Signs from Angels

When angels help us through life, sometimes they do so in ways that may not be immediately recognizable to us. They often deliver answers, hints, messages, and warnings through signs--signals, or anomalies in life, which let us know that they're with us.
Signs are repetitive, out of the ordinary, personally meaningful, and timed to coincide with your prayers or questions that you've posed to the Divine. There are two steps to experiencing signs from above: (1) believe in them, and (2) notice them. Amazing life transformations occur when we learn to see and use the messages the angels give us in everyday life, in all situations, big or small.


 Clouds
Clouds are heavenly bodies of moisture, hovering above us like protective angels as they float around our world. Angels love to use these natural wonders to show us signs because they can be shaped in any fashion and are spectacular to look at. Clouds are one of the most common ways that we receive “I love you” messages from Heaven. The angels' clouds are physical signs that they’re with us around the clock.


Feathers
Feathers may be the ultimate angelic sign. Although feathers come in all different sizes and colors, they're amazing signs because they're directly connected with the thought, prayer, or question that you had in mind. Rarely will you find one left by the angels without knowing what it means. Either you’ll come across it while thinking about something or you'll immediately sense the association upon finding it. The angels will bring you feathers and other signs in a way tailor-made to your own level of faith.


Music
The angels often send their messages through the sound and power of music. It seems that almost everywhere we go, silence is replaced with music in one form or another. Pay attention, as recurring songs (or a series of songs sharing a theme) are almost always a sign from above. In addition to offering a connection to Heaven, music delivers very direct messages and signs. For instance, the title or lyrics of a song that you hear repetitively offers a chance to receive specific guidance from your angels.


Pennies
Coins, or currency in general, are often used by the angels to show us messages or give us guidance. All aspects of this type of sign have specific relevance to you and your path, including the time and place you find the coin, its denominations, the message written on it, and the material it's made. The next time you find a coin on the ground, know that it was purposely placed in your path. The gift of a coin helps us feel supported--financially, emotionally, spiritually, and physically.



Rainbows
Since the time of Noah's ark, rainbows have been symbolic of God's promise of love, care, support, and protection. When you ask the angels for a sign and you see a rainbow, it signals that your entire situation is being taken care of by them. Albino rainbows, double rainbows, and moonbows (rainbows appearing at night under the moonlight) are all so unusual that they leave no doubt as to their significance. Rainbows are not only signs, but also gifts of encouragement and guidance from the other side.

Voices
When there's an impending emergency or an excess of personal stress, the only way that the angels can ensure you'll hear them is through direct verbal communication. And if the angels talk, there's no doubt as to their message and meaning, and you should definitely listen. Hearing your name called by a disembodied voice is actually a common experience. This happens to most people as they're awakening from sleep, since that's when we're most open to hearing the angels. The voice of God and the angels is that of love and wisdom. When they speak up, it's loud, clear, and unmistakable.






What Does God Require for Eternal Life?

God promises eternal life to all who believe in and accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. But do we have any responsibility beyond believing?



Does God require anything of us for us to receive eternal life? In John 3:16, perhaps the best-known scripture in the Bible, God says He will grant eternal life to those people who have faith in Jesus Christ. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
What a wonderful, inspiring offer from our Creator-to freely give eternal life to anyone who believes in His Son.
But is that all there is to it? Based on this scripture, many believe that all one must do for salvation is to "accept Jesus," and, at that point of acceptance, one's eternal life will be assured. Is this what the Bible says?
It is clear that God gives us eternal life out of His deep love for humanity. As the apostle Paul explains: "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins," but "God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ . . ." (Ephesians 2:1, 4, 5).
Later in the same chapter, Paul further explains the way we receive eternal life: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:8, 9). Eternal life comes as a result of God's grace. It is His gift, unearned and undeserved on our part, freely imparted to us.

No one can earn eternal life

These scriptures make it plain that eternal life is by the grace of God through faith in Jesus, not by our own efforts or works of obedience. No one will ever be able to boast that he has earned or that he deserves the gift of eternal life. Salvation is God's to give, not ours to demand.
But back to our question. Is anything required on the part of the ones receiving God's wonderful gift of eternal life?
If there is an authority on receiving eternal life, it has to be Jesus Christ. After all, He is the one through whom we receive it.
Christ is called the author of our salvation: ". . . Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him" (Hebrews 5:8, 9).
Since salvation comes by faith, what does this scripture mean when it speaks of "eternal salvation to all who obey Him?" If Christ's saving us is a gift we cannot possibly earn, what does obedience have to do with eternal life? If we must do something to receive God's promise, how can it be a gift?

