NUMBER 260 : FEBRUARY 2013 : FREE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER MEDJUGORJE CENTRE NORTH EAST www.medjugorjene.co.uk OUR MINISTRY To spread the messages of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus, given through the visionaries in Medjugorje. PEACE CONVERSION FAITH PRAYER FASTING OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE PRAY FOR US
21 MEDJUGORJE AFTERNOON OF PRAYER led by Fr. Martin Morris Sunday 3rd MARCH 2013 4.00pm to 5.00pm Silent Adoration 5.00pm to 6.00pm Rosary, Benediction and Reflection ST ALOYSIUS CHURCH PRINCE CONSORT ROAD HEBBURN TYNE AND WEAR NE31 1BE The Annual Day of Prayer In Honour of The Annunciation ( Organised by Medjugorje Centre North East ) Led By Fr. Martin Morris Sacred Heart Church North Gosforth Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 5EB Saturday 23rd March 2013 Start 10.30 am - Rosary and Talk Shared Lunch Followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Holy Mass Coffee Served from 9.45am Date for your Diary - Medjugorje North East Pilgrimage Flying from Newcastle 4 th September 2013 Further details on page 7.
32 OUR LADY S MESSAGE Given 25th January 2013 D ear children! Also today I call you to prayer. May your prayer be as strong as a living stone, until with your lives you become witnesses. Witness the beauty of your faith. I am with you and intercede before my Son for each of you. Thank you for having responded to my call. "Our Heavenly Mother Mary continues to form us in her school of prayer. Because she is Mother of The Church, Mary calls us lovingly to persevere in trusting prayer. For Mary everything begins in prayer and all renewal has it s start in prayer. Mary reminds us that our prayer must be strong. "as strong as a living stone" Let us reflect why Mary uses this phrase; "as strong as a living stone" This phrase is profoundly Biblical. In the letter of Peter Jesus is called,"a precious living stone" (1:Peter 2. 4-5) "You also are living stones, being built into a spiritual house, a holy Priesthood, acceptable to God, by Jesus Christ" Our Blessed Mother Mary says,"may your prayer be as strong as a living stone, until with your lives you become witnesses" Mary is reminding us that through the power of prayer we become transformed through grace, i.e. living stones. Just what does it mean to pray and become as living stones? Stones have no life. They are dead. But used correctly stones can have a purpose. The Bible tells us that God builds a master-plan, stone by stone. In the Old Testament, Solomons temple in Jerusalem was built with huge costly stones hewn by hands of men. It was a foreshadowing of the temple of the new covenant which is the Church, the spiritual temple, the people of God. Christ being the chief and precious cornerstone, the founda-
43 tion. We the believers are the precious living stones of which the body of Christ is being built. The Church is constantly being renewed, built into a holy temple since God is still calling out for "living stones" to complete it. When it is complete we will enter a new era an eternal kingdom. This is what our Heavenly Mother Mary is reminding us. As St. Paul says, "Everyone doing the building must work carefully, for the foundation is Christ Jesus." (1: Cor: 3:9-11) Stones are used throughout the Bible as altars, memorials, and temples. They symbolise permanence, firmness, strength and immovability. In the book of Genesis Jacob took stones for pillows prior to his dream of going up to heaven. (Gen: 28: 18-22) Here, for the first time in Scripture, stones are used as an altar and dedicated to be the house of God. When we think of St. Peter the first pope, and his humble profession of faith, "You are the Christ the Son of the living God" (Mt:16:14) and our Lords response, "You are Peter and on this ROCK I will build my church" we think what it means for someone to have a stone strong like faith. Rock solid. Peter s Strong faith flowed from his strong prayer. So when Mary Queen of peace asks that our prayer be as strong as a living stone she is reminding us that our simple, humble prayers have enormous strength and power to do good. When we are strong in prayer then the whole church is strong, when we are weak in prayer and faith the church is weak. Mary tells us in this months message that we are the temple of God, 'the living stones' Let us praise and thank the father for the wonderful gift of the Church, the community of believers, and let us make the faith strong through our prayer. In the early days of the apparitions Mary gave us five stones to make us strong: "These are the stones against your Goliath" she said. Let us remember those five stones, The Holy Bible, Rosary, Holy Mass, Fasting and holy Confession. Let us be confident that Mary is interceding for us in heaven and let us ask Jesus for an effective witness to our Faith today. God Bless, Fr. Martin Morris
