Review: Cappella Romana Rach’d Portland
On Saturday, September 12th, we had the utmost honour and privilege to hear one of my favourite choral work of all time, The All-Night Vigil, op.37 by Sergei Vasilevich Rachmaninov. This work was composed and premiered in 1915. It is based on the Eastern Orthodox service of Vespers which is served on Saturday evenings and is hymns, prayers, and readings mainly from the Old Testament which are meant to prepare Orthodox Christians for worship on Sunday mornings. Vespers is an ancient liturgical service of the Church. On a personal note, it is this piece of music which is somewhat responsible for my conversion from Protestantism to Orthodoxy. Upon hearing this music for the first time, I was convinced that I had the investiage the depth of this faith tradition. One year later, I was Chrismated and joined the Russian Orthodox Church!
Needless to say, I was fairly excited about the fact that Cappella Romana was going to perform this music which holds a special place in my heart. Cappella Romana has a tradition of excellence when it comes to interpreting liturgical from all traditions of the Christian East. My high expectations for this performance were certainly surpassed. From the very first notes that the choir sung, I was aware that this group’s commitment to Orthodox liturgical music was fantastic. Their choices in tempo and dynamics were completely appropriate and facilitated a deeper meaning of the text being conveyed. In fact, Capella Romana illustrated a strong understanding of the text that they were singing. The ensemble skilfully maintained clarity throughout.
Although the group showed terrific precision in the technical aspects of choral singing, the interpretive and artistic aspects of this performance was equally impressive. A range of dynamics was used to emphasize portions of the text and this was done very well indeed by Capella Romana. There was a fantastic sense of drama at certain points during the performance that kept the listener’s attention.
What I loved most was the way that the choir had interwoven beautiful elements of the Orthodox Liturgy into the music Rachmaninoff had written. The part of the Deacon was sung in formidable fashion by a real Orthodox deacon – Rev. Dr. Nicholas Denysenko. His voice had a warm yet convicting quality to it – which is exactly what a deacon needs amidst the Orthodox services. The guest director was Mark Bailey who was simply wonderful.
This is one of the must stunning choral performances that I have ever heard. Cappella Romana brought us, for one evening, to a place of peace and beauty. The Vesper service is used in the Orthodox Chuch to prepare the faithful for Sunday’s Divine Liturgy and communion. Cappella Romana demonstrated that they understand not only the musical nuances of Rachmaninov’s music but the deeper spiritual meaning in this work as well. All of us in attendance felt that we were unified by the music which is meant to transcend the human experience. Bravo Cappella Romana!
-Jennifer West Co-founder and artistic director, Muzewest Concerts


Tom & Krinny Gaudet – Missionaries Since 1978
- Striving to reach the lost with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, especially people who are difficult to reach
- Developing Effective Evangelism Strategies
- Developing and Publishing Evangelistic and Follow-up Literature
- Training National Workers
Welcome to the Gaudet Family Web Site. Thank you for stopping by to visit.
Here you will find our email updates, current and archived prayer letters, photos, videos we have produced, and contact information. Be sure to also check out the links we have to our Sponsoring church and a Missions Resource site.


Welcome to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Howe, Indiana. We are a parish church in the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana. We meet Sundays at 8:30 AM Eastern Time in the historic Chapel of St. James, which is on the National Register of Historic Places of the United States, on the campus of The Howe School, located on the corner of State Road 9 and Union Street.
We worship according to Rite I of the Book of Common Prayer 1979. Our priest-in-charge is the Rev. Michael T. Fulk. Join us for worship on Sundays!


