Pray on March 25, 2014 for Religious Liberty!

Photo by Loci B. Lenar

News story from CatholicVote.org

On Tuesday, March 25, the United States Supreme Court will hear arguments in two cases (Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood) that could dramatically alter the future of religious liberty in America.

The court is set to hear arguments in these critical cases on March 25th – the Feast of the Annunciation. The day when the Blessed Virgin was told by the Angel Gabriel that she would give birth in 9 months to the Savior of the World.

A coincidence? No way.

Religious liberty is at the heart of these court cases. And while the Supreme Court has incredible power, the power of prayer is unmatched.

That’s why we are asking everyone to commit to praying to Our Lady of the Annunciation. We printed out tens of thousands of prayer cards and sent them to parishes and schools and to CV members nationwide.

This prayer reflection is based on a Marian consecration by Patrick Cardinal O’Boyle, former Archbishop of Washington — and it was prayed in parishes throughout the United States in November of 1959.

Prayer for Our Nation

God our Father in Heaven, you chose Mary as the fairest of your daughters; Holy Spirit, you overshadowed Mary at the Annunciation; God the Son, you became incarnate in the womb of Mary, your Mother. In union with Mary, we adore you, the Most Holy Trinity and acknowledge that you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, hold eternal dominion and authority over all nations.

Most Holy Trinity, we place the United States of America into the hands of Mary Immaculate in order that she may present our country to you. Through her we wish to praise and thank you for the great resources of our land and for the freedom, which has been our heritage. Through the intercession of Mary, have mercy on the Catholic Church in the United States. Grant us peace. Have mercy on our president and on all the officers of our government. Grant us a fruitful economy born of justice and charity. Raise up and protect all of our families. Through the intercession of our Mother, have mercy on the sick, the poor, the tempted, sinners—on all who are in need. Above all, we ask Mary to intercede on our behalf that you would protect our conscience rights and religious freedom, upon which our country was founded.

Mary, Immaculate Virgin, Our Mother, Patroness of our land, we honor you and give ourselves to you. Wrap your mantel of protection around each of us and all our fellow citizens. Protect us from all evil and harm. Pray for us, that acting always according to your will and the Will of your Divine Son, we may live and die pleasing to God.

"Brain Dead" Teenager Awakens From Coma After Her Family Sings Hymns

News story from LifeNews.com

LifeNews has repeatedly chronicled cases of people who were prematurely declared dead or said to be in supposedly persistent vegetative states who ultimately recovered.

Now comes the story of Levi Hansen, a BYU student who suffered critical head injuries last week after being hit by a car. Hansen, 18, was alert and breathing on her own Tuesday, though she was still listed in critical but stable condition. She even tried to get out of her hospital bed. While she has a long road to recovery ahead, her family believes they have witnessed a miracle.

“When they brought her in, the doctors gave her less than a 5 percent chance of survival,” said Doug Hansen, Lexi’s father. “They told us to call our family and get them here quickly because she wasn’t going to last too long.”

In a Thursday evening interview with ABC News, Marcia Hansen, the teen’s mother, said tests indicated her daughter had essentially been brain-dead when she was brought to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo.

The Deseret News has more:

Just before 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 26, Lexi was riding her longboard while crossing the street in a crosswalk at the intersection of University Avenue and Canyon Road when the accident occurred. No alcohol, drugs or texting were believed to have played a role in the crash, police said.

Lexi suffered head injuries and was in a coma for several days. But Sunday, she came out of the coma as her family sang hymns around her.

“We had the most amazing experience today at the end of everyone’s fast,” the family wrote on the Pray for Lexi Facebook Page. “Lexi opened her eyes and kept them open for nearly an hour while we sang hymns to her as a family. While we were singing, she hand signed, ‘I love you,’ moving her arm around so that everyone could see. She then reached for each person’s hands individually so she could squeeze them. We could hardly sing due to the tears streaming down our face. We knew we were witnessing a miracle.”

Read more: Lexi Hansen

‘It’s a miracle:’ Baby starts breathing again after being declared legally dead

News excerpt and photo from MetroNews.ca

Robin Cyr’s fourth child has already packed a lifetime’s worth of emotional turmoil into her first 28 minutes in the world.

Cyr, 34, was told her baby girl had died just after being born in the IWK Health Centre in Halifax, Canada around 3 a.m. Saturday, March 8th.

But shortly after getting the devastating news, a stuttering, breathless nurse rushed back into the room to say the baby had started breathing again. 

“My aunt was there, and it’s a blessing because her prayers are very deep and strong,” said Cyr on Sunday, speaking in a whisper through tears at the hospital. “When she started praying, my baby came back.”

