'Angel' priest visits Missouri accident scene

News excerpt from USA.com

A mystery priest who suddenly appeared at a Mo. accident scene is being called an angel.

Emergency workers and community members in eastern Missouri are not sure what to make of a mystery priest who showed up at a critical accident scene Sunday morning and whose prayer seemed to change life-threatening events for the positive.

Even odder, the black-garbed priest does not appear in any of the nearly 70 photos of the scene of the accident in which a 19-year-old girl almost died. No one knows the priest and he vanished without a word, said Raymond Reed, fire chief of New London, Mo.

"I think it's a miracle," Reed said. "I would say whether it was an angel that was sent to us in the form of a priest or a priest that became our angel, I don't know. Either way, I'm good with it."

Carla Churchill Lentz, mother of the teen (Katie Lentz) who was critically injured, said emergency workers have told her there is no way her daughter should have lived inside such a mangled car. Of the priest, she said, "I do believe he certainly could have been an angel dressed in priest's attire because the Bible tells us there are angels among us."

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A Tribute to Pope Francis

Pope Francis by Stephen B. Whatley

A Christian Tribute by International artist Stephen B Whatley | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

A new tribute to the humility of His Holiness Pope Francis, painted in prayer by expressionist artist Stephen B Whatley.

The portrait tribute will be on public display in the artist's exhibition of 25 Catholic tribute paintings 'Paintings From Prayer' which will be uniquely on show in the Chapels of St. Andrew and St. Patrick, within Westminster Cathedral, Victoria Street, London SW1, from August 8 to August 22, 2013.

Pope Francis - 2013
Oil on canvas,
27.5 x 19.5in/70 x 50cm
www.stephenbwhatley.com

Moving Song played during World Youth Day Eucharistic Adoration

News from RomeReports.com

Musically speaking, one of the most moving moments of World Youth Day was marked by a Vigil in Rio's Copacabana beach. Grammy-nominated singer Matt Maher, sang on his knees during a Eucharistic Adoration ceremony, as millions of youths and the Pope prayed before the Blessed Sacrament.

Our Lady's Message of July 2, 2013 to Visionary Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

The Medjugorje Web - Apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Medjugorje

Message from Our Lady of Medjugorje, Queen of Peace

"Dear children, with a motherly love I am imploring you to give me the gift of your hearts, so I can present them to my Son and free you – free you from all the evil enslaving and distancing you all the more from the only Good – my Son – from everything which is leading you on the wrong way and is taking peace away from you. I desire to lead you to the freedom of the promise of my Son, because I desire for God's will to be fulfilled completely here; and that through reconciliation with the Heavenly Father, through fasting and prayer, apostles of God's love may be born – apostles who will freely, and with love, spread the love of God to all my children – apostles who will spread the love of the trust in the Heavenly Father and who will keep opening the gates of Heaven. Dear children, extend the joy of love and support to your shepherds, just as my Son has asked them to extend it to you. Thank you."

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The inscription on the church window says "You must go out and make disciples of all nations..."  (Matthew 28:19)

The stained glass window can be seen inside St. Peter the Apostle Church, 179 Baldwin Road, Parsippany, NJ, USA

Photograph Copyright Loci B. Lenar

Prayer for the Gift of Knowledge

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

Prayer of the Day for Friday, August 02, 2013 - Catholic Online

Prayer for the Gift of Knowledge

Absolute and all knowing God,
Nothing is hidden from Your sight.
In the prescience since the beginning,
All knowledge existed within You.
Kindly share Your knowledge with me,
Making me aware of what is meant to be,
Permitting my soul to understand it,
And wisdom to agree with its outcome.
Provide me with the gift of discretion,
To prudently apply received knowledge,
To ensure the fulfillment of Your Will.
Your knowledge shines forth forever! 

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The stained glass window is a depiction of the Sermon on the Mount. The window can be seen inside St. Virgil Church, Morris Plains, NJ, USA

Photograph Copyright Loci B. Lenar

Pope to politicians: You have a responsibility with society, but above all else, with God

News story reprinted from RomeReports.com

As an orchestra played the official World Youth Day Hymn, Pope Francis walked onto the stage at Rio's city theater, to address Brazilian political and cultural leaders. There, he reminded them that they should embrace dialogue with one another, despite their political differences.

POPE FRANCIS

“Between selfish indifference and violent protest there is always another possible option: that of dialogue. Dialogue between generations, dialogue with the people, the capacity to give and receive, while remaining open to the truth."

When it comes to making laws, the Pope said they should not forget that they have moral responsibility with society and with future generations. This too, said the Pope, has a religious dimension. 

POPE FRANCIS 

“To act responsibly is to see one’s own actions in the light of other people’s rights and God’s judgment. To preserve this ethical sense appears today as an unprecedented historic challenge. Beyond scientific and technical competence, the present situation also demands a sense of moral obligation expressed in a social and deeply fraternal exercise of responsibility.”

Towards the end of his speech, there were some endearing moments. A group of girls, who take dancing classes, surrounded the Pope. Moments later, a young girl, walked up to him, and gave him a bouquet of flowers, as the crowd cheered. 

Twenty political and cultural leaders got to greet the Pope personally afterward. Among the group, he blessed a pregnant mother and her unborn child. Then, he greeted a group of indigenous people, who seemed very moved. One of them, even gave him his decorative hat, which the Pope briefly wore.