Spiritual Exercises for lent: Day 31
Organise a retreat or pilgrimage for this year. It may be a visit to a pilgrimage place, spoken or silent retreat. Retreat helps to refresh your spirit and pilgrimage helps to gain extra graces.
Spiritual Exercises for lent: Day 32
Record good things what happen to you day after day. Soon you will realise how fortunate and blessed you are!
Pope: Lent a time for mature decisionsThe 40 days of Lent, reflecting Christ’s 40 days in the desert, were the focus of Pope Benedict XVI’s catechesis this Ash Wednesday. Speaking to pilgrims in the Paul VI audience hall, the Holy Father reflected on the condition of the pilgrim Church in the “desert” of the world and history.
Pope said, that the period of 40 days “does not represent an exact chronological time, divided by the sum of the days. Rather it indicates a patient perseverance, a long trial, a sufficient period to see the works of God, a time within which we must make up our minds and to decide to accept our own responsibilities without additional references. It is the time for mature decisions”.
Pope Benedict also said: “In this “desert” we believers certainly have the opportunity to profoundly experience God, an experience that makes the spirit strong, confirms the faith, nourishes hope, animates charity; an experience that makes us partakers of Christ’s victory over sin and death through the Sacrifice of love on the Cross.
But the “desert” is also the negative aspects of the reality that surrounds us: the arid, the poverty of words of life and of values, secularism and the materialist culture, which shut people within a horizon of mundane existence, robbing them of all reference to transcendence. And this is also the environment in which the sky above us is obscured, because covered by the clouds of egoism, misunderstanding and deception. Despite this, even for the Church of today the period in the desert can be transformed into a time of grace, because we have the certainty that even from the hardest rock God can bring forth the living water that refreshes and restores”.
For the full version of the Holy Father’s catechises, please go to http://www.oecumene.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=565261
The National Fatima Conference took place in University College Cork on 30th October 2010 in Boole No.4. The conference theme “Lead All Souls to Heaven” was a direct response to Pope Benedict’s letter to the Irish people to pray, meditate and repent and follow the word of God and His commandments. It was a full day event starting at 10am and finishing at 5pm. The organisers The Call to Fatima team who produced the double award film documentaries based entirely on Sr Lucia’s writings has the approval of the Fatima Shrine, Carmel of Coimbra and supported by the Vatican. The conference was free admission with prior booking requirements and free car park space was made available.
The conference was attended by 400 people from county Cork, Co. Limerick, Co. Meath, Co. Roscommon, Co. Mayo, Dublin, Co. Kerry, Co. Kildare, Belfast, Co. Kilkenny, Co. Wicklow, Co. Waterford, Co. Tipperary, as well as people from England, Australia, Latvia and Slovakia. A special free gift packages was presented to every person at the entrance, which included the hymn sheet, prayer sheet to Blessed Jacinta and Francisco, Sister Lucia and to the Most Holy Trinity + the Five First Saturday devotion, the Brown Scapular, the Rosary Beads, pencil and a white napkin for the Farewell song in honour of Our Lady (Fatima tradition). The Catholic Voice provided 400 free newspapers.
Speakers: Fr Michael Maher SM spoke about the obedience and to follow the Pope and the Church during these hard times. Sister Angela Coelho, Vice Postulator for the Blessed Jacinta and Blessed Francisco’s cause spoke in detail about the two little shepherds before and after the apparitions of Our Lady, as well as their characters and concerns during their life. The second talk of Sr Angela was on the devotion to the Five First Saturdays, as Our Lady requested to Sister Lucia in 1925. Thomas McCormack, the producer/ director of the film “The Call to Fatima” spoke about the Message of Fatima in reference to his film and Sister Lucia’s last book “Calls from the Message of Fatima”. All talks were exciting and very inspiring, according to many people who came and expressed their thoughts.
The day started with the Rosary, following talks, followed by the Angelus and the Brown Scapular enrolment by Fr Michael Maher. Father beforehand explained the meaning/ history and importance of this sacramental. The conference atmosphere was created by the beautiful singing of soprano Louise Irvine and her brother on keyboard Christopher Irvine, involving all in Fatima and Marian hymns.
The stage was enriched by Our Lady’s statue and the statues of 3 little shepherds brought from Co. Kerry by John and Patricia Heaphey. Faithful could also participate in the Eucharistic Adoration, that was available all day in a special room. The Eucharistic Adoration was organised and supported by Perpetual Adoration Group, who carry out such work all over Ireland by John Howard and his team of dedicated supporters. A special Fatima gallery of 150 A4 photographs was displayed for the students and visitors for the first time upon entrance. The National Fatima Conference had a coverage in the Catholic Voice and The Universe in England.
The conference’s break was between 12.30pm and 2pm for lunch, Confessions and Adoration. “How to make a Good Confession” leaflets were displayed at the entrance to the Confessions room. Many people used a great opportunity once again to reconcile with Our Lord. The day was supported by volunteers, who guided people to their seats, helped with the registration and handout material.
