Saturday, December 31, 2011

Yearning for sublimity?



Free resource: fill your soul with golden
dreams of nobility, refinement and sublimity


Dear Friends

   As you start the New Year, you may be looking for something truly uplifting.
 
   Something golden. Sublime. Noble. And spiritual.
 
   If so, perhaps you will enjoy receiving a free online subscription to Nobility Newsletter.
 
   Subscribe to the Free Nobility Newsletter
 
   Nobility is for souls parched by modern mediocrity; souls who yearn for the lofty heights of sanctity, and admire the great feats of knights and Catholic heroes.
 
   As I said, Nobility is a free resource. It is sent via email twice a week, on Mondays and Thursday at 5:00PM.
 
   It contains marvelous stories about saints and heroes, and reports on events related to nobility and royalty. And Nobility subscribers tell us that they anxiously look forward to each issue of their Nobility Newsletter.
 
   It is my hope that you also will find such value in your free subscription to Nobility.
 
   Subscribe Today
 
   Thank you.

 



Sincerely,
  Robert E. Ritchie
  Robert E. Ritchie
America Needs Fatima
www.ANF.org
   

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December 30: Our Lady's Appariton Tonight

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n a very cold evening tonight, December 30, 2011, thousands gathered on top of Apparition Mountain for Our Lady’s apparition to Ivan. The following translation of the message is an initial translation from the Italian to English, and is the substance of the message. This is not an accurate translation. A more accurate translation will be made available later:

“Dear children, the Mother blesses you with joy. Be carriers of my messages in this tired world. Welcome my messages with responsibility. Dear children, pray together with me for the plans that must be realized. Especially tonight, I call you to pray for unity of the Church and my priests. Dear children, pray, pray, pray. The Mother prays with you and intercedes before Her Son for each one of you. Thank you also today for having responded to my call, and for accepting my messages, and living my messages.”

Our Lady prayed for a while over each one of us, and blessed us with Her Special Motherly Blessing. Our Lady blessed the religious articles that were brought to be blessed. Then Our Lady prayed especially for you, the sick present here. Then Ivan recommended all our needs, and our intentions. In a special way, Ivan recommended all the sick. Then Our Lady extended Her hands and prayed over us. She then left in the illuminated sign of the cross, saying, “Go in peace, my dear children.”

A more accurate translation, will be posted in the following days.

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[video] Fr. Kubicki reflects on Pope Benedict's Mission intention for January 2012.

Fr. Kubicki reflects on Pope Benedict's mission intention for January 2012. More


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[video] The Gift of Time

TAKE FIVE FOR FAITH: Daily renewal for busy Catholics 12/31/2011

Citing of the Week

"Only by harnessing the gifts in any situation as so many God-given levers will we see the capacity to respond."

--© Bryan Froehle, 2011, Pastoral Trends, PrepareTheWord.com


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Saturday, December 31
SEVENTH DAY IN THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS

The best gift ever!
Today, the close of the calendar year and the seventh and next-to-last day of the Christmas season, there is much to be grateful for. Perhaps the greatest source of thanksgiving is for the very gift of God’s Son, whose coming into the world we are in the midst of celebrating. In the words of the Second Vatican Council, “God chose to reveal himself and to make known to us the hidden purpose of his will”: Through Christ, the Word made flesh, and in the Holy Spirit, humanity would have access to the father and share in divine nature. Wow! God wants us to be divine, to share in God’s very nature. Now that is a gift worth keeping and learning how to use.

TODAY’S READINGS: 1 John 2:18-21; John 1:1-18 (204)
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”

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Friday, December 30, 2011

10 Tips for Better New Year Resolutions

 

1. Be honest. Know yourself. What is your strongest virtue? What is your worst vice? Therefore, tailor your resolution so it strengthens your good side and fights your bad one. A one-size fits all resolution is useless. 

2. Be specific. Don't use generalities. They don't work. For example, if you need to be more humble, just saying "I am going to be more humble," is useless. You need to zero in on one situation where you need to practice humility and resolve to improve in that one situation.

