Now overwhelmed with crowds... in the Boston Archdiocese.
From The Boston Globe:
Two weeks ago, a delivery man told a rectory worker that the life-sized statue outside the red-brick church near Tufts University was weeping. By yesterday at noon, the devout and the curious were arriving at the statue every few minutes.
"I think she's crying because this church may close," said Stephanie Pucillo of Medford, who visited the statue yesterday during her lunch break after her mother told her about it. "Is it real? I don't know. But the timing is ironic, with everything that's going on."
Last month, Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley informed all the 357 parishes that due to dwindling Mass attendance, a shortage of priests, and financial constraints, some churches would be forced to close by the end of the year. He instructed priests and parish officials to meet and identify which parishes ought to be slated for closing.
The five Catholic parishes in Medford have decided that if one of them must close, it should be St. James Parish, and if two churches must close, then Sacred Heart Church has been recommended, according to Sacred Heart's church bulletin.
The Rev. Christopher J. Coyne, the archdiocesan spokesman, was on vacation and unavailable for comment.
But Sacred Heart's pastor, the Rev. Robert Doherty, said: "The statute is not weeping. It's just an outdoor statute."
He said that streams of water have been rolling down the statue's face from one or both eyes. Doherty said that given all the troubles that the Catholic churches has faced lately, from the sex-abuse scandal to the proposed church closings, it makes sense that devout Catholics believe the statue is weeping. "I think the Blessed Mother is crying, but I don't think the statue is," he said.
Doherty said the statue has been in front of the church for years, and until recently, it was entirely white. About two years ago, a parishioner added blue hues to the icon's robe, and flesh colored paint to its face.
Thursday, March 4, 2004
The Meaning of Suffering
“Why?” by John F. Downs is the true story of one man’s battle with suffering as a quadriplegic, and Mother Teresa’s advice to him to “be more visible”.
It is a testimony of the life and faith journey of the author, who became a quadriplegic after a trampoline accident in high school. The main theme of this autobiography, the spirituality of suffering, is not necessarily an attractive topic. In fact, the notion of suffering is scary for many. We wonder why God allows suffering, especially for the innocent.
John Downs captures the truth about the meaning of suffering: the only way to salvation is through the cross. Suffering is not meaningless. It has purpose. In fact, would you believe that it is a “gift”? This book shows how seeking God’s plan for our lives can change an angry “Why?” to an interior union with Christ crucified.
Mother Teresa once told John Downs that he should “be more visible.” I heartily agree. When you read his story, you are drawn to the sacrifices of love by this one man, John Downs, and through it, you grow closer to God. The book is truly, as the author hoped it would be, “a doorway to the discovery of life’s true purpose: a right relationship between creature and Creator.”
John Down's book “WHY?” has been in progress for the past 5 years and is finally ready for release. It is only fitting that his book be released at the beginning of Lent. Be among the first to experience this power book.
They are offering a FREE copy of Chapter 4 – “An End and A Beginning”. Click here to get the FREE chapter.
It is a testimony of the life and faith journey of the author, who became a quadriplegic after a trampoline accident in high school. The main theme of this autobiography, the spirituality of suffering, is not necessarily an attractive topic. In fact, the notion of suffering is scary for many. We wonder why God allows suffering, especially for the innocent.
John Downs captures the truth about the meaning of suffering: the only way to salvation is through the cross. Suffering is not meaningless. It has purpose. In fact, would you believe that it is a “gift”? This book shows how seeking God’s plan for our lives can change an angry “Why?” to an interior union with Christ crucified.
Mother Teresa once told John Downs that he should “be more visible.” I heartily agree. When you read his story, you are drawn to the sacrifices of love by this one man, John Downs, and through it, you grow closer to God. The book is truly, as the author hoped it would be, “a doorway to the discovery of life’s true purpose: a right relationship between creature and Creator.”
John Down's book “WHY?” has been in progress for the past 5 years and is finally ready for release. It is only fitting that his book be released at the beginning of Lent. Be among the first to experience this power book.
They are offering a FREE copy of Chapter 4 – “An End and A Beginning”. Click here to get the FREE chapter.
