Monday, November 30, 2009

Matt C. Abbott: "'Interview with an Exorcist'"

 
Matt C. Abbott column
'Interview with an Exorcist'


Matt C. Abbott
Matt C. Abbott
November 30, 2009

The following are substantial excerpts from the book Interview with an Exorcist: An Insider's Look at the Devil, Demonic Possession, and the Path to Deliverance, authored by Father José Antonio Fortea, a priest of the Diocese of Alcala de Henares (Madrid), Spain, and an expert in the field of demonology. Thanks to Matthew Pinto and Mike Flickinger of Ascension Press for allowing me to reprint this material.

Foreword

We live in a skeptical age, one which finds the very idea of personified evil spirits to be a superstitious remnant of the Middle Ages. Those people — and religious traditions — who believe in the existence of the devil and demons are often ridiculed as being out of touch with modern times. The contemporary Western mentality is that evil is merely the result of an inadequate social environment or due to purely psychological factors, causes which can be remedied with a social program or medication. In this view, the only "exorcisms" necessary are those which rid our society of poor social conditions, ignorance, or psychopathology. Many Christians — among them not a few Catholics — have succumbed to this mentality as well. They are formed more by the culture in which we live than by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the teaching of the Church!

Continue reading here: http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/abbott/091130


Matt C. Abbott is a Catholic columnist with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication, Media and Theatre from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, and an Associate in Applied Science degree in Business Management from Triton College in River Grove, Ill. He has worked in the right-to-life movement and is a published writer focused on Catholic and social issues. He can be reached at mattcabbott@gmail.com

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Colleen Willard's Miracle Testimonial Video

http://www.gloria.tv/?media=39412

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Love God, Love One Another: "You Were Hungry and I Sent Manna from Heaven" by Rita Ring, May 17, 1994

You Were Hungry and I Sent Manna from Heaven

God's Blue Book III Cover

May 17, 1994 After Mass at Father Smith's Chapel (3 prie

Alpha & Omega

Image by Lawrence OP via Flickr

sts were there)

I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Come to Me. I love you. Be not fixed to the things of this world. Harken to Me, My child. I am truly here. I died that you might live. Tell them and be attentive to Me, for you were hungry and I fed you. I gave you manna from heaven and you knew I truly was present and in your midst. Harken to Me. I call out to you and come with such longing for your love. I wait. I wait. Why do you worry for such useless tasks? Oh, child, God is truly here, but you go after such senseless things. When will you hear? Will you remain deaf forever? Listen, give Me your love, sweet one. I beg you to be attentive to Me. My Heart is aching to love you more. I cry out to you and you do not hear. I am the Alpha. I am the Omega.

Come for My ardent love, child. I cry out to you. Take the time and harken to My pleading. I give you all you need. Why do you go to other places? Oh, I love you, I love you, I love you. I am the Sacred Heart of Jesus, burning and on fire for love of you. I am here. I love you so.

R. There is such burning in my chest to behold You, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The world stands still and in the moment I catch a glimpse of eternity.

Jesus: I am your God and you know the glories of heaven. What you feel is only a drop in the sea. What glories await him who loves and serves the Lord. Your delights will be beyond any comprehension for I am truly God an

Depiction of a soul being carried to heaven by...

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d I declare it so this very day. You will be with Me forever in heaven! Live to love and serve Me! Do not waste one precious moment in remorse. Live only to draw others to everlasting life. Your job is so important! Souls are at stake. Souls are being lost. You hold the mighty medicine to turn hearts to the ardent on-fire love of Jesus and I say to you, "Come, My beloved ones, creations of My dear Father, worry not for yourselves, but harken to My call to love God and your brothers." It is in the realization of this calling, through Me, that you will help others to be led to heaven.

I am the Way, the Truth, the Life. I lead, you follow. You love and your hearts will radiate Me from inside of you. I want to live from your being. I want to be one in you. I want to operate and reach My beloved ones through you. Harken to My call. Please do not say, "No, I am too busy". Nothing here matters if it is not My work.

Come to Me and be fed by Me Who loved you to My death and beckons you to answer My call. Live in My love and live to love God and your brothers. Nothing else matters, My child.

I am the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I am on fire, on fire, on fire for love of you! You get up, you walk away and God awaits you, My precious children. I am offended so by your indifference. Come and let Me caress you. Let Me hold you. Let Me feed you. I am God, little ones, do you hear Me?

R. Time stands still and I behold my Lord. His kingdom is not of this world. I behold the Son of God, truly present and in our midst. In the silence we will know His presence. He is truly alive and here with me this day. The closer I get to Him, I become one in Him and He becomes one in me. Oh, such oneness, to be united to God this way! Is anything of any more importance than being one in God? Jesus, make me one in You and let me know Your Father, my Father, through this union with You.

Jesus: Oh, blessed of My Father, to experience the love of the one, triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

Moses and The Burning Bush, Nicholas Froment, ...

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R. How are we so blessed with this love and the love of Mary, our mother? My heart pants for this love of God. That man can achieve such union with God, that we can be one in Him and He one in us is so unbelievable. This is how we share our love with one another. There is a oneness when we ardently love Jesus. We are close to others because of His love in us. The more we love God, the more we can love each other. There is an openness that we have that allows us to love as He loves through us.

Jesus: I will become one in you. You will become one in Me as you open your hearts to My love. Be open, little ones. I want to love you and love through you. Empty yourself of any impurities in your heart. Forgive your brothers. Do not be angry. Keep yourselves clean and free from sin. Go to Confession. Fast, My beloved ones. It is in fasting you are drawn close to Me. Do not give in to yourselves. Discipline yourselves. This will increase your union with Me.