54 Our Lady s message to Mirjana January 02, 2013 D ear children, with much love and patience I strive to make your hearts like unto mine. I strive, by my example, to teach you humility, wisdom and love because I need you; I cannot do without you my children. According to God s will I am choosing you, by His strength I am strengthening you. Therefore, my children, do not be afraid to open your hearts to me. I will give them to my Son and in return, He will give you the gift of divine peace. You will carry it to all those whom you meet, you will witness God s love with your life and you will give the gift of my Son through yourselves. Through reconciliation, fasting and prayer, I will lead you. Immeasurable is my love. Do not be afraid. My children, pray for the shepherds. May your lips be shut to every judgment, because do not forget that my Son has chosen them and only He has the right to judge. Thank you After the apparitions on the second day of every month, I have seen many people who came to me to say they had been healed, and they had come to know the love of God. I did not know those people, I did not ask anything for them, but they had their hearts open and asked for their Mother s help, and she interceded for them with her Son. I tell you this to let you know how much you need our Mother Mirjana says.
65 The Virgin Mary will appear in Bethlehem By Jakob Marschner on Jan 7, 2013 Medjugorje visionary Vicka Ivankovic-Mijatovic Participates in international Holy Land pilgrimage for healing of humanity on August 19-27, and will have three public apparitions in Bethlehem, inside or outside Church of the Nativity. Other apparitions to Vicka will take place at other holy sites. Medjugorje visionary Vicka Ivankovic-Mijatovic with Maranatha world coordinator Sabrina Covic-Radojicic. Bethlehem will see the Virgin Mary returning when she will appear in apparition to Medjugorje visionary Vicka Ivankovic- Mijatovic during the first international Maranatha pilgrimage to The Holy Land on August 19-27. Exactly where in Bethlehem is still not decided because it will depend on the number of participants. I guess it could be in Manger Square in front of the Church of the Nativity Maranatha world coordinator Sabrina Covic-Radojicic tells Medjugorje Today The purpose of the ecumenical pilgrimage is the healing of humanity and the human heart through prayer and fasting, aside of sharing and showing solidarity with Christians in The Holy Land. The organizers expect people from all over the world to be there. Representatives from more than 10 countries in Europe, North and South America have confirmed their attendance. Many priests and a good number of Bishops and Archbishops have expressed their interest, along with some Cardinals. Vicka looks forward to see The Holy Land Vicka s participation is further confirmed by the visionary herself, in a video. She will have three apparitions in Bethlehem, on August 24-26, and apparitions at other, still not chosen holy sites on other days of the nine day pilgrimage. "It will be very nice to be united in the Holy Land with people from all nations, all peoples, to share the messages of Our Lady and tell everyone how OurLady
76 The Virgin Mary will appear in Bethlehem loves the whole world Vicka says in the video. It is very important because Our Lady wants us to know that we are all equally loved. For Our Lady there is no difference. At that moment what will be seen is the true love of a Mother who loves us all Vicka says in her video for Maranatha. (Picture above) Inside the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The only major church to have survived intact since the early Christian period is likely too small to hold the number of people expected for Vicka s apparitions It is a very beautiful thing, carrying love to everyone. Once Our Lady said that it is people who have made divisions in religions Muslims, Orthodox, Catholics, etc., and not God. God is one. Maranatha world coordinator Sabrina Covic-Radojicic tells Medjugorje Today that Vicka enthusiastically agreed when she asked the visionary to join the pilgrimage. Archbishop heads the initiative A major international pilgrimage to The Holy Land is a long-time vision to Archbishop André Léonard of Brussels who leads Maranatha. The 9 day Maranatha pilgrimage and the entire initiative is headed and will be led by Archbishop André Léonard of Brussels, Belgium. It is a prayer and a project. Maranatha is a prayer that is found in the last verse of the Bible, in the book of Revelation. We read it in Greek, but Maranatha is an Aramean word that means: Come, Lord! It is the final prayer in the Bible: Come, Lord Jesus! Archbishop Léonard tells in his official announcement video for Maranatha.
