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Medjugorje News & Articles of year 2010Added January 10, 2010
/ Category: Medjugorje News
Cardinal Schönborn in MedjugorjeVienna Cardinal dr. Christoph Schonborn arrived to Medjugorje on his private visit on Monday, December 28, and he will stay here for couple of days. Cardinal, amongst other things, wants to visit Cenacolo, the community of former drug addicts and their house in Medjugorje, since one of their houses exists in Austria as well. He emphasised that he, above other things wants to be person who prays in this famous place of prayer. Added January 10, 2010
/ Category: Shepherds of Church
Interview with Cardinal Schönborn in the Vecernji List NewspaperFrom Vecernji List daily newspaper for Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina “Medjugorje is again in the center of attention, church and public as well. Though the visit of Cardinal Shonborn is private, it did not leave anybody indifferent because he is the member of Congregation for Doctrine of Faith. We talked to Cardinal while he was visiting Medjugorje. Added January 10, 2010
/ Category: Shepherds of Church
Cardinal Schönborn's HomilyDear brothers and sisters here in the church and on the squares in front of the church, and in the yellow hall... We are all conscious of the fact that it is a big privilege to not have to celebrate the New Year with champagne. (laughter) Maybe later. (laughter and applause) But now we are allowed to celebrate the beginning of the New Year with Mary and Joseph and with the child that is lying in the manger and with the shepherds. Added January 30, 2010
/ Category: Shepherds of Church
Cardinal Saraiva, also, is a skeptic about the apparitions at Medjugorje -- "The last word is up to the Holy See, but this has nothing to do with Fatima: it could be a trick of the devil"Other languages: English, Italiano
by Gianluca Barile for Petrus, www.papanews.it VATICAN CITY - The alleged apparitions of Medjugorje continue to inspire debate and sustain polemics, within and without the Church. Thus the presence at New Year's of Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, the Archbishop of Vienna, in the little Bosnia-Herzegovina locality, was only the most recent occasion to confirm the tension existing in the place where, since the 1980s, the Madonna is said to have appeared to six "seers". Added January 30, 2010
/ Category: Shepherds of Church
Cardinal Schönborn Interview -- Mother of God – the best pastoral theologianMax Domej from Gebetsktion Wien spoke to Cardinal Christoph Schonborn, Archbishop of Vienna, during his visit to Međugorje. Added January 30, 2010
/ Category: Testimonies
Medjugorje: a place of hope and peaceBy Fr. Paddy Byrne For over 20 years, thousands of Irish people continue to make pilgrimage to a tiny village in a mountainous and remote part of Bosnia in search of something that, when discovered, is truly wonderful. Added February 6, 2010
/ Category: Testimonies, Free downloads
My healing from Gambling & Alcohol in MedjugorjeArthur McCluskey recounts his story and how he came to reassess his life radically due to his experiences in Bosnia.Seven years ago, Arthur reluctantly went to Medjugorje. A series of events took place that week which irreversibly changed his life. These events he shares with us in this testimony. It is the story of two mothers, the Mother in Heaven and his mother on Earth, the Rosary, with the melting of hearts, followed by conversion. Some of the events that took place seem very strange. However, the reader is not asked to accept or reject, but to understand that he shares these private revelations with us. The result is that Arthur is a very changed man. He no longer takes alcohol and has stopped gambling. His experiences suggest that we can be freed from whatever enslaves us through conversion to God. Download (1.6 MB ) Added February 6, 2010
/ Category: Interviews, Theology reports
"Don't let the devotees fall into the void" -- The Medjugorje phenomenon and the discernment of spirits: a conversation with dogmatic theologian Manfred HaukeOther languages: English, Deutsch
(Translated from the German-language Catholic newspaper Die Tagespost.) For years there has been discussion of the phenomenon of the alleged "Marian apparitions" that took their origin in Medjugorje: Does the Mother of God really appear to the seers who originated in Medjugorje? Or are the experiences parapsychological fruits of the seers' unconscious? Are they a deceptive manipulation or even a trick of evil forces? According to reports, there are plans at the Vatican to have the Medjugorje phenomenon conclusively investigated by a commission. Regina Einig asked the chairman of the German Society for Mariology, professor of dogmatics and patristics at Lugano, Manfred Hauke, about the subject. Added February 21, 2010
/ Category: Testimonies
Testimony of Robbie Hurley (ex. Winter's Reign) -- He broke with satanic rockHe's a young long-haired man, tall and pleasant looking. Practically unnoticed, he made himself available for the Irish pilgrims all last summer. He accompanied them up Podbrdo and Krizevac. He prayed with them, spoke about himself and his conversion. When asked to sing during the evening adoration he happily conceded, but he never told the Franciscans in Medjugorje that music had been his vocation. When they found out, they asked him to tell them about his life, his rock and roll group, and his experience in Medjugorje. He thus replied to Fra Slavko's questions: Added February 27, 2010
/ Category: Testimonies
Testimony of Mariana, MexicoMariana is an attractive, modern young woman, who works as an interior decorator in Mexico. In Medjugorje she told us: "I was very independent and active and, like all young people, I did what I wanted when I wanted, trying to get the most out of life. Added March 6, 2010
/ Category: Reflections / Author: Sr. Stefania Consoli
