Quote of the day

“There is not a flower that opens, not a seed that falls into the ground, and not an ear of wheat that nods on the end of its stalk in the wind that does not preach and proclaim the greatness and the mercy of God to the whole world. There is not an act of kindness or generosity, not an act of sacrifice done, or a word of peace and gentleness spoken, not a child’s prayer uttered, that does not sing hymns to God before his throne, and in the eyes of men, and before their faces.” – Thomas Merton, “The Seven Storey Mountain.”

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Have you seen a love like this? (watch video)

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Japan earthquake epicenter near Marian apparition site

Japanese quake's epicenter located near Marian apparition site
By Catholic News Agency

The messages warned of chaos within the Church, and disasters which could afflict the world.

The epicenter of the earthquake is located near the site of an apparition in which Mary warned about a worldwide disaster that could afflict humanity. In 1973, the Virgin Mary was said to have predicted a number of future events - including natural disasters even more serious than Friday's earthquake and tsunami - during three appearances to a Japanese religious sister, Sr. Agnes Sasagawa.

NIIGATA, Japan (CNA) - The epicenter of the earthquake that caused a deadly March 11 tsunami is located near the site of an apparition in which Mary warned about a worldwide disaster that could afflict humanity.

Japanese church officials have confirmed that the Diocese of Sendai, in the north of the country, was hit hardest by the 8.8 magnitude earthquake - the worst in Japanese history - and the resulting 23-foot waves.

Hundreds of people have already been confirmed dead in the city of Sendai, located less than 90 miles away from the apparition site of Our Lady of Akita in the town of Yuzawa.

The city of Akita, which experienced fire damage and flooding along with many parts of northern Japan, is a place of veneration for Catholics.

In 1973, the Virgin Mary was said to have predicted a number of future events - including natural disasters even more serious than Friday's earthquake and tsunami - during three appearances to a Japanese religious sister, Sr. Agnes Sasagawa.

The purported appearances of the Virgin Mary in Japan were reviewed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger in 1988. During his time as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith prior to his election as Pope Benedict XVI, he let stand the local bishop's judgment that the apparitions and the messages were acceptable for the faithful.

The messages warned of chaos within the Church, and disasters which could afflict the world.

"If men do not repent and better themselves, God the Father will inflict a terrible punishment on all humanity," Mary reportedly told Sr. Agnes. "If will be a punishment greater than the (biblical) flood, such as never seen before."

"Fire will fall from the sky and will wipe out a great part of humanity, the good as well as the bad, sparing neither priests nor faithful," she said. "The work of the devil will infiltrate even into the Church, in such a way that one will see cardinals opposing cardinals, bishops against bishops."

"Churches and altars will be sacked. The Church will be full of those who accept compromises, and the demon will press many priests and consecrated souls to leave the service of the Lord."

"Each day, recite the prayers of the Rosary," she told Sr. Agnes. "With the Rosary, pray for the Pope, the bishops and priests."

Two years after the last message, the statue of the Virgin Mary in the chapel where the apparitions had occurred began to emit tears and drops of blood. The occurrence continued for more than six years.

Reports from Akita following Friday's earthquake indicate that the city received significantly less damage than other parts of northern Japan, despite its proximity to the epicenter. However, residents did report power outages, burst pipes, and fires.

Bishop Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi of Niigata, whose territory includes the Akita apparition site, is also the president of Caritas Japan, which will be working to assist victims of the earthquake and tsunami. The relief organization is accepting contributions to its emergency fund at www.caritas.org

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About St. Patrick's day and how to celebrate the day

St. Patrick of Ireland is one of the world's most popular saints.
Apostle of Ireland, born at Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton, in Scotland, in the year 387; died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, 17 March, 461.

Along with St. Nicholas and St. Valentine, the secular world shares our love of these saints. This is also a day when everyone's Irish.

There are many legends and stories of St. Patrick, but this is his story.

Patrick was born around 385 in Scotland, probably Kilpatrick. His parents were Calpurnius and Conchessa, who were Romans living in Britian in charge of the colonies.

As a boy of fourteen or so, he was captured during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. Ireland at this time was a land of Druids and pagans. He learned the language and practices of the people who held him.

During his captivity, he turned to God in prayer. He wrote

"The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was rosed, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same." "I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain."

Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty, when he escaped after having a dream from God in which he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. There he found some sailors who took him back to Britian, where he reunited with his family.

He had another dream in which the people of Ireland were calling out to him "We beg you, holy youth, to come and walk among us once more."

He began his studies for the priesthood. He was ordained by St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, whom he had studied under for years.