I am God. There is no better reward for your efforts than to achieve union with God. I want this union with you. It is you who keep us apart. Die to yourself, child, and live in Me. You must surrender your lives to Me and let Me operate your very being. Die to self and live in Me.

R. Alleluia. And they knew new life. It was the life of Christ that dwelled within them. Praise the Lord! Praise and honor to the one, true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

He constantly says, "Unite in My love. I call you to be one in Me. I am sent from the Father that you shall be one in Us."

Jesus: I am He Whose bootstraps you are unworthy to tie, yet I come with such love for you. You will be one in Us. Unite in My love. Go out into the world, spread the gospel, go to the highways and the byways, spread My love. My love is the way. You will unite and become one when you love in Me for there is no division in a heart of God. You must be one in Us. As the Father has sent Me, I send you into the world to spread My love. Will you answer My call? Harken, for time is short. Your brothers are in need of this work. In your actions of love you will preach My gospel. Go and love one another as I have loved you.

R. Unity and love are coexistent. Hate and love do not coexist. I must love, love everyone. He died for my precious brother. I must love more and more like Him.

He is talking about unity. Unity is only achieved through loving. To hate any man causes division. My heart must be pure, free from all hate. I cannot do this alone. I need God's love to love my brothers as He is calling me to do.

http://www.sofc.org/

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Humanist Organization Tries to Undermine Christmas with its 'Godless' Campaign

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30 /Christian Newswire/ -- When most people are celebrating the Christmas spirit of joy and love, the American Humanist Association is playing the role of Scrooge by placing ads on buses in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The ads state "No God? ...No Problem," and feature an image of several people wearing Santa hats with the phrase, "Be good for goodness sake."

The American Humanist Association is waging war against Christmas, but their temper tantrum is doomed to failure. An overwhelming percentage of people in America believe in God and celebrate Christmas. Rather than advance its "Godless" agenda, the American Humanist Association has shown just how far out of step it is with reality.

Liberty Counsel's Friend or Foe Christmas Campaign is entering its seventh year. The campaign is designed to educate and, if necessary, to litigate to make sure that the Christian aspect of Christmas is not censored. The campaign has an impressive track record of success.

As part of the campaign, Liberty Counsel has included a "Naughty & Nice List" to help consumers make choices concerning their Christmas shopping. The Naughty & Nice list is posted at www.LC.org, and it lists retailers which censor and which honor Christmas.

On its website, www.LC.org, Liberty Counsel offers a Help Save Christmas(TM) action pack (photo), which includes educational legal memoranda to accurately inform government officials, teachers, parents, students, private businesses, employees, and others that it is legal to celebrate Christmas.

Mathew D. Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law, remarked: "It is the ultimate 'grinch' to suggest there is no God during a holiday where millions of people around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is insensitive and mean. It is wrong to belittle Jews for celebrating Hanukkah during the holiday season, and it is wrong to offend all religions during Christmas. Christmas is a time of joy and hope, not a time for hate. Why believe in God? - Because Santa is not the only one coming to town."

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Open Letter to President Mubarak, to Urgently Intervene on Behalf of the Abused Christians of Egypt

Open Letter to President Mubarak, of Egypt, to Urgently Intervene on Behalf of the Abused Christians of Egypt

MONTREAL, Quebec, Nov. 30 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Canadian Coptic Association releases the following open letter to President Mubara

Coptic Cross in png format

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k of Egypt:

16 HATOR, 1726 of the Martyrs -- November 25, 2009 AD

The Undersigned appeal to His Excellency Mr. Hosni Mubarak - the President of all Egyptians - to urgently intervene to salvage Egyptian Copts in general and in particular the inhabitants of Farshout (فرشوط ) from the wrath of mobs who are mobilized with one resolve; attacking, vandalizing, looting and destroying Copts' properties, concurrently agitating a wave of hatred to the Copts which would eventually seal their fate with a communal massacre as what had happened in "Al Zawia el Hamra", "El Kosheh", etc.

A dedicated politician of your calibre would never miss the opportunity of recognizing the subversive activities of sowing discord and fermenting divisions among the Egyptians while it is the time to enjoy the peace and tranquility you bestowed on Egypt by your firm refusal to involve Egypt into the recent Middle Eastern turmoil. We plead with you to arrest the perpetrators who incited the mobs to attack the peaceful Copts; and embark on a national educative program managed by psychologists and psychiatrists to cement the bond between the Copts and Muslims of Egypt before it is irreversibly worn down.

SHARM EL SHEIKH/EGYPT, 18MAY08 - Muhammad Hosn...

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The signatories to this appeal are expecting President Mubarak to take the necessary measures to hold members of the ruling party, governor of Kena and State Security Officers accountable, together with those who fire up the mobs to loot, burn and sabotage properties of the Copts in Farshout (فرشوط ).

Collage of images representing Copts.

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We strongly condemn the mass media who went into vomiting their burning emotions for the news of the rough handling of the Egyptians by other nationals, the Algerians while did not bother to delve into the genesis of this shameful national disaster. We also abhor the State Security's deliberate absentia, the forced Deportation and the evacuation of the Copts of Farshout (فرشوط ) from their homes and villages which constitutes a blatant assault that is violating all provisions of the Egyptian Constitution. The constitution stipulates in Article 50 and 51 that it may not prohibit any citizen from staying in a specific destination, or coerced to reside in a particular place except in the cases outlined by the Law, "and not" to banish a citizen of the country or prevent his/ her return to it. "

We strongly condemn these Nazi barbarisms while stressing the right of each affected Copt to full compensation for material, psychological and moral damage as these Nazi acts will leave an inerasable print of the ghoulish and monstrous portrayals of the other side which are ideally our nationals of Egypt. This sensational fear generously implanted by the instigators of these Nazi acts into the psyche of Coptic children will deprive them of the comfort of attending either public or private locations for fear of going through a similar experience.