The big baby girl – who weighed nine pounds 14 ounces – got wedged in the birth canal during the delivery. Once she was born, Cyr lay on the bed waiting, for 25 minutes, for any sign of life.

A flummoxed surgeon told Cyr’s family that he had no explanation for the seemingly impossible recovery.

“He said it’s a miracle,” said Cyr. “He said, ‘I’m very sorry I gave up on your baby when I did, because I turned around and she’s breathing on her own.’”

Cyr’s family and friends say they’re still processing the miracle that trumped the miracle of birth.

Read more: It's a Miracle

Vatican panel approves Archbishop Fulton Sheen miracle

News excerpt and photo from Catholic News Agency (CNA)

The Bishop of Peoria has rejoiced at a Vatican medical panel’s unanimous approval of a reported miracle attributed to the famous television personality and evangelist, Servant of God Archbishop Fulton Sheen.

“There are many more steps ahead and more prayers are needed. But today is a good reason to rejoice,” Bishop Daniel R. Jenky of Peoria, Ill. said March 6.

“Today is a significant step in the Cause for the Beatification and Canonization of our beloved Fulton Sheen, a priest of Peoria and a Son of the Heartland who went on to change the world.”

The approval came from a seven-member board of medical experts advising the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, the Diocese of Peoria reports.

The reputed miracle involves the unexplained recovery of James Fulton Engstrom, a boy born apparently stillborn in September 2010 to Bonnie and Travis Engstrom of the Peoria-area town of Goodfield. He showed no signs of life as medical professionals tried to revive him. The child’s mother and father prayed to Archbishop Sheen to heal their son.

Although the baby showed no pulse for an hour after his birth, his heart started beating again and he escaped serious medical problems.

The Vatican’s medical advisory panel ruled that there is no medical explanation for the healing of the baby. The ruling means that a board of theologians will now review the case. If they approve the case, its consideration could pass to the cardinals and bishops who advise Pope Francis on beatifications.

If the case reaches Pope Francis, his approval would recognize Archbishop Sheen as “blessed,” the final stage before possible canonization as a saint.

Read more: Fulton Sheen Miracle

Oscars 2014: Matthew McConaughey one of few to thank God in Oscar acceptance speech

News Excerpt and photo from Fox News

Rather than thanking an assortment of managers, agents, publicists, assistants and lawyers when he won his Best Actor Oscar for his role in "Dallas Buyers Club" on Sunday night, Matthew McConaughey thanked his fellow nominees, cast mates and ... God.

And he was the one of the first of the night to do so.

"First off I want to thank God, because that's who I look up to. He's graced my life with opportunities that I know are not of my hand or any other human hand," the 44-year-old Texas native said. "He has shown me that it's a scientific fact that gratitude reciprocates. In the words of the late (British actor) Charlie Laughton, who said, 'When you got God you got a friend and that friend is you.'"

McConaughey then went on to show his appreciation for his wife, children, mother and late father.

Read More: Oscars 2014

Son of God is Now Playing in Theaters

Commentary by Mr. Loci B. Lenar

Son of God is a Cinematic and Visual Masterpiece which brings the gospels to life! Released on Friday, February 28, 2014, I went to see this inspiring movie on Saturday with my wife and her mother, including my nephew, Marc Anthony. We all loved it!

I highly recommend seeing this great film which encompasses the public ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus, and touches the heart and soul with the Holy Spirit.  A must see during Lent!

***

Excerpt from SonofGodMovie.com:

Now, the larger-than-life story of The New Testament gets a larger-than life treatment in the stand-alone feature SON OF GOD. Told with the scope and scale of an action epic, the film features powerful performances, exotic locales, dazzling visual effects and a rich orchestral score from Oscar winner Hans Zimmer. Portuguese actor Diogo Morgado portrays Jesus as the film spans from his humble birth through his teachings, crucifixion and ultimate resurrection. It marks the first motion picture about Jesus’ life since Passion of the Christ, released ten years ago.

Read more: Son of God

Dr. Michael Moran Evaluates Lourdes Miracles Reports

News Excerpt and Photo from the BBC

When Belfast doctor Michael Moran began volunteering in Lourdes 17 years ago, he had no idea that he would end up becoming part of a small, select team that evaluates miracles at the Catholic religious shrine in France.

The small market town lies in the foothills of the Pyrenees, and is famous for the Marian apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes that are reported to have occurred in 1858 to Bernadette Soubirous.

The trainee ENT surgeon is the first doctor from Ireland to take a place on the panel.

Dr Moran said his appointment came "very much by surprise".

"I'd been volunteering in Lourdes for years and had the normal contact that any doctor would have with the medical bureau there," he said.

