mr. Lenar visits Father Richard Tartaglia on a regular bases for spiritual guidance and shares with him the prayer requests.

Saint Mary's Monthly Prayer Schedule and Related Themes for 2013

Christian Unity - Thursday, January 17 at 7:30 PM

Lent - Thursday, February 21 at 7:30 PM

Easter - Thursday, March 21 at 7:30 PM

St. Mark - Thursday, April 18 at 7:30 PM

Pentecost - Thursday, May 16 at 7:30 PM

John the Baptist - Thursday, June 20 at 7:30 PM

Mary Magdalene - Thursday, July 18 at 7:30 PM

Michaelmas Day - Thursday, September 19 at 7:30 PM

Church Memorial Day - Thursday, October 17 at 7:30 PM

Thanksgiving - Thursday, November 21 at 7:30 PM

Advent - Tentatively set for Thursday, December 19 at 7:30 PM

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

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!



A New Springtime for the Church in Ireland: Who is Saint Patrick and Why Does it Matter? - News excerpt from Catholic Online

His story still inspires us for a reason. It needs to be heard once again and written in the lives of contemporary saints for the Third Christian millennium, a new missionary age. Let us pray for the Church of Jesus Christ which St. Patrick helped to plant in Ireland. Let us ask the Lord to heal, restore and revive the whole Catholic Church.

Read More: Who is Saint Patrick and Why Does it Matter?

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Drowning Victim’s Visit to Heaven



News Video - CBN.com

Mary Neal describes her experience of heaven and angels after drowning for over 15 minutes in a kayaking accident. In her book, To Heaven and Back she tells her story.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Angel in Sky Photos: South Florida Sees a Message from Above



News excerpt from WPTV.com

By Laura Santos

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - A message from above?

That’s what several South Florida residents thought after looking toward the sky on the day a new pope was named.

Most saw an angel in the clouds and grabbed their cameras to document the vision.

For some, it was a clear sign from heaven, maybe a message from God himself, showing his pleasure at the election of the first Latin American as the 267th successor of St. Peter.

Thom George wondered “if Pope Francis ordered that.”

“The Pope asked to pray for Him. .. God answered,” was Cat Sunn’s reaction.

Read more: Angel in the Sky