Christ the authority on eternal life

Since Jesus is the author of our salvation, let's examine a few of His statements that tell us how we can receive that gift.
During Jesus Christ's ministry on earth, He involved Himself in many disagreements with Pharisees, the religious leaders who demanded strict, legalistic obedience to their interpretations of God's law. But, although Jesus had many sharp disagreements with them, He never said that obedience to God's law was unnecessary or wrong. In fact, He said that, if we expect to enter God's Kingdom, we must be even more righteousness than the Pharisees were (Matthew 5:20).
The Pharisees' problem was that they didn't understand the reason for obeying God's laws. Notice Jesus' comments to them in Matthew 23:23: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone."
Jesus commended the scribes and Pharisees for their obedience, but said they had missed something: They had failed to learn the far more important lessons that should have resulted from obedience to God's law and the very purpose for it. Christ's point is that obedience is important, not just for the exercise of doing what we're told to do, but because through obedience we can learn the godly traits of sound judgment, loving mercy and steadfast faith.
In Matthew 7:21 Jesus made another striking statement: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall inherit the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven."
He made it clear that merely acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord and Master-saying "Lord, Lord"-is not sufficient. To inherit the Kingdom, we must do something. We must do the will of the Father, as He clearly stated.
But, if we must do something to receive eternal life, doesn't that contradict the notion that it is indeed a gift? Aren't we saved just because we believe in Jesus Christ?
The American Heritage Dictionary defines "belief" as: "1. The mental act, condition or habit of placing trust or confidence in a person or thing. 2. Mental acceptance of or conviction in the truth or actuality of something."
Jesus wants us to understand that there is more to receiving eternal life than just a mental act or mental acceptance. Our conviction that He is our Savior must be more than just a warm, comforting thought or intellectual concept. Jesus warns that simply calling on His name or recognizing Him as "Lord" is not enough. Jesus taught that God requires us to demonstrate our faith by obediently doing the will of the Father.

Salvation is just the beginning

Jesus Christ emphasized that following Him requires a great deal of effort and sacrifice from those who would be His disciples. The acceptance of Jesus as Savior leads to challenges, choices and difficult decisions: "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whosoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it" (Matthew 16:24, 25).
This level of effort involves much more than mere mental or intellectual acceptance. Acceptance of and faith in Jesus requires that our priorities change, as He made clear. Our lives are no longer just our own, but are dedicated to following Christ. If we do whatwe want, He said we will lose our lives. We are required instead to do what Jesus commands.
This demands living, active, deeply committed obedience, which demonstrates our faith in His sacrifice for us and in His leadership over our lives.
The principle is illustrated in an example recorded in Luke 19:11-27. In a parable, Jesus compares Himself to a wealthy nobleman who leaves on a long trip. As the nobleman departs, he gives his servants money and instructs them to invest it during his absence.
Upon his return, the nobleman demands to know what each servant has accomplished. He rewards two of his servants because they increased what he had given them. The third servant claimed he was so afraid of losing the initial amount that he didn't even try to invest it.
That servant's fear and subsequent lack of obedience proved he was unfaithful. In the parable, Jesus Christ Himself, represented as the nobleman, judges the unfaithful servant to be an enemy and condemns him (verse 27).
The parable illustrates that obedience, works and spiritual growth prove our faithfulness. It also illustrates that obedience produces the results and accomplishments God expects us to achieve.
On the other hand, refusal to obey demonstrates a lack of faith and will result in condemnation.

Beginning of lifelong commitment

Another lesson we learn from this parable is that being chosen for eternal life isn't the end; it is only the beginning.
As Paul expressed it, "And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and blameless, and above reproach in His sight-if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel . . ." (Colossians 1:21-23).
Notice that the chance to receive eternal life is conditional. To remain holy and blameless before God, we must "continue in the faith." We must put forth effort. We must produce.
Conversion is only the beginning of God's work in your life. Not only that, it is also the beginning of your work for God. More is involved in receiving eternal life than sitting by and passively expecting God to hand it over to us. We know it is a gift and that obedience to God doesn't earn what He freely gives us, but we also are required to put that gift to work. We must demonstrate our faith by obedience.
In Ephesians 2, quoted earlier, Paul states that we are saved by God's grace and not by any works we can do. However, he then concludes his comments on receiving eternal life through grace by stating, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (verse 10, emphasis added throughout).
Paul says the purpose of our receiving eternal life is that we can begin a life of good works.

Rewards according to works

A wealthy young man approached Jesus and asked Him how he could receive eternal life. "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" the man asked (Matthew 19:16). Christ's reply, in verse 17, might shock some who think obedience to God's law is unnecessary: "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments ."
Jesus didn't answer that nothing is required other than believing in God. He told the young man that he must obey the commandments of God to receive the gift of eternal life. Jesus didn't say obedience would earn eternal life (in fact, nothing can earn it), but He did make it plain that it is required.
When the young man was unwilling to sacrifice his physical wealth to dedicate himself to Christ, the disciples were confused. They apparently thought that, with all his talent and ability, this impressive young man was the kind of person who deserved eternal life. "When His disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, 'Who then can be saved?' But Jesus looked at them and said to them, 'With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible'" (verses 25, 26).
Jesus reemphasizes that, although obedience to God's commandments is required, it does not earn eternal life. It is impossible for any man to earn eternal life by his own efforts.
For one thing, our efforts will always fall short, as illustrated by this young man's lack of commitment. And, no matter what we give up or do, our actions cannot earn God's gift to us (verses 27-29). Eternal life is impossible except by the grace of God, but that reality does not relieve us of the requirement of obedience.

