Verse of the Day for January 17, 2014

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.”  
(Philippians 2:14-16)

From BibleGateway.com

Join us at St. Mary's Church for an evening of prayer for the Dignity of Human Life

Photo by Loci B. Lenar

On Thursday, January 16, 2014, St. Mary's Catholic Church will come together for an evening of prayer for the Dignity of Human Life.  Please join us with Fr. Richard Tartaglia as we remember all the victims of crime.

Join in prayer for God's grace as we pray for an end to human trafficking, genocide, abortion, violence, poverty and injustice committed against the gift of life.

St. Mary's Church holds a monthly service for prayer with Fr Richard Tartaglia including special prayer intentions which are submitted through the website of www.Christian-Miracles.com. 

If you live in the area or plan on visiting New Jersey, please consider attending and joining in the evening prayer service. The service begins with singing of hymns and prayers and then reading of the gospels. After the reading, Fr. Tartaglia gives his homily which is followed by the Lord's Prayer and Special Prayer Intentions (prayer requests). 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.  Fr 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

 

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)

Prayer requests can be submitted with the online form at the following link: http://www.christian-miracles.com/prayerrequest.htm

 

Tribute to Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton



By Stephen B. Whatley

By Stephen B. Whatley | Flickr.com

A new tribute drawing of the first native-born citizen of the USA to be made a Saint by the Roman Catholic Church: Elizabeth Ann Seton (New York, 1774 –1821).

She established the first Catholic school in the nation, at Emmitsburg, Maryland, where she founded the first American congregation of Religious Sisters, the Sisters of Charity; which would go on to open orphanages in Philadelphia & New York City.

Elizabeth Ann Seton suffered many trials in her life including the early loss of her mother; and her tenderness and love for All God's Creatures is symbolized in this work, one of several baby birds she was said to have saved in childhood.

Her sainthood was ensured by three miracles of healing she performed: two of cancer and one of encephalitis. She is the Patron Saint of Catholic Schools.

Elizabeth Ann Seton was beatified on March 17, 1963, by Pope John XXIII who said on the occasion, “In a house that was very small, but with ample space for charity, she sowed a seed in America which by Divine Grace grew into a large tree.”

When she was canonized on September 14, 1975 in a ceremony in St. Peter’s Square, Rome, Pope Paul VI said, “Elizabeth Ann Seton is a saint. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is an American. All of us say this with special joy, and with the intention of honoring the land and the nation from which she sprang forth as the first flower in the calendar of the saints. Elizabeth Ann Seton was wholly American! Rejoice for your glorious daughter. Be proud of her. And know how to preserve her fruitful heritage.”

 

This drawing, inspired by prayer & various historical images, was created on the Feast Day of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton: January 4, 2014.

Peace.

 

Charcoal on paper
23.4 x 16.5in/59 x 41cm

Stephen B. Whatley Gallery

Daily Devotional Prayers

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

Prayer Before Surgery

Loving Father, I entrust myself to your care this day; guide with wisdom and skill the minds and hands of the medical people who minister in your Name, and grant that every cause of illness be removed, I may be restored to soundness of health and learn to live in more perfect harmony with you and with those around me. Through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Into your hands, I commend my body and my soul. Amen.

Read More Prayers

Are you in need of prayer: Prayer Requests

Signs, Wonders, and Miracles: www.Christian-Miracles.com

Prayer for a Blessing on the New Year

Post by "Christian-Miracles.com".

Biblical films' Hollywood comeback in 2014

News excerpt from The Telegraph

Superheroes are being elbowed out by Noah and Mary as Hollywood makes 2014 year of the biblical epic.

The saint-like image of a hooded woman looms out from the movie poster, her arms outstretched as a divine light bursts from the sky. A message written above is simple and unambiguous: “You Will Believe.”

So goes the promotional campaign for the forthcoming Hollywood blockbuster Mary Mother of Christ. “It is a part of Mary, Joseph and Jesus’s life that has not been shown on the big screen before,” reads a synopsis. “Under the reign of terror of Herod the Great and, against all odds, they survive as young parents in one of the most treacherous times in history.” It promises “faith-based high action drama” − and there is no room in the audience for doubting Thomases.
 

Mary Mother of Christ, whose title character will be played by Odeya Rush, a 16-year-old Israeli-born actress, is one of a series of  Christian biblical epics due to appear next year, marking an unprecedented overture by Hollywood to America’s evangelical heartland.

In March audiences will be treated to Noah, a $150 million special effects-laden extravaganza, in which Russell Crowe will build an ark and rescue mankind from the Great Flood. Harry Potter actress Emma Watson will play his adopted daughter, and Sir Anthony Hopkins is portraying Methuselah.

Noah will be followed by Sir Ridley Scott’s Exodus, in which Christian Bale, as Moses, will part the Red Sea. Scenes from ancient Egypt have been reconstructed in southern Spain, with Bale wielding a bow and arrow and Sigourney Weaver playing the Pharaoh’s wife.

Read more: Biblical films' Hollywood comeback in 2014