3. Be simple. Don't make it complicated. Focus on something you can see and measure easily and that does not overwhelm you each time you try to obtain it. Otherwise, you will become distracted and your energy will be dispersed and misdirected.

4. Be reasonable. Don't try to do too much at once. You won't become a saint in one day. Remember: you have one MAJOR point upon which is hinged your entire fidelity to God and His Holy Laws. This is a called your primordial light. Find out and work on improving it. Everything else will improve if you improve on that one major point.

How to discover your primordial light

5. Be consistent. It's far better to do something small everyday to improve on that one key point in your soul than to make a big resolution that you cannot keep for more than a week or two. Slow and steady wins the race!

6. Be humble. Recognize that you cannot do any good action which has value in the supernatural order without God's grace and the intercessory help of the Blessed Mother. Beg God's grace through Our Lady's intercession constantly in all your thoughts, desires and actions

7. Be disinterested. Remember that God wants us to defend His rights and interests, and to share His thoughts and ways. And therefore, to focus on things, happening and events that are very close to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary that are not necessarily linked to our own personal interests.

8. Write it down. It's important to write down your resolution so you can refer back to it often during the year. Also, by writing it down, you will be able to review it when the year is over, and to evaluate your progress since the time the resolution was made.

9. Public expressions of faith. Don't hide your faith. That's just what the devil wants. He knows when you express your faith publicly, others see you and are encouraged to follow your good example. Say grace openly and proudly before meals in a restaurant so people can see. You'll be surprised with the good reactions you will get.

10. Devotion to Our Lady. Have more devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Devotion to the Mother of God is a panacea. Saint Louis de Montfort said that devotion to Holy Mary is the easiest, safest, fastest, most secure, and surest path to Jesus and to our own salvation. If you can do nothing else, resolve to say the Rosary everyday. Saint Louis de Montfort wrote:

"If you say the Rosary faithfully until death, I do assure you that, in spite of the gravity of your sins 'you shall receive a never-fading crown of glory.' Even if you are on the brink of damnation, even if you have one foot in hell, even if you have sold your soul to the devil as sorcerers do who practice black magic, and even if you are a heretic as obstinate as a devil, sooner or later you will be converted and will amend your life and will save your soul, if-- and mark well what I say-- if you say the Holy Rosary devoutly every day until death for the purpose of knowing the truth and obtaining contrition and pardon for your sins."

 

[back to top]

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TAKE FIVE FOR FAITH: Daily renewal for busy Catholics 12/30/2011

Citing of the Week

"Only by harnessing the gifts in any situation as so many God-given levers will we see the capacity to respond."

--© Bryan Froehle, 2011, Pastoral Trends, PrepareTheWord.com


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Friday, December 30
FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH

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Share the wealth of family
For some of us, this late in the holiday season, the burden of family may just be starting to express itself. (Will this houseful of relatives ever leave?) Yet many also find themselves away from their homes or families for reasons not entirely under their control, ranging from military service, education, employment, illness, divorce, loss, or estrangement. For them even a slightly used and tarnished family would be better than none at all. On this sixth day of Christmas, share your heart and home by inviting someone in to enjoy the gift of belonging.

TODAY’S READINGS: Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3 or Hebrew 11:8, 11-12, 17-19; Luke 2:22-40 or 2:22, 39-40 (17)
“I will make your reward very great.”

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BENEDICT XVI'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR JANUARY 2012

English: Vatican. Russian President Vladimir P...

Image via Wikipedia



 

VATICAN CITY, 30 DEC 2011 (VIS) - Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for January 2012 is: "That the victims of natural disasters may receive the spiritual and material comfort they need to rebuild their lives".

 

  His mission intention is: "That the dedication of Christians to peace may bear witness to the name of Christ before all men and women of good will".

BXVI-PRAYER INTENTIONS/                                                    VIS 20111230 (70)

 

Zemanta helped me add links & pictures to this email. It can do it for you too.

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Holy Family [video]

Mary TV Daily Reflection 12/30/2011


Duetsfamily prayer
The Duet family prays together on Podbrodo
(c)Mary TV 2010 

December 30, 2011

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

 

Dear Family of Mary!