Not this way had God thought of womanGod created woman in His own image, just as He did with man. It was a single image, though there is a clear distinction. “Male and female he created them,” says the book of Genesis. In the woman God put those parts of Himself which he drew from the deepest layers of His divine being: sensitivity, intuition, tenderness, the capacity to donate self in an unconditioned way without seeking advantage, fortitude and the wonder of a body able to lovingly receive and give life. Added March 13, 2010
/ Category: Interviews
Medjugorje is a wonderful medicine that God gave to the worldThe smile of his mother as she was dying (she was run over by a train) helped this man (a sculptor) regain his faith and now inspires his works. An atheist in front of this crucifix said, "For as long as I stood in front of it, I felt the desire to embrace it." Peppino Sacchi, sculptor from Bolzano, was interviewed by Fr. Slavko in October 1990. Added March 20, 2010
/ Category: Testimonies
Testimony of RuthRuth came from an atheistic background, and at the age of 28 knew nothing about God. Two years ago God revealed Himself to her and she had a profound conversion. She was baptized during the Easter Vigil of this Great Jubilee year, after 18 months of catechesis in which Our Lady's school of Medjugorje played a decisive role. Added March 17, 2010
, 8:12 PM , Last update March 20, 2010
/ Category: Medjugorje News, Medjugorje and Vatican
Holy See confirms creation of Medjugorje CommissionVatican City, Mar 17, 2010 / 09:56 am (CNA/EWTN News).- A statement was released by the Holy See on Wednesday confirming the formation of a commission to investigate the “phenomenon” of Medjugorje. Added March 22, 2010
, Last update March 25, 2010
/ Category: Medjugorje News, Medjugorje and Vatican
Statement of Apostolic Nuncio to Bosnia and Herzegovina about International Commission for MedjugorjeArchbishop Allessandro D’Errico, Apostolic Nuncio to Bosnia and Herzegovina, gave statement about Medjugorje on March 18th at the end of 48th Bishop’s Conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the statement broadcasted by Radio Mir Medjugorje, he amongst other things said: “Whenever I would meet Holy Father, he was always very much interested in Medjugorje. He was involved in everything, starting with the time when he was Head of Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. He is aware that this is the issue of special importance, and he, as supreme authority of the Church, needs to give his precise statement about that matter. Holy Father is very much familiar with Medjugorje phenomenon; he even mentioned that to me personally. He knows about great deeds which are done in this territory by the priests, religious, franciscans, lay people. On the other side he asks himself how come there are such opposed information about that phenomenon. Added March 27, 2010
/ Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama
Father Svetozar Kraljevic on behalf of Medjugorje parish priests on Caritas of Birmingham, Sterret, AlabamaDear brothers and sisters, Here in Medjugorje, in the name of the priests who are working in the parish with pilgrims who are coming from all over the world, I express my deep concern for the organization called CARITAS from Birmingham, Alabama. Added March 27, 2010
/ Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama
Cardinal Stafford response about Caritas of BirminghamDear Ed, Your letter arrived today. The news you shared with me is distressing. I can barely imagine what Patsy, Tori and you are experiencing. I have reviewed the requests for recognition as a lay organization with Pontifical approval and found nothing for Caritas in our files. Nor has the priest any knowledge of this group who is responsible in the Pontifical Council for the process of such recognition. Pontifical recognition can only be given with the recommendations of the local bishop. Groups seeking such recognition also must be international in extent and have letters of support from each bishop in whose diocese they are found. From what you have told me, Bishop Foley not only doesn't support Caritas but has many preoccupations about it. That would stop any formal process for approval at zero. Added March 27, 2010
/ Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama
How to Change Your Husband: Owner’s Manual for the Family by “A Friend of Medjugorje” -- i.e. Terry Colafrancesco of Caritas of Birmingham, Alabama - review by Dr. Adrian ReimersBy Adrian J. Reimers, Ph.D., University of Notre Dame for St. James Parish, MedjugorjeDear Fr. Svetozar, Here at last are my observations and analysis of the book you sent me, How to Change Your Husband: Owner’s Manual for the Family, by “a Friend of Medjugorje”. The author, as I can recognize from his earlier writings, is Terry Colafrancesco of Caritas of Birmingham. You may feel free to share this letter with Fr. Ivan Sesar, OFM, or with any other person you desire. Added March 27, 2010
/ Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama
Denis Nolan's letter to "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Caritas of Birmingham, Sterrett, AlabamaNovember 25, 2000 Terry Colafrancesco Dear Terry, It has been brought to my attention that in response to questions coming to Caritas about Fr. Svetozar's recent fax expressing the concerns of the Franciscans of St. James in Medjugorje about your community, people are being told: 1. Sr. Emmanuel has been asked to leave Medjugorje. Added March 27, 2010
/ Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama
Position of Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) and Mother Angelica on Caritas of Birmingham, AlabamaDespite its proximity, whenever anyone asked Mother Angelica about Caritas she never encouraged anyone to visit it. As for Caritas of Birmingham, the recent bishops of the Birmingham diocese (Boland and Foley) have done nothing to favor this site, and have forbid the celebration of Mass there (though not confessions). The position of Mother Angelica has always been to discourage people from going there. That is also EWTN's position. Added March 27, 2010
/ Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama
Covenant Communities / Caritas of Birmingham?By Covenant Community Blog "I am very familiar with covenant communities, however, have had some inquiries regarding Caritas located in Birmingham, Alabama. This group seems to have some similarities to abusive covenant communities." "What I know is that the group is governed by a former KKK member who believes that his purpose is to have the folks in his group live according to the "teachings" of Mary - related to apparitions in Medjugorje. While most folks whom I know who are involved in Medjugorje prayer groups have a healthy relationship with one another and the Church, Caritas seems over the top." Added March 27, 2010
/ Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama
Pinckney's Laura Flynn and family fled 'cult' in Alabama and found security here -- Ann Arbor News on Caritas of BirminghamOther languages: English, Italiano
By Jason Deegan, Ann Arbor News Staff Reporter The Flynns say they are focused on moving on with their new lives, but they feel obligated to talk about their experiences to warn others. Their terrifying tale started in 1991, when the family sold everything, moving from Jacksonville, Fla., to Birmingham, Ala., to join Caritas, a group the family thought was a religious mission. Caritas, founded in 1988 by Terry Colafrancesco, claims to be a spiritual community dedicated to promoting the apparitions of the Virgin Mary, which six youths say they witnessed in Medjugorje, Bosnia, in 1981. Flynn said the family lived in a trailer inside a compound where roughly 50 people of Roman Catholic faith live. The Flynns stayed with Caritas for nine years, despite living under the control of its leaders. Added March 27, 2010
/ Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama
Caritas of Birmingham is not a Roman Catholic organization"Considering the above, it can be concluded that if someone supports Caritas of Birmingham, they are supporting a strange, religious sect and this potentially, which may cause serious damage in an individual's personal and family life. If you are Roman Catholic perhaps you should first seek spiritual direction from the recognized and historic Catholic Church, before becoming involved with Caritas of Birmingham and/or the Community of Caritas." Added March 27, 2010
/ Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama
Religious group faces lawsuit labeling it a cult -- Jay Reeves on Caritas of BirminghamOther languages: English, Italiano
By Jay Reeves, Montgomery Advertiser Sterrett -- A multimillion-dollar organization that promotes visions of the Virgin Mary is fighting charges of being a destructive cult as religious pilgrims from across the nation arrive at its Alabama compound seeking spiritual renewal. Five former residents of Caritas of Birmingham have filed suit in state court seeking an unspecified amount of money from the group and its founder, Terry Colafrancesco. The suit claims Colafrancesco lures people into Caritas with promises of spiritual enrichment and then drains them of money. Families are made to live in nasty trailers at the group's compound, and Colafrancesco controls their lives almost totally, the suit claims. Added March 27, 2010
/ Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama
Religious mission faced with defections, lawsuit -- Associated Press on Caritas of BirminghamOther languages: English, Italiano
By Associated Press A multimillion dollar religious mission in rural Shelby County is under fire from critics and former residents who accuse the leader of brainwashing and financial mismanagement. Longtime members have left Caritas of Birmingham after becoming disenchanted with the operation, and the organization is named in a federal lawsuit over its work to promote visions of the Virgin Mary. The disputes center around Terry Colafrancesco, the founder and leader of Caritas, which has a publishing house and operates a travel service to Europe. Complaints about the organization were revealed Monday in a story by the Birmingham Post-Herald, which said Colafrancesco did not respond to repeated interview requests. An attorney who has done legal work for Caritas said Colafrancesco and his followers are good people with a "positive mission." "Terry has always had the philosophy that he doesn't respond to people who say bad things about him," said lawyer Joseph Ritchey. Added March 27, 2010
/ Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama
Local Man Escapes Alabama Cult -- Fox News on Caritas of Birmingham and Terry ColafrancescoBy Andy Treinen, Fox News 19 Faith is defined as a complete acceptance of a truth which cannot be proved by the process of logical thought. All of us have faith in something, but sometimes our faith is betrayed. That's exactly what happened to a local man who after nine years, came to the realization that he was in a cult. Tom O'Neill, a Xavier graduate and former teacher at LaSalle High School, was also in the FBI for 20 years. But none of his past work prevented him from making one of the biggest mistakes of his life. Now, his daughter is the one at risk. "What is happening at Caritas is exactly the same as Waco, Texas," claimed O'Neill. Added March 27, 2010
/ Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama
Questions push families away -- Birmingham Post-Herald on Caritas of BirminghamOther languages: English, Italiano
By Sara Foss, Birmingham Post-Herald When the Flynn and the Littiken families moved to Caritas of Birmingham, they did it for their children. The idea of a wholesome farming community, where devout Roman Catholics worshipped together and worked side by side, appealed to them. Added March 27, 2010
/ Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama
Looking for a miracle -- Birmingham Post-Herald on Caritas of BirminghamOther languages: English, Italiano