In accordance with the provisions of the Law, please allow the courts to hold the preacher of hatred, accountable for the Nazi blunders against the Copts and to be punished proportionally and specifically for their derogatory and insulting actions to the symbols of Christianity. We call on the State to bring all involved in crimes of public defaming Christianity to justice so as not to allow the current national fission to a permanent cleavage of our ONE nation, Egypt.

This would necessitate abolishing the comic and irrelevant "bedouin tribunals" where on purpose as predetermined by the majority to deny the Copts their rights without chances of appeal to a civil court. Alas, as the civil courts are also infected with anti-Coptic sentiments, please do not blame us for seeking justice elsewhere.

Signatories:

Canadian Coptic Association

Middle East Christian Association

The Canadian Coptic Association appeals to all International Human Rights Organizations to publicize this Open Letter.

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Novena in Honor of the Immaculate Conception

In prayerful union with the Confraternity of the Rosary I'm praying this Novena from today until  December 8th. Why not join me for your and my intentions?

NOVENA PRAYER

O Immaculate Virgin Mary, preserved from the slightest stain of sin, and enriched with all the treasures of divine grace, I thank you for the many blessings I have received through your most powerful intercession. You know my needs, my trials, my sufferings. Mother of mercy, I beseech you to hear my prayer, and to obtain for me of your Divine Son the favors I seek in this Novena.

(Here make your requests)

O Mother most pure, guide me in dangers, enlighten me in doubts, strengthen me in temptation, and help me to bear the crosses of life in union with your Son, so that one day, with you, I might share His glory. Amen.

THE MEMORARE

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful; O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petition, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

(Add your daily Rosary)

Have a blessed Advent!
Deacon John

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November 30, 2009
Collage of various Christmas images, made from...
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Catholic League president Bill Donohue opines as follows:



·         A woman from Manchester, Massachusetts was told she cannot have a live nativity scene outside her First Parish Church. Why? The church sits on the town common.
·         A life-sized crèche has adorned the Chambersburg public square in Pennsylvania for about a half-century, but there won’t be one this year: the decision to censor it was made after Carl Silverman decided he wanted to have a sign, “Celebrating Solstice—Honoring Atheist War Veterans” to accompany the manger.
·         Leesburg, Virginia traditionally displays a crèche, menorah and Christmas tree, but this year they have been banned.
·         Inside the Capitol in Olympia, Washington, all holiday displays have been nixed.
·         A nativity scene has been on display on the grounds of the Manitowoc County Courthouse in Wisconsin since World War II, but this year there will be none.

My favorite so far hails from West Chester, Pennsylvania. Under new rules, four displays are allowed in front of the Court House for a limited period of time, providing they are “content-neutral” in terms of their message. But symbols—religious or secular—are by their very nature content-spec
Politics of Long Island
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ific, thus making the request positively oxymoronic.

But guess what? In Patchogue, Long Island they reverted back to calling their Christmas Boat Parade exactly that, shunning last year’s choice of a Holiday Boat Parade. And because Obama hired Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano there will be a Christmas tree in the Capitol once again, and not a generic Holiday tree. Kudos are especially deserved for Colorado’s Larimer County Sheriff, Jim Alderden, who not only is allowing crèches and menorahs, he is selling shirts reading, “Lighten Up. Just say ‘Merry Christmas’” and “Wishing You a Loud and Politically Incorrect ‘Merry Christmas.’”

Pope Benedict XVI: “Jesus Christ is not only for Christians!"

VATICAN - At First Sunday of Advent Angelus, Benedict XVI highlights that “Jesus Christ is not only for Christians, or believers, but for all men,” and recalls that “the Church does not cease to combat AIDS, through her institu
NAZARETH, ISRAEL - MAY 14: A senior Catholic ...

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

tions and the personnel dedicated to it.”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “The contemporary world needs above all hope: It is needed by developing peoples, but also by those economically developed. We increasingly see that we are in the same boat and that we must all be saved together. Above all, seeing so many false securities crumble, we realize that we need a trustworthy hope, and this is found only in Christ...Hence, we can affirm that Jesus Christ is not only for Christians, or believers, but for all men, because he, who is the center of faith, is also the foundation of hope. He is the hope that every human being constantly needs.” These were the words with which the Holy Father Benedict XVI opened his speech prior to the praying of the Angelus on Sunday, November 29, the First Sunday of Advent, in addressing pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square.

Pius IX dogmatized the Immaculate Conception i...

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Making reference to the new Liturgical Year, which begins with Advent, the time of preparation for the Birth of the Lord, the Holy Father highlighted that the II Vatican Council insists on the fact that “Christ is the center of the liturgy. It is similar to the sun, around which rotate the planets. Around the liturgy rotate the Blessed Virgin Mary -- she is the closest -- and the martyrs and the other saints.” He then invited us all to gaze upon the Virgin Mary, who “fully incarnates the humanity that lives in hope based on faith in the living God,” the Virgin of Advent: “Let us enter her school, to truly enter this time of grace and to welcome, with joy and responsibility, the coming of God to our personal and social history.”

After the Angelus, the Holy Father recalled World AIDS Day, with these words: “This coming Dec. 1 the World AIDS Day will be observed. My thought and my prayer go to all persons affected by this sickness, in particular children, to the poorest and to those who are rejected. The Church does not cease to combat AIDS, through her institutions and the personnel dedicated to it. I exhort everyone to make their own contribution with prayer and care, so that those who are affected by the HIV virus will feel the presence of the Lord who gives support and hope. Finally, I hope that, by multiplying and coordinating efforts, this sickness will be halted and eradicated.” (SL)

(Agenzia Fides 30/11/2009)

Links:
Text of the Holy Father's address, in various languages
https://www.fides.org/_gestione/fidesweb/attachments/index/lan:ita#

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[MaryVitamin] Archangels

 
Mary Vitamin for November 30th
 
Topic: The Archangels teach us about the Immaculate Conception
Annunciation by Murillo, 1655

Image via Wikipedia

 
Quote:
St. Alphonsus di Liguori
"Hence it is that the angel, before she became the Mother of God, already found her full of grace and thus saluted her, 'Hail, full of grace."
St. Alphonsus di Liguori, The Glories of Mary,  (Tan Books),276.
 
