Message February 25, 2018

Message of the Blessed Virgin Mary

February 25, 2018

"Dear Children!

In this time of grace I am calling all of you to open yourselves and to live the commandments which God has given you, that they may lead you through the Sacraments on the way of conversion. The world and worldly temptations are testing you, but you, little children, look at God's creatures which He has given to you in beauty and humility and, little children, love God above everything and He will lead you on the way of salvation. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Evangelists

As we know, God has not left us as orphans. He has not left us with a goal but no map; God raises voices:  men and women on fire with the love of God and the passionate desire to proclaim the Good News. John Paul II vibrantly preached:  "Let the evangelist present himself as one whose sole 'journey of faith' produces the proclamation of the Gospel, the strengthening of brother, the counsoling of the afflicted, the bearing of witness to God's love, the pointing out to mankind its transcendental destiny. May it allow those who hear to forever remember this experience in their minds, will, and hearts..."   Billy Graham was one of those men. 

'The Healing Power of Affirmation'

by:  Father Ralph A. Diorio, Jr.

"Do not be afraid!  Indeed, open wide the doors to Christ." St. Pope John Paul II

He first met Pope John Paul II in 1981, but he didn't talk about it publicly until 1990, due to suspicions of his ministry by other Protestant communities.

Billy said they chatted like "long lost friends" and exchanged gifts. St. John Paul II had only been Pope for two years at that time. As they parted, they clasped hands and Pope John Paul II, told him, "We are brothers."

Graham had significant contact with Pope John Paul II. Billy happened to be preaching at the Cathedral in Krahow, Poland the very day Cardinal Karol Wojtyla was elected Pope in 1978. In 1991, Graham met again with John Paul II and his Vatican officials to speak about relations between Evangelicals and Catholics around the world.

When St. Pope John Paul II died: On the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday, April 2, 2005, Billy Graham said: "Pope John Paul II was unquestionably the most influential voice for morality and peace in the world during the last one hundred years. His extraordinary gifts, his strong Catholic faith, and his experience of human tyranny and suffering in his native Poland all shaped him."

"In his own way, he saw himself as an Evangelist, traveling far more than any other Pope to rally the faithful and call non-believers to commitment. He was convinced that the complex problems of our world are ultimately moral and spiritual in nature, and only Christ can set us free from the shackles of sin and greed and violence. His courage and perseverance in the face of advancing age and illness were an inspiration to millions -- including me."

"...He believed in the Cross. That was his focus throughout his ministry, the Cross." Billy could not attend Pope John Paul IIs funeral due to ill health, his daugher Anne Lotz went in proxy for him.  Graham's son, Franklin attended the Ordination of Pope Benedict XVI.

Rev. Billy Graham was indeed Interfaith/Ecumencial.  Once asked by a reporter what he would do if invited to preach at St. Peters in Rome? His response was, "I would gladly and humbly accept...and study for about a year in preparing." he quipped.

"...I almost feel as though one of my family members has gone."

"Our last breath on earth is our first breath in heaven."  Billy Graham. 

An Ecumenical Reflection

Billy Graham was one of a very few Christian leaders, along with Bishop Fulton Sheen and Pope John Paul II, who could be said to belong not just to one communion, but to Christians of many stripes--who could speak to Christians past sectarian lines, and to the larger world in some measure on behalf of the Christian world.

Martin Luther King, Jr., Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen and Cardinal Cushing were among his close friends. Cardinal Cushing supported Graham's crusades; Graham later said Cushing's support changed the way he saw Catholics. He met then Father Sheen on a trail in 1944 when the celebrity Priest knocked on the door of his compartment as he was going to sleep, they chatted and prayed together.

Graham's goal was not to convert people, or get them to leave their own church. His goal was to introduce non-believers to Jesus Christ. Bishop Sheen would close all his talks with the thought, "God Love You". Rev. Graham with: "Jesus Loves You".

Martin Luther King, Jr. once attested:  'Had it not been for the ministry of my good friend Dr. Billy Graham, my work in the Civil Rights Movement would not have been as successful as it has been".  Graham was as fallible as us all, but the world is a much better place because of his life and work. Excerpts of article from EWTN'S National Catholic Register by Stephen D. Greydanus 

Blessed Bishop Fulton J. Sheen

"Protestants, Jews and Catholics have God, morality, and religion in common. In the name of God, let us -- Jews, Protestants, and Catholic -- do two things:  1.  Realize that an attack upon one is an attack upon all, since we are all one in God; it is not tolerance we need, but charity; not forbearance but love.  2. Begin doing something about religion, and the least we can do is say our prayers; and to become illumined in the fullness of His truth. There is entirely to much talk about religion and not enough action." 

'ONE NATION UNDER GOD'!

A Prayer Attributed to the Rev. Billy Graham

"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance.  We know 'Your Word' says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.  We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it 'building self esteem'. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Amen! 

Latest Medjugorje Message, March 2, 2018

Apparitions to Mirjana

"Dear Children, great are the works that the heavenly Father has done in me, as he does in all those who love Him tenderly and who faithfully and devoutly serve Him. My children, the Heavenly Father loves you, and it is through His love that I am here with you.  He is speaking to you. Why do you not desire to see the signs?  Everything is easier alongside Him.

 So, pain lived with Him is easier because faith exists. Faith helps in the pain, and pain without faith leads to despair. Pain lived and offered to God raises up. Did my Son not redeem the world through His painful sacrifice? As His mother, I was with Him in the pain and suffering, as I am with all of you. My children, I am with you in life, in sufferings, and in pain, in joy and in love.

Therefore, have hope. It is hope that makes you comprehend that life is there.  My children, I am speaking to you, my voice is speaking to your soul, my heart is speaking to your heart.

Ah, apostles of my love, how much my motherly heart loves you. How many times I desire to teach you. How my motherly heart desires that you be complete, and you can be complete only when your soul, body and love are united within you.

I implore you as my children, pray much for the Church and her servants -- your shepherds; that the Church may be such as my Son desires -- clear as spring water and full of love. "Thank you" 

Irish Blessings

"May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light,

May good luck pursue you each morning and night.

May your troubles be less and your blessings be more

and nothing but happiness come through your door."

"Baloney is flattery laid on so thick it cannot be true, and 'Blarney' is flattery so thin we love it.."

"God Love You" Bishop Fulton J. Sheen

Fr. Bill Kiel, who celebrates Masses for Healing throughout the Eastern US will be spiritual director for a pilgrimage to Medjugorje. A place for healing both physically and spiritual--June 10-19. Contact Dennis Todaro for information at: Ph# 1-724-837-7435 

"A successful man is one who can lay a foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him."  Newscaster, David Brinkley

Note: Pres. Donald J. Trump would fit that description. Also, 'Give 'em Hell' Harry S. Truman.

Our Lady's Monthly Message is available by phone 24/7: 1-814-787-5683(LOVE). Normally on the 26th of each month. Prayer requests can be made at this number. All prayer requests are given to the visionary Vicka to present to Our Lady. Prayer petitions may also be mailed in a sealed envelope to: The Holy Family, Inc. PO Box 442 St. Marys, PA 15857-0442.