 

On this beautiful feast, we contemplate Jesus' life in His human family:

 

"When they [the Holy Family] had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him." (Luke 2: 39-40)

 

Jesus lived with His foster father and his Mother, in Nazareth, like any other family. They ate together, slept together, worked together, and most assuredly prayed together. Their life was ordinary. But it was extraordinary too, because they lived a life centered of God. And it was blissful in the midst of the normal difficulties because they loved each other so deeply and perfectly. Love and prayer were the centerpieces of their family life, and so Jesus grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. Prayer and love grow incredible children!

 

Our Lady, the very Lady who visits us in Medjugorje, lived that life with Jesus. She knows the stresses and sacrifices of family life. She knows it all, and so her words to us about family in her messages from Medjugorje carry with them great authority. She is speaking from experience. Here are a few of the things she has said to us about family life:

 

"Dear children! I beseech you to start changing your life in the family. Let the family be a harmonious flower that I wish to give to Jesus. Dear children, let every family be active in prayer for I wish that the fruits in the family be seen one day. Only that way shall I give you all, like petals, as a gift to Jesus in fulfillment of God's plans. Thank you for having responded to my call." (May 1, 1986)

 

"Dear children! Today I invite you all to awaken your hearts to love. Go into nature and look how nature is awakening and it will be a help to you to open your hearts to the love of God, the Creator. I desire you to awaken love in your families so that where there is unrest and hatred, love will reign and when there is love in your hearts then there is also prayer. And, dear children, do not forget that I am with you and I am helping you with my prayer that God may give you the strength to love. I bless and love you with my motherly love. Thank you for having responded to my call." (April 25, 1993)

 

"Dear children! Today I invite you to prayer. Let prayer be life for you. A family cannot say that it is in peace if it does not pray. Therefore, let your morning begin with morning prayer, and the evening end with thanksgiving. Little children, I am with you, and I love you and I bless you and I wish for every one of you to be in my embrace. You cannot be in my embrace if you are not ready to pray every day. Thank you for having responded to my call."(August 25, 1995)

 

"Dear children! This is a time of grace for the family and, therefore, I call you to renew prayer. May Jesus be in the heart of your family. In prayer, learn to love everything that is holy. Imitate the lives of saints so that they may be an incentive and teachers on the way of holiness. May every family become a witness of love in this world without prayer and peace. Thank you for having responded to my call." (October 25, 2004)

 

"Today is a great day of joy and peace. Rejoice with me. Little children, in a special way, I call you to holiness in your families. I desire, little children, that each of your families be holy and that God's joy and peace, which God sends you today in a special way, may come to rule and dwell in your families. Little children, open your hearts today on this day of grace, decide for God and put Him in the first place in your family. I am your Mother. I love you and give you my Motherly Blessing." (December 25, 2006 Jakov)

 

God bless you all! Sunday is the great Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Holy Mother of God!! Let's prepare for this feast by making our families more prayerful and filled with self-giving love!

 

In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!

Cathy Nolan

  

PS. I am adding the beautiful and powerful prayer of Fr. John Hampsch, C.M.F., "The Healing of the Family Tree". Our Lady wants us to bring our families to the Lord for healing and blessing. This prayer is a great beginning on the road to healing of the family.   

 

PRAYER FOR HEALING THE FAMILY TREE

REV. JOHN H. HAMPSCH, C.M.F.

 

Heavenly Father, I come before you as your child, in great need of your help; I have physical health needs, emotional needs, spiritual needs, and interpersonal needs. Many of my problems have been caused by my own failures, neglect and sinfulness, for which I humbly beg your forgiveness, Lord. But I also ask you to forgive the sins of my ancestors whose failures have left their effects on me in the form of unwanted tendencies, behavior patterns and defects in body, mind and spirit. Heal me, Lord, of all these disorders.