87 Medjugorje Centre North East www.medjugorjene.co.uk Medjugorje Centre (North East) Annual Pilgrimage to Medjugorje Flying from Newcastle to Dubrovnic Travelling with Medjugorje Pilgrimages Ltd. 4th September - 11th September 2013 Cost 519 - Insurance 20 Single Room Supplement 100 Spiritual Director - Fr. Martin Morris There are limited number of places Booking forms available from Kath Ash. Tel No. 01670 733358 Don t delay to avoid disappointment
9 8 Medjugorje Centre (North East) Medjugorje Retreat at Minsteracres retreat Centre Fri 18th -20th October 2013 Further details from Marian Fletcher Tel No. 0191 4174413 Experience the beauty of the Medjugorje Youth Festival in the summer of 2013. With over 40,000 young people from over 70 countries across the world, it is a magnificent spectacle, for anyone of any age! The Medjugorje Youth Festival Medjugorje Pilgrimages Harrogate 31st July 2013 Telephone : 01423 531222 St Andrews Prayer Group Invites you to Pray for Our Priests Beginning Sunday 17th February 2pm - 5pm St. Andrews Worswick Street Newcastle upon Tyne
10 9 The YEAR of FAITH a Year of Celebration and Mission Some ideas as we pray to the Lord to increase our Faith. A Prayer that you can learn by heart and meditate it, over the course of the Year of Faith Forthcoming Diocesan Events for the Year of Faith : 7 February 2013 10.30 am- 3.30 A study day and reflection on the theme of Reconciliation in St. Luke s Gospel with Fr. Michael Winstanley Minsteracres Consett February/March 2013 Deanery Evenings of Reflection for Lent Various venues February/ March 2013 7.00pm -8.00pm Open Churches each Wednesday of Lent for Sacraments of Reconciliation Various venues February/March 2013 Diocesan Primary Schools Spirited Art, Poetry and Music Competition St. Michael the Archangel Guardian of the Christian Faith ACT OF CONSECRATION Oh most Noble Prince of the Angelic Hierarchies valorous warrior of Almighty God, and zealous lover of His glory, terror of the rebellious angels, and love and delight of all the just ones, my beloved Saint Michael the Archangel, desiring to be numbered among your devoted serv-
10 11 The YEAR of FAITH a Year of Celebration and Mission ants, I, today offer and consecrate myself to you, and place myself, my family, and all I possess under your most powerful protection. I entreat you not to look at how little, I, as your servant have to offer, being only a wretched sinner, but to gaze, rather, with favourable eve at the heartfelt affection with which this offering is made, and remember that if from this day onward I am under your patronage, you must during all my life assist me, and procure for me the pardon of my many grievous offenses, and sins, the grace to love with all my heart my God, my dear Saviour Jesus and my Sweet Mother Mary, and obtain for me all the help necessary to arrive to my crown of glory. Defend me always from my spiritual enemies, particularly in the last moments of my life. Come then oh Glorious Prince and succour me in my last struggle, and with your powerful weapon cast far from me into the infernal abysses that prevaricator and proud angel that one day you prostrated in the celestial battle. Accompany me then to the throne of God To sing with you, Archangel Saint Michael And all the Angels, praise, honour and glory to the One who reigns for all eternity. Amen. Padri Micheliti Santuario S. Michele Arcangelo Puglia Italy www.santuariosanmichele.it Devotions for the Year of Faith Devotion to the Stations of the Cross Praying the Stations of the Cross enables us to joint Christ on his via Crucis, his way of the Cross. Thomas à Kempis wrote, Rest in Christ Passion and live willingly in his holy wounds. You will gain marvellous strength and comfort in adversities. Mother Angelica of EWTN has written a powerful meditation of the Stations of the Cross. www.ewtn.com/devotionals/stations/face.htm The CTS have also produced a number of meditations. www.cts-online.org.uk/acatalog/ Our_Products_Devotions_57.html
