CONTENTS
MESSAGE FROM OUR LADY AT MEDJUGORJE: April 25, 1995
Dear Children! Today I call you to love. Little children, without love you cannot live, neither with God nor with brother. Therefore, I call all of you to open your hearts to the love of God that is so great and open to each one of you. God, out of love for man, has sent me among you to show you the path of salvation, the path of love. If you do not first love God, then you will neither be able to love neighbor nor the one you hate. Therefore, little children, pray, and through prayer you will discover love. Thank you for having responded to my call.
Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, walked this earth. He came for our salvation - to save mankind from its sins. He also left us with a new commandment: "Love one another as I have loved you." Love and peace were an integral part of His ministry. Years later, St. Paul was to tell us that we need "faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love."
In Medjugorje Our Lady has constantly spoken to us of prayer, peace, and love. So she does again in the above message. Somehow, the world has evidently never been able to comprehend the true meaning of those three short words. And again, the word "love" is the key word to her message delivered this April 25.
Fr. Slavko Barbaric, who has been in Medjugorje for the past twelve years, has written and spoken extensively on Our Lady's messages. The Riehle Foundation has just published a new book for him titled, "In the School of Love." His book is perhaps a far better commentary and witness to Our Lady's message than anything we could write here. Obviously, it is about that word - "love." Should you care to acquire a copy, please note that ten percent (10%) of the proceeds received for the book are sent to Fr. Slavko for his work in that "school of love" - Medjugorje.
The price of Jesus' love for us was His death. But, we can rejoice. The tomb is empty. We recently celebrated the feast of His Resurrection. It is also the celebration of our redemption, that love won out and is stronger than death. It is Our Lady's April 25, 1995, message to us.
For Mothers
Give a special blessing to mothers in distress and in pain today, so they can better care for their children and thus reveal Your love to them. In Jesus' name we pray.
A TRIBUTE TO MOM by Bonnie LewisMother - She is the heart of the family. If her heart is right with God, then the love the mother has for God filters to her husband, children, and family. I have always known my mother's heart to be right with God.
My mother is a Methodist and my father is a very devout Catholic. When she married my dear father, she made a vow to raise the children in the Catholic faith. In the beginning she wasn't accepted into my father's family because mixed marriages were discouraged - yet she carried her cross of rejection quietly. In time, because of her humble spirit, devotion, and raising her children Catholic, she was loved by her in-laws.
Year after year my mother went to the Methodist church by herself without her daughters or husband by her side, and she never complained. Many times while growing up I begged her to let me stay home instead of going to my weekly catechism classes, but my mother made sure I went. When Fridays came, there was always fish on the table even though she wasn't fond of fish. For many years she was the secretary at Dueber United Methodist Church; her family did not participate with her in many of the church functions - but she carried her cross quietly.
I do remember Mom taking me and my two sisters to the annual Mother and Daughter Banquet. Oh how proud she was of her daughters! In fact, she seemed to glow on those nights and was perpetually smiling. It was one of the highlights of her year.
My mother, Thelma Coldren, will be celebrating her 75th birthday this May 7. I am eternally grateful for the sacrifices she made and the crosses she quietly carried to raise us in the Catholic faith. She has truly been an example of what Our Lady at Medjugorje has been requesting of us - to respect other people's faith without compromising our own. She has become a great bridge builder between Catholics and non-Catholics and given me an appreciation of all Christians. Thank you, Mom, for this precious gift! I love you.
MAY - OUR LADY'S MONTH by Laurie Balbach-TaylorNow is a good time to consider various ways we can grow in closeness to Our Lady, especially during her month of May. Many of us have been trying to put her messages into motion in our lives by praying the Rosary, attending Mass more frequently, offering prayer from the heart in front of the Blessed Sacrament, etc. Now, almost 14 years after she began appearing daily in Medjugorje (1981), with the war slowing pilgrimages and news from the area, I enjoy taking a moment now and then to contemplate what it means.
If we look at how the Marian movement has spread around the world, a progression of events becomes clearer. We received a devoutly Marian Pope (1978), who proclaimed a special Marian Year (Pentecost 1987 through Assumption 1988). It is striking that a remarkable number of the profound conversions about which we have read over the years - and which have personally inspired many of our own lives - have revolved around Medjugorje and the Marian Year.
As many people's devotion to Our Lady matures through the Marian movement, they often become drawn to an increase in devotion to the Divine Mercy of Jesus and Eucharistic Adoration. It is very clear that Our Lady is pointing us to her Son, like she has always done.
During this month, too, as we celebrate Our Lord's Ascension into Heaven (Thursday, May 25), we are reminded of Our Lady's role as Mother of the Church. Although she was granted this privilege at the foot of the Cross, the fullness of her mission would not come to fruition until she and the disciples were left on their own to await the Holy Spirit.