 

With your help I sincerely forgive everyone, especially living or dead members of my family tree, who have directly offended me or my loved ones in any way, or those whose sins have resulted in our present sufferings and disorders. In the name of your divine Son, Jesus, and in the power of His Holy Spirit, I ask you, Father, to deliver me and my entire family tree from the influence of the evil one. Free all living and dead members of my family tree, including those in adoptive relationships, and those in extended family relationships, from every contaminating form of bondage. By your loving concern for us, heavenly Father, and by the shed blood of your precious Son, Jesus, I beg you to extend your blessing to me and to all my living and deceased relatives. Heal every negative effect transmitted through all past generations, and prevent such negative effects in future generations of my family tree.

 

I symbolically place the cross of Jesus over the head of each person in my family tree, and between each generation; I ask you to let the cleansing blood of Jesus purify the bloodlines in my family lineage. Set your protective angels to encamp around us, and permit Archangel Raphael, the patron of healing, to administer your divine healing power to all of us, even in areas of genetic disability. Give special power to our family members' guardian angels to heal, protect, guide and encourage each of us in all our needs. Let your healing power be released at this very moment, and let it continue as long as your sovereignty permits.

 

In our family tree, Lord, replace all bondage with a holy bonding in family love. And let there be an ever-deeper bonding with you, Lord, by the Holy Spirit, to your Son, Jesus. Let the family of the Holy Trinity pervade our family with its tender, warm, loving presence, so that our family may recognize and manifest that love in all our relationships. All of our unknown needs we include with this petition that we pray in Jesus' precious Name. Amen.

 

St. Joseph, Patron of family life, pray for us. Our Lady Queen of Peace, pray for us.

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Thursday, December 29, 2011

“Up close and personal with the statue”

From  http://www.calcatholic.com/ 


Replica of Michelangelo’s La Pieta installed at Corona church; donated by anonymous parishioner, statue is only one in California licensed by Vatican Observatory Foundation


A full-sized replica of Michelangelo's La Pieta, described in a news release from the San Bernardino diocese as “the stunning sculpture depicting Mary cradling her son Jesus Christ after his crucifixion,” has been installed in the sanctuary of St. Mary Magdalene Church in Corona. 

San Bernardino Bishop Gerald Barnes blessed the statue at a special ceremony at the church on Dec. 14, according to the diocesan news release. 

“The Pieta is an unexpected gift that will bring many people to St. Mary Magdalene and to Jesus Christ,” Fr. Vincent Au, C.M.C., pastor at St. Mary Magdalene, was quoted as saying in the press release. 

“The replica, which is one of only a handful of replicas licensed by the Vatican Observatory Foundation and the only licensed replica in California, was donated by an anonymous donor who belongs to the parish,” said the news release. 

The replica was installed to the left of the altar. 

“The donating family wishes to share the statue with the community in hopes that the replica will give a new sense of spirituality to those who come to view it,” the news release continued.

“The La Pieta replica was produced by Vescovo Buonarroti Art, which is licensed by the Vatican Observatory Foundation,” said the news release. 

“You can’t get close to the original because it’s behind bullet-proof glass and 35 feet away. This allows the people to get up close and personal with the statue,” Steven Bishop, founder of Vescovo Buonarroti Art, was quoted as saying in the diocesan news release. “It provides an opportunity to have a private moment with the sculpture. Those are the moments special to the parishioner.” 

The news release provided the following background: 

“Created by Michelangelo between 1498 and 1500, La Pieta is considered a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture. It is the only one that Michelangelo ever signed. The original work of art resides at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, Rome." 

"It is approximately 7 feet tall as it sits on its pedestal and weighs 750 pounds. The full-sized replica is made from a prototype cast from a mold off the original using a marble blend, the results of which are said to be faithful in both detail and subtlety to Michelangelo's original. After casting, it is painstakingly hand-finished by master artisans, ensuring faithful intricate details of the original, including the folds in Mary's garments, limp muscles in Jesus' body, and Michelangelo's personal signature on the delicate sash that runs across Mary's body.”

 

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Mary TV Daily Reflection 12/29/2011

Presentation - Vouet
The Presentation in the Temple - Vouet

December 29, 2011

St. Thomas Becket

 

Dear Family of Mary!