Free but not cheap

You may have heard the expression, "Salvation is free, but it isn't cheap." Our gift of life cost Christ His life. Jesus Christ, the very Son of God, willingly surrendered His life that we might enjoy the gift of eternal life. In turn, He expects us to surrender our lives for salvation, as well. "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple" (Luke 14:26, 27).
Our love for and commitment to Jesus Christ and God the Father must be more important to us than any other relationship. Each of us must be willing to bear his "cross," to faithfully follow Jesus even through life's most difficult challenges.
Verses 28-33 carry that thought, warning us to consider carefully that accepting the gift of eternal life comes at the highest cost we can imagine. "... Whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple" (verse 33). As Jesus gave His life for us, we must be willing to give our lives to follow Him.

Obedience earns us nothing

Jesus used a story to illustrate that we can earn nothing through obedience. "And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and sit down to eat'? But will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink'? Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do'" (Luke 17:7-10).
When a servant meets a minimum standard required of him by his master, he has simply done his duty, according to Jesus Christ. We must realize that obedience earns nothing; obeying is our duty and is required for us to receive the gift of eternal life.
In Matthew 16:27 Jesus makes a vital point about the relationship between works and eternal life: "For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works." When Jesus Christ returns, He will judge and reward us according to our efforts, works and obedience.
Notice that Jesus will be looking for something when He returns: "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. Blessed are those who do His commandments , that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter through the gates into the city" (Revelation 22:12-14).
When He returns, Jesus Christ will reward each of us according to our works. Those who have kept His commandments can claim the right to the gift of eternal life!

Obedience is the evidence of faith

But, if God wants to freely give us eternal life based on our faith in Jesus, what does obedience have to do with anything?
Obedience is not an attempt to make ourselves righteous or to earn God's favor and eternal life. Instead, obedience is an expression of our deep, abiding faith in His promises. Even though we realize God requires us to obey, we learn that obedience is not something we do reluctantly or begrudgingly.
Instead, obedience is a willing expression of our love and gratitude for all He is willing to give. It is a confident and enthusiastic expression of our faith in God's promise of the gift, for "without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).
The apostle John confirms that there is no contradiction between faith and obedience. On the contrary, there is a clear connection between the two: "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5:3-5).
Through obedience, we demonstrate our faith in Jesus, overcome the world and accomplish God's purpose. John also adds that obedience to God's commands is not an unreasonable burden.

How Abraham proved his faith

To emphasize the importance of faith, Paul said in Romans 4:13 that Abraham's righteousness was imputed to him and promises were made to him because of his faith, not his works of obedience to the law. But how did God know Abraham was faithful?
Remember Jesus' words in Matthew 7:21, quoted earlier: Belief is pointless unless it is proven by action and obedience.
The apostle James explains that faith and obedience go hand in hand: "But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?
"And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.' And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works and not by faith only" (James 2:23, 24).
The point is made again that works do not make us righteous, justify us or earn us eternal life, but the works of obedience provide the evidence and proof that we have faith, by which we are saved.
Eternal life is free, and obedience is a requirement. At first those two statements may seem contradictory. Yet, as Jesus Christ Himself clearly taught, there are things we must do if we want to inherit eternal life. He specifically mentioned God's commandments in this regard, as we read earlier. At the time of the judgment, He will proclaim a stern message for those who have believed in Him, but whose belief never translated into loving submission to God's law: "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'" (Matthew 7:23).
Jesus Christ and the writers of the Bible teach faithful commitment to God, demonstrated by obedience to His law. Obedience does not contradict or deny faith. In fact, obedience establishes faith. Obedience demonstrates faith. Obedience is based on faith. Obedience to God's law is required of those who will receive the gift of eternal life. GN

31st Anniversary of Our Lady’s apparitions

This year’s Anniversary of Our Lady’s apparitions was solemnly celebrated in Medjugorje on Monday, June 25, 2012. Besides numerous pilgrims from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, there were organised groups of pilgrims from England, the United States, Portugal, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine, Italy, Romania, Switzerland, Uganda, Slovakia, China, France, Slovenia and Korea. Many of them arrived by usual transport means, while huge number of pilgrims walked to Medjugorje to fulfil their vows to the Queen of Peace and to thank her for graces they have received. Priests were confessing pilgrims ever since 4 a.m., and total of 26 Holy Masses were celebrated during the day in the church of St. James, at the White Dome and in Adoration Chapel. Holy Masses in Croatian language were at 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11 a.m., 4 p.m. and central Holy Mass was at 7 p.m. Dr. Fr. Ivan Sesar, the Provincial of Herzegovinian Franciscan Province was the main celebrant and 162 priests concelebrated at that Mass. Parish choir of the Queen of Peace, conducted by Sr. Irena Azinovic sang during this main Eucharistic celebration. Dr. Fr. Miljenko Steko, Director of the Information Centre, gave a short speech and thanked everybody at the end of Holy Mass. Numerous foreign and national journalists were recording Holy Mass, and the whole programme was broadcasted on Internet as well. 
The Vigil Holy Mass on the Feast of St. John the Baptist was celebrated by Dr. Fr. Ivan Dugandzic and 134 priests concelebrated at that Holy Mass. The traditional Peace Walk from shrine of St. Anthony in Humac to Medjugorje was held on that day as well. 