What a guiding Mother she must have been to them! "Do whatever He tells you" (John 2:5) assuredly took on new meaning. Can't we picture her as a gentle, loving, patient Mother, calming the fears of this band of grown men and women who were afraid for their lives? Can't we hear her quietly sigh, "Just wait. He said He would send the Paraclete to guide us"? No doubt, she led the frightened group in prayer, asking for Jesus to shower them with His merciful gift of the Holy Spirit.
We call her by many titles: Mother of Christ, Queen of Apostles, Mother of Mercy, Mother of the Church. My favorite is Ark of the Covenant. What a rich name!
Note:
For those who may wish to grow in their love of Our Lady during her
own month of May, we have a few books which would be particularly
appropriate: "The Hail Mary - Its Meaning and Its Origin" by Fr. Ren
Laurentin; "Mother at Our Side" by Fr. Edward Carter; "Woman of Many Titles"
by Fr. Charles Mangan, a beautiful picture book with mediations and prayers;
and "The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood." For more information about these
and some other titles available, please see the back page of this BLUE
LETTER issue.
FILMS
We see no need to identify or comment further on those who chose not to endorse the film, but it is evidently not accurate to state that the priests in Medjugorje do not support it. In a letter from Fr. Jozo Zovko, he stated, "The film tried to express the pain and suffering caused by injustice, violence, and a lack of understanding." Viewers agree that the film is well made and is positive in nature. Sources also agree that the focus of the film is not on Mary's presence in Medjugorje, but rather the political climate of Bosnia, centering on Fr. Jozo's sufferings at the hands of the government. Croatians, Bosnians, and all those who have suffered under Communism can identify with the hardships represented. Some in the Marian movement may be disappointed with the film in that it is political in nature and not the story of the apparitions. But it should be noted that the film was not made for those who already believe, but primarily for those who are uninformed.
Is it possible that our ever humble Mother could be blessing this project? It could well appear that way, particularly if we add on another piece of the discernment puzzle with the "coincidental" release of the new movie "Priest." This film is a blatant attack on the sacred vocation of the priesthood. Time and again our Blessed Mother has implored that we pray and sacrifice for our priests. She has repeatedly warned that Satan is openly attacking the priesthood, and this new film is an obvious assault. Where the movie "Gospa" focuses on the noble actions of Fr. Jozo, this may be a direct counter-attack to the immoral actions of the fictitious characters in "Priest." Perhaps the movie "Gospa" - by Heaven's design - is not supposed to give recognition to Our Lady. Instead, maybe its purpose is to encourage us to respect and defend her devoted sons, her priests.
We urge you to see the film produced in Medjugorje, "Gospa," in support of the incredible fourteen years of supernatural intervention that has happened there. But do not go with the expectation of seeing a movie on apparitions of Our Lady.
Distribution rights to the film belong to Miramax Films, which is a subsidiary of Walt Disney Studios. Disney uses Miramax for entry into more sordid film production, without getting its own name soiled. We support all the existing efforts underway to protest this film in the strongest possible way, including the boycott of anything produced under the Disney corporate structure.
Letters of protest can be directed to:
Mr. Roy Disney, President
Disney Studios
500 S. Buena Ave.
Burbank, CA 91521
Mr. Mark Gill, President
Miramax Films
375 Greenwich St.
New York, NY 10013
SOME SPECIAL NOTES
May 25 is the Feast of the Ascension.
What a very special feast day!
The Incarnation of the Word is reunited with God the Father and the Holy
Spirit. Remember, He also told us He would be coming back.
May 18 is the 75th birthday of Pope John Paul II.
A special birthday
present we can all offer him is to have a Mass said for this special son of
Our Lady. For those who would like to send our Holy Father a birthday card
as a sign of the support he has, it can be addressed as follows:
His Holiness, Pope John Paul II
Apostolic Palace
00120 Vatican City, Europe
As I was praying for Poland, I heard the words [of Jesus]: "I bear a special love for Poland, and if she will be obedient to My will, I will exalt her in might and holiness. From her will come forth the spark that will prepare the world for My final coming."- Diary of Blessed Sr. Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul, #1732
"An Hour with Jesus" Prayer Card
Many BLUE LETTER readers have asked us for a copy of the picture
that appears on the cover of the book, "An Hour with Jesus." We have
produced a special prayer card which uses the picture on the front. It is
really not a "for sale" item. We can't afford to mail out just one and
"charge" you for it. A donation of one dollar ($1.00) for ten (10) prayer
cards would be fine. That would cover the printing cost and part of the
postage.