Since 1858, there have been 69 verified miracles or cures in Lourdes.

"The most recent one was a lady with extremely high blood pressure who had a benign tumour on her adrenal gland that was secreting adrenaline and keeping her blood pressure very high and she felt suddenly well.

"That's a characteristic, that you suddenly feel something different has happened, she felt it when she was in the bath in Lourdes and that was in the 1980s and that was only just confirmed in 2011."

He said the first cure was of a paralysed arm that regained function suddenly.

"Another classic example of that is a gentleman from Italy who had a tumour of the pelvis and although you can see the destruction of the pelvic bone on x-rays which are available for the public to view in Lourdes, the bone actually re-grew, both in the pelvis and the femur in an anatomically correct way that would be very hard to explain," he said.

Michael said miracles were just the "tip of the iceberg" at Lourdes.

Read More: Dr. Michael Moran

Prayerful Healing for Children

Post by "Christian-Miracles.com".

Son of God comes to theaters February 28, 2014

'Son of God' movie brings Gospels to life, Catholic leaders say - Catholic News Agency (CNA)

News excerpt from CNA

A new movie about Jesus Christ – to be released by the makers of the popular History Channel television miniseries “The Bible” – has drawn praise from several Catholic bishops and leaders.

“It is the biggest, greatest story ever told,” said Roma Downey, a co-producer of “Son of God” who stars as Mary.

“The Story of the Son of God is one of the most-known stories in the history of the world,” added her husband and co-producer Mark Burnett. “And yet it never gets old. And the way we have told it is very connective, very young, very gritty and real. You really feel connected and can see yourself as these characters.”

The movie is based on the Bible and covers the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. A 20-minute preview of the video is already being distributed by 20th Century Fox.

The full movie will be released Feb. 28 in English, Spanish and Korean. Portuguese actor Diogo Morgado will play the role of Jesus. Morgado said the role is “overwhelming.”

Burnett said that teenagers and young people who see the movie are “absolutely connecting with the disciples” and realizing “they were just ordinary people.”

“They did not know they were in the Bible, they were just leading ordinary lives,” he said.

The movie was made in consultation with academics and faith leaders.

It has drawn praise from several Catholic leaders.

“It is a joy to watch this film bring alive the pages of the Gospel and help us see what those who lived at the time of Jesus experienced,” said Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C.

He said the movie helps individuals and families “be inspired all over again with the story of God’s love for us.”

Read more: Son of God

The movie’s website is www.SonofGodMovie.com

The 'miracle' recovery of last rites patient

Mary Young

Barnsley News from the Barnsley Chronicle

(News Excerpt)

A woman who was given the last rites stunned her family when she started to talk hours later.

Mary Young had received end of life care following a heart attack and was visited by Barnsley Hospital chaplain Fr. Peter Needham.

Mary, 87, of Taylor Crescent, Grimethorpe, was taken to hospital on January 11.

Daughter Marie Gledhill, of Bank End Road, Worsbrough Dale, was contacted the next day by staff to say her mother was deteriorating and that she and her brother Tommy should come.

"My mum was out of it, the nurse said she could have hours or days.

"She didn't even know Fr Peter was there but he came and gave her the last rites.

"I stayed with her after and was talking to her and all of a sudden she started answering me.

"It's a miracle, there's no other explanation. You take it as gospel what the doctors say, but they couldn't believe it."

Mary was allowed home on January 24.

Read More: The Miracle Recovery

Satan is Real – Read these Amazing Stories

News story from www.patheos.com

Post by "Christian-Miracles.com".

Pope Francis on the Cover of Rolling Stone Magazine!

Pope Francis' Gentle Revolution: Inside Rolling Stone's New Issue

Who’s ‘godless’ now? Russia says it’s U.S.

Post by "Christian-Miracles.com".

The Miracles of Thomas Aquinas - Catholic Exchange

Post by "Christian-Miracles.com".

PRAY IN THE PRESENCE OF ANGELS

Post by "Christian-Miracles.com".