12 11 Visionary Ivan Dragicevic visit to Scotland January 4th and 5th, 2013 Fr. Martin Morris The Virgin Mary brought concrete wishes and suggestions to Scotland. I have just returned from Scotland and would like to tell you what a wonderful experience it was at the Church of St. John the Baptist. Hundreds of faithful were there which was very inspiring. We prayed the fifteen decades of the rosary, during which Ivan had his apparition. I have witnessed this event many times before, but this was truly special, it spoke to me in a very deep way. The hushed silence in church was powerful. Ivan knelt on the altar facing the tabernacle; the apparition lasted for seven and a half minutes. He said Our Lady was very joyful, and that she looked around the whole church. She prayed for all of the sick present, and the priests. She spoke of the family and the importance of family prayer. She said she had come to bring hope. I found this a very powerful seven minutes. There was a feeling of deep prayer and indescribable peace. Deep peace which I had not felt up until then. Afterwards I felt filled with joy; so many people said they felt the same. Then we celebrated Holy Mass, with a very powerful homily. Followed by a period of Eucharistic Adoration, when Our Blessed Lord was carried around the church in the monstrance. There was such devotion as people fell to their knees. Ivan gave a talk that lasted for forty minutes. He said that Mary was coming not to announce the end of the world, or the second coming. She was appearing because she was the mother of hope. She wants everyone to be filled with hope, because we are wandering into the future without God. So we should pray for the gift of Christian hope. He then spoke on forgiveness especially within our relationships and the family. He said when we are strong in the faith, the church is also strong. But when we are weak, the church is weak. On prayer he said when we pray we should be joyful and serene, Thanking God for all we have. Too many people say they do not have time, but the problem" he said, was not time, "but love." If we love Jesus then we will pray. This was the best I had ever heard Ivan speak, he was on fire. He finished by telling us that it is very difficult for him to see Our Lady, then to finish the apparition. She is so beautiful The whole evening was very beautiful; a dark winter's night was illumined and graced with the holy Queen of peace Fr. Martin Morris Spiritual Director for Medjugorje NE
12 13 Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes - 11th February 2013 date, over two thousand, five hundred inexplicable healings have occurred here. When introducing the spring, Our Lady told the visionary Bernadette, "Go and drink from the spring, and wash yourself there." At Lourdes, France the Virgin Mary appeared to a young girl named Bernadette. On eighteen separate occasions in a small rock grotto beginning in the year 1858. A miraculous freshwater spring, said to have healing powers, began flowing at the grotto. The Catholic Church approved the apparitions, and today millions of pilgrims come from all over the world to cleanse their spirits and heal their bodies through the water that flows constantly from the spring at Lourdes. In fact, a recent medical study concluded that, to Today, many pilgrims drink the water hoping for cures and blessings, while others bottle it up to take home. In addition, over four hundred thousand visitors a year choose to be totally immersed in the water, which takes place in the bathhouse. Throughout the course of the apparitions, Our Lady gave Bernadette several messages that would be instrumental in making Lourdes what many today call The Capital of Prayer. When Bernadette asked her vision for a name, Mary replied, "I am the Immaculate Conception." During the 15th apparition, Our Lady gave a special message to Bernadette. "Go and tell the priest to build a chapel here and to have people come in procession." Not only was the Blessed Mother's request granted then, it is now being fulfilled like never before almost one hundred and fifty years later!.
