Thursday, November 14, 2013

MEDJUGORJE

Been there, done that. Very true.

VIGANO-MEDJUGORJE (CORRECTED) Nov-6-2013 (300 words) With photos. xxxi
Vatican envoy reminds U.S. bishops: No ruling on Medjugorje apparitions

Pilgrims pray at Medjugorje in 2011. (CNS/Paul Haring)
By Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Vatican ambassador to the United States has reminded U.S. Catholics that the Vatican has not recognized alleged Marian apparitions in Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina, as authentic.

Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, apostolic nuncio, wrote to Msgr. Ronny Jenkins, general secretary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and told him the reminder came as one of the visionaries was scheduled to tour U.S. parishes.

He said the reminder was being sent at the request of Archbishop Gerhard Muller, prefect of the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which has said it was not yet possible "to state that there were apparitions or supernatural revelations" by visionaries in Medjugorje, Yugoslavia.

The letter said the visionary, Ivan Dragicevic, would make presentations about Medjugorje, where six village children said they first saw Mary in June 1981. Archbishop Vigano's letter said, "It is anticipated, moreover, that Mr. Dragicevic will be receiving 'apparitions'" during his parish visits.

Most of the Medjugorje "seers" have said the apparitions have continued every day for years. Three say they still have visions each day, while the other three see Mary only once a year now. All six are now married and have children.

A blog on the National Catholic Register site said Dragicevic's U.S. tour was canceled after the letter was sent. The blog included a photocopy of the letter sent to Msgr. Jenkins, and Catholic News Service confirmed the authenticity of the letter.

A Vatican commission of cardinals, bishops, theologians and other experts, working under the auspices of the doctrinal congregation, is studying the events at Medjugorje.

While the Vatican has said dioceses should not organize official pilgrimages to Medjugorje, it has said Catholics are free to visit the town and pray there, and that the Diocese of Mostar-Duvno and the town's Franciscans should organize pastoral care for them.

END

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

PRIEST WHO SAW HEAVEN, HELL, AND PURGATORY, PART 5

Father’s Soul Returns To His Body
While my body was at the hospital, the doctor completed all examinations and I was pronounced dead. The cause of death was bleeding. My family was notified, and since they were far away, the hospital staff decided to move my dead body to the morgue. Because the hospital did not have air conditioners, they were concerned that the body would decompose quickly. As they were moving my dead body to the morgue, my soul came back to the body. I felt an excruciating pain because of so many wounds and broken bones. I began to scream, and then the people became frightened and ran away screaming. One of them approached the doctor and said: “The dead body is screaming.” The doctor came to examine the body and found that I was alive. So he said: “Father is alive, it is a miracle! Take him back to the hospital.” Now, back at the hospital, they gave me blood transfusions and I was taken to surgery to repair the broken bones. They worked on my lower jaw, ribs, pelvic bone, wrists, and right leg. After two months, I was released from the hospital, but my orthopedic doctor said that I would never walk again. I then said to him: “The Lord who gave me my life back and sent me back to the world will heal me.” Once at home, we were all praying for a miracle. Still after a month, and with the casts removed, I was not able to move. But one day while praying I felt an extraordinary pain in my pelvic area. After a short while the pain disappeared completely and I heard a voice saying: “You are healed. Get up and walk.” I felt the peace and healing power on my body. I immediately got up and walked. I praised and thanked God for the miracle. I reached my doctor with the news of my healing, and he was amazed. He said: “Your God is the true God. I must follow your God.” The doctor was Hindu, and he asked me to teach him about our Church. After studying the Faith, I baptized him and he became Catholic. Following the message from my Guardian Angel, I came to the United States on November 10, 1986 as a missionary priest.  I am currently the parish priest at St. Catherine Of Sienna Parish in Orange Park, FL.

Monday, November 11, 2013

PRIEST WHO SAW HEAVEN, HELL, AND PURGATORY, PART 4

Finally Heaven
Heaven Next, my angel escorted me to heaven passing through a big dazzling white tunnel. I never experienced this much peace and joy in my life. Then immediately heaven opened up and I heard the most delightful music, which I never heard before. The angels were singing and praising God. I saw all the saints, especially the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph, and many dedicated holy Bishops and priests who were shining like stars. And when I appeared before the Lord, Jesus told me: “I want you to go back to the world. In your second life, you will be an instrument of peace and healing to My people. You will walk in a foreign land and you will speak in a foreign tongue. Everything is possible for you with My grace..” After these words, the Blessed Mother told me: “Do whatever He tells you. I will help you in your ministries.” Words can not express the beauty of heaven.. There we find so much peace and happiness, which exceed a million times our imagination. Our Lord is far more beautiful than any image can convey. His face is radiant and luminous and more beautiful than a thousand rising suns. The pictures we see in the world are only a shadow of His magnificence.. The Blessed Mother was next to Jesus; She was so beautiful and radiant. None of the images we see in this world can compare with Her real beauty. Heaven is our real home; we are all created to reach heaven and enjoy God forever. Then, I came back to the world with my angel.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