 

"Dear children! Also today, in my arms I am carrying my Son Jesus to you, for Him to give you His peace. Pray, little children, and witness so that in every heart, not human but God's peace may prevail, which no one can destroy. It is that peace in the heart which God gives to those whom He loves. By your Baptism you are all, in a special way, called and loved, therefore witness and pray that you may be my extended hands to this world which yearns for God and peace. Thank you for having responded to my call." (December 25, 2011)

 

Yesterday we talked about receiving little Jesus in our arms. Today in the Gospel (Luke 2:22-35) we are told of Simeon who did just that:

 

"Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: 'Lord, now let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled: my eyes have seen the salvation which you prepared in the sight of every people, a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.'" (Luke 2:25-32)

 

Unlike the people in Luke 19: 41-44 who did not recognize the time of their visitation, Simeon was ready. He had been in prayer for many years, waiting for the promises to be fulfilled in Israel. He had heard from the Holy Spirit, and he knew in his heart that God was going to send the Christ. So when he saw Jesus in Mary's arms, he knew immediately that this was the fulfillment of the promises; this was the Christ; this was God's gift of peace. And when he took Jesus into his arms he began to speak to the Lord in prayer! He knew that Jesus was the awaited Savior and that now he could go in peace! Simeon received peace when he took Jesus in his arms, the peace that is salvation.

 

Oh what must it have felt like for Simeon to hold Baby Jesus! Here was the promised Messiah, so tiny, so perfectly human, and so filled with hope. Here was the One who would save us all. Simeon knew it. He must have been surging with the Holy Spirit, filled with the light and knowledge of God. But his feet were still planted firmly on the ground. He didn't lose sight of the thorny situation that would surround the life of this Savior.

 

"The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, 'Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." (Luke 2: 33-35)

 

Just as Mary had understood that the peace Jesus would bring had little to do with the difficulties of her life, so Simeon knew that the peace of Jesus would be so other-worldly that it would turn this world upside down. There would be a falling and a rising in Israel of the whole temporal order, and Jesus would be nailed to a Cross as a sign of contradiction to the way people thought about everything. Even Our Lady would stand as a sign to the world, a sign of Jesus' true humanity, so that the faith would be soundly based on the Incarnation. The peace of Jesus would change everything.

 

And so, we ask Simeon to help us to pray, to spend our lives in prayer, so that our "eyes [will] see] the salvation which you prepared in the sight of every people, a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel."

 

As Our Lady said to us: "Also today, in my arms I am carrying my Son Jesus to you, for Him to give you His peace."  She comes to give Him to us. 

 

In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!

Cathy Nolan

©Mary TV 2011

 

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Wednesday, December 28, 2011

TAKE FIVE FOR FAITH: Daily renewal for busy Catholics 12/28/2011

Citing of the Week

"Only by harnessing the gifts in any situation as so many God-given levers will we see the capacity to respond."

--© Bryan Froehle, 2011, Pastoral Trends, PrepareTheWord.com


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Wednesday, December 28
FEAST OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS, MARTYRS

Light in the darkness
King Herod’s order to kill every male child in and around Bethlehem under the age of 2 is surely one of humanity’s most terrible moments. It’s a dark story for a dark time of year. Yet darkness, whether it belongs to the whole of humanity or resides in our own soul, has much to teach those who desire to deepen and grow spiritually. As the poet Pablo Neruda advises, “We need to sit on the rim / of the well of darkness / and fish for fallen light / with patience.” On this fourth day of Christmas, let us pray for the gift of compassion and courage to explore our shadow-side so that its influence on our actions might be diminished and our inner light can shine more brightly.

TODAY’S READINGS: 1 John 1:5-2:2; Matthew 2:13-18 (698)
“God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.”

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[video] The Holy Innocents

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Whose Country is it Anyway by Patrick Buchanan

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The question for Christians is a simple one: Do they have what it takes to take America back?