The Fatima Conference concluded with the Holy Mass, which was the highlight of the day. Before the Holy Mass Fr Michael Maher brought the Most Holy Sacrament to the conference hall for the 30 minutes Eucharistic Blessing. The Franciscan brothers of the Most Holy Trinity Church helped to set up the Mass requirements and provided the altar cloths, chalices, wine and hosts for the Mass. During the Mass everyone was consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, entrusting themselves to her guidance and care. This act of consecration was lead by Father Maher to renewed devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. An the end of the Mass the faithful were waiving goodbye to Our Lady with their white napkins singing the hymn “O Fatima, Farewell!” After the National Fatima Conference, people were inquiring about the next venue to bring this conference to various Dioceses in 2011.
Some of the feedback by those who attended:
“We were delighted to be of help to you at your Conference, which was a wonderful experience. Thank God it was such a success!” (Eileen & Chris Rush)
“Congratulations on organising such a wonderful day on Saturday – many people have been inspired by The Call To Fatima and we were delighted to have attended. (Kim Murphy)
“ Everything went so well for the conference all thanks to your team you had behind you! Our Lady must be very happy!!!” (Louise Irvine)
The presentation of double award winning film titled “The Call to Fatima” will take place in St Cronas’ Church, Dungloe, Co. Donegal on Friday, 9th July at 7.30 pm. This presentation includes film clips, producers’ talk and lovely music by a special guest soprano Louise Irvine.
“The Call to Fatima” film is based on Sister Lucia’s writings, the last visionary of the Fatima apparitions. The film’s producer had received several requests to have it shown in different parishes around Ireland, including St Mel’s Cathedral in Longford, St Eunan’s Cathedral in Letterkenny, St Joseph’s Church in Dublin, SMA in Cork City and many more, as well as abroad.
The film, which took seven years to complete, was produced by Dubliner, Thomas McCormack, and has already won awards at film festivals in Poland (“St Maximilian Kolbe” award) and Belarus (“Magnificat 2009” award) for education.
“The Call to Fatima” has two parts: the first part tells the story of apparitions, prophecies, secrets and talks about the lives and deaths of three little children- Jacinta and Francisco Marto and their cousin Lucia dos Santos. The second part gives a viewer deeper inside in understanding the meaning of Fatima Message, which is as relevant today as was back in 1917.
Much of the second film was shot on location behind the Carmel monastery in Coimbra and many of the voice-overs including Sr. Lucia’s own singing voice, are from those who knew Sr Lucia personally, cousins, nephews, Carmelite nuns, her private doctor, close priests and friends. Altogether these people came to play a key part to bring this film to light.
St Crona’s Church welcomes everybody to attend this film night. Fore more information please contact PP Fr Seámus Meehan on 074-9521008. For further information on the film and its producers, simply log onto Web: www.thecalltofatima.com or Blog: www.thecalltofatima.wordpress.com
###
Mehmet Ali Ağca, who shot Pope John Paul II, wants to attend annual ceremonies at Portugal’s Fatima shrine and meet with Pope Benedict XVI, who is also scheduled to attend, his lawyer said on Thursday.
Lawyer Hacı Ali Özhan told the Associated Press he has written to Portugal’s president and prime minister seeking permission for Ağca to travel there for the May 13 event. A letter was also sent to the Vatican, requesting a meeting between Benedict and Ağca at Fatima, Özhan said. Neither Lisbon or the Vatican have replied to the March 16 letters, which were made available to the AP. Ağca was released from prison in January after completing a sentence for the 1979 killing of Turkish newspaper editor Abdi İpekçi. Ağca shot John Paul II on May 13, 1981, as the pope rode in an open car in St. Peter’s Square, during a period in which he had escaped from prison. The pontiff was hit in the abdomen, left hand and right arm. The motive for the attack remains a mystery.
Information taken form Today’s Zaman portal http://www.todayszaman.com
Book “Calls from the Message of Fatima” is easy to read on account of the coherence and simplicity of the themes discussed and their applications.
Lucia is thus seen to be in full harmony with the faith of the Church and with the faith of simple people. This book runs parallel to the profound theological demands of the Christian life and also the vital breath of a popular, Christological and Marian piety, which is both simple and universal.
Sister Lucia reveals one of the most authentic qualities of true Marian piety: coherence with the Gospel, a profound ecclesial sense, the universality of the Christian message. She also wrote this book in the ability to dedicate both mind and heart, the realistic approach to the problems of life and death, of day-to-day life and the most authentic experiences which have as their point of reference the last realitie escatology: Purgatory, Hell, Heaven. Many important and original things are woven into Lucia’s book. It reveals Mary’s commandment.
More detailed information and documented material about devotion to Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Message of Fatima can be seen on the DVD “The Call to Fátima”, which comes in combination with Sister Lucia’s last book “Calls from the Message of Fátima” http://www.thecalltofatima.com/
“The Rosary is a form of vocal prayer which, in general, suits all of us, for which we should have the highest regard, and which we should make the greatest effort never to abandon.”*****************************************************************************************************************************************
****************************************************************************************************************************************
****************************************************************************************************************************************
*****************************************************************************************************************************************
In the occasion of The Year of Evangelisation we are showing the film “The Call to Fatima – The Story and The Message “ around Ireland. Sr. Lucia’s last wish was to spread the Message of Fatima to the world and that is our goal.
If you want to receive more information about us and our work please don´t hesitate to contact us: info@eurofinancegroup.ie
Solvita Kivlina – Marketing Executive
Interview on Latvian Christian Radio – August, 2008- Latvia Tour
The Call to Fatima around the World
THE CALL TO FATIMA 