Our Lady's Messages of January 2014

Medjugorje Today - Apparitions of Virgin Mary

The Virgin Mary's message of January 25, 2014 given during apparition to Medjugorje visionary Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti

“Dear children! Pray, pray, pray for the radiance of your prayer to have an influence on those whom you meet. Put the Sacred Scripture in a visible place in your families and read it, so that the words of peace may begin to flow in your hearts. I am praying with you and for you, little children, that from day to day you may become still more open to God’s will. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

The Virgin Mary's Message of January 2, 2014 to Medjugorje visionary Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo

“Dear children! For you to be able to be my apostles and to be able to help all those who are in darkness, to come to know the light of the love of my Son, you must have pure and humble hearts. You can not help for my Son to be born in, and to reign in, the hearts of those who do not know Him, if He does not reign – if He is not the King – in your heart. I am with you. I am walking with you as a mother. I am knocking on your hearts. They can not open because they are not humble. I am praying, and you my beloved children also pray, that you may be able to open pure and humble hearts to my Son and to receive the gifts which He has promised you. Then you will be led by the love and strength of my Son. Then, you will be my apostles who everywhere around them spread the fruits of God’s love. My Son will act from within you and through you, because you will be “one”. My motherly heart yearns for this – for unity of all of my children – through my Son. With great love I bless, and pray for those who are chosen by my Son – for your shepherds. Thank you!”

Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

Post by "Christian-Miracles.com".

Quoting the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr: "So I say to you, seek God and discover Him and make Him a power in your life. Without Him all of our efforts turn to ashes and our sunrises into darkest nights. Without Him, life is a meaningless drama with the decisive scenes missing. But with Him we are able to rise from the fatigue of despair to the buoyancy of hope. With Him we are able to rise from the midnight of desperation to the daybreak of joy. St. Augustine was right - we were made for God and will be restless until we find rest in Him."

Dr. king also said, "Love is the most durable power in the world. This creative force, so beautifully exemplified in the life of our Christ, is the most potent instrument available in mankind's quest for peace and security."

Read more: Tribute to King: Signs from God's Heavenly Kingdom

Pope's Mass: To seek path of worldliness is to reject the Lord

News from RomeReports.com

In his Friday morning Mass, Pope Francis said that Catholics who try to be blend into a "worldly uniformity,” are in fact rejecting their role as children of God.

Citing a reading from the Old Testament, he described how the Jewish people asked an elderly Samuel to choose a king for them, so they could be like other nations. The Pope said they chose the path of worldliness, effectively rejecting God.
 

POPE FRANCIS

"A normal life for Christians demands loyalty to their choices, and to not exchange it for the path of worldly uniformity. That is the temptation of the people, and also ours. Many times, we forget about the Word of God, what the Lord tells us, and we take up fashionable words, right? Even those from soap operas are fashionable, and we use them, they're more enjoyable.”

The Pope added that worldliness makes the heart soft, but opening their heart to God makes it stronger.
 

SUMMARY FROM THE POPE'S HOMILY

Source: Vatican Radio

We must not sell out the gift of being God’s children for a distorted sense of normality. These were the words of Pope Francis at Mass on Friday morning in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta. As Christians, Pope Francis said, we must actively strive against the normality of our everyday lives to remain faithful to God’s choosing. We must not sell out to the temptation of worldliness, of living as if God didn’t exist.

We often forget the Word of God, Pope Francis continued, we forget what the Lord says, and we listen instead to whatever word is more fashionable, more fun. This temptation, the Pope said, is more dangerous than an outright renouncing of faith, because it is more subtle, and less clear. It is true, he recognised, that Christians must be normal people, but they must also bear in mind the Word of God which says to them ‘you are my people, I have chosen you, I am by your side’.

We must resist the temptation of feeling inferior to normality, Pope Francis explained, because this temptation hardens the heart, and when the heart is hardened, the Word of God cannot enter. This was the temptation of the Jewish people in the Old Testament, he added, referring to the daily reading taken from the First Book of Samuel. Neither must we allow our hearts to be softened by worldliness, the Pope said: our hearts must simply be open to the Word of God, open to receiving it, in order not to move away from being chosen by God.

Let us ask, Pope Francis concluded, for the grace to overcome our own selfishness, our own desire to do as we please: let us listen instead to the Word of God, which will lead us on the path of truth.

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

Wishing all Family, Friends and Visitors a Joyful and Merry Christmas!

Photo by Loci B. Lenar

Please join us at St. Mary's Church to celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day!

St. Mary's Christmas Schedule:

December 24th, Tuesday
Christmas Vigil Masses: 5:00 pm, 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm

December 25th, Wednesday
Christmas Day: 7:00 am, 8:30 am, 11:30 am

Saint Mary's Church is located on 15 Myers Avenue, Denville, New Jersey, 07834. For more information, please call St. Mary's Parish on 973-627-0269. Website: http://www.stmarys-denville.org/

The photograph shows a live nativity scene from the 2013 Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

 

Photographed by Loci B. Lenar on Thanksgiving Day at Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Avenue of the Americas, New York City, NY.

 

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Pope Francis named Time's 2013 Person of the Year

News story and excerpt from TODAY.com

By Eun Kyung Kim

Pope Francis, the first Jesuit pontiff who won hearts and headlines with his humility and common touch, was named Time magazine's Person of the Year for 2013, the magazine revealed Wednesday on TODAY.