Medjugorje Youth Festival 31st July - 7th August


The Medjugorje Youth Festival 2012 - with Medjugorje Pilgrimages. Join over 50,000 young people from more than 60 countries from around the world in a truly unforgettable celebration at the 2012 Medjugorje Youth Festival. The programme begins at 9am each day with morning prayer, talks & testimonies and praise and worship. At 12pm there is a break for pilgrims to rest or explore and the programme continues at 4pm-6pm with more talks & testimonies.
The Medjugorje youth festival evening programme begins with the Rosary and is followed by a beautiful Holy Mass. This is usually followed with a powerful holy hour of adoration of the blessed sacrament.
During the later evening there is another event or performance at the youth festival. The community of Cenacalo put on a spectacular play for the pilgrims and there is a procession of the statue of Our Lady around the village of Medjugorje.

Cenacolo Community


The Cenacolo community was founded by Sr Elvira Petrozzi, an Italian nun in 1983. For many years she had been concerned by the destruction she had seen among young people through drug abuse and she longed to help them. Since she had no formal training to work with addicts and the charism of her order was teaching, it was 8 years before she managed to persuade her superiors that this was a genuine call of God and to release her for the work.

She began with two companions - a fellow religious, Sr Aurelia, and a teacher Nives Grato. They were given an abandoned old house in the city of Saluzzo in Italy, which was leased to her by the city for a dollar a year, and on July 16th, the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the Cenacolo community officially opened. Soon young people began to arrive on her doorstep needing help and the work began. Sr Elvira has leamt as she has gone along. In the beginning the young addicts were allowed to smoke and have a glass of wine, Italian style, with their meals. She soon leamt, however, that such social niceties were not possible for people fighting with addiction. One evening she came back to find the young men in the community were all drunk, having bored a hole in the pantry wall and finished off all their supplies of wine. Now alcohol and tobacco are not allowed on the premises for anyone.


"A SCHOOL OF LIFE"

While secular de-tox programmes will use methodone and other drug substitutes to wean people off hard drugs, Sr Elvira has a completely different method. She believes that the problem of the young people is not so much one of chemical dependence on drugs, but that drugs are the only way that these young people have found to cope with their problems in life. She sees her job as showing them, a better and much more effective option - Christ. Thus Cenacolo is not so much a therapeutic community or drug rehab centre, as a school of life with prayer at its heart. The young people are thus put through a kind of intensive spiritual boot camp where they leam to live in a totally new way - to accept a simple lifestyle, and to rediscover the gifts of work, friendship and of faith in the Word of God, instead of relying on the crutch of drugs to escape from everything that is too painful to deal with. In their brochure the Cenacolo members explain their biggest problems are not the chemical withdrawals but re-orienting their lives.
One of the keys to the healing of the drug addicts is the role of their "guardian angels". These are fellow addicts who are further along the spiritual journey, who can offer emotional and spiritual support to new boys. The guardian angels provide 24 hour support for their charges, listening to them, encouraging them, making them cups of tea if they wake up in the night troubled, or even doing their work for them, if they feel too ill to do it. This unconditional love melts the hardest of hearts and helps prepare the newcomer for the day when he will do this for someone else on the programme. Later it is hoped they will take this giving attitude out into the world and help others, instead of being stuck in the self-centred spiral that many addicts find themselves in because of their drugs habit.

"TAUGHT TO GIVE THEIR PAIN AND PROBLEMS TO CHRIST"

The programme also teaches the addict to embrace the suffering and pain in their lives and give it to Christ through prayer, particularly in front of the Blessed Sacrament. Thus they learn in a practical way that these things can be carried with the grace of God and the love of community without having to resort to chemical escape mechanisms. Those who successfully complete the programme emerge not just healed of their addiction but strong, vibrant Christians with a heart to give and serve, particularly to help others who are suffering in the way they did in the past. While some addicts go back home, marry and get jobs and generally become reintegrated back into normal society, others decide to stay on and help found other Cenacolo communities elsewhere. Some have even opted for the priesthood or the religious life, and in the last few years a new religious order has grown up within the community, as well as the opportunity for consecrated celibacy.

Not surprisingly their success has led to a huge growth in the last decade or so, particularly in Italy and Croatia. There are now 47 communities world wide, with 1500 people in them, as well as many prayer groups and supportt groups for the families of addicts. A Cenacolo community was opened in Knock in Ireland in 1999 and it is hoped that there will also be one in England too in the near future.

"CENACOLO COMES TO IRELAND"

Aida Monsell, who is now 71, was one of the main forces behind the opening of the Irish Cenacolo community. She was so impressed by what she saw when she visited the Cenacolo house in Medjugorje, and knowing the need, she pestered Sr Elivra to open a community in Ireland too. She began a prayer meeting in Dublin to pray for the intention, little knowing that there was another priest, Fr Arian Crowley, doing the same thing with his group in another part of the city. The two met in 1998 when Sr Elvira invited them both to come and live with the community in Italy so they could experience what the life and vision of the community was about. As Aida, aged 65, had just retired she jumped at the opportunity, and spent three months at the community mother house in Ceretto.