Meditation:
The words of St. Raphael from the Book of Tobit:
 
"I will now tell you the whole truth: I will conceal nothing at all from you, .... when you, Tobit, and Sarah prayed, it was I who presented and read the record of your prayer before the Glory of the Lord...I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who enter and serve before the Glory of the Lord."
The Three Archangels: Gabriel, Michael and Raphael

Image by bleak! via Flickr

Tobit 12:11,12, 15.
 
We only know the names of three of the seven angels who enter and serve before the Glory of the Lord: St. Raphael, St. Gabriel and St. Michael -- the other four names remain hidden.
 
If St. Gabriel is one of the seven, then he is accustomed to seeing the "Glory of the Lord." When he came as a messenger to the Blessed Virgin Mary, he recognized the special graces conferred by God on Her. He called her "full of grace." (Grace means the gift of God's presence.) St. Gabriel recognized God's special presence in the Blessed Virgin Mary even before the Holy Spirit overshadowed Her.
 
Resolution:
Today, I will try to think often of the Annunciation. In particular, when I pray the Angelus today, I will try to think about Our Lady from the point of view of St. Gabriel. He was impressed by Our Lady's degree of grace. He was impressed by Her Immaculate Conception.
 
Marian Vow:
With my Marian Vow, as the slave and property of Our Lady, I should be careful to practice the humility and docility of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
 
"Be it done unto me according to your Word."
 
I give this resolution to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
 
Thanks be to God for graces received.
 

__._,_.___

 
"May the Lord grant all your prayers!" (Psalm 20)
Deacon John
http://www.google.com/profiles/deaconjohn1987

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ADVENT MEDITATIONS
FOR THE FIRST EIGHT DAYS
By St. Alphonsus de Liguori

MEDITATION II


Goodness of God the Father and of God the Son in the Work of the Redemption.

Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto ex Maria Virgine, et homo factus est.
"And became incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man." --Profession of Faith.

I.
God created Adam, and enriched him with gifts; but man, ungrateful, offended Him by sinning and thus both he and all we, his descendants, remained deprived of divine grace and paradise. Thus, then, all mankind was lost and without a remedy. Man had offended God, and therefore was incapable of giving Him an adequate satisfaction; it was necessary then that a divine person should satisfy for man. What does the eternal Father to save lost man? He sent this same Son to become man, and clothe Himself with the same flesh as sinful men, in order that by His death He might pay their debts to divine justice, and thus obtain for them a restoration to divine grace.
O my God, if Thy infinite bounty had not discovered this remedy, who of us could ever have asked it, or even imagined it?

II.
O God, what a subject of wonder must not this great love which God showed to rebellious man have been to the angels! What must they have said when they saw the eternal Word become man, and assume the same flesh as sinful man, insomuch as this Word incarnate appeared to the whole world in the form of a sinful man, as were all others. O my Jesus, how much do we not owe Thee, and how much more than others am I not indebted to Thee, who have offended Thee so much more than others! If Thou hast not come to save me, what would have become of me for all eternity? Who could have saved me from the pains that I deserve? Mayest Thou be ever blessed and praised for so great love!

III.

Thus, then, the Son of God comes from heaven on earth, and becomes man; He comes to live a life of suffering; He comes to die upon the Cross for the love of man; and shall men who believe all this love any other object besides this incarnate God?
O Jesus my Saviour, I will love none other but Thee; Thou alone hast loved me. Thee alone will I love. I renounce all created goods; Thou alone art sufficient for me, O immense and infinite Good! If hitherto I have displeased Thee, I am now heartily sorry for it, and would wish that this sorrow might make me die, to compensate in some measure for the displeasure I have caused Thee. Oh, permit me not in future to be ever again ungrateful for the love Thou hast borne me. No, my Jesus, make me love Thee, and then treat me as Thou pleasest. O infinite Bounty, O infinite Love, I will only live henceforth to love Thee! O Mary, Mother of mercy, this one favor I ask of thee, obtain for me the grace of always, always loving God.


[From 'The Incarnation, Birth and Infancy of Jesus Christ.']

Sunday, November 29, 2009




ADVENT MEDITATIONS
FOR THE FIRST EIGHT DAYS
By St. Alphonsus de Liguori

MEDITATION I

The Love that God has manifested to us in the Incarnation of the Word.

Et Verbum caro factum est.
"And the Word was made flesh." --John 1:14

I.
God has created us to love Him in this life, and afterwards to enjoy Him in the next; but we ungratefully rebelled against God by sinning, and refused to obey Him, and therefore we have been deprived of divine grace, and excluded from paradise, and besides condemned to the eternal pains of hell. Behold us, therefore, all lost; but this God, moved by compassion for us, resolved to send on earth a Redeemer, who should repair our great ruin.

II.
But who shall this Redeemer be? Shall it be an angel, or a seraph? No; to show us the immense love that He bears us, God sends us His own Son: "God sent His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh." (Rom. 8:3) He sent His only-begotten Son to clothe Himself with the same flesh as we sinners, but without the stain of sin; and He willed that by His sufferings and His death He should satisfy the divine justice for our crimes, and should thus deliver us from eternal death, and render us worthy of divine grace and eternal glory.
I thank Thee, O my God, on behalf of all mankind; for, if Thou hadst not thought of saving us, I and all the world would have been lost forever.

