Fr. Jim Heuser spoke of communion in community

The Rector Major visits the Marian Shrine. 2nd Video

Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major visited the Marian Shrine

Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime visited the Marian Shrine in October 2015.  It was a historical visit, since it was the first time that he visited the USA.  We were honored to have him with us on his very first visit. 

Incredible Miracle that science cannot explain

All Saints Day

The most powerful lines from Pope Francis' address to Congress

Pope Francis doesn't hold back while addressing controversial issues

Stephen Colbert on Pope Francis, Faith and Politics

A 12 year old paints heaven - absolutely amazing

Makes one pause, and reflect!!

Some of her art work is at Mardel and is so beautiful it takes your breath away.

If you read the book “Heaven is for Real,” this is the little girl who was talked about in the book and her rendition of Christ. Every time the little boy in the book saw a picture of Christ, his folks would ask him if the pictures he saw actually looked like Christ. He would always say no until he saw Akiane’s picture of Christ, then he said this is what Christ looks like. After you scroll through her artwork there is a video at the end.

Absolutely amazing.

Be sure and watch her video very near the end of the site,
after the last picture in the slide presentation.
This is just too beautiful to describe.......................
The Video on the little girl's web site is beautiful and amazing.
This artist is lovely and her work is gorgeously spiritual.

Marian Apparitions in Garabandal, Spain

Taken from the amazing video "Marian Apparitions of the 20th Century". A Message of Urgency.

Incredible Miracles that Science cannot explain

These extraordinary events have left scientists baffled.

Fatima Portugal 1917

On October 13, 1917 a crowd believed to be approximately 70,000 in number, gathered at the Cova da Iria fields near Fátima, Portugal. According to many witness statements, after a downfall of rain, the dark clouds broke and the sun appeared as an opaque, spinning disk in the sky. Many skeptics believe that the event was natural and meteorological in nature. But, how does one explain that the event occurred at the exact time predicted by three young children ?

For Such a Time as this - Wayne Watson

A classic contemporary Christian song by Wayne Watson, based upon Mordecai's words to Esther in Esther 4:14. It's an encouraging song that answers the question many of us often have: "Why am I here?" The answer is in the song: "To hear the voice of God, and do His will, whatever it is.

Forgiveness Therapy

Forgiveness has changed. We now have methods that help a person forgive even the unforgivable. The whole field of "Forgiveness Therapy" in psychology is moving forward rapidly. We have proven, powerful methods that will help you get rid of your upsets for good. The book, How to Forgive When You Can't: The Breakthrough Guide to Free Your Heart & Mind is the ultimate guide to forgiving. It provides the methods to help you get rid of a lifetime of upsets and is a 4 time national award winner in the areas of mental health, self-help, psychology and personal development.

The touch of the Masters hand - Wayne Watson

The Touch of the Master's Hand is a classic poem by Myra 'Brooks' Welch. It speaks of the worth of the soul. Hope you are blessed by this song based on the poem and sung by Wayne Watson.

Jim Carrey's secret of life

We are all afraid, of so many things, because we understand so little. There is some solace however, in the strength of humanity. We are the only species currently known that are intelligent enough to look out into the deep silence of those unanswered questions that exist out there, feel terrified beyond belief, and pursue those answers with the dogged determination of a madman.

Johnny the bagger

Motivation for women

Does God do miracles? Watch this

DOES GOD DO MIRACLES??? HERE'S MANY AMAZING & POWERFUL MIRACLES IN 4 MINUTES!!! 

 

 

Angel saves man from near death

Statue of Blessed Mother bleeding

The Statue of Blessed Mother was found bleeding from both eyes in the chapel of CMI House, Ghaziabad (Near Delhi), India. It occurred four times for three consecutive days from July14, 2012. Recommended by the Church authorities, the statue is placed in the parish church (St. Mary's Assumption Church), Mariam Nagar, Ghaziabad.

Statue of Mary weeps tears and blood

Eucharistic Miracle in Buenes Aires, Argentina

This short video recounts the story of the amazing Eucharistic Miracle that happened in Argentina in 1996 in the Parish of St. Mary.

