--Pope Benedict XVI, May 29, 2011
Bible Eucharist Fasting Prayer Confession
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Pope Benedict XVI invokes Mary to spread joy of Christ
"May Christ's Mother accompany the proclamation of the Gospel always and everywhere, so that the spaces where men rediscover the joy of living as children of God will multiply and spread in the world."
Scientific Evidence of a Eucharistic Miracle--video from Buenos Aires / Milagro Eucaristico Buenos Aires Argentina
"Jesus has made Himself the Bread of Life to give us life. Night and day, He is there. If you really want to grow in love, come back to the Eucharist, come back to that Adoration."
- Mother Teresa
"When you look at the crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Sacred Host, you understand how much Jesus loves you now."
- Mother Teresa of Calcutta
- Mother Teresa
"When you look at the crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Sacred Host, you understand how much Jesus loves you now."
- Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Pope Benedict XVI quote on Mary and Catholic Faith
http://hisnameismercy.blogspot.com/p/quotes-that-make-you-think.html
"... it has always been clear that Catholicity cannot exist without a Marian expression, that to be Catholics means to be Marian, that this means love for the Mother, that in the Mother and by the Mother we find the Lord."
--Pope Benedict XVI, May 30, 2011
Read the full text: http://www.zenit.org/article-32712?l=english
Pope addresses Marian Group of His Youth
http://www.zenit.org/article-32712?l=english
Pope laments Nazi occupation of Europe and talks of Mary's trust and "yes" to God.
The Meaning of a coffin draped with a U.S. Flag
The Meaning of a Flag Draped coffin
Here is how to understand the flag that lay upon the coffin and is surrendered to so many widows and widowers.
Do you know that at military funerals, the 21-gun salute stands for the sum of the numbers in the year 1776?
Have you ever noticed the honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the United States of America Flag 13 times? You probably thought it was to symbolize the original 13 colonies, but we learn something new every day!
The 1st fold of the flag is a symbol of life.
The 2nd fold is a symbol of the belief in eternal life.
The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing the ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of the country to attain peace throughout the world.
The 4th fold represents the weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in time of war for His divine guidance.
The 5th fold is a tribute to the country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our Country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong."
The 6th fold is for where people's hearts lie. It is with their heart that they pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.
The 7th fold is a tribute to its Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that they protect their country and their flag against all her enemies, whether they are found within or without the boundaries of their republic.
The 8th fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day.
The 9th fold is a tribute to womanhood, and Mothers. For it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded.
The 10th fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of their country since they were first born.
The 11th fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies in the Hebrews eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in the Christians eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.
The 13th fold, or when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding them of their nation's motto, "In God We Trust."
After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for them the rights, privileges and freedoms they enjoy today.
There are some traditions and ways of doing things that have deep meaning. In the future, you'll see flags folded and now you will know why.
Share this with the children you love and all others who love what is referred to, the symbol of "Liberty and Freedom."
"MAY GOD PROTECT US ALWAYS, ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL."
An Amazing Testimonial From Joplin, MO, from emergency room doctor on duty during the tornado
My name is Dr. Kevin Kikta, and I was one of two emergency room doctors who were on duty at St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin, MO on Sunday May 22,2011.
You never know that it will be the most important day of your life until the day is over. The day started like any other day for me: waking up, eating, going to the gym, showering, and going to my 4 00pm ER shift. As I drove to the hospital I mentally prepared for my shift as I always do, but nothing could ever have prepared me for what was going to happen on this shift. Things were normal for the first hour and half. At approximately 5:30 pm we received a warning that a tornado had been spotted. . Although I work in Joplin and went to medical school in Oklahoma, I live in New Jersey, and I have never seen or been in a tornado. I learned that a "code gray" was being called. We were to start bringing patients to safer spots within the ED and hospital.
At 5: 42pm a security guard yelled to everyone, "Take cover! We are about to get hit by a tornado!" I ran with a pregnant RN, Shilo Cook, while others scattered to various places, to the only place that I was familiar with in the hospital without windows, a small doctor's office in the ED. Together, Shilo and I tremored and huddled under a desk. We heard a loud horrifying sound like a large locomotive ripping through the hospital. The whole hospital shook and vibrated as we heard glass shattering, light bulbs popping, walls collapsing, people screaming, the ceiling caving in above us, and water pipes breaking, showering water down on everything. We suffered this in complete darkness, unaware of anyone else's status, worried, scared. We could feel a tight pressure in our heads as the tornado annihilated the hospital and the surrounding area. The whole process took about 45 seconds, but seemed like eternity. The hospital had just taken a direct hit from a category EF-4 tornado.