By Sara Foss, Birmingham Post-Herald In 1986, a man with a great enthusiasm for Medjugorje began visiting Jack Sacco in his office at the Eternal Word Television Network, a Roman Catholic television network based in Irondale. At that time, Sacco was organizing one of the first trips from Alabama to Medjugorje, a rural village in Bosnia-Herzegovina where six youths had reported receiving messages from the Virgin Mary in 1981. "I convinced two friends to go with me," said Sacco, a Birmingham native who now runs Michelangelo Films, a film production company based in Marina del Rey, Calif. "Before we left, this guy Terry is showing up in my office every day, all enthusiastic. He would talk about Medjugorje." Sacco was referring to Terry Colafrancesco, then a landscaper who ran his business out of his home in Sterrett in Shelby County. Today Colafrancesco is the president and founder of Caritas of Birmingham, a religious organization in Sterrett dedicated to promoting devotion to the visions of Medjugorje. Added March 27, 2010
/ Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama
Faith or folly? -- Birmingham Post-Herald on Caritas of BirminghamBy Sara Foss, Birmingham Post-Herald Accusations of brainwashing and money laundering plague an area religious group as some unhappy members leave Terry Colafrancesco started Caritas in Shelby County in 1987 to promote the experience of Medjugorje, the Eastern European village where six youngsters reported seeing the Virgin Mary. Today, Caritas has grown into a multimillion-dollar enterprise, complete with families who live there year-round, a travel agency that offers trips to Medjugorje in Bosnia-Herzegovina, a publishing arm and even a farm. Caritas' mission of educating people about Medjugorje remains unchanged. But recently the organization has come under fire by longtime residents who have left the community and others interested in Medjugorje. A lawsuit filed in California accuses Colafrancesco, the president of Caritas, of brainwashing residents and using funds raised from donors to purchase heavy equipment for himself. Added March 27, 2010
/ Category: Testimonies
Testimony of Candace Evans, New Hampshire (USA)My name is Candace Evans. I am 43 years old and live in New Hampshire (USA) with my husband and nine year old son. My parents, both deceased, were Jewish. My mother was an atheist. We never spoke of religion in our home so I never had any spiritual teaching or guidance as a child, nor later as an adult. Added April 2, 2010
/ Category: Testimonies
Silent love makes impression in young woman’s cheated heartOther languages: English, Deutsch
The many accounts of personal stories involving Medj. show how only the hand of God can get to the bottom of a person’s heart and radically change it. This is the story of a young woman who lives in a religious community in Medj. She was born in a Catholic family; her parents practised their faith, but from when she was a little girl, she felt nauseated by everything they did. At first, out of respect, she hid these feelings from them, but when she was only 13, her heart was already distant from them, from prayer and from God. Added April 4, 2010
/ Category: Interviews
Jim Caviezel: If it wasn’t for Medjugorje, I wouldn’t have ever played in movie “Passion”Jim Caviezel became the world famous actor with leading role in Mel Gibson’s movie “Passion”. Who is that actor that has so impressively become one with character of Jesus? Personally, he claims that if it wasn’t for Medjugorje, he wouldn’t have ever even accepted that role. Namely, in Medjugorje he had experienced certain dimension of faith that was unknown to him up to that point. In February he came to Medjugorje for the sixth time as pilgrim, and he visited Vienna after that trip. While he was in Vienna he had interview with Christian Stelzer for magazine “Oase des Friedens”, and interview translated in Croatian can be found in new edition of “Glasnik mira” from Medjugorje. Added April 4, 2010
/ Category: Medjugorje News
Easter and Palm Sunday in Medjugorje 2010 -- The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia!“Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” To all parishioners, pilgrims, friends, benefactors, and to all men of goodwill a Blessed and Happy Easter! Parish priest and the Franciscans PhotosAdded April 10, 2010
/ Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama
Mediation may end dispute at Caritas of BirminghamOther languages: English, Italiano
By Daniel Jackson, Birmingham Post-Herald Patrick J. Flynn said the founder of a Shelby County religious compound no longer has any control over him, but other people should be warned. Last week Flynn was sitting 3 feet away from Terry Colafrancesco, founder of the Caritas Community, during depositions in a lawsuit filed by some of his former followers. Colafrancesco had his deposition and bank records sealed in the lawsuit. Flynn, one of the original 12 inhabitants of the Caritas Community, questioned Shelby County Circuit Judge J. Michael Joiner's confidentiality order, which bars discussion of the details in the three-year-old suit. A group of former Caritas residents and parents of residents have accused Colafrancesco of operating a cult that preys on devout Catholics and drains them of their assets. Parties in the case will begin court-ordered mediation on March 30. Added April 10, 2010
/ Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama
Terry Colafrancesco - who is the face behind the "Friend of Medjugorje" -- To many he is no friend of MedjugorjeOther languages: English, Español
By Stephen K. Ryan Who is the man behind the mask known as the "Friend of Medjugorje"? The founder and operator of Medjugorje.com/ Caritas of Birmingham insists on calling himself "A friend of Medjugorje" rather than by his own name. Maybe it is just us but this curious business of referring to oneself in the third person, as the "Friend of Medjugorje" does throughout his web site, is beginning to creep us out. From the onset the third person references on his web site create an aura of obfuscation and an unsettling lack of transparency. The "Friend of Medjugorje" as it turns out is named Terry Colafrancesco. He may refer to himself as a friend of Medjugorje but the more we peel away the layers we are beginning to discover that many people who are devoted to the Medjugorje movement think he is anything but a friend. Added April 10, 2010