III.
Let us dwell here on the infinite love which our God has shown for us in this great work of the Incarnation of the Word, ordaining that His Son should come and sacrifice His life upon the Cross by the hands of executioners, in a sea of sorrows and of shame, to obtain for us pardon and eternal salvation. O infinite goodness! O infinite mercy! O infinite love! A God to become man and die for us poor worms!
I beseech Thee, my Saviour, make me know how much Thou hast loved me, in order that, at the sight of Thy loving-kindness, I may discover my own ingratitude. Thou hast delivered me by Thy death from perdition; and I, ungrateful that I am, have turned my back upon Thee, to ruin myself again! I repent with all my heart of having done Thee this great injury. O my Saviour! forgive me and save me in future from sin; do not suffer me again to lose Thy grace. I love Thee, O my dear Jesus; Thou art my hope and my love! O Mary, Mother of this great Son, recommend to Him my soul!
[From 'The Incarnation, Birth and Infancy of Jesus Christ' - 1927]

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Today's Traditional

from HelloTxtToday's Traditional Feast: Saint Catherine Laboure` http://htxt.it/PTBy Virgin, received the Miraculous Medal (1830 A.D.)

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Love God, Love One Another: "Help Me, Lord, to Do As I Ought " by Rita Ring, May 16, 1994

Help Me, Lord, to Do As I Ought

God's Blue Book III Cover

May 16, 1994

You, My child, are guarded by My hand when you learn to let go and do as I ask. You must realize I am forever with you and you do not need to worry. Trust in Me, trust in Me, trust in Me! I am Jesus Christ. I am the Son of God. Do not worry or fume or fret. Be ever attentive to My presence with you. Let go, sweet one, and let Me get close to you.

Satan is tormenting you. Pray for trust and give it all up. I love you with such love. Do not worry ever. I am by your side in your darkest hours. Trust, child. You are so far from trusting Me!

R. When people are hurting, say you are sorry. It is not as if you made them hurt, but it helps them to know someone is sorry. They are suffering, they need your compassion and love. I wondered why Jesus kept telling me to say I was sorry when they were mad. They need to know you are sorry that they are suffering, that they are feeling hurt. To say you are sorry will help their hurting hearts. It is in love and compassion that we should respond to one another. To say we are sorry is to suffer with our beloved brothers.

Jesus: Be loving in all things. Choose love. Do not seek yourself. Come and let Me heal your aching heart and be loving to My hurting ones. I love them so. Show them compassion and care. Do not be hard on your brother when he wrongs you. See the suffering heart inside of him and love him. Love is the answer! Be compassionate to one another. This is how you put on Christ. Be Me to your hurting brothers. They need you to love Me. If you love Me, you will love one another. All works out when you love God and love each other. You do not love and then you wonder why the problem. The problem is your lack of love for one another. Give love to each other. I cannot say this enough. It is in loving that your heart will find peace. Surrender to love. It is healing. I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. My ways I make known to you in the recesses of your heart. Hear My gentle voice as I tell you to love. Forgive your brothers and love them.

Alleluia. This is the key to your life. Life you will have when you love each other.

http://www.sofc.org/

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Friday, November 27, 2009

Love God, Love One Another: "Go to Jesus-He Loves You" by Rita Ring, May 15, 1994

Go to Jesus-He Loves You

God's Blue Book III Cover

May 15, 1994
For Children

R. He sits in the tabernacle and He hears all that goes on about Him. He longs for you to come and spend time in adoration and love. He is God, truly God, and He awaits you with such love.

Churches are full. How is your heart to behold the Son of God? Are you anxious to be here? This is God, child. Are you ready to be in His house?

He sits here in the tabernacle with such love to give. Do you genuflect when you walk in front of the tabernacle. Do you realize that the same Jesus Who died and gave His life for you is there? Oh, how He waits for you to come. He waits with such eagerness for you to come and tell Him you love Him.

He wants you to know He is in Communion. He loves you so. He comes to you inside of your body. He loves you so. He gave the priest the power, through the Holy Spirit, to change bread and wine into His Body and Blood so He could be present to you, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity, in the Eucharist. Nothing you ever do here on earth can compare to receiving God inside of your heart. He is a real Person. He is with you this day, the same Jesus Who died on the cross.

He loves you so much! He would die this very day just for you alone. Think of a friend that would die for you. It is hard to share part of our delicious cake with a friend. He gave His life for you because He loved you so much.

He asks only two things of us: to love God and love one another. He wants us to love each other so much that we would give our all for each other. When someone is hurting and being mean, he needs our love more. He doesn't need us to be mean to him.

God is asking you to love your friends today. When they are mean, don't argue with them. See the creation of God the Father in them and pray for them. Your prayers and sacrifices can stop wars. Pray the rosary. It is so powerful!

Remember always: God truly loves you! When you feel unloved, go to Jesus. He is always waiting for you with love. Mary is your mother. She mothers you the same as she mothered Jesus. Pray to her.


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REPORT: CAUSE FOR CANONIZATION OF MYSTIC MARIA ESPERANZA TO OPEN


Rome

, November 25, 2009  

Dear brothers and friends, 

We wish to share with you the pleasant news for all our family, the Betania Foundation and the communities of Betania in the world that: the cause of beatification and canonization of our beloved mamma, Maria Esperanza de Bianchini, will finally be open the following January 31, 2010, at 3:00 p.m., feast day of Saint John Bosco. The event will take place in the Dioceses of Metuchen, New Jersey, the United States of America, with a beautiful Eucharistic celebration in the Cathedral of Saint Francis of Assisi, presided by the Bishop of the Dioceses, Bishop Paul Bootkoski.

We wish to invite you all to participate at this most precious event for our families and communities.