13 14 Our Lady of Lourdes More and more pilgrims are coming to Lourdes, many of them stricken with debilitating illnesses or handicaps and searching for cures. The procession of the sick, where thousands of ill pilgrims are walked through the courtyards at Lourdes, further fulfils Our Lady's request. Also, every night at Lourdes, thousands of pilgrims come bearing candles to participate in the torchlight procession. The Church has attributed at least sixty-five genuine miracles to the action of God through the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes, most of these involving miraculous healings. Many more cases are being investigated. With increased numbers of ailing pilgrims finding solace in Lourdes, that number is sure to increase. Prayer To Our Lady Of Lourdes O Mother of mercy, comforter of the afflicted, you know my suffering and my needs. Look upon me with loving kindness. By appearing at the Grotto of Lourdes, you made it a sacred place, a sanctuary of healing. Many have been cured there, both Physically and spiritually. I come therefore, with faith in the Lord's healing powers. O Mary, please grant my requests for healing. Most of all, help me to know and embrace God's will for me. Amen. World Day of Prayer for the Sick and Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes Monday, Feb 11, 2013 7:00 pm at St Mary's Cathedral Newcastle Diocesan Mass with the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. All are welcome
14 15 Medjugorje is a fortress against Satan By Fr. Gabriel Amorth Medjugorje is a fortress against Satan. Satan hates Medjugorje because it is a place of conversion, of prayer, of transformation of life I always understood Medjugorje as a continuation of Fatima. According to Our Lady s words in Fatima, if we had prayed and fasted, there would not have been World War II. We have not listened to her and therefore there was a war. Also here in Medjugorje, Our Lady often calls to prayer for peace. In her apparitions, Our Lady always presents herself under another name to show the goal of her apparitions. At Lourdes, she presented herself as the Immaculate Conception, in Fatima as the Queen of the Holy Rosary. Here in Medjugorje, Our Lady presented herself as the Queen of Peace. We all remember the (her) words Mir, Mir, Mir (peace, peace, peace) that were written in the sky at the very beginning of the apparitions. We see clearly that humanity is running the risk of war, and Our Lady insists on prayer and on Christian life to attain peace. The Anima Christi Soul of Christ, sanctify me Body of Christ, save me Blood of Christ, inebriate me Water from Christ's side, wash me Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me Within Thy wounds hide me Suffer me not to be separated from Thee From the malicious enemy defend me.in the hour of my death call me. And bid me come unto Thee That I may praise Thee with Thy saints and with Thy angels Forever and ever Amen
16 15 Investigations commissioned by the Vatican Romereports.com much, I hope. But, it's not an immediate thing. We are a consulting commission, we offer our opinion and pass it along to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. They are the ones who will decide or not to release a statement. January 11, 2013. (Romereports.com) Among the investigations, commissioned by the Vatican, lies the credibility of the alleged apparitions of Our Lady, in the town of Medjugorje. 31 years ago, a group of seven people, said it physically saw the Virgin Mary. Since then, other claims have followed, drawing thousands of people to this town in Bosnia. Since 2010, Benedict XVI established a Vatican commission, made up 17 experts, to look into the alleged apparitions and give an official explaination.the commission's president is Italian Cardinal Camillo Ruini, who says he expects a conclusion soon. CARDINAL CAMILLO RUINI President, Commission of Investigation on Medjugorje Said It will take just a bit longer, Not Journalist Saverio Gaeta is the author of the book 'The Last Prophecy: The real story of Medjugorje. 'As an expert in the apparitions, he claims this is a unique situation. SAVERIO GAETA Journalist Reported This is the first time in history that a commission established by the Holy See investigates an apparition, it's the first time absolutely, in the history of apparitions... It's unprecedented, so we can't compare it to other apparitions. Gaeta highlights that the investigation commission is still in the analyzing phase, and, in his opinion, it's not likely that its conclusions will ever be released. SAVERIO GAETA Journalist Reported There is still some time left before they finish. But there won't be a public declaration, because it's not the commission's duty to say anything to the public. The role of the