/ Category: Interviews
Fr. Carmelo interviewed -- “A Eucharistic Parish”Fr. Carmelo, you spent two years in Medjugorje. How did you get this opportunity, and what does it mean for you now?It was definitely a call by Our Lady, and it was through a small article precisely in the Echo of Mary which said there wasn't an Italian priest in Medjugorje to look after the Italian pilgrims. I took this as a personal call, and I asked Our Lady to provide a ticket to get there and a place to stay as a sign that it really was for me. Not long after this, whilst having dinner with friends, one of them said he had an extra ticket to go to Medjugorje and that he wanted to give it to someone. Then, at Medjugorje I asked Fr. Slavko about it and he confirmed that Our Lady had called me to stay there so I could better comprehend God's plans. Added April 13, 2010
/ Category: Medjugorje and Vatican
Investigative commission on Medjugorje meetsVATICAN CITY, 13 APR 2010 (VIS) - Press Office of the Holy See The International Investigative Commission on Medjugorje met for its first session on 26 March 2010. The Commission, presided over by Cardinal Camillo Ruini, His Holiness' vicar general emeritus for the diocese of Rome, is composed of the following members: Added April 17, 2010
/ Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama
Caritas of Birmingham: Accused of "Brainwashing"Other languages: English, Italiano
By Nancy Wilstach, The Birmingham News, Birmingham, Alabama, 12/28/04 Former residents and parents of residents accuse the Shelby County, Alabama, Caritas of Birmingham community, led by Terry Colafrancesco, of fraud, misrepresentation, undue influence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and false imprisonment. They say Colafrancesco lures devout Catholics to Caritas and then takes all their money. A judge has ordered principals in the three-year-old suit to submit to mediation. Colafrancesco created Caritas following the 1988 vision of a woman from Bossnia-Herzegovina who reported experiencing visitations from the Virgin Mary while standing in Colafrancesco’s pasture. She continues to have visions during her periodic returns to the US, and her most recent visit drew thousands of pilgrims. The community draws its membership from such people, who give up their property when they move into Caritas. The community also receives donations from the devout around the world. Caritas, which the Roman Catholic Church does not recognize, operates a school, sawmill, gift shop, and farm. Added April 17, 2010
/ Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama
Michael O'Neill who lived at Caritas from 1991 to 1999 writes to Birmingham Bishop David Foley -- in the purpose of having clearer picture of Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, AlabamaYour Excellency, For the purpose of having a clearer picture of Caritas, I feel that, you should know the following which Jacquie and I did not have an opportunity to relate. First, I am not sure how long it was that you told Terry that Mass was not allowed to be said at Caritas, but Terry interpreted it to our needs. Since 1995 or 1996, a priest from Phoenix, Alabama, came on a fairly regular basis and said Mass either in the field or the Tabernacle building. Terry always explained that as long as the priest was from outside the Diocese, you give permission for Mass. What your instructions were regarding this we had no idea. We only knew what Terry told us. As I said in our discussion on 10/13/00, after I left Caritas a lot of the FBI came out in me and I did some of my own investigation and came up with some interesting facts. I say facts because the two people I talked to have absolutely no "ax to grind" with Terry or Caritas. Added April 17, 2010
/ Category: Interviews
A lesson by an Anglican minister -- In Medjugorje I found Mary - the renewal of my church began with Her. He begs Catholics .. recite the Rosary: through Mary you can renew the worldOther languages: English, Deutsch
Apart from the many Catholics who visit Medjugorje to venerate the Queen of Peace, of late there have also been an increasing number of non-Catholic Christians who visit Medjugorje to pray to Our Lady with trust and to ask for Her motherly intercession before God. A recent visit was paid by Anglican minister, Robert Llewelyn. Despite his age, he is spritely, and deeply spiritual. Peace and joy irradiate from his every word. Added April 24, 2010
/ Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama
Gravely disturbing testimonies of former long term residents of Caritas of Birmingham -- and associates of self-styled "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, and also writings of concerned family membersOther languages: English, Italiano
Added April 24, 2010
/ Category: Testimonies
Four young men from the New World leave the land of milk and honey to clothe the cowlOther languages: English, Deutsch
The Franciscan basilica at Tomislavgrad in Herzegovina, where the Croatian king, Tomislav, was crowned 900 years ago, saw a particularly solemn ceremony this year when a group of young men took their vows. Apart from the eight seminarians from Herzegovina, who were surrounded by the whole Franciscan family and a swarm of family members and friends, there were four brothers from abroad: three Americans and one Australian. Added May 1, 2010
/ Category: Testimonies