Then it was over. Just 45 seconds. 45 long seconds. We looked at each other, terrified, and thanked God that we were alive. We didn't know, but hoped that it was safe enough to go back out to the ED, find the rest of the staff and patients, and assess our loses.
"Like a bomb went off. " That's the only way that I can describe what we saw next. Patients were coming into the ED in droves. It was absolute, utter chaos. They were limping, bleeding, crying, terrified, with debris and glass sticking out of them, just thankful to be alive. The floor was covered with about 3 inches of water, there was no power, not even backup generators, rendering it completely dark and eerie in the ED. The frightening aroma of methane gas leaking from the broken gas lines permeated the air; we knew, but did not dare mention aloud, what that meant. I redoubled my pace.
We had to use flashlights to direct ourselves to the crying and wounded. Where did all the flashlights come from ? I'll never know, but immediately, and thankfully, my years of training in emergency procedures kicked in. There was no power, but our mental generators, were up and running, and on high test adrenaline. We had no cell phone service in the first hour, so we were not even able to call for help and backup in the ED.
I remember a patient in his early 20's gasping for breath, telling me that he was going to die. After a quick exam, I removed the large shard of glass from his back, made the clinical diagnosis of a pneumothorax (collapsed lung) and gathered supplies from wherever I could locate them to insert a thoracostomy tube in him. He was a trooper; I'll never forget his courage. He allowed me to do this without any local anesthetic since none could be found. With his life threatening injuries I knew he was running out of time, and it had to be done. Quickly. Imagine my relief when I heard a big rush of air, and breath sounds again; fortunately, I was able to get him transported out. I immediately moved on to the next patient, .an asthmatic in status asthmaticus. We didn't even have the option of trying a nebulizer treatment or steroids, but I was able to get him intubated using a flashlight that I held in my mouth. A small child of approximately 3-4 years of age was crying; he had a large avulsion of skin to his neck and spine. The gaping wound revealed his cervical spine and upper thoracic spine bones. I could actually count his vertebrae with my fingers. This was a child, his whole life ahead of him, suffering life threatening wounds in front of me, his eyes pleading me to help him.. We could not find any pediatric C collars in the darkness, and water from the shattered main pipes was once again showering down upon all of us. Fortunately, we were able to get him immobilized with towels, and start an IV with fluids and pain meds before shipping him out. We felt paralyzed and helpless ourselves. I didn't even know a lot of the RN's I was working with. They were from departments scattered all over the hospital. It didn't matter. We worked as a team, determined to save lives. There were no specialists available-- my orthopedist was trapped in the OR. We were it, and we knew we had to get patients out of the hospital as quickly as possible. As we were shuffling them out, the fire department showed up and helped us to evacuate. Together we worked furiously, motivated by the knowledge and fear that the methane leaks could cause the hospital could blow up at any minute. multiple lacerations, and splinted many fractures, including some open with bone exposed, and then intubated another patient with severe COPD, slightly better controlled conditions this time, but still less than optimal.
But we really needed pain meds. I managed to go back to the St John's with another physician, pharmacist, and a sheriff's officer. Luckily, security let us in to a highly guarded pharmacy to bring back a garbage bucket sized supply of pain meds.
Things were no better outside of the ED. I saw a man man crushed under a large SUV, still alive, begging for help; another one was dead, impaled by a street sign through his chest. Wounded people were walking, staggering, all over, dazed and shocked. All around us was chaos, reminding me of scenes in a war movie, or newsreels from bombings in Bagdad. Except this was right in front of me and it had happened in just 45 seconds . My own car was blown away. Gone. Seemingly evaporated. We searched within a half mile radius later that night, but never found the car, only the littered, crumpled remains of former cars. And a John Deere tractor that had blown in from miles away.
Tragedy has a way of revealing human goodness. As I worked , surrounded by devastation and suffering , I realized I was not alone. The people of the community of Joplin were absolutely incredible. Within minutes of the horrific event, local residents showed up in pickups and sport utility vehicles, all offering to help transport the wounded to other facilities, including Freeman, the trauma center literally across the street. Ironically, it had sustained only minimal damage and was functioning (although I'm sure overwhelmed). I carried on, grateful for the help of the community. At one point I had placed a conscious intubated patient in the back of a pickup truck with someone, a layman, for transport. The patient was self- ventilating himself, and I gave instructions to someone with absolutely no medical knowledge on how to bag the patient until they got to Freeman.