"I felt it was very important to go through what the drug addicts would have to, without any concessions, so I would know what I was talking about when I spoke to people about it," she says. "But it was very hard, particularly at my age. But I learnt a lot about myself in the process and came out, I think a better person, and I am really glad I did it."

After that things moved rapidly and in June 1999 Sr Elvira came to Knock to look at the various properties that might be suitable for a community house. Aida remembers, "When she came to the third one, she said, "Praise the Lord, that's the one". Then there was the small problem of paying for it, but Aida wasn't worried, "I've leamt to be a great believer in Divine Providence, so I never worry about those things. We had enough for the deposit, which was paid in the August, and a few days before the full amount was due in October the £147,000 we needed, somehow arrived." Some of the Friends of the Community moved into the house temporarily so the Blessed Sacrament could be installed immediately. A couple of weeks later Sr Elvira appeared with eight young men and the house was officially opened on the feast of the Immaculate Conception on 8th December 1999.

"THE BEAUTY OF LIVING BY DIVINE PROVIDENCE"

Currently the community can house 16 people and the hope in the future is to build a separate chapel in the grounds. "We don't have much money for that either," says Aida blithely, "but I'm not worried, that's the beauty of believing in Divine Providence. If the Lord wants it, we will get the money, and if he doesn't we won't, and then there would be no point in building it anyway." The whole of Cenacolo operates on Divine Providence and the Irish community receives no state funding at all despite the work they do. "We don't accept anything from the State because we don't agree with their policy on drugs," says Aida, "we don't believe in giving methodone, which the government funded centres do, and we want to have the freedom to do things the way we feel called to. We have had some marvellous successes over the years, and some failures too, boys for whom our way was too hard and who left after a few days. It isn't for everybody but for those that it suits it works brilliantly." Those who do follow through the whole 3 year programme, go on to live good productive lives, she says.

"CENACOLO IS RUN BY THE ADDICTS THEMSELVES"

Rather than relying on highly paid workers with academic qualifications, the beauty of the Cenacolo programme is that it is run by the addicts themselves. Their service to Cenacolo becomes part of their own healing. They help others the way they have been helped themselves, and this helps them to move on with their lives. Sr Elvira reckons that while an addict can be healed of his addiction to drugs in 6 months or so, to get to the root of why he is taking the drugs in first place and to make the personal changes in his life needed to make sure that he won't go back, it takes about 2-3 years. As the Irish house is comparatively small, addicts only stay there for six to nine months or so. After this they usually move on to one of the houses in Italy to broaden their experience.

Interviews for addicts for places in the Knock community are held twice a month in Dublin on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month at the Aughrim Street Parish Centre. 13 Prussia Street, Dublin 7. Here addicts and their parents can meet with members of the community and discuss whether Cenacolo is the right solution for them. For further details contact:

094 93 88286 (outside Ireland add 00 353 and omit the 0 before the 94). Currently the Irish community is the only English speaking one in Europe and addicts from England, Scotland and Wales are usually sent here.

The Apparitions of Medjugorje

Medjugorje is a small village hidden in the mountains of the former Republic of Yugoslavia or what is now known as Bosnia. This village, known to locals as the "oasis of peace," is a home for Catholics, Muslims, Croats, and Serbs alike. It has served as a peaceful place where the "East meets the West."

On June 24th, 1981 this village was illuminated by a light seeming to come from above a nearby mountain known as Podbrdo. Two teenage girls, Mirjana Dragicevic from Sarajevo and her friend Ivanka Ivankovic from Mostar, saw what they described as a "beautiful woman holding a child surrounded by a brilliant white light" standing on the top of Mount Podbrdo. They were more than three soccer fields away from this light, and yet they saw the vision as clearly as if they were standing next to Her. This vision was of Mary, the Virgin Mother of Jesus Christ. This was Mary's first appearance in Medjugorje, but far from her last. As time progressed Mary appeared not only to Mirjana and Ivanka, but also to four other children: Jakov, Ivan, Vicka, and Marija. She continues to appear to some of these children today, as well as certain feast days, and a somewhat regular appearance on the 24th or 25th of each month. In the visions, Mary passes messages to the children for all the world to hear. These messages (over 170 had been recorded as of 1988), while varied in length and tone, can be summarized into nine basic themes:
1. God is revealing himself to man in order to help man prepare for the coming days.
2. Faith: Without it, it is impossible to please God as you cannot love Him if you do not believe.
3. Love God as love is the power behind our faith.
4. Convert: Give your heart to God.
5. Reconcile: Reconciliation is the way to open your heart to God's love.
6. Pray: Through prayer you will come to know the greatest joy and the way out of every situation that has no way out (Mary's message of March 29th 1985).
7. Fast: Fasting brings union of thought, spirit and body.
8. Acceptance: Accept the will of God to bring you clarity of soul and peace in your heart.
9. Peace: Peace in our hearts, peace in our family, peace in our community and finally peace in our world


During these visitations, Mary revealed more than just messages for the world; she also revealed secrets to these children. These secrets are given to the visionaries only and cannot be revealed without Mary's approval. There are 10 secrets, all of which teach of impending worldly disasters and the ways to relieve them. Not all of the children have been told all ten of these secrets. Mirjana and Ivanka (the two who first saw the Blessed Mother) are the only ones who know all of the secrets. Only one of the ten was allowed to be made public. This secret speaks of a visible and permanent sign on the sight of the first apparition. This sign will be irrefutable and will serve as proof for non-believers.