Experiences of pilgrims in MedjugorjeThis period in which our Church celebrates the mystery of resurrection that lasts for fifty days was filled with many pilgrims in Medjugorje and press members from radio station “Mir” Medjugorje were able to find quite few interesting life experiences. Kim Yong Hwan, priest form Korea, said that he heard about Medjugorje in 2001 for the first time and in that year he was celebrating 25 years of his priesthood. At the same time, that was the year of great crisis for him, since he felt sort of spiritual emptiness in his vocation as a priest. Added May 3, 2010
/ Category: Medjugorje News
15th International Priests SeminarThe 15th International Priests Seminar will be held in Međugorje Added May 8, 2010
/ Category: Testimonies / Author: Cristina Palici
Mary invited me into her home…I still remember the first time I found a copy of Echo of Mary in the underground chapel of a Greek Orthodox church in my town. It was in 1997, in a little town in north-central Romania and I still hadn’t turned 17. I hungered for the living word and I needed to meet people who experience my same thirst; and this little publication was an immense gift. I immediately felt that Our Lady’s messages were nourishing me, freeing me, and immersing me in a Light which filled everything in me. Also the articles based on the witness of others and news within the Church gave me great joy for it made me understand that I wasn’t the only one to experience this intense desire for God, for holiness, and to surrender my own life totally to Him. Added May 13, 2010
/ Category: Testimonies
Testimony of Pauline, France"Before coming to Medjugorje, I had sunk very low. My parents are atheists. When I was 9, they divorced on grounds of adultery. From that day, I let myself be carried away by all the evils of society. At 13, I started on drugs. My broken family had gradually reduced me to a state of fear and being turned in on myself, I moved forward without seeing, without living, like a ghost. 'Emptiness', that is the word which best described my inner state. I threw myself into the 'pleasures of the flesh' and went completely adrift. Last summer, I attempted suicide, and when I woke up at the hospital, I felt that life was horrible, with no way out, no future. Added May 21, 2010
/ Category: Testimonies
Medjugorje encountersDamir Jug and Stjepan Bozic walked to Medjugorje from town called Velika Gorica at the north of Croatia. They started their pilgrimage on May 1st and arrived on the Ascension Thursday, May 13th. Damir came to Medjugorje for the first time, while Stjepan was coming to Medjugorje before in the past. “Every man has his own personal wishes and desires, we felt in our hearts that we need to come, and thanks to God and Our Lady, here we are. The journey was not easy, we were adjusting to every situation that we would encounter as we travelled.” They prayed before the Statue of Our Lady and climbed the hills despite the rain and difficult weather conditions. Apart from many pilgrims from Croatia, this Feast brought also pilgrims from Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, France, England, Ireland, United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and China. Added May 21, 2010
/ Category: Testimonies
Teenage atheist found the Lord -- Now she's taking the Good News to the 4 corners of the earthChris Miller, Western Catholic Reporter, Wetaskiwin As high school students sometimes do, Emma Fradd got involved in the party scene. She refused to attend Mass, and rejected anything to do with the Church. "My mom raised me as a Catholic, but when I got to high school I stopped going to church. A lot of my friends were atheist, and they had a lot of influence on me. I didn't believe in God at all," said Fradd, 20, who hails from Port Pirie, a city in South Australia. Added May 29, 2010
, Last update May 30, 2010
/ Category: Testimonies, Articles with videos, Wide screen
Testimony of Christine Watkins -- article and two videosBy Sharon Abercrombie As a five-year-old, Christine Watkins was enchanted the night her family went to view an outdoor nativity scene in their Berkeley neighborhood. But when she asked her father who the man, the lady and the baby were, he said they were just part of a Christian fairy tale. Added July 5, 2010
/ Category: Medjugorje News
29th Anniversary of Our Lady's Apparitions in Medjugorje celebratedStarting with Tuesday, June 15th when Novena to the Queen of Peace began, parishioners and pilgrims would meet every day at 4 p.m. at the Hill of Apparitions to pray the Rosary, as an act of special devotion to our God for all of the graces given through our Heavenly Mother. Evening prayer programme would start at 6 p.m. with prayer of the Rosary and with Holy Mass at 7 p.m. that was celebrated for first seven days by Medjugorje Franciscans. Professor and doctor, Fr. Tomislav Ivancic celebrated Holy Mass on last two days of Novena, as well as final Holy Mass on Anniversary day. Added July 5, 2010
/ Category: Testimonies
The priest, exorcist -- I can no longer live without MedjugorjePriest Leonid, redemptorist from Ukraine province, participated in the 15th International seminar for priest in Medjugorje and gave the testimony, first to the other participants and then to Radio Station Mir Medjugorje. We publish the testimony as it was given: Added April 10, 2010
, Last update July 7, 2010
/ Category: Medjugorje News, Festival Mladifest
The 21th International Youth Prayer Festival, Medjugorje, 1. - 6. 8. 2010 -- „Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?“Medjugorje, 1. - 6. 8. 2010. „Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?“ (Mk 10:17) Added July 7, 2010
/ Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama / Author: Marek Gayer