PRIEST WHO SAW HEAVEN, HELL, AND PURGATORY, PART 3

Next Stop Purgatory
After the visit to hell, my Guardian Angel escorted me to purgatory. Here too, there are seven degrees of suffering and unquenchable fire. But it is far less intense than hell and there was neither quarreling nor fighting. The main suffering of these souls is their separation from God. Some of those who are in purgatory committed numerous mortal sins, but they were reconciled with God before their death. Even though these souls are suffering, they enjoy peace and the knowledge that one day they will see God face to face. I had a chance to communicate with the souls in purgatory. They asked me to pray for them and to tell the people to pray for them as well, so they can go to heaven quickly. When we pray for these souls, we will receive their gratitude through their prayers, and once they enter heaven, their prayers become even more meritorious. It is difficult for me to describe how beautiful my Guardian Angel is. He is radiant and bright. He is my constant companion and helps me in all my ministries, especially my healing ministry. I experience his presence everywhere I go and I am grateful for his protection in my daily life.

Saturday, November 9, 2013

PRIEST WHO SAW HEAVEN, HELL, AND PURGATORY, PART 2

A Visit To Hell
First the angel escorted me to hell. It was an awful sight! I saw Satan and the devils, an unquenchable fire of about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, worms crawling, people screaming and fighting, others being tortured by demons. The angel told me that all these sufferings were due to unrepented mortal sins. Then, I understood that there are seven degrees of suffering or levels according to the number and kinds of mortal sins committed in their earthly lives. The souls looked very ugly, cruel and horrific. It was a fearful experience. I saw people whom I knew, but I am not allowed to reveal their identities. The sins that convicted them were mainly abortion, homosexuality, euthanasia, hatefulness, unforgiveness and sacrilege. The angel told me that if they had repented, they would have avoided hell and gone instead to purgatory. I also understood that some people who repent from these sins might be purified on earth through their sufferings. This way they can avoid purgatory and go straight to heaven. I was surprised when I saw in hell even priests and Bishops, some of whom I never expected to see. Many of them were there because they had misled the people with false teaching and bad example.

Friday, November 8, 2013

PRIEST SEES HEAVEN, HELL, AND PURGATORY, PART 1

One Priest’s Sobering Account Of The Afterlife!

Fr. Jose Maniyangat
For your discernment - A priest who saw heaven, hell, and purgatory on 4/14/85.  The following is not a story coming out of the rumor mill. The priest whose testimony is given below is the pastor of a Catholic Church in Florida.
Please go to our Courageous Priest Facebook page and like us.  Thanks.
Background On Father Maniyangat
A priest who saw heaven, hell, and purgatory The death experience of Father Jose Maniyangat Francais-Espanol Fr. Jose Maniyangat is currently the pastor of St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church in Orange Park, Florida. Here is his personal testimony:
I was born on July 16, 1949 in Kerala, India to my parents, Joseph and Theresa Maniyangat. I am the eldest of seven children: Jose, Mary, Theresa, Lissama, Zachariah, Valsa and Tom.. At the age of fourteen, I entered St. Mary’s Minor Seminary in Thiruvalla to begin my studies for the priesthood. Four years later, I went to St. Joseph’s Pontifical Major Seminary in Alwaye, Kerala to continue my priestly formation. After completing the seven years of philosophy and theology, I was ordained a priest on January 1, 1975 to serve as a missionary in the Diocese of Thiruvalla. On Sunday April 14, 1985, the Feast of the Divine Mercy, I was going to celebrate Mass at a mission church in the north part of Kerala, and I had a fatal accident. I was riding a motorcycle when I was hit head-on by a jeep driven by a man who was intoxicated after a Hindu festival. I was rushed to a hospital about 35 miles away. On the way, my soul came out from my body and I experienced death. Immediately, I met my Guardian Angel. I saw my body and the people who were carrying me to the hospital. I heard them crying and praying for me. At this time my angel told me: “I am going to take you to Heaven, the Lord wants to meet you and talk with you.” He also said that, on the way, he wanted to show me hell and purgatory.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

WANT TO FIND GOD? MEDITATE!

Want to Find God? Meditate

 Given 30 seconds to say what is most important in life, it’d be simple: give yourself to God.
God gets a mixed review, obviously a favorable spin from religious or spiritual types, but still one with vague undertones of uncertainty. The advice I gave sounds good but what does it really mean, why is it important, and how should one go about doing it?

Let’s cut to the chase. Life on earth isn’t easy. Even when wealthy or healthy, people may be miserable. With no way to know what’ll happen one minute to the next, control and security are illusory. Money, power, fame, sex, etc. promise happiness but inevitably disappoint because they lead nowhere. And more, they distract us from realizing the truth about life:

We are not meant to find lasting happiness on Earth. It isn’t home. We’re immortal souls temporarily incarnate in bodies and here solely to learn, grow, and awaken spiritually. After spiritual awakening, we graduate from the earthly school of life and return to our divine home of omnipresence.

Understand that these aren’t just my fanciful ramblings. No savior ever preached, “Increase thy net worth” or “Be thou a sexual dynamo.” Rather, they taught that life is a journey of maturation, a process of spiritual growth that culminates in reuniting with the source of unending joy- God. So stop chasing toys, creation, and turn your attention toward the divine Maker.