Later, Patrick was ordained a bishop, and was sent to take the Gospel to Ireland. He arrived in Ireland March 25, 433, at Slane. One legend says that he met a chieftain of one of the tribes, who tried to kill Patrick. Patrick converted Dichu (the chieftain) after he was unable to move his arm until he became friendly to Patrick.

Patrick began preaching the Gospel throughout Ireland, converting many. He and his disciples preached and converted thousands and began building churches all over the country. Kings, their families, and entire kingdoms converted to Christianity when hearing Patrick's message.

Patrick by now had many disciples, among them Beningnus, Auxilius, Iserninus, and Fiaac, (all later canonized as well).

Patrick preached and converted all of Ireland for 40 years. He worked many miracles and wrote of his love for God in Confessions. After years of living in poverty, traveling and enduring much suffering he died March 17, 461.

He died at Saul, where he had built the first church.
Why a shamrock?

Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity, and has been associated with him and the Irish since that time.
In His Footsteps:

Patrick was a humble, pious, gentle man, whose love and total devotion to and trust in God should be a shining example to each of us. He feared nothing, not even death, so complete was his trust in God, and of the importance of his mission. [Catholic.org]

Click on photo to receive the Iris blessing.

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I CAN ONLY IMAGINE Mercy Me - lyrics

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REMEMBRANCE Matt Maher, Matt Redman - lyrics and chords

Lyrics and chords:

REMEMBRANCE
by Matt Maher and Matt Redman
2009 EMI Christian Music Publishing

   E
Oh, how could it be that my God
                  A
Would welcome me into this mystery.
   E
Say take this bread take this wine,
                                A
Now the simple made divine for any to receive.

    E                          F#m
By your mercy we come to your table,
                 A
By your grace you are making us faithful.

  E               F#m
Lord, we remember you.
  E                          F#m
And remembrance leads us to worship.
  E               F#m
And as we worship you,
   E                    F#m
Our worship leads to Communion.
      A                             B      E
We respond to your invitation, we remember you.

  E
See his body his blood
                            A
Know that he has overcome every trial we will face
  E
None too lost to be saved,
                                       A
None too broken or ashamed, all are welcome in this place

    E                          F#m
By your mercy we come to your table,
         A
By your grace you are making us faithful.

  E               F#m
Lord, we remember you.
  E                           F#m
And remembrance leads us to worship.
   E              F#m
And as we worship you,
  E                     F#m
Our worship leads to Communion.
      A                              B      E
We respond to your invitation, We remember you.


  E          A            E
Dying you destroyed our death
  E          A       B   E
Rising you restored our life
 E                   B                         A   
Lord Jesus come in glory, Lord Jesus come in glory
                     B                         A
Lord Jesus come in glory, Lord Jesus come in glory


  E                F#m
Lord, we remember you.
   E                          F#m
And remembrance leads us to worship.
   E              F#m
And as we worship you,
   E                    F#m
Our worship leads to Communion.
      A
We respond to your invitation,
      A                            B       E
We respond to your invitation we remember you.

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Some Encouragements

Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11

Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD; cry out to the rock of our salvation. Let us greet him with a song of praise, joyfully sing out our psalms. Psalms 95:1

Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, bless his name; announce his salvation day after day. Psalms 96:1

Sing a new song to the LORD, who has done marvelous deeds, Whose right hand and holy arm have won the victory. Psalms 98:1

"I fear the story of this animosity will be taken to be the story of the real America. It's not. America was not built on hatred, but on love. This is not the real America. When you attack one religion, you attack them all." - Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, September 7, 2010. [His remarks came after an interfaith meeting to discuss anti-Muslim sentiment in America.]

Correction does much, but encouragement does more. 
–Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, German writer (1749-1832)

You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist. –Friedrich Nietzsche, German philosopher (1844-1900)

"It is easier to build strong children than repair broken men" - The Deacon's Bench.

“Smile at each other, make time for each other in your family, we never know how much good just a simple smile can do.” - Mother Teresa

That I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh,I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me. [Galatians 2:20]

"God doesn't waste anything. If we will let him, he uses everything — even our dumb, stupid mistakes — to bring honor to him." "I continue to learn that God is the God of second, third, fourth chances," she said. "He never gives up on us."- Sandi Patty

If the pressures in life seem crushing you down, think of the crushed grapes that produces the best wine. The pressures you have in life only brings out the best in you.

Prayers are very powerful. The devil smiles when we are weak, he laughs when we are too busy or too idle, he giggles when we are afraid. But he trembles when we pray
Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

Look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
Think only of the best, work only for the best,and expect only the best.
Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

Give so much time to the improvement of yourselfthat you have no time to criticize others.

Live in the faith that the whole world is on your side so long as you are true to the best that is in you!" - Christian D. Larson

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