Within hours I estimated that over 100 EMS units showed up from various towns, counties and four different states. Considering the circumstances, their response time was miraculous. . Roads were blocked with downed utility lines, smashed up cars in piles, and they still made it through.
We continued to carry patients out of the hospital on anything that we could find: sheets, stretchers, broken doors, mattresses, wheelchairs—anything that could be used as a transport mechanism.
As I finished up what I could do at St John's, I walked with two RN's , Shilo Cook and Julie Vandorn, to a makeshift MASH center that was being set up miles away at Memorial Hall. We walked where flourishing neighborhoods once stood, astonished to see only the disastrous remains of flattened homes, body parts, and dead people everywhere. I saw a small dog just wimpering in circles over his master who was dead, unaware that his master would not ever play with him again. At one point we tended to a young woman who just stood crying over her dead mother who was crushed by her own home. The young woman covered her mother up with a blanket and then asked all of us, "What should I do?" We had no answer for her, but silence and tears.
By this time news crews and photographers were starting to swarm around, and we were able to get a ride to Memorial Hall from another RN. The chaos was slightly more controlled at Memorial Hall. I was relieved to see many of my colleagues, doctors from every specialty, helping out. It was amazing to be able to see life again. It was also amazing to see how fast workers mobilized to set up this MASH unit under the circumstances. Supplies, food, drink, generators, examAt about midnight I walked around the parking lot of St. John's with local law enforcement officers looking for anyone who might be alive or trapped in crushed cars. They spray painted "X"s on the fortunate vehicles that had been searched without finding anyone inside. The unfortunate vehicles wore "X's" and sprayed-on numerals, indicating the number of dead inside, crushed in their cars, cars which now resembled flattened recycled aluminum cans the tornado had crumpled in her iron hands, an EF4 tornado, one of the worst in history, whipping through this quiet town with demonic strength. I continued back to Memorial hall into the early morning hours until my ER colleagues told me it was time for me to go home. I was completely exhausted. I had seen enough of my first tornado.
How can one describe these indescribable scenes of destruction? The next day I saw news coverage of this horrible, deadly tornado. It was excellent coverage, and Mike Bettes from the Weather Channel did a great job, but there is nothing that pictures and video can depict compared to seeing it in person. That video will play forever in my mind.
I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to everyone involved in helping during this nightmarish disaster. My fellow doctors, RN's, techs, and all of the staff from St. John's. I have worked at St John's for approximately 2 years, and I have always been proud to say that I was a physician at St John's in Joplin, MO. The smart, selfless and immediate response of the professionals and the community during this catastrophe proves to me that St John's and the surrounding community are special,. I am beyond proud
To the members of this community, the health care workers from states away, and especially Freeman Medical Center, I commend everyone on unselfishly coming together and giving 110% the way that you all did, even in your own time of need. St John 's Medical Center is gone, but her spirit and goodness lives on in each of you.
EMS, you should be proud of yourselves. You were all excellent, and did a great job despite incredible difficulties and against all odds
For all of the injured who I treated, although I do not remember your names (nor would I expect you to remember mine) I will never forget your faces. I'm glad that I was able to make a difference and help in the best way that I knew how, and hopefully give some of you a chance at rebuilding your lives again. For those whom I was not able to get to or treat, I apologize whole heartedly.
Last, but not least, thank you, and God Bless you, Mercy/St John for providing incredible care in good times and even more so, in times of the unthinkable, and for all the training that enabled us to be a team and treat the people and save lives.
Sincerely,
Kevin J. Kikta, DO
Department of Emergency Medicine
Mercy/St Johns Regional Medical Center, Joplin, MO
Monday, May 30, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
It is the Decision of the Holy Spirit and Us….On the Council of Jerusalem and the Catholicity of the Early Church | Archdiocese of Washington
This is a great read on the authority of the Pope and the Church, as seen in Acts, from the earliest years:
Thursday, May 26, 2011
MI Youth. World Youth Day. Militia Immaculata Teen Retreat
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Shameless Popery: Why Liberal Scholars Are Wrong on John 21 and Luke 5
Peter, the first pope, and a fisher of men, from the bible:
http://catholicdefense.blogspot.com/2011/05/why-liberal-scholars-are-wrong-on-john.html
First Person Video Footage of Joplin Tornado in a Gas Station--During & After
People huddle in a Gas Station during the tornado:
Video of the Gas Station the next day:
Video of the Gas Station the next day:
Mission | OneBillionStories.com — Catholic stories, lectures, music and testimonies
http://onebillionstories.com/our-story/mission/
Very cool website collects and shares faith journey stories and sorts them by category.