Mockery and hatred of Christmas testifies not only to the character of those who engage in it, it says something as well about who is winning the culture war for the soul of America... Read More http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=48380

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CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR IS SEASON TO PRAY WITH SPECIAL ROSARY FOR 'SELF-ILLUMINATION'

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The new year and Christmas season are a time for self-illumination. If we pray, the Lord illuminates our souls. It is good to deeply evaluate ourselves each year, particularly before wandering into a new one.

It is a time when we make promises.

Purity of the spirit is the goal.

This can bring any miracle.

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Although it is a time of year in which we make New Year's resolutions, and think of the Joyful Mysteries, it is always, each day, of every year, a time to recall the Sorrowful Ones -- for it is in praying the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary (it was said at Kibeho) that we maintain joy -- and can achieve self-illumination.
Read more here: http://www.spiritdaily.com/selfilluminationandsorrowful.htm

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From New Oxford Review: News You May Have Missed


News You May Have Missed

Close But No Cigar, California Conundrum, Banned in Quebec, The Cross of Love, We've Got Jesus!, True Conviction, Ready for Bodily Resurrection, and more

Read all about it...

http://www.newoxfordreview.org/article.jsp?did=1211-news

 

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TAKE FIVE FOR FAITH: Daily renewal for busy Catholics 12/27/2011

Citing of the Week

"Only by harnessing the gifts in any situation as so many God-given levers will we see the capacity to respond."

--© Bryan Froehle, 2011, Pastoral Trends, PrepareTheWord.com


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Tuesday, December 27
FEAST OF JOHN, APOSTLE, EVANGELIST

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Tell what you know
Each of us has firsthand knowledge of the presence of Christ in the world. First and foremost, in the bread and wine of the Eucharist. But not only there: We’ve experienced Christ in the community of the church. We’ve encountered Christ in the grace of many sacraments and received from his tender hands the forgiveness of our sins. We’ve known the love of Christ in faithful marriages and felt his healing touch in times of sickness and despair. And daily, we see Christ in the eyes of the poor. On this third day of Christmas, imitate the memorable testimony of Saint John, and tell others about your own encounters with Christ.

TODAY’S READINGS: 1 John 1:1-4; John 20:1a, 2-8 (697)
“What we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life.”

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[video] Saint John the Evangelist

Monday, December 26, 2011

Daily Rosary (10:00 am EDT) can now be prayed with us LIVE on iPhone, iPod, iPad (& most smart phones)!!!

 

 

Logo

 

 

 

 

"My eyes and my heart will be here,  

even when I will no longer appear." 

 

President:  Denis Nolan 

P.O. Box 899

Notre Dame, IN  46556

 574-287-7875

 www.marytv.tv 

 Mary TV is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization

 

 

  

 

Dear MARY TV Family,

 

Please tell your family and friends:

 

Starting Tuesday, December 27th, 2011 our Daily Rosary (10:00 am EDT) consecrating the internet to Our Lady of Medjugorje, can now be prayed with us LIVE on iPhone, iPod, iPad (& most smart phones)!!!

 

You can also be pray along with us later on iPhone, iPod, iPad and smart phones in the "Archived Rosaries" at <www.marytv.tv>........

 

This wonderful new development is due to your continued intercessory prayer!

 

Thank you and GOD BLESS YOU!

Denis Nolan

 

 

MISSION STATEMENT: MARY TV is a lay apostolate founded to put at the Gospa's service (Our Lady's service) modern communication technologies to bring her presence in Medjugorje - and her school in Medjugorje - to the world.

 

 

 

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From Mark Mallett: The Invisible Gift

The Invisible Gift

 

THERE is an invisible gift awaiting each of us to be opened… but there is a key to how to find and open this Divine Present.

To watch Mark’s Christmas message, The Invisible Gift, go to www.embracinghope.tv

(If you have trouble viewing any of these videos, you can go to directly to your host here: http://vimeo.com/markmallett/videos )

Published in: | on December 25th, 2011 
 

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TAKE FIVE FOR FAITH: Daily renewal for busy Catholics 12/26/2011

Citing of the Week

"Only by harnessing the gifts in any situation as so many God-given levers will we see the capacity to respond."