Heroes of Catholicism - The 2015-2016 Lumen Christi Awards

 Kevin An-Delgado - Archdiocese of Agana (Guam)
Extract taken from Catholic Extension

Kevin An Delgado’s service to Santa Teresita Catholic Church in Mangilao, Guam began in 1991 when he was a 13-year-old altar server. At the time, there were only a few STC parish ministries. Two years later, he organized MAGIC--Manhoben (meaning “youth”) And God Inspiring Community--that has grown to become a vibrant parish youth group over the last 20 years.
MAGIC’s impact on the parish community is directly attributable to Kevin’s continued commitment to youth ministry. Kevin has served as the godfather or sponsor to 403 men and women for the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. Many of these young people are now adults who continue to serve the Church as teachers and advisors for youth groups, retreat leaders and more. Each year on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, Kevin celebrates with his godchildren at an annual reunion to keep in touch with them and offer them continued support in the journey of faith through life.
In the 20 years of its existence, many students who participated in MAGIC are now professionals: doctors, lawyers, teachers, business entrepreneurs and educators. Many attribute the youth group to helping them realize their potential.
Now serving as the parish’s programs director, Kevin has used the gifts and talents of the youth to develop and manage over 30 parish ministries that build faith, morals, and leadership within the heart of each member. Through Kevin’s work, the STC pastoral team is able to provide the support needed to positively impact thousands of children, teens, young adults and families in Guam.

Kevin has evolved the offerings of MAGIC to be attentive to the needs of parish youth and connect them to their faith. The CCD/Faith Formation programs are up and running with hundreds of adults participating in the education of the youth, young adults and older parishioners.

Through MAGIC, Kevin ensures that Catholic youth understand the importance of service. The group volunteers at the Silent Witness Ceremony in remembrance of victims of domestic violence, serves at a soup kitchen twice a month, visits a pediatric ward for prayer every other week and organizes an annual picnic for incarcerated youth.
Santa Teresita is now regarded as one of the most active and vibrant of the 25 parishes in the Archdiocese of Agana, Guam. Beyond overseeing 30 ministries within his parish, Kevin also answers numerous calls for special assistance in other parishes, villages, schools and the island community as a whole.
Kevin has offered as many as 100 retreats in parishes around Guam, working with individuals and groups preparing for the sacraments and grade-level faith formation. With special concern for the younger children who are not participating in the life of the Church, Kevin does all he can to be inclusive of these kids.
Since Guam has a high rate of suicide, Kevin arranged to have his team trained in suicide prevention and participated in island-wide activities that help with the healing process from suicide--striving to build stronger and better relationships through attentive, compassionate listening and genuine care for each other. Kevin also assists in the annual Candlelight Vigil for families who have lost a loved one to suicide.
Kevin’s work in youth ministry over the last two decades has borne incredible fruit for both Santa Teresita Church and the greater Catholic Church in Guam, as generations of the island’s youth have benefited from his example and the opportunities to grow in faith through MAGIC. The program rejuvenates each year with new members, and Kevin’s energy radiates through the rest of the parish’s programs and outreach.
Kevin is a true Catholic hero and a source of Christ’s light for the Catholic Church in Guam.

Happy 200th Birthday, St. John Bosco

St. John Bosco was born on August 16, 1815.  This August 16th marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of St. John Bosco, affectionately known as Don Bosco.
Patron Saint of young people. 

Feast of the Assumption

Found these interesting

Native American Legend on Mankind

The two wolves

Good and evil, happiness and sorrow, abundance and poverty, contribution and selfishness, greatness and mediocrity lie within us all.

It's this very dichotomy that makes us human.

You can't have one without the other... but you can determine which will prevail and you can be committed to manifesting those qualities that your life will be about.

What qualities characterize who you are?