Incredible Okla. Tornado Video Catches Telephone Pole Hovering in Mid-Air | The Blaze
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/incredible-okla-tornado-video-catches-telephone-pole-hovering-in-mid-air/
Continue to pray for all victims of these storms.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Archdiocese of St. Louis Eucharistic Congress
http://archstl.org/archstl/post/archbishop-carlson-invites-you-2011
Archbishop Carlson Invites You to the 2011 Eucharistic Congress!
Posted on May 25, 2011 - 11:01am
Don't miss THE event of the summer as the Archdiocese of St. Louis celebrates the source and summit of our Catholic faith at the 2011 Eucharistic Congress. This weekend of fun and faith-filled activities will be held from June 24-26 at the Saint Louis Cathedral Basilica and St. Louis University High School.
Special guests include Archbishop Emeritus of St. Louis, Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke, St. Louis' native son and Archbishop of Omaha, Archbishop George Lucas, Archbishop of St. Louis, Archbishop Robert J. Carlson, and our Archdiocese's newest Auxiliary Bishop, Bishop Edward Rice.
Musical guests, Catholic recording artists, Audrey Assad and the Ike Ndolo Band, will take center stage in the SLU High stadium as Eucharistic Adoration, spiritual talks, exhibits, vendors, family fun, and entertainment take place all over the campus.
The weekend long celebration will culminate in the celebration of the Holy Mass and a Corpus Christi procession at the St. Louis Cathedral Basilica.
We hope EVERYONE from all walks of life and in all corners of the region will feel welcome to come and celebrate the heart of our Catholic faith--the Eucharist--during this very special weekend in June.
Through the life-giving Eucharist, we are, ALIVE IN THE BODY OF CHRIST!
Archbishop Carlson Invites You to the 2011 Eucharistic Congress!
Posted on May 25, 2011 - 11:01am
Don't miss THE event of the summer as the Archdiocese of St. Louis celebrates the source and summit of our Catholic faith at the 2011 Eucharistic Congress. This weekend of fun and faith-filled activities will be held from June 24-26 at the Saint Louis Cathedral Basilica and St. Louis University High School.
Special guests include Archbishop Emeritus of St. Louis, Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke, St. Louis' native son and Archbishop of Omaha, Archbishop George Lucas, Archbishop of St. Louis, Archbishop Robert J. Carlson, and our Archdiocese's newest Auxiliary Bishop, Bishop Edward Rice.
Musical guests, Catholic recording artists, Audrey Assad and the Ike Ndolo Band, will take center stage in the SLU High stadium as Eucharistic Adoration, spiritual talks, exhibits, vendors, family fun, and entertainment take place all over the campus.
The weekend long celebration will culminate in the celebration of the Holy Mass and a Corpus Christi procession at the St. Louis Cathedral Basilica.
We hope EVERYONE from all walks of life and in all corners of the region will feel welcome to come and celebrate the heart of our Catholic faith--the Eucharist--during this very special weekend in June.
Through the life-giving Eucharist, we are, ALIVE IN THE BODY OF CHRIST!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Chicago archdiocese suspends Rev. Michael Pfleger - Westport News
http://www.westport-news.com/news/article/Chicago-archdiocese-suspends-Rev-Michael-Pfleger-1355599.php
Fr. Pfleger loves his church more than he loves the Church. His attachment is to the world, to his role at his parish. Abraham taught us how absolute trust in God leads to true joy. Instead, Fr. Pfleger chose to be less than what God wants him to be. He chose his idea of happiness over the real joy God offers. He needs our prayers and fasts. He is a priest who God called to lead others to Him. He can do so much for God's kingdom if he repents and removes his pride. His pride makes him think that he knows better than his bishop, and that he knows better than the Church. He probably has been in a state of pride for a long time and this transfer is bringing it to light.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Daily Hope with Rick Warren: Catch Your Children Doing Good Things
You can make an enormous difference in the lives of your kids just by affirming their good qualities and good behavior.
I like to be around people who like me. I'm guessing you do, too. It's human nature to avoid people who regularly criticize you. If you're consistently on your kids' case, they'll be conditioned to avoid you. You don't want that.
The words you use to your kids matter. The Bible has a lot to say about the words we speak. Proverbs 12:6 says, "The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives." (NLT) Your words are life-giving to your kids. They are powerful and memorable.