The book, "An Hour with Jesus," had to be reprinted six times in its first year of publication. The demand has been remarkable. With that, we have felt a need to add a second volume, "An Hour with Jesus, Volume II." It is currently at the printer and should be available by the end of May. It differs in that it contains only meditations - no other formal prayers, chaplets, or litanies. It will contain 64 pages and have a donation price of $1.50.
St. Maria Goretti
A new documentary video is available on the life and death of St.
Maria Goretti. It is titled, "Fourteen Flowers of Pardon." The video is
excellently done and can be a great motivator for youth today. The story of
St. Maria's canonization proceedings is extraordinary. (60 minutes, $20)
Whoops!
In the last BLUE LETTER, we listed some materials available at
substantial savings as part of an inventory clear out. Never did we dream !
The response was more than overwhelming. Most of the requests we received
for material had to be returned as the inventory rapidly disappeared. Please
accept our apologies, but also our most sincere thanks for your interest and
response.
Surfin' the 'Net
To those of you who receive the BLUE LETTER via a computer bulletin
board, we wish to thank you for your interest in our work and in our
newsletter. At the same time, please understand that we have some special
helpers who provide this service to you, and we thank them for their
assistance. Those of us at The Riehle Foundation do not upload the
information ourselves, nor do we access the bulletin boards in any way.
Therefore, when e-mail is sent to our up loaders (who pass on hard copies of
letters to us when appropriate), we cannot respond unless a mailing address
is provided. Also, for those who have requested, we are sorry, but we cannot
post the BLUE LETTER to anyone's personal e-mail.
Thank you again, to all our helpers and supporters - in person, by phone, by mail, or from cyberspace.
THE FEAST OF THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD, MAY 25In the time after His suffering He showed them in many convincing ways that He was alive, appearing to them over the course of forty days and speaking to them about the reign of God. On one occasion when He met with them, He told them not to leave Jerusalem: "Wait, rather, for the fulfillment of my Father's promise, of which you have heard me speak. John baptized with water, but within a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
While they were with Him they asked, "Lord, are you going to restore the rule to Israel now?" His answer was: "The exact time it is not yours to know. The Father has reserved that to Himself. You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes down on you; then you are to be my witnesses ... even to the ends of the earth." No sooner had He said this than He was lifted up before their eyes in a cloud which took Him from their sight.
They were still gazing up into the heavens when two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking up at the skies? This Jesus who has been taken from you will return, just as you saw Him go up into the heavens" (Acts 1:3-11).
THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON...on earth is a mother. She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral. She need not. She has built something more magnificent than any cathedral - a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby's body The angels have not been blessed with such a grace. They cannot share in God's creative miracle to bring new saints to Heaven. Only a human mother can. Mothers are closer to God the Creator than any other creature. God joins forces with mothers in performing this act of creation What on God's good earth is more glorious than this: to be a mother!
- Joseph Cardinal Mindszenty
SOME MATERIALS AVAILABLE - (Write for a complete list.):
In the School of Love. By Fr. Slavko Barbaric. Applies the messages of love Our Lady has brought to the world through Medjugorje, particularly as seen through the eyes of the victims of war. 120 pages. ($4.50)
New [video] Fourteen Flowers of Pardon. This video is excellently done and can be a great motivator for youth today. The story of St. Maria Goretti's canonization proceedings is extraordinary. 60 minutes. ($20)
New "An Hour with Jesus" Prayer Card. A prayer card with the picture that appears on the cover of the book, An Hour with Jesus. $1 for 10 prayer cards would be fine.
The Hail Mary - Its Meaning and Its Origin. By Fr. Ren Laurentin. The rich tradition of this prayer is explained in depth, both its origin and development. 96 pages. ($4)
Mother at Our Side. By Fr. Edward Carter, S.J. A composite look at Mary's role in our lives. 144 pages. ($5)
Woman of Many Titles. By Fr. Charles Mangan. Beautiful booklet with color icons and pictures of Our Lady. 62 pages. ($4)
The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood. The most powerful of message books. 122 pages. ($3)
The Spirituality of Fatima and Medjugorje. By Fr. Edward Carter, S.J. The connection between Fatima and Medjugorje - specifically the Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. 144 pages. ($6)
[ ] Please place my name on the mailing list for the monthly BLUE LETTER. Enclosed is my donation in the amount of $__________ to help with printing and distribution of these materials, and to help The Riehle Foundation continue its apostolate of distributing Catholic materials around the world. Donations are accepted for materials, though not required (suggested values are indicated). Cost of postage is appreciated. Donations are tax-deductible.
c Copyright 1995. The Riehle Foundation. Permission to reproduce this BLUE LETTER intact is granted for non-commercial use.
The BLUE LETTER is published by THE RIEHLE FOUNDATION
In the service of Jesus and Mary.
Editor: Bill Reck
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April 1995
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