Friday, September 02, 2011

Vatican crackdown on dissent




September 2, 2011


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"Wow," I thought.  "It's happening!"

The Vatican is cracking down on dissent.

Even the leftist National Catholic Reporter is complaining with great alarm: The Vatican aims to "weed out dissenting voices."


Oh my… this couldn't be what Pope Benedict meant by "evangelical pruning"?

If so, then we're quite happy here at The Cardinal Newman Society!

We have worked more than 18 years to expose dissent at many Catholic universities, which are leading thousands of Catholic students astray.

And we are working toward faithful Catholic teaching on Catholic campuses, which depends primarily on strong college leadership but also on vigilant oversight from the Vatican and the U.S. bishops.

And it's happening!

You may recall that the Vatican quietly ousted Jesuit Fr. Thomas Reese -- now a rabble-rouser at Georgetown University -- from the prominent Jesuit magazine America in 2005.

Now we've been able to confirm leaked reports that Rome is challenging heterodox material in the Jesuit journal Theological Studies, published at Marquette University.

The chairman of Boston College's Theology Department, Fr. Kenneth Himes, co-wrote an article arguing that Church teaching on the indissolubility of marriage should be changed.

And now the champions of dissent are crying foul.  Why?

Because the Vatican has demanded that the journal's editor, Marquette theology professor Fr. David Schultenover, S.J., publish a rebuttal by Jesuit Father Peter Ryan and Germain Grisez.

Father Ryan and Dr. Grisez are serious Catholic theologians and both recent professors at Mount St. Mary's University -- one of only 20 colleges profiled in our Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College and the new home for our Center for the Advancement of Catholic Higher Education.

The authors confirm that their rebuttal is backed by a "mandate from higher authority" -- and they make no apologies for it!

But that's just the latest news.  The U.S. bishops have been cracking down on bad theology elsewhere.

Indeed, the problems with Theological Studies go back to 2006, when Archbishop Elden Curtiss of Omaha publicly challenged false teaching by Creighton University theologians Todd Salzman and Michael Lawler.

Lawler (now retired) and Salzman (who continues to teach theology at Creighton) claimed that "homosexual couples can engage in sexual acts that are natural, reasonable and therefore moral."

In 2007 the Cardinal Newman Society complained about Lawler's leadership of Creighton University's Center for Marriage and Family, after which Archbishop Curtiss cut ties with the Center.

And last year, the bishops' doctrine committee publicly condemned The Sexual Person by Salzman and Lawler as "harmful to one's moral and spiritual life."!

This is one of a series of public censures of work by wayward theology professors by the Vatican and the U.S. bishops!  They include:

- Daniel Maguire of Marquette University (Wisconsin)

- Fr. Richard McBrien at the University of Notre Dame (Indiana)

- Fr. Peter Phan of Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.)

- Fr. Jon Sobrino, S.J., of the University of Central America

- Fr. Roger Haight, S.J., of the Union Theological Seminary (New York)

- Fr. Joseph Imbach of the Pontifical Theological Faculty of St. Bonaventure (Rome)

And just last year, the bishops censured a feminist theologian at Fordham University.

The bishops' doctrine committee publicly condemned a book by Sr. Elizabeth Johnson -- who has referred to God as "She Who Is" -- for "misrepresentations, ambiguities and errors" that do "not accord with authentic Catholic teaching on essential points."

This month we learned that the bishops' top administrative committee unanimously authorized the review of Sr. Johnson's work.

Why is this important?  Catholic Culture found that Sister Johnson's book was used in theology courses at no fewer than 13 Catholic colleges and universities!

One solution that would address much of this problem is the mandatum for theology professors, by which the local bishop recognizes a theologian's commitment to teach authentic Catholic theology.

That's a requirement of Canon Law, and something The Cardinal Newman Society has advocated many times since Pope John Paul II issued Ex corde Ecclesiae in 1990.  Recently the executive director for the U.S. bishops' Secretariat on Doctrine, Fr. Thomas Weinandy, strongly supported the mandatum.

You who have followed The Cardinal Newman Society's reports over the last several years know that we have worked hard to expose wayward professors.

And you can understand why we are so encouraged by the latest Vatican effort to rein in the Jesuits' journal from Marquette!

Faithful families and students have suffered a lot of heartache in recent decades, but today we are living in times very exciting to be Catholic!  We're so glad that you're with The Cardinal Newman Society as we work for the renewal of Catholic higher education!

Thank You, our Father in Heaven, for good news.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Patrick J. Reilly
President

P.S.  Please continue to keep us in your prayers, and support our work with your contributions!  With the Holy Spirit, all things are possible.



The Cardinal Newman Society
9415 West Street
Manassas, VA 20110

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Statement by Bishop Leo O'Reilly regarding Direction for Our Times

Direction for Our Times


Statement by Bishop Leo O'Reilly
regarding Direction for Our Times

September 2, 2011

To Whom It May Concern:

I offer an update on the present status of Anne, a lay apostle and Direction for Our Times.

I initially granted permission for the distribution of the messages and written materials of Anne. This position remains unchanged. The writings and materials may continue to be distributed. As pointed out in my letter on the DFOT website, the permission to distribute the messages does not imply a final judgment on whether they are authentic private revelation. A final judgment on that question must await the outcome of an official Church inquiry into these matters.

Following Church protocol, I set up a diocesan commission over a year ago to inquire into the writings of Anne and to evaluate her reports of receiving messages from heaven. That work of evaluation is continuing and the outcome of it will be made public in due course.

I hope this statement is helpful in the clarification of these matters.