We would be pleased to have you with us in celebrating this very special occasion, because of the special love and consideration we had for Maria Esperanza, who accompanied us always with sincere love and joy.

 

Sincerely yours,                      

Geo Bianchini                         

(President of the Betania Foundation)

and Bianchini family    

 The Incredible Story Of Maria Esperanza
Read it here:

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[MaryVitamin] Mary is our Advent

 

Mary Vitamin for November 27th
 
Topic: Mary is our Advent
 
Quote:
Fr. Angelo M. Geiger, FI
"Christmas is always with us, and therefore Mary is always our Advent. She is always announcing the coming dawn."
“The Morning Star of Advent” from the magazine
Missio Immaculatae International, November 2007 edition**
 
Meditation:
Fr. Angelo explains this idea by calling upon the words of the Seraphic Father St. Francis:
 
"Behold: daily He humbles Himself as when from heaven's royal throne He came down into the womb of the Virgin. Daily He Himself comes to us with like humility; daily He descends from the bosom of the Father upon the altar in the hands of the priest"
Admonition 1
 
Resolution:
What are my Advent plans?
Have I included Mary in my preparation for Christmas?
How can I become more like the Blessed Virgin so that the Lord may find repose in my heart and in my life this Christmas?
 
Today, I will say the Rosary and pay attention to the closing prayer of the Rosary,
 
"By meditating on these mysteries, of the most Holy Rosary, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may we imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise ..."
 
I will ask Our Lady to help me to prepare for Christmas.
 
(Here’s a link to How to pray the Rosary)
 
Marian Vow:
Fr. Angelo
"Our Lady's life must become our life, all day, every day, through a continuous effort to be one with Her."
(same article from Missio Immaculatae International)
 
I give this resolution to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
 
Thanks be to God for graces received.
 
 
**For more information on the Franciscan of the Immaculate’ magazine
Missio Immaculate International
contact the friars at:

._,_.___

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Advent Is Coming: Preparation for "the Preparation"

Tribulation Times

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEARhttp://www.oneyearbibleonline.com/october.asp?version=63&startmmdd=0101

November 27, 2009  

THE TRIB TIMES WILL RETURN NEXT WEEK, GOD WILLING (James 4:15).

(Luk 12:39-40) But know this, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an unexpected hour."

ON ADVENT

FATHER CORAPI EXCERPT: Advent Is Coming: Preparation for "the Preparation"

Preparation is of great importance in almost anything you do in life. Much of the chaos and incompetence we see in various spheres of influence today is due to lack of preparation. Everyone that takes any pride in their work, their sport, their profession, etc. has to be prepared. To go into battle unprepared is to invite disaster. To go into a football game, or any other sports contest, unprepared is to invite defeat.

One of the not so edifying facts that I've seen in my lifetime, the last 30 years of it anyhow, is that large numbers of people have lost the will for excellence, and that's why we have so little of it: in education, in politics, in service, in products, etc. The great American institution of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts contributed very materially to the greatness of our nation by "preparing" our young people for life. "BE PREPARED!" was surely the Boy Scouts' motto that we learned and were schooled in.

Lower things can prepare us for higher things. The natural order is a good teacher of things more moral and spiritual. We can learn much from nature. This Advent we should make an effort to truly prepare for the coming of the Lord Jesus at Christmas. Prepare for the preparation, now. How will you spend Advent? How will you prepare for this Christmas? Now is the time to plan it out.

CATHOLIC REVIEW: Advent is time of preparation

WESTERN CATHOLIC REPORTER
: Advent: Presence, not presents

INTERMOUNTAIN CATHOLIC NEWS: Let's do Advent

LINK: Mary Page Advent Calendar -A Collection of Resources: Hebrew Testament Reflections, O'Antiphons, and Masses for Advent

VIA ZENIT.ORG:  Venerable John Henry Cardinal Newman:

"They watch for Christ who are sensitive, eager, apprehensive in mind,
Who are awake, alive, quick-sighted, zealous in honoring him,
Who look for him in all that happens,
And who would not be surprised,
Who would not be over-agitated or overwhelmed,
If they found that he was coming at once.

"This then is to watch: to be detached from what is present,
And to live in what is unseen;
To live in the thought of Christ as he came once,
And as he will come again; to desire his second coming,
From our affectionate and grateful remembrance of his first."

Catechism of the Catholic Church Paragraph 524:

When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior's first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming. By celebrating the Precursor's birth and martyrdom [St. John the Baptist], the Church unites herself to his desire: "He must increase, but I must decrease (Jn 3:30).

Ladder of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 24- "On meekness, simplicity and guilelessness"

13. An angry man and a sarcastic man met one another, and it was impossible to find a true word in their conversation. Unveiling the heart of the former, you will find frenzy; looking into the soul of the other, you see knavery.   

Prayer request?  Send an email to: PrayerRequest3@aol.com

This month's archive can be found at: http://www.catholicprophecy.info/news2.html.

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Thursday, November 26, 2009

[MaryVitamin] Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

Mary Vitamin for November 27th
 
Topic: Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
Feast November 27
 
Quote:
Pope Leo XIII
"With all truth and propriety it is licit to affirm that absolutely nothing is given to us except through Mary, because God has so willed it.  And as to no one is it permitted to go to the Father except through the Son, so, ordinarily no one can go to the Son except through the Mother."
 
Meditation:
The Miraculous Medal apparition of Our Lady
"[T]here was the Queen of heaven, there in the sanctuary, standing upon a globe. She shone as the morning rising, a radiant vision, 'in all her perfect beauty', as Catherine said later. The Virgin held in her hands a golden ball which she seemed to offer to God, for her eyes were raised heavenward. Suddenly, her hands were resplendent with rings set with precious stones that glittered and flashed in a brilliant cascade of light. 'These rays symbolize the graces I shed upon those who ask for them. The gems from which rays do not fall are the graces for which souls forget to ask.'"
 