Pope Francis stood out "as someone who has changed the tone and perception and focus of one of the world's largest institutions in an extraordinary way," Time managing editor Nancy Gibbs said Wednesday.

The magazine staff makes the ultimate decision, Gibbs said, but they poll readers and take public opinion into account. This was the third time Time named a pope as its Person of the Year.

Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi told TODAY in a statement that "the Holy Father is not looking to become famous or to receive honors. But if the choice of Person of Year helps spread the message of the gospel — a message of God's love for everyone — he will certainly be happy about that."

Read more: Pope Francis

Man Attributes Miracle Survival to Psalm 54

CBN News - CBN.com

Video of a man's miracle survival after being trapped underwater for three days has gone viral.

Harrison Okene, a Nigerian cook, is the lone survivor of a 12-member crew of an upended tug boat. He attributed his survival all to prayer.

Footage of his rescue, which happened more than six months ago, was just posted online this week.

During the time he was trapped, Okene found an air pocket in the boat and said he was praying to God the whole time, reciting Psalm 54, also called the prayer for deliverance.

That was the last Psalm his wife had sent him via text message. Okene said he believes his rescue after more than 60 hours at 100 feet underwater is a sign of divine deliverance.

Join St. Mary's Parish for an evening of "Lessons and Carols" on December 15th

Photo by Loci B. Lenar

Saint Mary's Parish - Advent and Christmas Schedule

Advent Evening of Reflection - "Lessons and Carols" - Sunday, December 15th at 7:00 pm in St. Mary's Church.

 

Parish Advent Reconciliation Service - Wednesday, December 18th, 7:30 PM

Saint Mary's Church is located on 15 Myers Avenue, Denville, NJ, 07834.  For more information, please call St. Mary's Parish on 973-627-0269.

St. Mary's Christmas Mass Schedule
December 24th, Tuesday
Christmas Vigil Masses: 5:00 pm, 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm

December 25th, Wednesday
Christmas Day: 7:00 am, 8:30 am, 11:30 am

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

(Loci B. Lenar is a parishioner of the Parish and is the founder of www.Christian-Miracles.com) 

Little Drummer Boy by Pentatonix

▶ [Official Video] - Pentatonix - YouTube

The new version of the Little Drummer Boy by Pentatonix is refreshing and extraordinary! I recommend listening to this beautiful song!

The five-person a cappella group from Arlington, Texas, is five vocalists: Scott Hoying, Kirstie Maldonado, Mitch Grassi, Avi Kaplan and Kevin Olusola.

The five-person a cappella group won the third season of NBC's competition series "The Sing-Off" in 2011.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/12/03/4666097/todays-viral-video-an-a-capella.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/12/03/4666097/todays-viral-video-an-a-capella.html#storylink=cpy

St. Nicholas: Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa

News excerpt and photo from Catholic Online

By Peg Luksik

HARRISBURG, PA. (Catholic Online) - Years ago, a little girl named Virginia O'Hanlon wrote to the editor of the New York Sun asking if Santa Claus was real.  His answer, which spoke of skeptical men in a skeptical age who only believed in what they could see, is as relevant today as it was when Frank Church wrote it.

The name and face of Santa has been plastered over advertising, billboards, movies and television.  We have single Santa's looking for wives, reluctant Santa's trying to escape their destinies, drafted Santa's to replace one who is "retiring", and even bad Santa's.  The stories all have happy endings, with the magic of the North Pole somehow saving the day.

Thankfully, none of them is Santa.  Because Saint Nicholas, like every saint, is real.

He was born in Asia Minor and was bishop of the town of Myra in the fourth century.  When he died he was buried in the cathedral there.  When the Saracens conquered Myra in the early eleventh century, his remains were moved to the Italian city of Bari in 1087. His tomb is visited by thousands every year, even to this day.

His bones exude a clear liquid, called the "manna of Saint Nicholas", which is extracted from the shrine every year on May 9 in a formal ceremony conducted by the Rector of the Basilica in Bari, in the presence of the delegate of the Pope, the Archbishop of Bari, an Orthodox Bishop, civil authorities, the local clergy and the faithful.  This has happened every year since 1980.  The manna is distributed and is considered a relic with healing properties.

Nicholas is the patron saint of children, Russia, Greece, Sicily, sailors, prisoners, bakers, and pawnbrokers.  His image is second only to Mary's in religious icons of both the Eastern and Western churches.

The stories of his generosity and kindness are legendary.

Santa Claus is a translation of his name.

Saint Nicholas is a person who made that connection.  When people pretend to be Santa, they act with levels of generosity and charity and kindness that they do not normally exhibit.  In other words, they get closer to God.  In doing so, they discover happiness.