Important notice regarding information about self-styled "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco and "Caritas of Birmingham"Important: We strongly encourage you to make sure that all your friends and fellows interested in Medjugorje that you know were notified about disturbing information and activities related to the self-styled "A Friend of Medjugorje" (Terry Colafrancesco) and his organization "Caritas of Birmingham" in Sterret, Alabama, described in detail in documents of this web page: https://www.medjugorje.ws/en/articles/caritas-of-birmingham/ . Please help to warn and protect in this way the Medjugorje movement, its people, their families and property. Out of love and compassion for them, keep concern on their protection. Webmasters, bloggers, people on social networking websites, publishers, etc. - please inform about this page, preferably also by links on sidebars of all your pages. For that purpose, you can also use the following code: Added July 25, 2010
/ Category: Spiritual Life
Homily of Murchadh Ó Madagáin -- Ask and you will receive (Luke 11:1-13)"... A few weeks later I met a friend of mine called Aidan, who told me about a mutual friend of ours called Louise who had been to Medjugorje and had rediscovered her faith, or as Aidan put it: ‘she has become all religious and holy.’ I was intrigued, because Louise was my own age and from a similar background. So I called around to her and asked her about it. I remember she talked for about an hour and a half about what had happened. At the end of the conversation she invited me to come to a prayer meeting here in Galway. Now I wasn’t that keen to go to a prayer meeting. I thought I was much too cool for such things. But Louise was smart enough to know that and she asked another girl whom I fancied, to ask me. Naturally I went! Both of those girls are now married and I’m a priest!" Added August 1, 2010
/ Category: Medjugorje News, Festival Mladifest
Media coverage of 21st Youth FestivalYou can follow 21st Youth Festival, both just audio transmittance or video through our TV or Web cameras, through Internet radio and directly through following radio stations: Added August 8, 2010
/ Category: Medjugorje News, Festival Mladifest
Youth Festival in Medjugorje 2010The 21st International Youth Festival with the main theme: “Good Master, what shall I do to inherit the eternal life” began in Medjugorje on August 1st with the evening Holy Mass and finished on August 6th, Feast of Transfiguration with the Holy Mass at 5 a.m. on the top of the Cross Mountain. Added September 3, 2010
/ Category: Spiritual Life
Careers abandoned as young people answer God's call -- A gnawing emptiness prompts professionals to keep seekingDeborah Gyapong - Canadian Catholic News Sherbrooke, Quebec - Jennifer Y.M. Lee, gave up a promising career as a concert pianist to consecrate her life to God. Martin Bilodeau, 34, left behind a professional salary and glamorous travel as a mechanical engineer to live in community in lay consecrated life at Famille Marie-Jeunesse (FMJ), a new religious community that began about 25 years ago in Quebec City. Andrée-Ann Brasseur, 25, an accomplished violinist, knew from the time she was 18 that she belonged with FMJ but she had to wait eight years until she was old enough to consecrate her life permanently. Added September 11, 2010
/ Category: Medjugorje News
September continues with big number of pilgrimsEver since the time we started to count the number of given Holy Communions, this August has been above all of the previous number with 326.500 Holy Communions given. Huge numbers of pilgrims from all over the world continued also in the first days of September with groups from Italy, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Greece, Ireland, Lebanon, Germany, Austria, Spain and Belgium. Each one of those pilgrims carries his own personal experience of Medjugorje. Here , we are bringing the experience of 54 years old priest Francisco Verrara from Panama. He has been coming to Medjugorje for the last 24 years. He is the founder of Radio Maria for Panama, and back in 1994. he built the church that looks like church of St. James from Medjugorje. He said: „We in Panama have prayer groups that are living the spirituality of Medjugorje. For the last seven years we have Adoration oft he Blessed Sacrament for 24 hours. Ever since 1997. we have special community that tries to live messages of Our Lady, Queen of Peace. I see immense fruits of Medjugorje in my country. We have two parishes that are called Maria, Queen of Peace and celebrate their day on June 25th. Medjugorje has become my life. Peace, love and joy that I found here, I was no table to find anywhere else, although I have been to many other shrines. It was in Medjugorje where I lived the happiest days of my life“, says Fr. Francisco. Added September 14, 2010
/ Category: Spiritual Life, Near Death Experiences (NDE) / Author: Sr. Emmanuel
Dominik and the Youth FestivalA surprising event took place in Medjugorje on August 3rd. Since the articles on the internet about the events spread many errors, I wanted to make a serious inquiry before writing about it. So, below I have written the facts as I received them from Dominik’s family. Added September 18, 2010
/ Category: Medjugorje and Vatican
Timing and criteria for "judging" apparitions -- Interview with Monsignor Angelo Amato by Gianni Cardinale (Avvenire, July 9, 2008)Other languages: English, Italiano
Interview about 1978 document written by the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), concerning guidelines for Catholic Bishops in discerning claims to private revelation such as apparitions. Added October 2, 2010
/ Category: Medjugorje News
18th International meeting for organisers of pilgrimages, leaders of peace centres and Medjugorje prayer and charity groupsThe eighteenth International Meeting for Organisers of Pilgrimages, Leaders of Peace Centres and Međugorje Prayer and Charity Groups will be held in Medjugorje from the 6th to the 10th of March 2011. The theme of the gathering is: “…I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Mt 28, 20). Added October 16, 2010
, Last update October 18, 2010
/ Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama
Excerpts from shocking testimonies of former members of Caritas of Birmingham 'under the sole dictates' of self-styled „A Friend of Medjugorje“ (Terry Colafrancesco) -- regarding scandalous fleecing of gullible people and money related deceptions"On our pilgrimages to Medjugorje, Terry would have us try to find out who in the group had lots of money. Then we or Terry, if he was there, would try to focus on them specifically to get large donations. Terry would try to get them into an apparition. (Obviously with the permission of a Franciscan). On the pilgrimage in June 1998, Terry got a business owner and his wife aside and convinced them to give him $50,000.00 to buy land in Medjugorje. On that same trip, Terry got another wealthy man into an apparition and then on Paolo and Marija's back Porch, tried to get the money to buy the lot next to Marija's house." Added October 31, 2010
/ Category: Testimonies
Melisa's 2010 Visit to Medjugorje: ConversionMy Lord and My God, You are all Good, all Powerful, all Merciful. I don't believe I can imagine how beautiful God is, and I have a big imagination...but Medjugorje gave me an experience of the profoundly personal and beautiful relationship with God each person is called to through the beauty that is Our Lady. In Medjugorje, it is like Heaven has come down to earth. I felt the deepest desires of my heart were seen and constantly being revealed to me in prayer. I prayed for most of the 14 weeks I was in Medjugorje, and every day was filled with God's presence, all of the prayer and fasting came completely natural and was desirable while I was there. I experienced my relationship with God in a tangible way, my relationship with God became more real to me than the mountain I was standing on. Every dream in my heart was answered by God while I was there, even the deepest most hidden desires. Added November 6, 2010
/ Category: Interviews, Testimonies, Communities / Author: Sr. Stefania Consoli
Called to be lightHow does a young person feel when he or she is called to discover God's love? We asked a member of the Beatitudes Community, Br. Jean Uriel Frey, to tell us about his conversion which began in Medjugorje, and about the way in which he uses his "treasure" to help others. Added November 13, 2010
/ Category: Priests of Medjugorje
In memoriam Fr. Slavko Barbarić, OFM -- Homilies at the Funeral Mass and at the CemeteryIn the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Peace to you! Dear Provincial Fr. Tomislav, dear Pastor Fr. Ivan, brother concelebrating priests, dear brothers and sisters, We offer this Holy Mass for the soul of the deceased Fr. Slavko Barbaric, member of the Herzegovinian Franciscan Province, to which I express from the bottom of the heart my human and Christian compassion, as well as to all the members of the family he is coming from. Added November 13, 2010
/ Category: Priests of Medjugorje
Dr. Fr. Slavko Barbaric, OFM -- Curriculum VitaeIn memoriamFather Slavko Barbaric died on November 24, 2000 at 3.30 p.m. After the Way of the Cross, that he animated usually every Friday on the Hill of Krizevac for parishioners and pilgrims, he felt some pain. He sat down on a rock, then lay down on the ground, lost consciousness and gave his soul over to the Lord. Added November 18, 2010
/ Category: Testimonies
Claudia Koll on a pilgrimage to MedjugorjeFamous Italian actress and convert, Claudia Koll, came to Medjugorje in the beginning of November on a pilgrimage. She gave interview to radio station “Mir” Medjugorje and she openly spoke about her life and her conversion. It felt as we had listened to the unwritten story of Mary Magdalene of our days. She told us about all of the troubles and difficulties she had while she was growing up, all beacuse her mom had died during her birth. She was raised by her granny and had many identity crises while she was educated and at the end got completely lost in the world of movie production. Added December 23, 2010
/ Category: Testimonies
Exotic dancer turns to Mary and leads holy life of mass, rosaryThe more we listen to our guardian angel or the Lord, the more they speak to us. That was discovered by a woman in Massachusetts who experienced a dramatic conversion from life as an exotic dancer to a promoter of the Rosary -- leaving us lessons along the way. This is all according to the book, Full of Grace: Miraculous Stories of Healing and Conversion through Mary's Intercession, an anointed work by Christine Watkins that details a number of incredible life turn-arounds. Druggies. Homeless. A New Ager. And Angela. Added December 24, 2010
/ Category: Medjugorje News
Christmas wishes - May Christmas and birth of Jesus Christ bring you all of the joy!And indeed, from His fullness we have received grace to grace, for He is our peace! With desire that God’s peace reigns in all of the hearts, all of the families, all of the countries and in the whole world, united in prayer with all of the friends of Medjugorje throughout the world: MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! May this Christmas be for you day of joy and peace. May Jesus visit you in your families and may he be born in the hidden place of your heart! Parish Office of Medjugorje Information Centre “Mir” Medjugorje Added December 27, 2010
/ Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama
Visionary plans return to Alabama -- Birmingham Post-Herald on Marija Pavlovic's visit at Caritas of Birmingham and Terry Colafrancesco ("Friend of Medjugorje")By Jeb Phillips, Birmingham Post-Herald The woman who helped catapult a Shelby County religious community into a multimillion-dollar operation will make a return appearance next month. Marija Pavlovic Lunetti, who said that as a teenager she saw the Virgin Mary in Bosnia-Herzegovina and as an adult saw her in Sterrett, will come again to the small Shelby County town for a prayer celebration from Dec. 8 through Dec. 14. The event, dubbed the "Seven Days of Prayer," will occur at Caritas of Birmingham, a small farming community that has been accused in recent years of being a cult. Lunetti's last visit to Caritas in 1999 drew a crowd of between 20,000 to 30,000. |
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