Resolution:
The source of Our Lady's beauty is Her virtue and the jewels that enhance Her beauty are the graces given to Her by God.
Today I will hold my Miraculous Medal and I will think of the rings on Our Lady’s hands and beg for the graces for which "souls have forgotten to ask."
 
Marian Vow:
My Marian Vow will hold all the graces and not let one slip away.
 
I give this resolution to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
 
Thanks be to God for graces received.
 
_._,_.___

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The Coming of the Kingdom of God by Mark Mallett:


M A R K  M A L L E T T

–––S P I R I T U A L  F O O D  F O R  T H O U G H T–––


The Coming of the Kingdom of God

eucharist1.jpg


THERE has been a danger in the past to see the "thousand year" reign described by St. John in Revelation as a literal reign on earth—where Christ dwells physically in person in a world-wide political kingdom, or even that the saints take global power. On this matter, the Church has been unequivocal:

The Antichrist’s deception already begins to take shape in the world every time the claim is made to realize within history that messianic hope which can only be realized beyond history through the eschatological judgment. The Church has rejected even modified forms of this falsification of the kingdom to come under the name of millenarianism, especially the "intrinsically perverse" political form of a secular messianism.Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC),n.676

We have seen forms of this "secular messianism" in the ideologies of Marxism and Communism, for example, where dictators have attempted to create a society where all are equal: equally wealthy, equally privileged, and sadly as it always turns out, equally enslaved to the government. (Once again, I wish to raise my voice in warning in the clearest possible terms: we are headed once again toward this "intrinsically perverse" political form—this time, globally.)

Read more… »

Note: In my last email, I noted that Fr. Joseph Langford is seriously "..."  I mistakenly forgot to add the word "ill". Please do pray for him. He has authored many beautiful books on Mother Teresa, including Mother Teresa's Secret Fire and Mother Teresa: In the Shadow of Our Lady. One could not write such profound books unless he himself contained that same "Secret Fire"...




All Mark's writings can be found at:  Spiritual Food For Thought

Listen to Mark's music on his official website:  www.markmallett.com


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from HelloTxt

Wishing you all a blessed Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

A Christmas Insult to Christians —Third Circuit Approves School’s Ban on “Silent Night”— But Allows “Frosty the Snowman”


November 25, 2009

General - ChristmasANN ARBOR, MI — The purpose of the Christmas holiday is to celebrate the birth of Christ.  Yet, the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals yesterday upheld the Maple-South Orange school district’s ban on all religious Christmas music including instrumentals, which had been part of the school district Christmas program for years—until one parent complained. 

In yesterday’s ruling the Third Circuit approved the school policy that prohibits Christmas selections such as “Silent Night, ” “Joy to the World, ” “Oh, Come All Ye Faithful, ” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.”  However, the Third Circuit approved concert selections of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Frosty the Snowman.”

The Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan challenged the school policy in federal court on the grounds the school district’s ban on religious music conveys a government-sponsored message of disapproval and hostility toward religion in violation of the Establishment Clause.

Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Law Center observed, “Christmas is a national holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, not the birth of Frosty the Snowman or Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.  This ruling is another example of how the courts have tyrannically twisted the Establishment Clause as a weapon against Christians in the War on Christmas.”

However, the case is not over.  Robert Muise, the Thomas More Law Center attorney who handled the case, indicated he will ask the Third Circuit to rehear the case on both substantive and procedural errors.  If denied, the Law Center will most likely appeal to the U. S. Supreme Court.

The Third Circuit opinion admitted the changing court view of Christmas: “Certainly, those of us who were educated in public schools remember holiday celebrations replete with Christmas carols and possibly Chanukah songs, to which no objections had been raised.  Since then, the governing principles have been examined and defined with more particularity.”

A little history lesson.  

“Had the people, during the Revolution, had a suspicion of any attempt to war against Christianity, that Revolution would have been strangled in its cradle.  At the time of the adoption of the Constitution and the amendments, the universal sentiment was that Christianity should be encouraged, not any one sect.” 

                   House of Representatives Report delivered on March 27, 1854

The case was filed in 2004 by the Law Center and the American Catholic Lawyers Association, on behalf of Michael Stratechuk, who sued on his own and on behalf of his two school-age children on the grounds the policy is hostile to religion in violation of the Establishment Clause. 

The New Jersey School District policy at issue in this case was previously featured in a book, The War On Christmas, by Fox News anchor, John Gibson.

The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes America’s Christian heritage and moral values, including the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life.  It supports a strong national defense and an independent and sovereign United States of America.  The Law Center accomplishes its mission through litigation, education, and related activities.  It does not charge for its services.  The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization.  You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.

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Liberty Counsel Announces the 'Naughty & Nice' List for Christmas 2009


WASHINGTON, Nov. 25 /Christian Newswire/ -- As part of Liberty Counsel's seventh annual "Friend or Foe" Christmas Campaign, Liberty Counsel has released its "Naughty & Nice" checklist to help consumers know what businesses they should or should not be supporting this Christmas. The list catalogs retailers which either censor ("Naughty") or recognize ("Nice") Christmas. The complete list can be found at www.LC.org. The list is compiled from information provided by individual consumers and is updated whenever new information is received.

Comparing 2009 to the years of 2005 to 2007, there are far more retailers that recognize Christmas this year in their marketing and advertisements. When Liberty Counsel first created the Naughty & Nice list, the number of retailers in the "Naughty" column equaled the number listed in the "Nice" column. However, that trend began to change during the two Christmas seasons of 2007 and 2008. Now, the Nice column far exceeds the Naughty column.