Why is this important? Because we all seek happiness, and lasting fulfillment is only found in God. Everything we think provides joy is either a mental projection or reflection of inner soul joy. Nothing produces joy; God is joy. As one gets warm by approaching a bonfire, so to is lasting happiness gained by going to its source, Spirit. All else withers, God alone endures.



Inspiration Archives: Alan Pritz

Sunday, November 3, 2013

FIVE CREATIVE WAYS YOU CAN RECHARGE

5 Creative Ways You Can Recharge


We have all heard about how important it is for our physical and mental health to take time to recharge and unwind to reduce stress. But we don’t often hear how important it is to our creative side. Nor do we seem to hear about “creative” ways to unwind. In order to stay fresh and generate new ideas, it is vitally important to recharge. With that in mind, here are some more creative or unusual ways to get your creative juices flowing again.

Do something different that uses your creative side, your imagination, and your brain. While this might sound obvious, most of us often need a reminder to actually do something that taps into our creativity and expressiveness. Sing, paint, dance, take photos, learn a new instrument, learn to sculpt, or learn to design landscapes. Do anything that takes you out of your familiar zone and into a new one. If you don’t know where to start on your own, sign up for a class.


Daydream. Much has been written about how daydreaming is essential for writers and artists because some of their best ideas come that way. But, it’s also essential for anyone who wants to de-stress and re-charge themselves and their creativity. Famous daydreamers including Newton, Einstein, and Edison came up with their greatest ideas via daydreams.

After daydreaming, go out and do something fun. When we are having fun the best parts of ourselves come out. When we are having fun we don’t feel stress, and release the stress that we started with. So go ahead — jump on the bed, dance at a concert, visit a museum, draw with crayons, call a friend. There is no “right or wrong” way to do this — do what YOU think is fun.

Write or journal without thinking. Just write, free flow to get out your feelings. It opens up your brain and lets things come out. Some ideas to get you started: write down all of the things you are happy about or are grateful for, list your dreams, your fun to-do list, all the things you have dreamt of doing but haven’t.

Grab a piece of paper and pen, and start writing. Free writes can tap into ideas we didn't realize we had.

Stop multitasking! Put those electronic devices down, stop checking those texts and emails, and just pick one creative thing and focus on it. I find that when I focus on something, even something as mundane as weeding or making a to-do list, I forget everything else and find the ideas start to flow again. I not only release the stress, but clear my mind, and I am better able to finish my work or finish writing something that I am stuck on.

What are your processes for recharging and awakening the creative side?


Friday, November 1, 2013

TEN WAYS TO ALKALIZE YOUR BODY TODAY

10 Ways to Alkalize Your Body Today



Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10-ways-to-alkalize-your-body-today.html#ixzz2iUtTGvkB


Acidity has been linked to pain, excess weight and many other health issues. Fortunately, making your body more alkaline (the opposite of acidic) is easy.  Here are 10 ways to alkalize your body for more energy and vitality:
1. Start your day with a large glass of water with the juice of a whole, freshly-squeezed lemon. While lemons may seem acidic, they have the opposite effect on your body as it metabolizes them.

2. Eat a large green salad tossed in lemon juice and olive oil. Greens are among the best sources of alkaline minerals, like calcium.

3. Snack on raw, unsalted almonds. Almonds are packed with natural alkaline minerals like calcium and magnesium, which help to balance out acidity while balancing blood sugar.

4. Drink an almond milk and berry smoothie with added green powder like spirulina, chlorella, or other greens. Choose almond milk over cow’s milk, since the latter is acid-forming.

5. Go for a brisk walk or some other exercise. Exercise helps move acidic waste products so your body can better eliminate them.

6. Breathe deeply. Ideally, choose a spot that has fresh, oxygen-rich air. And, sorry Febreze, Glade, and all the other so-called “air fresheners”: air filled with these scents is not what I’m talking about here.

7. Go meat-free for a day… or longer if you like. During the metabolism of meat, there is an acid residue left behind.

8. Skip the sugar-laden dessert or soda.  Sugar is one of the mosyogt acidic foods we consume. You need over 30 glasses of neutral water just to neutralize the acidity of ONE can of soda.

9. Add more veggies to your diet. No, potatoes don’t count. But sweet potatoes are a good choice (provided you’re not slathering them in sweeteners or butter).  Asparagus, squash, peppers, and other vegetables are also excellent choices.

10. Sprout it out. Add more sprouts to your daily diet. They are extremely alkalizing and supercharged with nutrients and energy-boosting enzymes.

Subscribe to my free e-newsletter World’s Healthiest News to receive monthly health news, tips, recipes and more. Follow me on Twitter @mschoffrocook and Facebook.  Adapted from The Ultimate pH Solution by Michelle Schoffro Cook.  Copyright Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD.

Related:
10 Tips for Creating an Alkaline-Acid Balance
Try Alkaline Foods to Feel Better
4 Essential Alkaline Recipes


Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10-ways-to-alkalize-your-body-today.html#ixzz2iUuHduep