16 17 commission is to give a reasonable explanation to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which will not be published officially, however it will likely be leaked. But, the motivation for the commission is to form an opinion and pass it along to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. They will then evaluate it and decide whether to get the Pope involved. Up until now, the only official statement from the Church came from the bishops of the former Yugoslavia in 1991. They declared that it cannot be affirmed that these matters concern supernatural apparitions or revelations. But it's a complicated matter. Even though they can't be affirmed, on the other hand, they have not been denied. However, the investigation commission faces a bigger challenge, because it must decided whether these alleged apparitions are credible or not. SAVERIO GAETA Journalist Reported They're required to have greater accuracy. They feel the weight of such a petition, which came from the Pope directly. So they must deepen their understanding of these alleged apparitions as much as possible, to find a way to analyze, from a pastoral point of view, all that's happening there. Each year thousands of pilgrims make the trek to the small town in Bosnia-Herzegovina to visit the apparitions of the Gospa, as they call the Virgin Mary in Medjugorje. But, it seems they'll have to wait much longer to get on official answer as to whether or not the apparitions are deemed credible by the Church. Lent Begins Ash Wednesday 13th February 'Lent offers us a time to reflect on our spiritual lives and to try to refocus our energies on drawing closer to God.' Important Notice We are currently looking at the feasibility of sending out the newsletter by email. Therefore as a preliminary survey, if you would be able to receive your newsletter by email then please let us know by e-mailing Kath Ash at: medjugorjene@yahoo.co.uk The newsletter is published and available on our website, along with other information. We would encourage all our readers if possible to a c c e s s o u r w e b s i t e a t www.medjugorjene.co.uk to read the newsletter, or download and print your personal copy. God Bless and Thank you
18 17 Messages taken from - www.medjugorje.ws Medjugorje Message, January 25, 2012 Dear children! With joy, also today I call you to open your hearts and to listen to my call. Anew, I desire to draw you closer to my Immaculate Heart, where you will find refuge and peace. Open yourselves to prayer, until it becomes a joy for you. Through prayer, the Most High will give you an abundance of grace and you will become my extended hands in this restless world which longs for peace. Little children, with your lives witness faith and pray that faith may grow day by day in your hearts. I am with you. Thank you for having responded to my call. Medjugorje Message, January 2, 2012 - Apparitions to Mirjana Dear children; As with motherly concern I look in your hearts, in them I see pain and suffering; I see a wounded past and an incessant search; I see my children who desire to be happy but do not know how. Open yourselves to the Father. That is the way to happiness, the way by which I desire to lead you. God the Father never leaves His children alone, especially not in pain and despair. When you comprehend and accept this, you will be happy. Your search will end. You will love and you will not be afraid. Your life will be hope and truth which is my Son. Thank you. I implore you, pray for those whom my Son has chosen. Do not judge because you will all be judged. Medjugorje Message, January 25, 2011 Dear children! Also today I am with you and I am looking at you and blessing you, and I am not losing hope that this world will change for the good and that peace will reign in the hearts of men. Joy will begin to reign in the world because you have opened yourselves to my call and to God s love. The Holy Spirit is changing a multitude of those who have said yes. Therefore I desire to say to you: thank you for having responded to my call. Medjugorje Message, January 2, 2011 - Apparitions to Mirjana Dear children; Today I call you to unity (communion) in Jesus, my Son. My motherly heart prays that you may comprehend that you are God's family. Through the spiritual freedom of will, which the Heavenly Father has given you, you are called to become cognizant (to come to the knowledge) of the truth, the good or the evil. May prayer and fasting open your hearts and help you to discover the Heavenly Father through my Son. In discovering the Father, your life will be directed to carrying out of God's will and the realization of God's family, in the way that my Son desires (wishes). I will not leave you alone on this path. Thank you. During the apparition, Mirjana felt that she could or should say to Our Lady, "We have all come to you with our sufferings and crosses. Help us, we implore you." In response, Our Lady extended her hands towards Mirjana and everyone present and said, Open your hearts to me. Give your sufferings to me. The Mother will help.
18 19 MIDDLESBROUGH CENTRE FOR PEACE MEDJUGORJE EVENING 8th February 2013 8th March 2013 7.30pm to 9.30pm Rosary : Holy Mass : Talk : Witness JOHN PAUL CENTRE 55 GRANGE ROAD, MIDDLESBROUGH For further details please contact: Mrs Marie Bedingfield Tel: 01642 530739 I wanted to find an elevator which would raise me to Jesus, for I am too small to climb the rough stairway of perfection. St. Thérèse of Lisieux The Centre recognizes and accepts that the final authority regarding the apparitions at Medjugorje rests with the Holy See of Rome. We willingly submit to that judgement.