--© Bryan Froehle, 2011, Pastoral Trends, PrepareTheWord.com


Promote vocations

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Monday, December 26
FEAST OF STEPHEN, FIRST MARTYR

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Let your life be your witness
What does it mean to be a martyr? Does it mean to be like Saint Stephen, willing to give your very life for what you believe? The root of martyr is “witness,” and there are many ways we are called to testify to the gospel. These can be familiar but they are no less courageous than the path Stephen took. Being a good parent, a loving partner, honest in business dealings, compassionate—these are powerful forms of attesting to the Good News. How will you testify to the gospel with your life today? On this second day of Christmas let us pray for a spirit of courage for that witness not only in words but with our lives.

TODAY’S READINGS: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Matthew 10:17-22 (696)
“For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”

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Sunday, December 25, 2011

Our Lady of Medjugorje's December 25, 2011 Message Given During Jakov's Apparition

The following is Our Lady of Medjugorje's December 25, 2011 Message given during Jakov's annual apparition. Our Lady came at 3:30 PM and the apparition lasted 11 minutes:

“Dear children! Today, in a special way, I desire to take you to and give you over to my Son. Little children, open your hearts and permit Jesus to be born in you, because only in this way, little children, you yourselves will be able to experience your new birth and set out with Jesus in your hearts towards the way of salvation. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

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December 25, 2011 Reflection


http://www.holyspirit.co.in/2011/05/bible-verses-about-birth-of-jesus.html
The Birth of Jesus
http://www.holyspirit.co.in/2011/05/bible-verses-about-birth-of-jesus.html


December 25, 2011

 

Dear Family of Mary!

 

Our Lady's Christmas message, December 25, 2011:


"Dear children! Also today, in my arms I am carrying my Son Jesus to you, for Him to give you His peace. Pray, little children, and witness so that in every heart, not human but God's peace may prevail, which no one can destroy. It is that peace in the heart which God gives to those whom He loves. By your Baptism you are all, in a special way called and loved, therefore witness and pray that you may be my extended hands to this world which yearns for God and peace. Thank you for having responded to my call."
 

In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!

Cathy Nolan


 

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The pope's homily for Christmas Eve

"God has appeared. As a child"

"God became poor. His Son was born in the poverty of the stable. In the child born in the stable at Bethlehem, we can as it were touch and caress God." The pope's homily for Christmas Eve 

by Benedict XVI


 
Read the Pope's homily for Christmas Eve here:

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[Video] Urbi et Orbi

By noon, thousands of people had flocked to St. Peter's Square in Rome to hear the pope's Christmas greeting, which this year sounded like this: More


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TAKE FIVE FOR FAITH: Daily renewal for busy Catholics 12/25/2011 Christmas Day

Sunday, December 25
SOLEMNITY OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD


Not so fast
One year during Saint Francis of Assisi’s life, Christmas fell on a Friday. Knowing the holy man’s love of fasting in imitation of Jesus, the brothers asked Francis if he wished them to fast even though it was Christmas. “Fast?” Francis replied. “How can we fast on the feast of the Lord’s birth? Rather we should smear the walls with meat!” Obviously not a vegetarian, and perhaps prompting a little queasiness in his hearers, Francis’ point was that in celebrating the God-who-becomes-flesh even the walls rejoice! Nothing is held back from the God who held nothing back from us but who embraced our whole humanity. In your joy today, in your compassion, reconciliation, forgiveness, mercy, and justice, don’t hold anything back.

TODAY’S READINGS: Day: Isaiah 52:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14 (16)
“[God] has spoken to us through the Son . . . who is the . . . very imprint of his being, and who sustains all things by his mighty word.”


CONTRIBUTORS

Alice Camille, Daniel Grippo, Father Larry Janowski, O.F.M., Ann O'Connor, Joel Schorn, Patrice J. Tuohy, and Sister Julie Vieira, I.H.M.


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Citing of the Week
"Only by harnessing the gifts in any situation as so many God-given levers will we see the capacity to respond."
--© Bryan Froehle, 2011, Pastoral Trends, PrepareTheWord.com

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