And even in the convoluted versions of Santa being pushed by today's secular media, that message of happiness through goodness continues to resonate.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.  He is not just an idea.  He was, and is, a saint.  A saint who reminds us that we are loved without limits.  A saint who challenges us to remove the limits on how we love others.  A saint who calls us to holiness as we prepare to celebrate the greatest gift mankind has ever received.

Read more: Saint Nicholas

How One Prayer Healed Autism

CBN TV

Gina and Brian witnessed their son Ethan experience victory over autism.

Countdown for Christmas: unique Advent calendar for the digital age

News excerpt from RomeReports.com

With Christmas just around the corner, there's a new Advent calendar to help prepare for the holidays. But this isn't your average calendar. It is high-tech, and it can be seen through a website or a smartphone.

It was launched by the Archdiocese of Sydney and it's called the 'Xt3 Advent calendar'. It truly is an online journey towards Christmas. Every day, a door virtually opens so that users from all over the world can have a unique yet shared experience. 

The website includes all kinds of interactive material like daily reflections, podcasts and even videos like this one, featuring children talking about the true meaning of Christmas. And all the way from Australia, it will also share Cardinal Pell's message for the holidays and a special surprise for Pope Francis' birthday on December 17th.

It's the fifth year the Archdiocese launches this project, and it's also available for iPhone and Android. A new way to count the days for Christmas in the online world.

The Divine Rescue on Highway Six

CBN TV

It’s been called The Miracle on Highway 6. After a fiery car crash and desperate prayers, witnesses say angels showed up and performed a miraculous rescue.

Feast of St. Andrew: Saint of the Day for November 30th

Photo by Loci B. Lenar

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

And passing along by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. (Mark 1:16-18)

Saint Andrew Christmas Novena 

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, O My God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen

 

It is piously believed that whoever recites the prayer fifteen times a day from the feast of St. Andrew (November 30th) until Christmas (December 25th) will obtain what is asked.

 

The novena is not actually addressed to Saint Andrew but to God Himself, asking Him to grant our request in the honor of the birth of His Son at Christmas. 

 

(Imprimatur: +MICHAEL AUGUSTINE, Archbishop of New York, New York, February 6, 1897.)

 

***

Stained glass window photographed inside Saint Peter the Apostle Church, Parsippany, NJ, USA.

Read More: History of St. Andrew

 

Photograph Copyright Loci B. Lenar

Fatima and the Conversion of Russia: Pope Francis Meets President Putin

News excerpt from Catholic Online

By Deacon Keith Fournier

The return of Christianity to Russia should give us hope for our own Nation as we face the effects of moral relativism, secularism and the growing hostility toward Christianity. I want to suggest something which will raise many eyebrows. Is what is happening today in Russia today a partial fulfillment of the promised conversion of that Nation? President Putin exchanging icons of Mary with Pope Francis today was not simply a mere nicety. Accounts which have surfaced indicate that it was done with reverence and genuine Christian piety. Could this be a part of the promise of Fatima being fulfilled?

Read more: Fatima and the Conversion of Russia

The Rosary - A Biblical Prayer

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

Preparing for Advent - Morning of Reflection on the Joyful Mysteries

Are you ready for Advent? Join us for an uplifting and engaging morning of Sacred Scripture as we welcome Catholic biblical scholar Dr. Steven Smith, author of The Word of the Lord: Essential Principles for Catholic Scripture Study.

Saturday, December 7, 2013

9:00 am - 12:00 pm 

St. Mary's Parish

15 Myers Avenue

  Denville, New Jersey 07834  

Together, we will learn about the 5 Joyful Mysteries in the Gospels:

• Learn how the Rosary truly is a 'biblical' prayer
• Contemplate Mary ... and her heart for Jesus
• What does it mean that Mary is 'Full of Grace'?
• What are the mysteries of Jesus in the Temple - and what do they reveal?
• What are the '3 R's' - and how can they help us study the Gospels?

Dr. Steven Smith is Assistant Professor of Sacred Scripture at Mount St. Mary's Seminary (Emmitsburg, MD), the largest - and one of the most respected - graduate programs and houses of formation in the United States. Steve has a Ph.D in New Testament from Loyola University of Chicago. As a seminary professor, he teaches on a wide array of biblical topics (OT, NT, etc.) - including a course on Catholic Scripture study which inspired his first published book. In the Fall of 2012, Our Sunday Visitor released Dr. Smith's new book, The Word of the Lord: 7 Essential Principles for Catholic Scripture Study. It is endorsed by Francis Cardinal George among others.