So how do you use those powerful and memorable words in a way that most effectively affirms your children? Start by going beyond the four A's that most kids get affirmed for in our culture -- appearance, athletics, academics, and the arts. You and I both know that a person can be a brilliant, artsy, good-looking athlete and be an awful human being. We need to go deeper than that.
Instead, we need to affirm our kids for the character qualities they demonstrate and the appropriate behavior they show. Be specific when you do this.
For example:
- "I was really proud of the way you handled that situation."
- "I was amazed at how patient you were with your little brother."
- "I'm so grateful for how kind you were to your mom – and you did that without her even having to ask you!"
No one in the world has as much influence over your kids as you do – not the media, not peers, and not other adults. You can make an enormous difference in the lives of your kids just by affirming their good qualities and good behavior.
You can do this. Catch them in the act of doing great things because they are doing great things. You just need to make a point of catching them when they do.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
PovertyCure Promotional Video
Check out this video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxASM44gPlU&feature=youtube_gdata_mt
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Pope John Paul II venerated a statue from Medjugorje that weeped blood, the Virgin of Civitavecchia
Rome Reports that John Paul II venerated a statue from Medjugorje that weeped blood. The statue is known as the Virgin of Civitavecchia. See full article at Rome Reports.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Mother Theresa Quote on Leadership
"Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person."
- Mother Teresa
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Medjugorje Conference at Notre Dame
Medjugorje Conference at Notre Dame
“Once I asked Cardinal Ratzinger what he thought about Medjugorje. He answered me that the tree is recognized by the fruits and good fruits are a sign of God’s presence! ... I have come now to thank Our Lady for this beautiful gift.”
Bishop John Evangelist Martins Terra
See more of Bishop Martins Terra's comment below, sourced from:
http://www.medjugorje.ws/en/articles/bishops-medjugorje/7
See more of Bishop Martins Terra's comment below, sourced from:
http://www.medjugorje.ws/en/articles/bishops-medjugorje/7
Press Bulletin: As a bishop, pastor of the Church you know that our local bishopis not favorable to these events. Does that bother you?
Bishop Martin: No, because there are also other bishops who think otherwise. I would like to recall the archbishop of Pescara who is my great friend and every year we go to the spiritual exercises in San Marino together with Fr. Gobbi. Every year spiritual exercises are organized for priests and bishops and that way also the archbishop of Pescara often comes. One time he told me that he asked the Holy Father about these events. "Holy Father what should I do when the faithful from my diocese of Pescara want often to go on pilgrimage to Medjugorje?" "What are they doing?" asked the Holy Father. "They pray and go to holy confession." "Well, isn't that good?" answered the Holy Father. I worked for ten years with the Holy Father and with Cardinal Ratzinger. Cardinal Ratzinger is a wonderful man, full of spirituality and very pleasant. Sometimes I hear it said about him that he is very strict and serious, but I think he is a man with a big heart. Once I asked him what he thinks about this movement. He answered me that the tree is recognized by the fruits, because good fruits are a sign of God's presence.
Press Bulletin: Cardinal Ratzinger told you that?
Bishop Martin: Yes.
Press Bulletin: About Medjugorje?
Bishop Martin: Yes, about Medjugorje and about Fr. Gobbi. For both movements.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Medjugorje - Our Lady's May 2, 2011 Message to Mirjana
> May 02, 2011
>
> "Dear children; God the Father is sending me to show you the way of salvation, because He, my children, desires to save you and not to condemn you. That is why I, as a mother, am gathering you around me, because with my motherly love I desire to help you to be free of the dirtiness of the past and to begin to live anew and differently. I am calling you to resurrect in my Son. Along with confession of sins renounce everything that has distanced you from my Son and that has made your life empty and unsuccessful. Say 'yes' to the Father with the heart and set out on the way of salvation to which He is calling you through the Holy Spirit. Thank you. I am especially praying for the shepherds (priests), for God to help them to be alongside you with a fullness of heart."
>
> "Dear children; God the Father is sending me to show you the way of salvation, because He, my children, desires to save you and not to condemn you. That is why I, as a mother, am gathering you around me, because with my motherly love I desire to help you to be free of the dirtiness of the past and to begin to live anew and differently. I am calling you to resurrect in my Son. Along with confession of sins renounce everything that has distanced you from my Son and that has made your life empty and unsuccessful. Say 'yes' to the Father with the heart and set out on the way of salvation to which He is calling you through the Holy Spirit. Thank you. I am especially praying for the shepherds (priests), for God to help them to be alongside you with a fullness of heart."
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