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Leo O'Reilly

Bishop of Kilmore

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A Reflection on Our Lady's Medjugorje Message, given on September 2, 2011 through Mirjana Soldo:


Our Lady's Medjugorje Message, given on September 2, 2011 through Mirjana Soldo:


Our Lady's Message, given on September 2, 2011 through Mirjana Soldo:

"Dear children; with all my heart and soul full of faith and love in the Heavenly Father, I gave my Son to you and am giving Him to you anew. My Son has brought you, the people of the entire world, to know the only true God and His love. He has led you on the way of truth and made you brothers. Therefore, my children, do not wander, do not close your heart before that truth, hope and love.

Everything around you is passing and everything is falling apart, only the glory of God remains. Therefore, renounce everything that distances you from the Lord. Adore Him alone, because He is the only true God. I am with you and I will remain with you. I am especially praying for the shepherds that they may be worthy representatives of my Son and may lead you with love on the way of truth. Thank you."

A REFLECTION:
In recent years, Mirjana has stayed almost completely away from discussing her secrets, as do the other visionaries. In fact, she has stated that a supernatural "block" about them has allowed her to go about life without thinking or even readily recalling most of them. She brushes aside questions about them.

But back in 1985 – when the alleged revelations were fresh – she said about the first secret, “To the people of this world who pray it will be a gift.” Other parts of the interview were even more revealing:

Father Ljubicic: How would you assess the current situation around the world? How would you personally view all these things?

Mirjana: There never was an age such as this one; never before was God honored and respected less than now, never before have so few prayed to Him; everything seems to be more important than God. This is the reason why she cries so much. The number of unbelievers is becoming greater and greater. As they endeavor for a better life, to such people, God Himself is superfluous and dispensable. This is why I feel deeply sorry for them and for the world. They have no idea what awaits them. If they could only take a tiny peek at these secrets, they would convert in time. Certainly, God always forgives all those who genuinely convert.


Posted by Ed Sousa, Sr. http://ingodscompany2.blogspot.com/


 

Posted via email from deaconjohn's posterous

[Video] Divine Mercy in New Zealand

Our Lady Says of the World, “Everything is Falling Apart”


September 2, 2011 A.D.

Our Lady Queen of Peace of Medjugorje’s 
September 2, 2011 Message
Given to Mirjana on the Day for Non-Believers


With the Big Dipper suspended high in the nighttime sky illuminating the way to the Blue Cross for those preparing to spend a night in prayer waiting for Our Lady’s apparition on September 2nd, the community arrived at 9:00 pm. Already a group of about 60 pilgrims had begun to pray the Rosary which was being led by a priest. He ended the prayers with a Litany to Our Lady. Immediately another group began to pray and the prayer lasted throughout the night. A young mother helped her two young children to reach up to the statue of Our Lady where they placed their petitions and both kissed the statue before they left. Pilgrims were bringing their petitions and a woman carried 5-5litre jugs of water to place behind the Blue Cross so Our Lady would bless it the next morning as She blesses all the religious articles present. During the night, a group of three women knelt before Our Lady’s statue and gently sang a number of hymns to honor Our Lady. They sang with love and reverence. All through the night and into the early morning hours as darkness was lifted, more pilgrims continued to arrive. Small groups were heard throughout the mountain praying the Rosary. It was amazing to see the multitude of people gathered so early in the morning. There were thousands of people perched on the rocks and clogging the pathways to the Blue Cross, which can be reached by a few minutes walk from the street below. A large number of sick children and adults were present. Many of them had been guided to the Blue Cross in wheelchairs or had been bodily carried forward. Also, there were many priests there to be in the presence of Our Lady. When Mirjana arrived, the pace of the prayer picked up and became more intense. The Rosary was being prayed in all languages throughout the mountain, but it was beautiful to hear the Croatian words. Our Lady’s presence could be detected by the way Mirjana slowly lifted her head and began to smile. As usual, Mirjana showed an array of emotions. The crowds were very quiet now and anticipated Our Lady’s words. When the message was read the crowd was silent and you could hear many pilgrims quietly crying. It was another beautiful experience in the presence of the Queen of Heaven. The following is Our Lady’s message:


“Dear children; with all my heart and soul full of faith and love in the Heavenly Father, I gave my Son to you and am giving Him to you anew. My Son has brought you, the people of the entire world, to know the only true God and His love. He has led you on the way of truth and made you brothers and sisters. Therefore, my children, do not wander, do not close your heart before that truth, hope and love. Everything around you is passing and everything is falling apart, only the glory of God remains. Therefore, renounce everything that distances you from the Lord. Adore Him alone, because He is the only true God. I am with you and I will remain with you. I am especially praying for the shepherds that they may be worthy representatives of my Son and may lead you with love on the way of truth. Thank you.”

 

Our Lady Says of the World, “Everything is Falling Apart”

A Friend of Medjugorje
 

“…I gave my Son to you and am giving Him to you anew…My Son has brought you…” What happened 2,000 years ago is happening now in our time, in the same fullness. If we ever wanted to, live in Jesus’ time, or yearned to be the “lucky” blessed people to live in His day, we should recognize that we are the “lucky” blessed people to live in this Jesus’ day, in this Her time. Jesus, to have our souls, is purchasing with grace such an amount of mercy for everyone walking the earth that the amount of mercy paid to get even one soul is not just for what sins have been continually committed by us individually. It is why the devil screams out against Jesus in Justice that “many are his” and Jesus is changing the rules in this time of Divine Mercy by raising the amount of Mercy to such a level for the purchasing of souls that satan rightfully claims his own. satan argues, “Look what evil this soul has done. In justice, he is mine. You must reject this soul and give him to me.” But Jesus responds, “Yes, you who speak not truth says what is true. Many souls are rightfully and in justice, yours, but my Divine Mercy in this age is bigger than in justice what you claim.”