Signed copies of his book - and major CD sets of biblical teaching will be available at the event.

Dr. Steven Smith's website: TheGodWhoSpeaks.com.

He and his wife Elizabeth have been married 13 years. They Have two lovely children and live in rural Maryland.

(News Release Supplied by St. Mary's Parish)

Saint Mary's Prayer Service Scheduled for Thursday at 7:30 PM on November 21, 2013

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

 

St. Mary's Catholic Church holds a monthly service for prayer with Fr. Richard Tartaglia including special prayer intentions which are submitted through the website of http://www.christian-miracles.com/prayerrequest.htm

St. Mary's Catholic Church is located on the corner of Myers Avenue and Route 46, Denville, New Jersey.

If you cannot attend the prayer service, you can still join in by praying in unity for all special prayer intentions.

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

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)

Vatican University looks into the 'Beginning' of the Universe

News from RomeReports.com

The sheer magnitude of stars, planets and  galaxies have always triggered questions about the beginning. Mostly, how was the Universe created and why? Was something created out of nothing? Those very questions were addressed by experts at the Vatican's Gregorian University, where the 'Big Bang' theory and others less popular theories were discussed. 

FR. GABRIELE GIONTI

Vatican Observatory 

“There is the scientific possibility that there is not only one universe, but that there are many 'universes' and they are parallel, independent, each one from the other.” 

Father Gionti is a Jesuit who lives in Castel Gandolfo, where the Vatican has one of its two observatories. He has spent a lifetime studying mathematics, science and more specifically, 'Quantum Physics.'  He says the fact that the Universe follows an intelligent, rational order, could be indirect proof, that God created it. 

FR. GABRIELE GIONTI

Vatican Observatory 

“That it can be explained through mathematics and through science is not in contrast with the idea of a God who created this world.” 

MICHELINA TENACE 

Director of Fundamental Theology, Gregorian University 

“For this very reason, scientific discoveries and everything science brings is an added blessing. Scientific research and that yearning triggered by faith, are not on two opposing ends.” 

The forum addressed theories based on science, philosophy and Theology, since sometimes theories that seem to oppose one another, often have a common denominator. 

FR. GABRIELE GIONTI

Vatican Observatory 

“Big Bang seems to be in agreement with Genesis and Creation, but Creation is a notion that really is not in science.” 

In a field where scientific research is based on proof, they admit, not everything can be explained through faith, but they also add that not everything can be explained through science.

American Protestant-based group making inroads with Catholics

News from Reports.com

Founded nearly 200 years ago, the American Bible Society has always played a big part in spreading the Gospel within the United States.  

The non-profit organization was founded by Protestant leaders in the early times of the American nation. But in the past few decades they've begun reaching out to Catholics. 

MARIO PAREDES 

American Bible Society 

“The mission of the American Bible Society is to spread the Word of God, to make available to all people. And certainly, an important segment of Christianity is the Catholic Church. And so this inter-confessional organization called American Bible Society is opening the door to the Catholic Church and serving the Catholic communities.” 

This outreach has reached the top levels of Catholicism. The organization's president addressed the Synod of Bishops in 2012. And their latest effort is the book Pray With the Bible, Meditate With the Word. It was published in collaboration with the LEV, the Vatican's publishing house. 

The book is described as a manual on Lectio Divina, studying Christianity's Holy Book. It features a four step process: knowing the text, understanding the words, meditating on their message and putting them into action. 

MARIO PAREDES 

American Bible Society 

“The end goal of the Lectio Divina is to bring people back to the Bible, and to bring people back to praying with the Bible. It's to bring people to get to know the God of the Bible, and a relationship that can become a personal relationship between myself and the God of the Bible.” 

The book is available in three languages: English, Italian and Spanish. It's available at specialty bookstores. Over time, the American Bible Society has expanded its services beyond the United States. Keeping in line with their mission, this book is another resource they provide for Catholics worldwide to better understand the Gospel. 

All Souls Day

Photograph By Loci B. Lenar

Prayer of the Day for Saturday, November 2, 2013 - Catholic Online

Daily Prayer For The Holy Souls

Immortal God, holy Lord,
Father and Protector of all You have created,
we raise our hearts to You today for those
who have passed out of this mortal life.

In Your loving mercy, Father of all,
be pleased to receive them in Your heavenly company,
and forgive the failings and faults
they may have done from human frailty.

Your only Son, Christ, our Saviour,
suffered so cruelly that
He might deliver them from the second death.
By his merits may they share in the glory
of His victory over sin and death.

For all the faithful who have died we pray,
but in particular for those dear to us,
parents, relatives and friends.
nor do we forget all who did good to us while on earth,
who helped us by their prayers, sacrifice and example.
We pray also for any who may have done us harm,
and stand in special need of Your forgiveness.