Wednesday, March 3, 2004
Slight Setback for Father Groeschel
From Letter 3/2/04:
"Believe it or not, today we had a bit of a setback. Yes, at eight o'clock this morning Father's heart began to race, things began to beep and blink, and they had to roll in Father's old friend - the ventilator. The brief but startling ordeal frightened Father who called for a priest to receive the sacrament of the sick. He also asked that the Blessed Sacrament be reserved in his room. The doctors and other professionals on the scene were not terribly shaken; they've seen this many times. No doubt, getting off the ventilator after so many weeks is tricky business. So, instead of tap dancing, Fathers' doing the 'one step forward, two steps back' routine. "
"Believe it or not, today we had a bit of a setback. Yes, at eight o'clock this morning Father's heart began to race, things began to beep and blink, and they had to roll in Father's old friend - the ventilator. The brief but startling ordeal frightened Father who called for a priest to receive the sacrament of the sick. He also asked that the Blessed Sacrament be reserved in his room. The doctors and other professionals on the scene were not terribly shaken; they've seen this many times. No doubt, getting off the ventilator after so many weeks is tricky business. So, instead of tap dancing, Fathers' doing the 'one step forward, two steps back' routine. "
More Hate Crimes Against Christians in Florida
This time in St. Augustine...
From staugustine.com: Local News: Vandals strike, uproot hundreds of crosses at church 03/02/04:
"When Al Wolff saw more than 200 uprooted crosses Monday morning at the Mission of Nombre de Dios, he wasn't enraged.
Instead, he felt sorry for the people who did it.
Wolff is the caretaker of the 4,500 white 18-inch crosses that have been placed at the church annually for the past 16 years. The crosses signify the number of fetuses aborted each day, he said. The exhibit is sponsored by St. Augustine's St. Gerard Campus, an agency aimed to help pregnant, unwed mothers.
Along with the uprooted crosses, Wolff said he saw about 20 wire coat hangers around some of the crosses and in the ground.
'They're not educated,' Wolff said about the vandals. 'They don't understand. I pray for them.'
It is clear that pro-abortionists made the statement, Wolff said.
'They were prepared. They had the hangers,' he said. 'They're trying to show they're view.'"
From staugustine.com: Local News: Vandals strike, uproot hundreds of crosses at church 03/02/04:
"When Al Wolff saw more than 200 uprooted crosses Monday morning at the Mission of Nombre de Dios, he wasn't enraged.
Instead, he felt sorry for the people who did it.
Wolff is the caretaker of the 4,500 white 18-inch crosses that have been placed at the church annually for the past 16 years. The crosses signify the number of fetuses aborted each day, he said. The exhibit is sponsored by St. Augustine's St. Gerard Campus, an agency aimed to help pregnant, unwed mothers.
Along with the uprooted crosses, Wolff said he saw about 20 wire coat hangers around some of the crosses and in the ground.
'They're not educated,' Wolff said about the vandals. 'They don't understand. I pray for them.'
It is clear that pro-abortionists made the statement, Wolff said.
'They were prepared. They had the hangers,' he said. 'They're trying to show they're view.'"
Tuesday, March 2, 2004
Lenten Meditations
I continue to post Lenten Mediations on the page that you can access by clicking on the image of the gate to the right. I've changed the focus a bit. The post will be reflective of the day's Gospel reading, on Sundays it will be reflective of the Gospel for cycle A. The overall focus is the "power of the cross." All of this eventually will be a book, so comments, critiques of various entries are appreciated.
Image of Jewish Woman Destroyed in Clearwater, FL
Might this act of anti-Semitism be the result of the movie The Passion of the Christ? I'll bet when they catch the culprit they'll find a connection.
Believers, believe that the image will reappear if the window panes are replaced. Now, if that happens, let me say that I'll also believe!
From the Tampa Tribune:
Reed said a group of a half- dozen of the faithful were at the site until about 9 p.m. Sunday, leaving the site unattended for roughly 10 hours until the volunteer arrived.
Clearwater police spokesman Wayne Shelor said investigators discovered among the shards of glass one with the imprint of a ball bearing.
They are surmising from this and other evidence that the bearings did not cause the panes to shatter immediately. Rather, they caused weblike cracks in the three panels, which over time caused the glass to fall to pieces.