Other phenomena have been witnessed in Medjugorje since the apparitions have begun. The sun dancing in the sky, a luminous female figure appearing at the first apparition sight, a column of light above Mount Krizevac (aka The Mountain of the Cross), and a spontaneous inferno leaving no ash or charred earth have all been witnessed by many people both great and small in number. These signs are preliminary signs of the Great Sign according to the Blessed Mother.

Since 1981 between 20 and 30 million people of all races and creeds have visited this apparition sight to decide for themselves what significance this place and these messages hold. The Roman Catholic Church has yet to declare Medjugorje an authentic sight of Marian or other apparitions. 


Eternal Life

Many people have also misunderstood the meaning of “eternal life” as it is used in the Scriptures because they have listened to “once saved, always saved” teachers. The OSAS proponents often argue that “eternal life” can not be lost, or better yet forfeited, or else “eternal life” would not be “eternal.” This is a philosophical argument that is not based upon the Scriptural understanding of how a person partakes of eternal life.
Eternal life is the life that issues from the eternal God. Since God has and always will be eternal (Psalm 90:2), he “alone possesses immortality” (1 Tim 6:16), and “life in himself” (John 5:26) and has “granted the Son to possess life in himself” (John 5:26). Eternal life is eternal whether a person does or does not trust in the eternal God. Since God is the source of eternal life it follows that one’s possession of it is only through a faith relationship with the eternal God and his eternal Son, Jesus Christ.
Jesus said in John 5:24, “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him [God the Father] who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” On this verse NT scholar Henry Alford writes: “hath everlasting life: so 1 John 5:12,13. The believing [pisteuo], and the having [echo] everlasting life, are commensurate:—where the faith is, the possession of eternal life is:—and when the one remits, the other is forfeited” (The New Testament for English Readers, p. 508, emphasis is his).
Please note that both of the verbs, believe and has, are in the present tense. In this particular verse, the person who keeps on trusting in God the Father, who sent his Son, continues to possess eternal life. However, more often the Scriptures reveal that eternal life is one’s possession through faith in God’s Son, Jesus Christ. The apostle John concisely summed up this truth with these words: “He who possesses the Son has life indeed; he who does not possess the Son of God has not that life” (1 John 5:12, The New English Bible).
Thus, when Charles Ryrie defines eternal security as: “The work of God which guarantees that the gift of God (salvation), once received is possessed forever and cannot be lost” (So Great Salvation, p. 155-156, emphasis mine), he is biblically mistaken. Ryrie, like many OSAS defenders, holds that one act of faith results in one possessing salvation forever. However, the Scriptures reveal a decidedly different reality. In the NT the Greek word echo is translated as “possess” in contexts that involve personal relationships. For example, John 5:39-40 in the NIV reads:

“You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess (echo) eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have (echo) life.”

In talking to these Jewish people, Jesus makes it clear that since they stubbornly refuse to come to him in faith they do not possess life since he is the source of eternal life. Unfortunately, the NIV does not remain consistent in translating echo as possess in verse 40 as it did in verse 39 when the context allows for the same English word to be used. It should be noted that in every clear instance where the Scriptures states who possesses eternal life it is always conditioned upon a continual trust in Christ. It also should be noted that in each of these contexts echo is in the present tense. Therefore, those who possess and continue to possess eternal life are only those people who trust and continue to trust in Jesus Christ. It can also be seen that spiritually possessing life from the Son and the Father is conditional upon a faith that continues to remain in the teachings of Christ and/or his disciples. This involves not denying that Jesus is the Christ, and not hating ones’ “brothers” or “sisters,” [see references in 1 and 2 John below.]
Carefully read the following verses where possess or possesses (echo) appears. I have consistently translated each occurrence in these particular contexts as “possess” or “possesses” and have put them in bold type. I have also taken the time to italize the important present tense verbs that arise in the text that refer to linear or on going action.

“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may now possess eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but possess eternal life” (John 3:14-16).
“He who believes in the Son possesses eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36, NASB).

“I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me possesses eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. For as the Father possesses life in himself, so he has granted the Son to possess life in himself. And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned” (John5:24-29).

“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to me [in faith] will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me [in faith], and whoever comes to me [in faith] I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall possess eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day’”(John 6:35-40).

“I tell you the truth, he who believes possesses everlasting life. I am the bread of life. Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you possess no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood possesses eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. . . . Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever.” . . . From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You possess the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:47-69).

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will possess the light of life’”(John 8:12).

“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may possess life, and possess it to the full” (John 10:9-10).

“Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may possess life in his name” (John 20:30 -31).

“Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist—he denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son possesses the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son possesses the Father also. See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us—even eternal life” (1 John 2:22-25).

“We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer possesses eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:14-15, NASB).

“Anyone who believes in the Son of God possesses this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who possesses the Son possesses life; he who does not possess the Son of God does not possess life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you possess eternal life” (1 John 5:10-13).

“Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not possess God; whoever continues in the teaching possesses both the Father and the Son” (2 John 9).

From the Scriptural testimony above, one does not arrive at the definition of eternal security that Ryrie gives. Furthermore, we must reject the following statements that Charles Stanley makes in his book, Eternal Security: Can You Be Sure: “God does not require a constant attitude of faith in order to be saved [forever]—only an act of faith” (p. 80, emphasis is his). “Even if a believer for all practical purposes becomes an unbeliever, his salvation is not in jeopardy” (p. 93, emphasis mine). These statements are absurd in light of the Scriptural evidence. Unfortunately, many people have arrived at these same unbiblical conclusions because they have allowed OSAS teachers to do their thinking for them. It’s time for people to study the Bible for themselves, with the aid of the Holy Spirit, and cast off the OSAS theological eyeglasses that prevent them from understanding the will of God and walking in it. Life is only in the Son. Continue trusting in the Son, and you will continue to possess eternal life, both now and more fully in the age to come.

Do you have eternal life?

The Bible presents a clear path to eternal life. First, we must recognize that we have sinned against God: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). We have all done things that are displeasing to God, which makes us deserving of punishment. Since all our sins are ultimately against an eternal God, only an eternal punishment is sufficient. "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23).


However, Jesus Christ, the sinless (1 Peter 2:22), eternal Son of God became a man (John 1:1, 14) and died to pay our penalty. "God demonstrates His love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Jesus Christ died on the cross (John 19:31-42), taking the punishment that we deserve (2 Corinthians 5:21). Three days later He rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), proving His victory over sin and death. "In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Peter 1:3).


By faith, we must change our mindset regarding Christ - who He is, what He did, and why - for salvation (Acts 3:19). If we place our faith in Him, trusting His death on the cross to pay for our sins, we will be forgiven and receive the promise of eternal life in heaven. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son so that anyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9). Faith alone in the finished work of Christ on the cross is the only true path to eternal life! "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).


If you want to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, here is a sample prayer. Remember, saying this prayer or any other prayer will not save you. It is only trusting in Christ that can save you from sin. This prayer is simply a way to express to God your faith in Him and thank Him for providing for your salvation. "God, I know that I have sinned against you and deserve punishment. But Jesus Christ took the punishment that I deserve so that through faith in Him I could be forgiven. I place my trust in You for salvation. Thank You for Your wonderful grace and forgiveness - the gift of eternal life! Amen!"The Bible presents a clear path to eternal life. First, we must recognize that we have sinned against God: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). We have all done things that are displeasing to God, which makes us deserving of punishment. Since all our sins are ultimately against an eternal God, only an eternal punishment is sufficient. "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23).


However, Jesus Christ, the sinless (1 Peter 2:22), eternal Son of God became a man (John 1:1, 14) and died to pay our penalty. "God demonstrates His love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Jesus Christ died on the cross (John 19:31-42), taking the punishment that we deserve (2 Corinthians 5:21). Three days later He rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), proving His victory over sin and death. "In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Peter 1:3).


By faith, we must change our mindset regarding Christ - who He is, what He did, and why - for salvation (Acts 3:19). If we place our faith in Him, trusting His death on the cross to pay for our sins, we will be forgiven and receive the promise of eternal life in heaven. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son so that anyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9). Faith alone in the finished work of Christ on the cross is the only true path to eternal life! "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).


If you want to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, here is a sample prayer. Remember, saying this prayer or any other prayer will not save you. It is only trusting in Christ that can save you from sin. This prayer is simply a way to express to God your faith in Him and thank Him for providing for your salvation. "God, I know that I have sinned against you and deserve punishment. But Jesus Christ took the punishment that I deserve so that through faith in Him I could be forgiven. I place my trust in You for salvation. Thank You for Your wonderful grace and forgiveness - the gift of eternal life! Amen!"

After this life...


Live this life such a way that...

if death occurs at any moment,

you can die peacefully without tears...

and get the next life full of cheers.



"Where will I go after this life?" Have you ever asked yourself this question? You may think that...
this question is, senseless and foolish
who knows what will happen after death and why to worry now,
in so much busy and tensionfull life, it is impossible to think further beyond this life, etc.
              There is no surprise if you think such way, like most people do. But I want you to ask yourself this question atleast on every Sunday without fail and try to get the answer. Sunday is holiday. Busy people find themselves somewhat easy, free from job & other routine work, visit church, temple, mosque or another own religious places. Holiday is suitable day to think on such mysterious & self-related questions.

             "Where will I go after this life?" is neither senseless nor foolish question to ask yourself. If fact, this maybe one of the most valuable questions appeared in your life. As a human being you are able to think. No other kind of life on this earth has the capacity to think on such question. From invisible bacteria to giant elephant, there are varieties of life existing on this earth. Human life is the most advanced form of life, superior in intelligence & physical development than all other life form on this earth. Except human life, all other lives do not have their survival so easy. Everyday, they have to struggle for food, freedom & shelter. They always remain under fear of attacks by others. If you think thoroughly, you will realize how lucky you are as a human. As a human, you got a rare opportunity to observe, think and uplift yourself. Do not waste this precious human life just in routine work. You might have planned for your peaceful retirement till you die. Also you might have planned easy life for you family after your death. But, you never planned for yourself after your death. Because, you never thought "WHAT after this life?"