Even though all of man is bought by Jesus across the entire world, man is to decide if he will glorify God or glorify the world—the world of which its entire culture is crumbling and falling apart. Many idols exist today. One can be assured the fondling of the cell phone, the preoccupation of it by so many, especially the youth today, the way it is handled, that more adulation is given to it than what was given to the little god images that were forged 2000 years ago by pagans. What of TV causing the falling apart of morality in our culture? Consider how much has TV caused the culture’s downfall. Our Lady said today, 
 

“…Renounce everything that distances you from the Lord...” 
 

Our Lady said on February 13, 1986:

“…Turn off the television and renounce various things that are of no value…”
 

Many spend their evenings with the box in adulation of this “thing”, spending much more time with that than with Jesus. “Adore Him alone,” Our Lady said. If a man from 500 years ago was placed into our time and stood on a street or in a mall, watching people go by, in less than 5 minutes he would begin to wonder why all these people were looking at this contraption and holding it as if it was the most important thing in their lives. After only an hour this man, from centuries past, would be convinced that this hold on people is god-like and that they certainly had made it their god. He would observe that the people sit down to eat together all the while handling it as if it’s the most beloved thing…they do not talk with each other while together as all their attention is on the thing held in their hand…they look at it as if adoring it, giving it inordinate attention.


Man’s heart is so permeated with electronics and modernism that Our Lady has already told us that this is the devil’s diversion.

May 25, 2010

“…satan, too, does not sleep and through modernism diverts you and leads you to his way…”
 

“But I need it for my work, I need it for keeping in contact with my friends, my parents,” etc. That is the case only because we’ve allowed ourselves to place it as a cornerstone of our entire culture; a culture that is crumbling and will continue to do so as it is already now in the midst of falling apart. One could argue, “But without the little gods who help us, to whom we have given our hearts and lives to, what will we do if we need to contact someone, buy something, have an emergency?” You will do everything the way man did it in the past, who has survived for thousands of years. You can start a new way from everything now that is used inordinately, distancing you from God or you can stay welded to it and “fall apart” when it does. Some have not believed these writings that for years have forecasted that life as we know it is going to crash down an fall apart. Do you now not believe Our Lady’s words when She tells you“…’everything’ is falling apart…” Do you reject Her own words? Are you not ready, not ready, to begin now while you can and begin a new way of life? Are you not ready to have one devotion only? That devotion is where you will put all your attention and adulation upon “…Him alone…,” as Our Lady says, “…on His way of truth…,”pointed out by Our Lady. Why does Our Lady even have to say to us “…He is the only true God…” unless this says to us that we have false gods, far more false gods than ancient pagans. Many are blinded to this through rationalization and false justification. 


And what of our shepherds that Our Lady keeps so positively referring to them nearly every month, as this month?


“…that they may be worthy representatives of my Son…” This means there is a great void. Does this mean there are a lot of unworthy representatives? Our Lady is here to clean up everything from the pulpits, down and to those who may not be in the pulpits yet lead people spiritually as Her representatives of Her Son. No one in God’s work is off the hook, most especially Her priests. Her standard and expectation is much higher than the level of the position held at present. Few people today are willing to admit that many, very many are dissatisfied with the food the shepherds are feeding the people. Our Lady is saying this in an incredible way, a positive way, but in a clear way for the discerning heart who is looking at our present situation in the Church. One who is praying knows it to be as Our Lady informs us by conveying, “I’m handling this situation, my children.” “…I am praying especially for the shepherds that they may be worthy representatives of my Son and may lead you with love on the way of truth…” The words, “…that they may be…” is a standard and goal She lays before the shepherds. Our Lady said on February 6, 1986:

“…You shall be answerable to me and my Son…”


We have today a great void of truth today from the pulpits to the streets. Dulled into nonsense by the electronic gods and modernism of our day we no longer live truth nor know truth. The tolerance of sin has amassed to a point that God must act. He has always acted throughout history and, therefore, will act. The world has a judgment against it. When the level of sin reaches the point of acceptance of unnatural sin, that the church denounces with weakness while at the same time tolerates it, God will no longer tolerate it. There is a point when God intervenes. We are there. It is written about in Romans chapter 1, verses 18-32. It is the point of no return for man, but in which God Himself returns to correct man. We are in a time of visitation, a glorious time for those who change their lives, for those who reject and detach themselves from the culture and from those who began a new culture based with the instruction of Our Lady’s messages. All else will fail, all else will crumble, everything, every single thing. “Everything around you is passing and everything is falling apart.” Do you get that? Get what? That Our Lady did not say your life is passing, as we have been told by Her before. Rather Our Lady says something extremely clear. “…Everything around you is passing…”Things, culture, money, life as modern man now knows it has a mandated judgment against it by God. Yes, “Everything,” Our Lady says. Yes, “around you.” What is everything around you? Come to reality, confess up to where we are today. It’s not going to be the way you have known and lived your life. Change now or fall apart with it. The hope we have in these perilous times is Our Lady’s love and truth. This is our protection. It is the blood on our door posts. At the Passover, when “everything around you is passing”—hope, love, and take steps spiritually and physically in and through truth. Our Lady is not coming to restore the culture. Our Lady is coming to create a new way to live as She tells us:

“…I gave my Son to you and am giving Him to you anew…”


Two and a half years of the Radio Wave show, Mejanomics, covers everything in this message. Many questions are answered specifically about everything is passing. A wealth of information is given concerning all Our Lady’s message and what to do. This September 2, 2011 message is a summary of 2 ½ years of these Radio shows. Answering questions such as:

• What do I need to do immediately?
• How do I go about it?
• What do I do in regards to when the culture falls apart as Our Lady said, “Everything is falling apart?”
• What should my long range plans be?
• If it’s not only spiritual preparation, what do I need to change physically?
• What about our loved ones? 
• With my circumstances, it is impossible to change things physically, or can I really do so?