The following movie will inspire you and move you:

Notes from the Universe

"Sometimes the story finds the storyteller. Not the other way around." – T.L. Pearson, from the movie – Neverwas

At its core, that quote is talking about our higher self, God, Universe giving us a nudge... a message to inspire us to do the important work on ourselves so that we can live a more joyful, abundant, amazing life.

One thing I absolutely LOVE to do is use videos as a way to share powerful ideas.

Do you believe

Do you believe that attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference?

Do you believe that we miss 100% of the shots we don’t take?

Do you believe that our aspirations are our possibilities?

Do you believe that Companies Don’t Succeed…People Do?

Do you believe that we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give?

Do you believe that those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves?

Do you believe that many times… less can be more?

Do you believe that in the middle of every difficulty comes opportunity?

Do you believe that you’re always one choice away from changing your life?

Do you believe that when you’ve done your best you can wait the results in peace?

Do you believe that sometimes in the winds of change we can find our true direction?

Do you believe that laughter is sunshine in any life?

Do you believe that the most important things in life aren’t things?

Do you believe that a leader’s job is to look into the future and see the organization not as it is, but… as it can be?

Do you believe if you throw your heart over the fence, the rest will follow?

Do you believe that customer service is not a department… it’s an attitude?

Do you believe that the price of leadership is responsibility?

Do you believe if you change your thoughts you can change the world?

Do you believe you can burn brightly without burning out?

Do you believe that the greatest management principal in the world is… the things that get rewarded and appreciated get done?

Do you believe that after the verb to love… to help is the most beautiful verb in the world?

Do you believe that whether you think you can, or you can’t… you’re right?

Do you believe that gratitude can change your life?

Do you believe that its not the things you get but the hearts you touch that will determine your success in life?

Do you believe that if you teach your child the Golden Rule, you will have left an estate of incalculable value?

Speechless

Every now and then a video crosses my path that truly stands out as "beyond the ordinary" -- this is one of them. :)

Artistically, this video is stunning, original, and beautiful.

Emotionally, the way this "story" is presented left me speechless and with a tear in my eye.

There's no doubt that the group who created this phenomenal audio / visual experience is going to be making some BIG waves in the coming years.

How Rich people think

An Excerpt From
How Rich People Think
by Steve Siebold

The average person believes the harder they work, the more money they’ll make. Their linear thinking equates labor and effort with financial success. This is why most people aren’t rich. They’re following an outdated model of success and are confounded when they reach middle age with little money to show for twenty years of hard work.

The rich know that creative thinking is the highest paid skill in the world. Independent, creative thinking is the most valuable asset anyone can acquire. So while the masses are trying to figure out how to put their kids through college and retire on half of what they can barely exist on now, the great ones are building empires, living in abundance, and donating large sums to their favorite causes. This sets off a psychological domino effect, because once a person thinks and lives at this level of abundance, they know even greater levels of success are possible through the vehicle of creative thought.

Most of us were told as kids that if we paid attention in school, got good grades, and went to a respectable college or university, our success was virtually guaranteed. The reality is that few people who follow this formula ever get rich. They survive, and some become the most successful people in their families. But world-class wealth is rarely achieved by people who follow this model. The rich eventually figure out that training your mind to find solutions to difficult problems is the real secret to making money. The good news is that this is possible for anyone who conditions their mind to think this way, and then transforms thought into action.

 

Turn your rain into rainbows

This inspiring video helps us understand that we are in control of the way we think about and respond to life's events – in both in our personal and professional lives.

Whether you're dealing with life's daily ups and downs...

Or are weathering stronger storms...

You'll be encouraged and supported to see beyond life's storms...

So that you can turn your "Rain" into rainbows!

And find lasting fulfillment and success in your life. :)

Chain of Kindness

It is said that "what goes around comes around," but rarely do we see just how far our little acts of kindness can go. Especially random acts of kindness.

This short video is one that truly does show us how far our seemingly irrelevant actions can go...

How each and every little moment in our lives can have a meaningful impact in the world, and especially in other peoples' lives.

Watch it.

Love it.

And share it so we can keep the chain going! :)

Why do most sales people fail?