               On death, your soul will depart from your body to take next birth in another body. This is a cycle. There will be another life beyond this life. But it is important that what kink of body you will get on your next birth. Body of any creature, like cow, dog, cat, etc..? or again human? If you get human body (if you are so much lucky) then will you be born rich or poor? physically fit or handicapped? Brilliant or mentally retarted? Healthy or always sick? It all depends on how you are passing this life. It is a law of 'Nature' that "You will get much more peace & happiness if you offer others the same. You will get severe pain & suffering if you give others the same. As you sow, so shall you reap." You may be very happy one in this life. But what about your next life?

Medjugorje Cenacolo


Community Cenacolo is an organization founded by Sister Elvira Petrozzi in 1983. A member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity in Italy, Sister Elvira felt a strong desire to reach out to young people who had taken a wrong path. It took some years before Sister's Superiors granted permission, meanwhile Sister Elvira says she felt like a volcano inside, prayed much and never gave up hope.
Though it was not fit to live in, an old ruined house in Saluzzo, Italy was leased to the Sisters and the project began. That run down old building became the Mother House of Community Cenacolo, a worldwide organization with over 33 fraternities throughout Italy, France, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina (Medjugorje), Ireland, Brazil, Austria, Dominican Republic, USA (Florida) and Mexico.
Community Cenacolo accommodated about 900 young men and women. Many are drug addicted desperate lost souls. Passing through the doors of Community Cenacolo, these young people begin to feel hope and a sense of being, and family. The aim of the Community is to renew the family; to help the families meet Jesus Christ, Savior and Redeemer, also, to bring support, love, healing and faith.
In February of 09, the Bishop of Mostar who has jurisdiction over the Medjugorje region has made yet another bold demand in his continuation to stop Our Lady's apparitions. Medjugorje USA received reports from reliable sources that the Bishop has written a letter to visionary Mirjana stating her public apparition held at the Community Cenacolo on the 2nd of each month, must stop. To ensure the public apparitions stop, the Bishop also wrote a letter to Community Cenacolo Medjugorje founder, Sister Elvira. As a result of this letter Sister Elvira received from the Bishop, Medjugorje USA has been told Sister Elvira will be obedient to the orders from the Bishop.
Since Feb. 09 Visionary Mirjana has had her monthly apparition in her own home and now at the well know site in Medjugorje called "Blue Cross." Since the Bishop has forbid the apparitions to continue at Community Cenacolo, Community Cenacolo's website which has been a great source for drug addicted teens to find help has been removed from the internet. Upon investigation Medjugorje USA has learned that the Medjugorje Cenacolo website is complete down and the domain name associated with it is for sale to anyone.
Medjugorje USA feels Medjugorje Community Cenacolo is a much needed source on the internet. We also feel Mirjana's apparition at Medjugorje Cenacolo give notice to Sister Elvira's much needed project for teens durg treatment. We now recommend that anyone interested in Sr. Elvira's program visit the main website in Italy. http://www.comunitacenacolo.it/  
The former and current Bishop who covers the region of Medjugorje within the diocese, have both been quite open to all media sources that they do not believe in the Medjugorje Apparitions. The Vatican became aware of the tainted Commission appointed by the former Bishop when U.S. Ambassador to Yugoslavia, David Anderson's sent the Vatican a classified document called an "AirGram." In the AirGram sent to Vatican, Rome, Anderson stated that each member of the Medjugorje Commission had publicly announced they did not believe the Virgin Mary was appearing in Medjugorje, prior to the completed investigation. Anderson also noted that one member of the Commission who did not believe, went to Medjugorje and had a change of heart. As soon as the head of the Commission (Bishop Zanic) learned this Commission member now believed, he was dismissed from the Commission. This AirGram is in my personal possession after my two years of tribulation to have this information released under the "Freedom of Information Act." Just a month after the 25th Anniversary of the Medjugorje apparitions once again the Vatican who said they would not investigate Medjugorje again till the apparitions were over, announced they would form yet a third Commission to investigate the Medjugorje apparitions.  This change of heart is believed due to my book that came out in 06, "Medjugorje Investigated," which supplied documented proof the previous Commissions were tainted. The third Medjugorje Commission formed September of 06, to date has not released findings.
The point to this final note is to inform the reader that the current Bishop of Mostar has no jurisdiction over the apparitions and the investigation as the Vatican itself has taken this matter into their own hand, due to the former and current Bishop's outspoken opinion against the apparition prior to proper investigation. Even so, the Bishop still has some authority over Medjugorje which is under his jurisdiction. This allows the Bishop to do things such as to force his will over Sister Elvira's Community Cenacolo in Medjugorje.  Sister Elvira has to be obedient to the rule of the Bishop because of her vow of obedience. Since the rule of the Bishop, it appears Community Cenacolo has been hurt by the Bishop's ruling and the Cenacolo website has been removed for some unknown reason. Suffering teens could suffer and die as a result.