One should listen to every previous Mejanomics show over the next few weeks. Because these 30-45 minute Mejanomic shows reference events happening in the days of their airing, it is recommended to listen to the most recent shows broadcasted going backward each show to the original show. All these radio programs were given in preparation for a message like we received today, September 2, 2011.


In the Love of Our Lady, Our Hope and Our Future,

A Friend of Medjugorje


P.S. You must learn many things as soon as possible. You must prayerfully study many of the writings Caritas has published for you, based on Our Lady's Medjugorje messages.Thirty Years of Apparitions is the most recent and speaks clearly why everything is falling apart.

As Our Lady's Medjugorje messages are getting more serious, many more are tuning intoRadio WAVE to learn how to respond. Don't forget Radio WAVE tonight, 7:00 PM Central Time USA, with a Friend of Medjugorje discussing this message of Our Lady. Click to visit this page to listen live or for your local time.

 


Pictures from September 2, 2011 Apparition
 


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On this early September 2, 2011 morning, pilgrims have been up before the rising of the sun, praying rosary after rosary and singing songs of praise and thanksgiving to Our Lady and Her Son. All of these pilgrims have come to be with Our Lady. Some come propelled by their love for Her and their desire to be closer to Her. Others come looking for proof in the supernatural. Some come asking for physical or spiritual healing. All of mankind is represented in this gathering, every day, every month, year after year. Our Lady is here today, to bring “the people of the entire world, to know the only true God and His love.” She is here today for the salvation of the whole world.

June 25, 2007

“…God desires to convert the entire world and to call it to salvation and to the way towards Himself, who is the beginning and the end of every being…”


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In Medjugorje, it is typical to find the desire of people’s hearts is so strong to be with Our Lady that they will do anything to be near to Her in an apparition, even if it means having to be carried up the uneven, rocky path where Our Lady will appear. This man struggles to walk, with two pilgrims helping him, to his wheelchair that has been placed near the Blue Cross, close to where Mirjana will kneel.


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With great joy apparent on her face, Mirjana receives Our Lady today, September 2, 2011, on the day for prayer for nonbelievers, at the Blue Cross on Apparition Mountain in Medjugorje.


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Mirjana, with outstretched arms towards Our Lady, shows sadness and concern on her face in regards to what Our Lady is saying to her in today’s message of September 2, 2011. A Friend of Medjugorje, in his writing, “Who’s Driving?”, written in 2002, helps to explain where man stands with God today—confirmed by Our Lady’s words today.

“Scanning history no matter what age you live in, one finds human nature is the same. It is inclined toward the conveniencing of self. We need help and so we pray for God’s blessing. When we receive it, human nature, after initially being grateful, grows numb to the blessing, and ingratitude results. The loss of gratefulness leads to sin. The fruit of sin leads to suffering. Suffering leads to needing God’s help, and then the cycle is repeated.

“The Israelites show the cycle of the three “S’s”: sin, suffering, salvation! The Israelites, suffering in Egypt, cried out to God and gained salvation from slavery only to return to sin and then suffered again. This cycle has repeated itself throughout history, through Judaism into Christianity, to our present day.

There is little doubt what part of the cycle we are in today. Because of the acceptance of sin by not only our culture, but also the membership of the Church, after having so many blessings from God over the past centuries, we are looking towards a future of suffering. But our suffering will lead the world back to God, because as Our Lady said today while everything is passing and is falling apart, “…the glory of God remains…”


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The eye of Mirjana reflects back the image of the Blue Cross as She peers not at the Cross, but at Our Lady. It is an incredible mystery that somewhere between Mirjana’s eyes and the Cross, Our Lady is there standing, speaking, blessing. Scientists have declared that the apparitions the Medjugorje visionaries see are unequivocally proven to be supernatural. One of three major experiments, tested and re-tested, on the visionaries was measuring the visionaries’ eye movements when the apparition began. The most remarkable results took place in the early days when the visionaries were young and altogether in the apparitions. What the scientists discovered was that the visionaries reacted instantaneously at the exact moment the apparition began, their eyes directed to an exact central point in space. This is something that is impossible to rehearse, something that cannot be preplanned in timing together. Even if they signaled each other, humanly, two people could not synchronize the exact timing on a central point, much less six people. For more information see Scientific Studies.


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“My son, to my wisdom be attentive, to my knowledge incline your ear…O children, listen to me, go not astray from the words of my mouth…keep my words, and treasure my commands. Keep my commands and live my teaching as the apple of your eye; Bind them on your fingers, write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to Wisdom, “You are my sister! Call Understanding, “Friend!” Proverbs 5:1,7; 7:1-4


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The very last moments of Our Lady’s apparition to Mirjana today, September 2, 2011.


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Mirjana closes her eyes just after Our Lady leaves her sight, savoring in her mind’s eye and heart the beauty and words of Our Lady.