There is a logical order to selling.  The steps have to be followed in a logical sequence, like dialing a telephone number, or you don’t get through. Ask questions, use effective listening skills, and answer any objections the customer may have and you will soon be on your way to closing the sale.

Selling out of sequence kills the sale. You can do all the right things, but if you do them in the wrong order, just like preparing a recipe, you will not be successful.

Your ability to sell more, better, faster, and more efficiently than before is the key not only to your personal success as a salesperson, but to the success of your company, as well.

Watch this short clip from well renowned Speaker, Author and Consultant on how and why most sales people fail.

Religious Life

Why do bad things happen to people who follow their dreams

Have you ever feel like you are just coasting through life & missing out on becoming the person you were destined to be?

Or have you felt like you're trying your hardest to live up to your greatest potential -- to make a difference - to live out those dreams in your heart...

But something keeps getting in your way? Holding you back?

This can be discouraging. Somewhere along the way we might lose sight and motivation to pursue what really makes us happy.

We might resign ourselves to being okay with just getting by in life. And accepting that some people get to live their dreams...

(just not us)

Sometimes the weight of our daily lives can deter us from taking the first step towards manifesting our heart's desires. Towards living a life of abundance. And towards truly living up to our greatest potential.

While that might sound pretty heavy - today's video is REALLY powerful.

What kind of builder are you?

Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side-by-side,sharing machinery and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch.

Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference and finally, it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox: "I'm looking for a few days' work," he said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there I could help with? Could I help you?"

"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor. In fact, it's my younger brother!

Last week there was a meadow between us. He recently took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll do him one better. See that pile of lumber by the barn? I want you to build me a fence an 8-foot fence – so I won't need to see his place or his face anymore."

The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."

The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day – measuring, sawing and nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped.

There was no fence there at all.

It was a bridge... A bridge that stretched from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work, handrails and all! And the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming toward them, his hand outstretched..

"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done."

The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each others hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox onto his shoulder.

"No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother.

"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but I have many more bridges to build."

You become what you think

Some of the most successful people will tell you that their achievement was fast tracked by learning from someone who had already achieved success in what they wanted to do. It is also true that you become your environment, if you surround with people with low aspirations… who moan and complain all the time, then that is what you will become. People like that are toxic to your own happiness and success.

Many successful people will tell you that they found the most benefit by being in a mastermind group of like-minded people they could bounce ideas off and feel inspired by!

Rules for the Game of Life

from If Life Is a Game…These Are the Rules
by Chérie Carter-Scott, Ph.D.


You are enrolled in a full-time informal school called "life." Each day in this school you will have the opportunity to learn lessons. You may like the lessons or hate them, but you have designed them as part of your curriculum.

Why are you here? What is your purpose? Humans have sought to discover the meaning of life for a very long time. What we and our ancestors have overlooked, however, in the course of this endless search, is that there is no one answer. The meaning of life is different for every individual.

Each person has his or her own purpose and distinct path, unique and separate from anyone else's. As you travel your life path, you will be presented with numerous lessons that you will need to learn in order to fulfill that purpose. The lessons you are presented with are specific to you; learning these lessons is the key to discovering and fulfilling the meaning and relevance of your own life.

Once you have learned the basic lessons taught to you by your own body, you are ready for a more advanced teacher: the universe. You will be presented with lessons in every circumstance that surfaces in your life. When you experience pain, you learn a lesson. When you feel joy, you learn a different lesson. For every action or event, there is an accompanying lesson that must be learned.

As you travel through your lifetime, you may encounter challenging lessons that others don't have to face, while others spend years struggling with challenges that you don't need to deal with. You may never know why you are blessed with a wonderful marriage, while your friends suffer through bitter arguments and painful divorces, just as you cannot be sure why you struggle financially while your peers enjoy abundance. The only thing you can count on for certain is that you will be presented with all the lessons that you specifically need to learn; whether you choose to learn them or not is entirely up to you.