In 2005, Wal-Mart censored Christmas, calling "Christmas Trees" "Holiday Trees." That same year Walmart forbid its employees from returning the greeting "Merry Christmas" to customers who initiated the greeting. But, after pressure from consumers, Walmart subsequently changed course. Walmart, like K-Mart, Sears, and a host of other retailers moved from the Naughty column to the Nice column. On the other hand, CVS continues to remain in the Naughty column despite the fact that its competitor, Walgreens, is in the Nice column. This year, consumers have a choice of whether to patronize CVS or Walgreens. Last year consumers had a choice to patronize Circuit City (on the Naughty list) or Best Buy (on the Nice list). This year, Circuit City is not in either column as it declared bankruptcy and dissolved earlier in 2009.

As the biggest shopping holiday of the year, Christmas should be recognized by retailers who are profiting from it. Instead, many stores are calling it "The Holiday" and completely ignoring the fact that "The Holiday" is actually called "Christmas."

Mathew D. Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law, commented about the "Naughty & Nice" list: "Every consumer should make a list and check it twice, stop patronizing retailers which are naughty and shop at those which are nice. Retailers which seek to profit from Christmas while pretending it does not exist should realize they have offended the vast majority of Americans who enjoy Christmas. Customers have a choice, and they will not patronize corporate Scrooges. The success of the 'Naughty & Nice' list illustrates the power of the consumer to shape corporate policy. Consumers should compliment retailers which honor Christmas and tell those which do not why they are patronizing their competitors."

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Children of Medjugorje Message of November 25, 2009


www.childrenofmedjugorje.com" target="_blank">

 

Message of November 25, 2009

“Dear children! In this time of grace I call you all to renew prayer in your families. Prepare yourselves with joy for the coming of Jesus. Little children, may your hearts be pure and pleasing, so that love and warmth may flow through you into every heart that is far from His love. Little children, be my extended hands, hands of love for all those who have become lost, who have no more faith and hope. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

 

Wishing you all a very Blessed and Holy Thanksgiving! 

May it be a wonderful day of prayer together in your families!


Click www.childrenofmedjugorje.com/cart/product.php--Q-productid--E-16162--A-cat--E-0--A-page--E-1" target="_blank">here to order Sister Emmanuel's CD: Prayer With the Heart

Click www.childrenofmedjugorje.com/content/explore-mainmenu-32/medjugorje-newsletters-mainmenu-114/current-newsletter" target="_blank">here for Sr Emmanuel's November newsletter!


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'It's OK Wish Me A Merry Christmas'

200,000 Christian Shoppers Wear Buttons That Tell Retailers 'It's OK Wish Me A Merry Christmas(tm)'

MEDIA ADVISORY,

 Nov. 25 /Christian Newswire/ -- Over 200,000 shoppers are wearing buttons this Christmas season that proclaim a straightforward message to retailers: "It's OK, Wish Me A Merry Christmas(tm)." Individuals and churches around the country are partnering with the Wish Me A Merry Christmas Campaign mobilizing advocates energized for a return to the traditional, convivial greeting, bearing buttons that make a clear statement - "It's OK, Wish Me A Merry Christmas(tm) (www.wmamc.com )". Over 200,000 of these buttons have been distributed nationally. 

With over 200,000 buttons on the streets and in stores this year, local store associates are likely to be presented with the opportunity to deviate from the corporate holiday wishing policy of top retailers like the Gap and Best Buy, and stealthily wish their customer "Merry Christmas" instead of the generic "Happy Holidays". But since 96% of Americans celebrate Christmas (Gallup Poll, 2004), it's likely that the store cashiers would prefer to wish their customers "Merry Christmas" as well. In fact 88% of Americans state that "It's okay to wish 'Merry Christmas'." (Gallup Poll). 

Pastors across the North America have lined up to support the Campaign. "Our nation needs to return to our Christian roots and values. Trying to remove the name of Jesus Christ from Christmas and from our society must be stopped," says Reverend John Mains of Fountain of Life in Johnstown, PA. 

In Ontario, Canada Pastor Troy Dingwell says, "I believe it is great that there are still people in North America who still hold to our Christian beliefs and traditions." 

Even Santa himself humbly gives credit where credit is due, "Christmas is not just about Santa and presents. Christmas is about the baby Jesus." 

Sue Fairchild and Reverend James Ritter of the Watsontown Baptist Church in Watsontown, PA sees the spirit of the Campaign, "We are using these buttons to encourage our congregation to step out in their faith this holiday season. We are coming together to put Christ back in Christmas." 

Said Campaign Manager, Ashley Tarter, "National retailers will hearken the public's message that it is okay to wish, 'Merry Christmas,' once again. In the meanwhile local communities are being impacted by the message of the Campaign." 

The national Wish Me A Merry Christmas Campaign is appealing to retailers to "put Christmas back in the holidays" with two straightforward petitions: 

* To actively retract adverse corporate holiday wishing policies, by returning to the traditional and explicit "Merry Christmas" phrase; and 

* To restore use of the symbols, language and sounds of Christmas in in-store displays, signage and music, as well as in November and December advertising. 

From Florida to Alaska and into Canada individuals and churches have purchased hundreds of thousands of the red and green, "It's OK, Wish Me A Merry Christmas," ornament-like buttons to wear and share. 

For more information, visit www.wmamc.com - the first letters in Wish Me A Merry Christmas, or contact Media Relations at 800-487-7137, option 4. Merry Christmas! 

* Gallup Poll 2004, PDFs available at 
http://wmamc.com/millionbuttongoal/media.html 

PHOTOS:
http://wmamc.com/millionbuttongoal/media.html #images 

CONTACTS:
Ashley Tarter
Wish Me A Merry Christmas Campaign
PO Box 5398
Williamsburg, VA 23188
PHONE. 800-487-7137 ext. 709
E-mail: 
atarter@wmamc.com

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