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The fresh message given by Our Lady this morning in Medjugorje, September 2, 2011, after it is transcribed on paper, is read to the large crowd still gathered at the Blue Cross. It is always amazing, the minutes in between the end of the apparition and before the message is read, the silence that pervades the mountain. A deep peace is felt and it lingers in the souls just kissed by Our Lady’s presence.


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Mirjana, just behind the man in the yellow shirt in the middle of the picture, turns to leave while the crowds press all around her. It is unsettling, even can be fearful, to the visionaries when surrounded by thousands of pilgrims who want to touch them, kiss them, pull them towards themselves to whisper their private intentions, take pictures with them, etc. Not all pilgrims are well-intended. Some may even be possessed or mentally unstable—and the visionaries can feel very vulnerable to attack when in such a situation, which has happened on occasion. They, however, are obedient to Our Lady’s desire who wants to be with Her children, gathered in faith before Her.


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At the foot of the Blue Cross, where Our Lady appears to Mirjana every second of the month, many people place their rosaries and petitions amongst the flowers to be blessed in Our Lady’s presence—right where She stands on Her cloud. As the crowds depart, they make their way to the statue to hopefully retrieve their own rosary in the midst of so many piled one upon the other—priceless relics to them after Our Lady’s blessing upon them.


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It is always the same scene coming down the mountain every second of the month, but always different people. But it takes more than just being in the presence of Our Lady to be recognized by Her as Her children. As Our Lady told Marija on August 25, 2011, “…Many have responded, but there is an enormous number of those who do not want to hear or accept my call…” Will those gathered on the mountain today do what Our Lady said to do in Her message this morning, “…renounce everything that distances you from the Lord…”? Our Lady does not call people to Medjugorje or to Her movement for a “feel good” experience. Her call is for radical change and conversion of life. It is a call to apostleship.



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Mary TV Daily Reflection 9/2/2011

Ivanapparition6/26/11

Ivan's apparition on June 26, 2011  

(c)Mary TV 2011 

 

 

 

 

 

September 2, 2011

 

Dear Family of Mary!

 

"Dear children! Today I call you to pray and fast for my intentions, because Satan wants to destroy my plan. Here I began with this parish and invited the entire world. Many have responded, but there is an enormous number of those who do not want to hear or accept my call. Therefore, you who have said 'yes', be strong and resolute. Thank you for having responded to my call." 

(August 25, 2011)

 

Ivan spoke for a long time that day in his chapel. You could tell he was very moved on that special day, the 30th anniversary of the first day he saw Our Lady. Here is part 3 of his talk on June 24, 2011:

 

Another thing: Our Lady comes here because she wants the best for us.  She wants to encourage us.  She wants to comfort us.  She knows that we are tired of this world.  She knows that this world offers us too much.  She wants to offer her own motherly hands to lift us up.  She comes to us bringing us divine medication.  And the medicine is actually the message, the message through which Our Lady has been leading us.  And there will never be any lack of that medication in Our Lady's hands. [She is] like all of you mothers in the way that you treat your children... I believe that you are always so patient; you always have your own medicine that you can give to your children, and that you give that certain medicine to your children, to your family. But what happens when there is no IV for yourself?  It is a problem, because parents should be models for their children.

 

During all these years Our Lady has healed our wounds, puts the bandages on our wounds, with so much love, so much patience.  But when she wants to heal our wounds and put the bandage on them, we have to press it a little bit, to make it stick.  It's kind of like the Band Aid that could peel off if you don't press on it...  

 

Everything that Our Lady has done during all these years is with enormous love.  For example, every evening during the apparition when the pilgrims are present here, if you could just get an idea of what she looks like at the moment when she  looks at us - from left to right and from right to the left.  It's such a beautiful smile, which is the smile of love!  Something that cannot be described!  She knows exactly what is in our heart.   Sometimes when I recommend pilgrims to Our Lady (tonight I'm going to recommend all of you) I start saying one intention...then Our Lady interrupts me and she says, "My child I know, I know!"  She already knows our hearts. She knows what our hearts want to tell her.  And she intercedes to her Son for us.  She's not the one who heals.  But she intercedes to her Son for us.  He's the one who will heal us.  

 

Our Lady has been coming during all these years, and she says to us, "Dear Children, the world at this moment goes through a huge crisis."  But the greatest one is faith - trust in God.  You see we have gotten distant from God.   We have gotten distant from prayer.  Today's world, today's mankind, today's families, go into the future without God.  

 

We're all aware of the reality of the world we live in.  We're aware of the situation in the family lives that we've talked about - the growth in spirituality, of holiness. Now we have to talk about the crisis - crisis in the family life.  The new society will be based on the family.  Without the healthy family there is no healthy society.  When we talk about the spiritual dimension we have to say that the family is broken.  Connections, relations between parents and children now are broken.  Many of these connections between husbands and wives are broken.  There is no more love.  Love continues more as an artificial subject.   It's not a love of the heart, a love that would be shared in the family, the love that should be lived in the family.  Fidelity in marriage...every second or third marriage is going through divorce.  What is going on, what is happening to children out of these marriages.  Children are going through all kinds of troubles. They make their own way.  The society seduces children.  They don't feel any warmth from their own parents.  They don't get any support from the family.  So where does it bring the children?  It brings them to drug addiction, alcohol addiction, and all these problems we know of today.  You see how important it is to live holiness in the family. 

 

Should I talk about morals?  We can say today the world has a moral revolution, in the media, through the internet, in many different ways, they create idols, and these new moral idols take young people away from God.    For example - heavy metal music.  This is also something very dangerous for the young people.... it is brain washing....  