May the merits and prayers of our Virgin Mother,
Mary, and those of all the Angels and Saints,
speak for us and assist them now.
This we ask in Christ's name.

Amen.

***
The Cross of Reconcilation can be seen on the grounds of the National Blue Army Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Catholic shrine is situated in Warren County on Mountain View Road, Washington, NJ, USA. The shrine has the distinction of being known as the World Apostolate of Fatima, USA.

Photograph Copyright Loci B. Lenar
www.Christian-Miracles.com

Feast of All Saints

Feast of All Saints - Saints.SQPN.com

Instituted to honour all the saints, known and unknown. It owes its origin in the Western Church to the dedication of the Roman Pantheon in honuor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the martyrs by Pope Saint Boniface IV in 609, the anniversary of which was celebrated at Rome on 13 May. Pope Saint Gregory III consecrated a chapel in the Vatican basilica in honor of All Saints, designating 1 November as their feast. Pope Gregory IV extended its observance to the whole Church. It has a vigil and octave, and is a holy day of obligation; the eve is popularly celebrated as Hallowe’en.

(Image From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Pope Francis ranks among Forbes' most powerful people

News from RomeReports.com

Who are the most powerful people in the world? According to Forbes magazine, first on the list is Russia's president, then the United States followed by China. Fourth on the list is Pope Francis.  

So Vladimir Putin takes the number one slot, then Barack Obama, followed by the Secretary General of the Chinese Communist Party, Xi Jinping. 

Forbes magazine explains that since Pope Francis was elected in March, a new wave of energy was given to Catholicism, the world's largest religion with over 1.2 billion people. The magazine notes that Pope Francis also has a presence in social media. On Twitter alone, he already has over 10 million followers. He's also the first Pope to have taken a picture of himself with a cell phone. 

The ranking places the Latin American pope above others political and financial leaders like Angela Merkel and Bill Gates.

Our Lady's Monthly Message to Visionary Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti

Medjugorje WebSite - Our Lady of Medjugorje Messages and Apparitions

Latest Medjugorje Message of October 25, 2013

“Dear children! Today I call you to open yourselves to prayer. Prayer works miracles in you and through you. Therefore, little children, in the simplicity of heart seek of the Most High to give you the strength to be God’s children and for Satan not to shake you like the wind shakes the branches. Little children, decide for God anew and seek only His will – and then you will find joy and peace in Him. Thank you for having responded to my call. ”

(Photograph From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Sister Antonia Brenner dies at 86; nun moved into Tijuana prison to tend to inmates

Sister Antonia Brenner consoles inmate Jorge Villalobos - Los Angeles Times Photo

News Excerpt  from LaTimes.com

By Richard Marosi

Guards and inmates in La Mesa penitentiary referred to Brenner as the prison angel. In the cellblocks she was known as 'Mama.'

Sister Antonia Brenner, a Beverly Hills-raised mother of seven who became a Roman Catholic nun and moved into a notorious Tijuana prison where she spent more than three decades mending broken lives, easing tensions and dispensing everything from toothbrushes to bail money, has died. She was 86.

In 1977, after her children were grown and two marriages had ended in divorce — a source of sadness that she rarely talked about — Brenner gave away her expensive clothes and belongings, left her Ventura apartment and moved to La Mesa penitentiary. She had delivered donations in the past to the prison, each visit filling her with compassion.

"Something happened to me when I saw men behind bars. … When I left, I thought a lot about the men. When it was cold, I wondered if the men were warm; when it was raining, if they had shelter," Brenner told The Times in a 1982 interview. "I wondered if they had medicine and how their families were doing. …You know, when I returned to the prison to live, I felt as if I'd come home."

Small of stature, with blue eyes peeking out from under her traditional black–and-white habit, Brenner cut a strikingly serene presence in the overcrowded prison of 8,000. She lived as any other inmate, sleeping in a 10-by-10-foot cell, eating the same food and lining up for morning roll call.

She would walk freely among thieves and drug traffickers and murderers, smiling, touching cheeks and offering prayers. Many were violent men with desperate needs. She kept extra toilet paper in her cell, arranged for medical treatment, attended funerals.

A revered figure in Tijuana, where she counted police chiefs and politicians among her friends, Brenner was honored with the naming of a street after her outside the prison. In the late 1990s, she established her own religious order, the Eudist Servants of the Eleventh Hour. Tijuana Archbishop Rafael Romo said she possessed the qualities of a saint and said her death was a "terrible loss" for the city, the Tijuana newspaper Frontera reported.

Read More: Sister Antonia Brenner