The challenge of Rule Two, therefore, is to align yourself with your own unique path by learning your individual lessons. This is one of the most difficult challenges you will face in your lifetime, as sometimes your path will lead you into a life that is radically different from others. Don't compare your path to those around you and focus on the disparity between their lessons and yours. You need to remember that you will only be faced with lessons that you are capable of learning and are specific to your own growth.

If you are able to rise to this challenge, you can unravel the mystery of your purpose and actually live it. You cease being a victim of fate or circumstance and become empowered—life no longer just "happens to you." When you are working toward fulfilling your true purpose, you discover astonishing gifts within yourself that you may have never known you have. This process may not be easy, but the rewards are well worth the struggle.

We become what we think...

 An Excerpt From
The Strangest Secret
by Earl Nightingale

George Bernard Shaw said, “People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can’t find them, they make them.”

Well, it’s pretty apparent, isn’t it? And every person who discovered this believed (for a while) that he was the first one to work it out. We become what we think about.

Conversely, the person who has no goal, who doesn’t know where he’s going, and whose thoughts must therefore be thoughts of confusion, anxiety and worry—his life becomes one of frustration, fear, anxiety and worry. And if he thinks about nothing… he becomes nothing.

How does it work? Why do we become what we think about? Well, I’ll tell you how it works, as far as we know. To do this, I want to tell you about a situation that parallels the human mind.

Suppose a farmer has some land, and it’s good, fertile land. The land gives the farmer a choice; he may plant in that land whatever he chooses. The land doesn’t care. It’s up to the farmer to make the decision.

We’re comparing the human mind with the land because the mind, like the land, doesn’t care what you plant in it. It will return what you plant, but it doesn’t care what you plant.

Now, let’s say that the farmer has two seeds in his hand—one is a seed of corn, the other is nightshade, a deadly poison. He digs two little holes in the earth and he plants both seeds—one corn, the other nightshade. He covers up the holes, waters and takes care of the land…and what will happen? Invariably, the land will return what was planted.

As it’s written in the Bible, “As ye sow, so shall ye reap.”

Remember the land doesn’t care. It will return poison in just as wonderful abundance as it will corn. So up come the two plants—one corn, one poison.

The human mind is far more fertile, far more incredible and mysterious than the land, but it works the same way. It doesn’t care what we plant…success…or failure. A concrete, worthwhile goal…or confusion, misunderstanding, fear, anxiety and so on. But what we plant must return to us.

You see, the human mind is the last great unexplored continent on earth. It contains riches beyond our wildest dreams. It will return anything we want to plant. 

The heart of a leader

 The Heart of a Leader
by Ken Blanchard

Start your people on a journey to the land of empowerment, but don’t forget that they need boundaries. If you cut them loose without any direction, they will get lost and revert back to their old unempowered habits. Like the banks of a river, boundaries have the ability to channel energy in the right direction. If you take away the boundaries, your people will lose their momentum and direction. Boundaries that create autonomy include:

Purpose—what does your company do?
Values—what are your company’s operational guidelines?
Goals—where is your company headed?
Roles—who does what?
Structure—how is your company organized?

Don’t send inexperienced people off alone and then punish them when they make mistakes. Establish clear boundaries that will free them to make decisions, take initiative, act like owners, and stay on track.

Change Maker

Can a little girl's lunch money help save the world? Watch this TRUE story about 11-year old Melissa and see for yourself what is possible when passionate changemakers commit to making a difference in other peoples' lives.

A simple truth

"A Simple Truth" – Author Unknown & Greatly Appreciated

A great master was sitting on the seashore, on the beach, and a man who was seeking for truth came to him, touched his feet and asked, "If I am not disturbing you, I would like to do anything you suggest which can help me to find the truth."

The master simply closed his eyes and remained silent. The man shook his head. He said in his own mind, "This man seems to be crazy. I am asking him a question and he is closing his eyes." He shook the man and said, "What about my question?"

The master said, "I answered it. Just sit silently... don't do anything, and the grass grows by itself. You need not bother about it -- everything will happen. You just sit silently, enjoy silence."