 

Mother calls us, "Dear children, bring the prayer back into your families.  May each one of your families become a little chapel, a little church where prayer will be said."  Our family is really to become a little church where prayer may be said.  Our Lady says, "There is no living church without the living church in the family."   How will the church be a living church if the family is not living?  It cannot exist together.  This is the reason why Our Lady keeps telling us how important prayer is.  Our Lady wants to start a new evangelization in the family.  And I believe it will reach to the evangelization of the world.    And I believe this process of evangelization is supporting this world.  There are many huge steps made but we have to be persistent and to keep working in the same direction. (Ivan Dragicevic, in his chapel on June 24, 2011)

 

Well, Ivan covered many things in this section of his talk. My favorite is the description of how very much Our Lady loves us and how she looks at us when she comes to Ivan for the apparition. We have no idea how her love is sustaining us! She is covering us with her intercession constantly. If she didn't, we would be so vulnerable. How blessed we are to have such a mother. The crisis that Ivan described in the world and in the world's families is serious indeed. But we have the Mother with us to heal us. Let us never lose hope.

Thank you Mother Mary, for loving us so much!   

In Jesus and Mary!

Cathy Nolan

© Mary TV 2011

 


 

 

PS. You can watch the video of this talk on our web page:

http://www.marytv.tv/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=310&Itemid=40

 Click the title "Ivan reflects on 30 years of apparitions - June 24, 2011"

www.marytv.tv 
 

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God Loved Us First [Video]

VIS: SHARED CHALLENGES FOR CATHOLICS AND ORTHODOX

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Cardkurt

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SHARED CHALLENGES FOR CATHOLICS AND ORTHODOX

 

VATICAN CITY, 2 SEP 2011 (VIS) - Benedict XVI has written a message to Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, for the twelfth Inter-Christian Symposium, which is being held in the Greek city of Thessaloniki from 30 August to 2 September on the theme: "The witness of the Church in the modern world". The event has been promoted by the Franciscan Institute of Spirituality at the "Antonianum" Pontifical Athenaeum in Rome and by the Orthodox Theological Faculty at the Aristotle University in Thessaloniki.

 

  Commenting on the choice of theme, the Pope writes: "Over the course of the centuries the Church has never ceased to proclaim the salvific mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Yet today that announcement needs to be renewed in many of the regions which first accepted it, and which are currently experiencing the effects of a secularisation capable of impoverishing the most profound aspects of man".

 

  The Holy Father goes on: "In the modern world we are witnessing two contradictory phenomena. On the one hand there is a widespread disinterest, even a lack of sensibility, towards transcendence while, on the other, many signs suggest that a profound nostalgia for God persists in the hearts of many, expressing itself in various ways".

 

  The current cultural, social and economic environment "presents the same challenges to both Catholics and Orthodox. The ideas that emerge from this symposium will, then, have an important ecumenical impact. ... Reciprocal understanding of one another's traditions and sincere friendship are, in themselves, a contribution to the cause of Christian unity".

 

  Finally Benedict XVI, recalling how the city of Thessaloniki is indissolubly associated with the preaching of the Apostle of the Gentiles, expresses the hope that the evangelisers of the modern world will be moved by the same apostolic zeal as St. Paul.

MESS/                                                                      VIS 20110902 (320)

 

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Thursday, September 01, 2011

Since We Suffer Anyway…

"Cross and Crown", a print of an ang...

"Cross and Crown", a print of an angel handing people crosses to carry. Image via Wikipedia

 


Since We Suffer Anyway…

Posted: 31 Aug 2011 07:30 PM PDT

Why Not Suffer For The Sake Of Our Eternal Salvation?

My Dear People,

Redemptive suffering is not an easy topic of discussion. We spend a good deal of our time avoiding pain. Television commercials abound with drug commercials promising less pain. So why did Jesus rebuke St. Peter when he told Jesus that He need not suffer? “You are an obstacle to me. You are not thinking like God but as man.” Then Jesus proceeds to tell them that they must each take up their crosses daily and follow Him. So why all the emphasis on suffering? Life is a struggle from birth to the grave. It is laced with one trial after another. Since we must suffer anyway, why not for th

Church of Notre-Dame-des-Champs, Avranches, Ma...

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e sake of our eternal salvation?

That is why Jesus says we must daily embrace our crosses. SO, how does this happen? When we take our trials big and small, and place them at the foot of the Holy Cross, Jesus elevates them to His Sacred Heart. This perfects our sufferings through His ultimate sacrifice upon the Cross. Then, these graces are returned to us so that we might benefit from them. They are also stored for us in Heaven. It is like a double coupon day; we gain graces on earth, and in Heaven. What have we got to lose? We have everything to gain through Christ Jesus Our Lord.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,

Fr. Mark Bozada

May we always be willing to take up our cross each day and unite it to the cross of Christ Jesus.

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EWTN's New Season Begins September 1

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By Michelle Laque Johnson

Do you secretly wish you could meet a saint– or perhaps someone who may well be on their way to sainthood? Then tune into EWTN Global Catholic Network this September. Here's a sneak peek at September's premieres: (Please see www.ewtn.com for more information.)

• Saints Alive! What if 10 of history's greatest saints returned from heaven to be interviewed and questioned about some of the most important issues of our time? That's the premise of this show. You'll be captivated by their holy wit and wisdom! Airs 10:30 a.m. ET, Sundays; 6 p.m. ET, Mondays; 4 a.m. ET, Tuesdays; 10 p.m. ET, Wednesdays; and 4:30 p.m. ET, Saturdays.