All three ball bearings have been recovered, Shelor said. Because there are no signs of black powder on the ball bearings, or any evidence of rifling, detectives don't think a firearm was used, Shelor said.
``The operating premise is it is something like a slingshot,'' Shelor said. It is also believed, Shelor said, that the culprit fired the bearings from the site, where many have come to say the rosary, light a candle, or leave flowers or donations.
Investigators have viewed images from a Web camera on the property that is aimed at the image of Mary so the faithful can view the visage on computers worldwide. But at least until 5:15 a.m., the image is intact, Shelor said. That means the vandal took his shots afterward, or the glass hadn't disintegrated yet, Shelor said.
Investigators also are aware that neighboring businesses at the busy intersection of Drew Street and U.S. 19 have surveillance cameras that might provide clues, he said.
Behind the panes was a prayer room where Shepherds of Christ holds occasional religious services. Visitors witnessing the destruction Monday from the outside could look in and see the altar from which the services have been held. A piano also stood in the room, one of its legs partly buried by shards of glass.
Reed called the panes of glass ``irreplaceable.'' Still, the broken pieces of glass will be preserved, she said.
``Only God can replace the window,'' she said. ``If he wants it replaced, it will happen.'' Some at the site Monday speculated that if the mirrored glass were replaced, Mary's head would instantaneously reappear and attach itself to the rest of the image.
Believers, believe that the image will reappear if the window panes are replaced. Now, if that happens, let me say that I'll also believe!
From the Tampa Tribune:
Reed said a group of a half- dozen of the faithful were at the site until about 9 p.m. Sunday, leaving the site unattended for roughly 10 hours until the volunteer arrived.
Clearwater police spokesman Wayne Shelor said investigators discovered among the shards of glass one with the imprint of a ball bearing.
They are surmising from this and other evidence that the bearings did not cause the panes to shatter immediately. Rather, they caused weblike cracks in the three panels, which over time caused the glass to fall to pieces.
All three ball bearings have been recovered, Shelor said. Because there are no signs of black powder on the ball bearings, or any evidence of rifling, detectives don't think a firearm was used, Shelor said.
``The operating premise is it is something like a slingshot,'' Shelor said. It is also believed, Shelor said, that the culprit fired the bearings from the site, where many have come to say the rosary, light a candle, or leave flowers or donations.
Investigators have viewed images from a Web camera on the property that is aimed at the image of Mary so the faithful can view the visage on computers worldwide. But at least until 5:15 a.m., the image is intact, Shelor said. That means the vandal took his shots afterward, or the glass hadn't disintegrated yet, Shelor said.
Investigators also are aware that neighboring businesses at the busy intersection of Drew Street and U.S. 19 have surveillance cameras that might provide clues, he said.
Behind the panes was a prayer room where Shepherds of Christ holds occasional religious services. Visitors witnessing the destruction Monday from the outside could look in and see the altar from which the services have been held. A piano also stood in the room, one of its legs partly buried by shards of glass.
Reed called the panes of glass ``irreplaceable.'' Still, the broken pieces of glass will be preserved, she said.
``Only God can replace the window,'' she said. ``If he wants it replaced, it will happen.'' Some at the site Monday speculated that if the mirrored glass were replaced, Mary's head would instantaneously reappear and attach itself to the rest of the image.
Monday, March 1, 2004
Vandalized!
From BayNews9.com - News:
"Someone has defaced an internationally known religious landmark.
The top three panels of the nine-panel glass window were broken at the Clearwater building with the Virgin Mary image. Police believe it happened between 5:15 and 6:45 Monday morning.
The damage was discovered by a woman who came to pray. Clearwater police say they think a vandal used a sling shot to propel ball bearings at the window, causing the glass to splinter and break. "
"Someone has defaced an internationally known religious landmark.
The top three panels of the nine-panel glass window were broken at the Clearwater building with the Virgin Mary image. Police believe it happened between 5:15 and 6:45 Monday morning.
The damage was discovered by a woman who came to pray. Clearwater police say they think a vandal used a sling shot to propel ball bearings at the window, causing the glass to splinter and break. "
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