The man said, "Can you give it a name -- because people will be asking me, "What are you doing?"

So he wrote on the sand with his finger: meditation.

The man said, "This is too short an answer. Be a little more elaborate."

The master wrote in big letters: MEDITATION.

The man said, "But these are simply big letters. You are writing the same thing."

The old master said, "If I say more than that, then it will be wrong. If you can understand, then just do what I have told you and you will know."
 

Crowning of Mary Help of Christians

Our Blessed Mother Mary was crowned on her Feast day the 24th of May.  The outgoing provincial Fr. Tom Dunne did the honors.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rutxegc7bEM

A Saint for kids

St. John Bosco - a clip

St. John Bosco - Animated Bio

Here is EWTN's short animated biography of St John Bosco. This is an excellent tool to introduce this saint to children.
(from EWTN's "Once upon a Saint" series)

The life Story of St. John Bosco

SALVE DON BOSCO SANTO

Da Mihi Animas - Don Bosco Song - Don Bosco 200th

Don Bosco CLAY - We are young Music Video c/o Alex M. Del Mar

Don Bosco Among Us: Celebrate!

The song is called "Celebrate" and it was written by our beloved Fr. Steve Schenck, SDB.
Fondly remembered.  Great Salesian.

Don Bosco: "200 years- A Dream that Continues"

Video re-published from ANSchannel Audio clip: property of "Getty Images Music 491120-Techometer", sound recording administered by: Getty Images Music

What does Don Bosco mean to me?

A short video clip to celebrate today's feast in the Bi-centenary year. Made by Bro Marcin Pikor in the Chertsey Salesian Community. Premiered at Mass in St Anne's Church 31st January, 2015.

Don Bosco & Mary Mazzarello music video

Exhibition of the Holy Shroud & bi-Centenary of Don Bosco's birth - 2014.11.05

You can't score a goal sitting on the side lines

You Can’t Score a Goal Sitting on the Sidelines Excerpt from Expect to Win by John Mason

After his first audition, a casting director told actor Sidney Poitier, “Why don’t you stop wasting people’s time and go out and become a dishwasher or something?” It was at that moment, recalls Poitier, that he decided to devote his life to acting. He wasn’t going to let someone else decide his life path. “There’s nothing in the middle of the road, but yellow stripes and dead armadillo,” says Jim Hightower. Decide to do something now to make your life better. The choice is yours. “My decision is maybe—and that’s final.” Is this you? Being decisive is essential for a successful life. If you deny yourself commitment, what will you do with your life? Every accomplishment, great or small, starts with a decision. David Ambrose remarked, “If you have the will to win, you have achieved half your success; if you don’t, you have achieved half your failure.”The moment you definitely commit yourself, change begins. All sorts of things happen to help you that never would have otherwise occurred. Kenneth Blanchard observed, “There is a difference between interests and commitment. When you are interested in doing something, you only do it when it is convenient. When you are committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.” Lack of decisiveness has caused more failures than lack of intelligence or ability. Indecision often gives an advantage to the other person because they did their thinking beforehand. Helen Keller said, “Science may have found a cure for most evil; but it has found no remedy for the worst of them all—the apathy of human beings.” Don’t leave a decision for tomorrow that needs to be made today. Remember, don’t be a “middle-of-the-roader” because the middle of the road is the worst place to try to go forward. You can do everything you ought to do once you make a decision. Today, decide on your dream.

A life given to others

Many of us have heard of Father Damien, famous for his work with those with leprosy, but Sister Marianne Cope, at the age of 45 likewise volunteered for the Hawaiian mission at Molokai. She served girls and women with leprosy, emphasizing “pride and fun” and dignity in the colony. Soon after her death, a local woman wrote in the Honolulu Advertiser that she was “a woman [who devoted] every hour of 30 years to the mothering of people isolated by law from the rest of the world. She risked her own life in all that time, faced everything with unflinching courage, and smiled sweetly through it all.” Who can you help today, right at home, to see beyond the harshness of life?