• Catholic Lives Ireland: The all-star line-up includes Irish luminaries – and saints in the making -- from all walks of life. There's Richard Moore, founder of "Children in the Crossfire," who struggled to forgive after being blinded as a child by a British soldier's plastic bullet during Northern Ireland's infamous "troubles." There's Sister Miriam Duggan, a gynecologist whose chastity program transformed Uganda into Africa's success story in the fight against HIV/Aids. There's Mickey Harte, three-time winner of Ireland's prestigious "Sam Maguire Cup" and manager of the renowned County Tyrone Gaelic Football Team. And that's not even the half of it! This must-see series airs at 5:30 p.m. ET, Mondays and 4 a.m. ET, Thursdays.

• Saints of China: Martyrs of the Middle Kingdom: How do you grow a Church when the government wants to control it? This series, hosted by Anthony Clark, assistant professor of East Asian history at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, examines the history of the Catholic Church in China, from the Jesuit missions to the massive growth of Catholic missions before the Communist government came to power in 1949. Learn about the lives of Chinese martyrs, and the state of the Catholic Church in China under the Communist government. Airs 11 p.m. ET, Sundays; and 2:30 a.m. ET, Fridays.

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• Mary, Mother of the Philippines: Some believe that no country outside of Italy has more beautiful churches and shrines dedicated to Our Lady than the Philippines. Are they right? Join Fr. Melvin Castro's tour of these holy sites at 2:30 a.m. ET and 1:30 p.m. ET, Thursdays.

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• Crash Course in the Saints: EWTN favorites, Fr. John Trigilio and Fr. Ken Brighenti, explore the lives of the lives of the saints in this new series. Airs 5:30 p.m. ET, Sundays; and 5:30 a.m. ET and 10:30 p.m. ET, Wednesdays.
• Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teaching of St. Ignatius of Loyola: This saint's spiritual exercises are one of the most famous methods of discerning God's call – whether you are a religious or laity. If you've always wanted to learn more, but haven't had the time, this is the series for you. Airs 8 p.m. ET, Sundays; 1 p.m. ET, Mondays; and 5 a.m. ET, Fridays.

• The Heavens Proclaim the Glory of God: Fr. Robert Spitzer examines the physical evidence – and metaphysical premises for – the existence of God. Airs 3:30 a.m. ET, Mondays; and 5:30 p.m. ET, Fridays.
We also have all new episodes of returning favorites, "Truth in the Heart" and "Defending Life."

We hope you love all of our new shows!

God bless Family!

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Death Threat Letter Sent to Vatican:

Vatican probes mystery death threat letter

The Vatican has begun an inquiry into a mysterious letter containing a historically-inspired death threat against Pope Benedict XVI's closest aide, an Italian news weekly reported.

Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone in dress for hot tro...

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The letter to Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone -- a powerful but contested figure in the Vatican -- evokes a famous dispute between Giovanni Bosco, the founder of the Salesian order, and the Italian royal family, Panorama reported.

 

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CRISES IN IRELAND AND U.S. DOVETAIL WITH CONTROVERSIES OVER APPARITION

From http://www.spiritdaily.com/medjfalsememory.htm

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It is ironic that areas of the Church often opposed to the apparitions in Bosnia-Hercegovina at Medjugorje are now being helped in large measure -- in some ways, nearly rescued -- by powerful, widely publicized visits by seers to those dioceses and countries, bolstering the faith of many who otherwise may have threatened -- over abuse crises -- to leave the Church.

It is also ironic that dioceses presiding over empty convents, seminaries, and pews oppose an apparition that has been credited by bishops and cardinals with generating more vocations than any other situation in decades. At the church in Medjugorje itself, the pews overflow during five daily Masses: in June, 5,136 priests concelebrated on the altar there (171 a day) and handed out 225,000 Hosts. Meanwhile, tens of thousands attended a youth day there recently and the sixteenth international seminar for priests gathered 305 priests, deacons, and seminarians from 24 countries.

Were it not for Medjugorje -- which has been drawing large numbers of Irish, and has sent a major seer to appear on national television -- Ireland would be in even greater risk of losing its Catholicism. Another seer has been specifically ministering in the U.S. (especially in the Boston area; the mystical and ethnic link between Ireland and Boston is intriguing; two Catholic powerhouses; two places of crisis).
Read more by clicking the link above.

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Monthly message from Anne, a lay apostle

Direction for Our Times

 September 1, 2011 Monthly Message

On the first of every month, our Lord gives Anne a new message about His call to service.

September 1, 2011 

Dear apostles, it is with joy that I speak with you today. When I contemplate your fidelity to My plan for mercy, I feel joy. When I contemplate your fidelity to holiness, I feel joy. Do not pause in your commitment to becoming holier. This calm movement into the Spirit of gentleness and kindness should help you to view others with compassion, yes, but also yourself. Do you view yourself with compassion? Do you offer kindness and mercy toward yourself when you contemplate your condition? My friends, My dearest friends, be careful to view yourself as I view you. Be careful not to view yourself in harsh light that seeks to condemn. If you are tempted against mercy for yourself, then truly, you are tempted against truth. Because it is only with mercy and love that I greet your present condition and your attempts to advance in holiness. I am love. I could hardly ask you to love others and then withhold love from you. That would be a flawed plan, destined to fail. My plan is perfect. I give you a receptive heart, you receive My love in abundance, and then stand for Heaven to be a well on earth which both stores and distributes love. Beloved apostle, search your heart today. If you do not find mercy and compassion for yourself in your heart, come to Me at once and ask Me to give these things to you. My plan for you and for the world will not advance as quickly as necessary if you do not accept your present condition and understand My perfect love for you. Your potential for holiness has not yet been fully achieved, of course, and I want you to advance. And I ask that you do so in confidence, joy and hope. Rejoice. I am with you.



Direction For Our Times relies on donations to supplement the cost of publishing the messages. Currently, only 40% of the publishing cost is covered by the sale of the books. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.
 
Direction for Our Times (DFOT) is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to spreading God's messages as revealed in the Volumes.
 
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Mary TV Daily Reflection 9/1/2011


ivan in his chapel sharing 

(c)Mary TV 2011 

 

 

 

 

 

September 1, 2011

 

Dear Family of Mary!

 

"Dear children! Today I call you to pray and fast for my intentions, because Satan wants to destroy my plan. Here I began with this parish and invited the entire world. Many have responded, but there is an enormous number of those who do not want to hear or accept my call. Therefore, you who have said 'yes', be strong and resolute. Thank you for having responded to my call." 

(August 25, 2011)

 

Ivan continues speaking about Our Lady, her messages, and the times we live in, in his talk on June 24, 2011:


Our Lady talks so much about peace.  She talks about prayer.  I would say that these two messages are probably the messages that are being repeated more than any other messages during these years of apparitions.    Why are these two messages so important so that Our Lady keeps calling us to live them?   These two messages, prayer and peace, are the foundation on which we have to place the other messages - all her messages depend on these two messages.  

 

For example, the message of conversion: our conversion should start in our heart...  In our heart... So how could it happen that we don't have that peace in our heart?  How can it happen if we don't pray?  [If we don't pray] we won't be able to recognize the things that are not good.  We won't be able to recognize what the sin is.  We won't be able to be open to the Holy Spirit. Indeed conversion is very important to each one of us.  But conversion is a process.  It is a program for our life, and we have to make a decision for it, we have to be persistent.  We have to change ourselves every day.  To leave sin and evil behind us every day.   And to be open on this path. 

 

It doesn't mean that I am converted overnight just because I have seen Our Lady. No.  My conversion is going on every day.  And I still want to improve some things every day.   Once time there was a pilgrim who asked me, "Ivan, what about your life, how did it change?"  You see, I experience all kinds of changes in my life.... It is also a change for me as father to change the diapers of my youngest son!  This is the way you change, it is the kind of scenary that you have in front of you -direction in which you know something has to be corrected.   And you see in these little things we can recognize huge things.  

 

And peace!  We can say that this world really doesn't have any peace.   Why is it like that, that the world doesn't have any peace?   Because there is no peace in the human heart.  Everything comes from the human heart.  All the problems that are happening in the family, in society, talking about divorces, talking about all evil things in the family, but also  we go for other considerations in the world, talking about wars.   Because the human heart is not at peace within itself.  The heart is not reconciled with God.  And this is so important. And this is the reason why Our Lady keeps calling us to place God in the first place, to walk together with Him to the better future.  And then everything else will be added to it.  And then everything else will work smoothly the way we want.  

 

But of course the cross is a part of our life.  We have to embrace our crosses.  We have to carry our crosses.   And some people have to carry very heavy crosses, and the others, those that are not that heavy.   We have to accept the cross as the will of God, so that God may be glorified through us.  It is very important to be ready to accept the cross.  It is probably human that we make those comments when something goes wrong, "God, why did you do it to me?   I did so many good things in your name, on behalf of you.  I went to church, I prayed with my family.  Why me?  Why do I have to carry such a heavy cross?  Why do you allow illness to come to my family?"  But the cross is the gift.  And we have to accept this gift.   I will say again, this gift could be called the will of God.  It is probably through this cross we will be glorified...we will receive much more than without the cross!  

Everything has its meaning and the reason why.  Everything!  We don't see it from this point.   But we have to think that way.  And this is the reason why Our Lady keeps calling us for such a long time.   She asks us to forgive.  Forgiveness is such an important thing in this world.  To forgive yourself first.  Sometimes it is probably the most difficult thing -  to forgive yourself!    How to forgive yourself ?!  If I cannot forgive myself, how could I forgive others?   How could my heart be open - without forgiveness there is no healing, there is no spiritual fruit, no physical healing, and therefore I say again it is so important to forgive.  To have confession.  To have your own confessor.  Not to be afraid to meet the priest in confession.  May your confessor be the priest to whom you could open your heart, sit together and you can talk.  Then you'll feel after the confession how free you are.  You're not going to fly, but you will be free - free from inside.  So once again, forgiveness is very important.  (Ivan Dragicevic, on June 24, 2011, sharing about Our Lady, her messages and their meaning for our times)

 

In Ivan's gentle words we hear the echo of Our Lady's voice. Ivan has conversed with her for so long, that his words have become similar to hers. He speaks from his heart, he speaks with love, and gentleness, and with hope. Peace, prayer, confession, forgiveness, conversion, the cross - these are some of the themes that have been woven into such a beautiful tapestry of holiness in Medjugorje. This is the legacy that will be left for the world even after the apparitions cease. These themes, these messages are a great gift for our age, the key to lasting peace.

 

May we be strong and resolute in our commitment to respond to Our Lady in these days, for the sake of souls!

 

In Jesus and Mary!

Mary_tv_logo

Cathy Nolan

©Mary TV 2011

 

 

PS. You can watch the video of this talk on our web page:

http://www.marytv.tv/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=310&Itemid=40

 Click the title "Ivan reflects on 30 years of apparitions - June 24, 2011"

www.marytv.tv 
 

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Duc In Altum "Put out into the deep"