Katherine Flora "Kat" Johnson, 96, passed away 6:15 pm, Thursday, October 3, 2019 in Rosewood Care Center of Alton.
Born February 20, 1923 in Herrin, she was the daughter of Joseph and Grace "Woolridge" Nohava.
After graduating from Galatia High School, she came north to work for the Western Cartridge Company. She then worked at Wood River Township Hospital for 10 1/2 years and then to Pepsi-Cola in Alton for another 27 1/2 years before retiring. She was an active member of Godfrey Church of Christ, having taught Sunday School for 35 years.
She married Ernest Johnson on June 30, 1946 in Walpole, IL. He died March 19, 1992.
Surviving are her daughter, Donna Moore of East Alton; grandchildren, Kim Moore (Heather) , Kathleen (Bill) Wellman, Samuel L. Moore, James S. Moore; great grandchildren, Teresa (Joe) Halleran, Shelby Striegel, Billy Halleran, Adam (Jessica) Bishop; eight great great grandchildren; and sister, Carolyn Sue Alexander of Wood River.
Her parents; husband; and three brothers, Joe, Bobby and Bill Nohava and sister Johnniebee Nohava preceded in death.
Visitation will be from 4-8 pm Friday at Marks Mortuary in Wood River, where services will be held at 10 am, Saturday. Allan Eldridge and James Lampley will officiate.
Burial will follow in Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto.
Memorials may be given to Godfrey Church of Christ.


With Jesus’ sacrifice as The Last and Lasting Passover Lamb, given for our redemption, His death made possible the reading of His Will. Since Jesus’ Will was/is/ and always will be God’s Will, His crucifixion put that Will into full effect.
To read God’s Will accurately, however, we need to turn to God’s Word:
God’s Will is for no one to perish. God wants us to turn from ungodly ways.
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance,” 2 Peter 3:9, New King James Version.
God’s Will is for everyone to be saved. We agree with His Will – and help to put it into effect– as we pray for one another.
“…I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone… for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. This is good and pleasing to God our savior, who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth,” 1 Timothy 2:1-4, New American Bible (Revised Edition.)
God’s Will is for us to trust Him, no matter what!
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you,” 1 Thessalonians 5:18, King James Version.
A Will does not go into effect until death occurs.
God’s Will went into effect with the death of Jesus Christ, Who overcame death to save us for Eternal Life in the Lord.
God’s Will is for all to live in God forever.
“For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day,” John 6:40, New International Version.
God Wills to save the world!
“For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him,” John 3:16-17, Holman Christian Standard Bible.
Originally posted on Mary’s blog ©2021 by Mary Harwell Sayler, poet-writer, Bible reviewer, and compiler and paraphraser of the Book of Bible Prayers, which was researched on Bible Gateway as was this post


Become a member
The mission of the Center of Addiction & Faith is to raise awareness around the ubiquitous nature of addiction and the many ways it impacts every single human life. Increasing our understanding of this human phenomenon, of how addiction works in the human brain, of how it impacts every aspect of human society, of how God created us and what we are each personally up against in our own human chemistry, is enormously beneficial. This knowledge leads to understanding and understanding is the first step toward appropriate response.
Those who have faced addiction and are recovering from it understand all this, but there are still far too many who have yet to know and understand the truth of how addiction works. We believe this understanding is a deeply spiritual matter that when better understood can change the world. We want to grow that understanding and in doing so reach the lives of so many hurting people with healing hope and love.
Each of the four Gospels concludes with Jesus urging his disciples to now go and share the truth with others so the world can be saved. The 12-Steps also concludes with the final step encouraging those who have completed the steps to carry the message of recovery to those who still suffer. Spiritual growth always involves personal surrender, self-examination, repentance, a change of heart, and finally a mission to help others.
If this seems right to you we would love to have you join hands with us and help make this happen. By joining as a member of the Center of Addiction & Faith you are agreeing to become one of us. By joining you are saying yes to this mission and lending your name as explicit agreement to this pursuit. By joining you will be considered one of us and be included in all our communications and invited to all our events. We would ask that you keep this vision in your prayers and consider ways you might offer help along the way. Will you join us?


Wishing You All A Very Merry Chistmas!
Christmas came early to our house this year. How fun it was to have the daughters, son-in-laws, and grandchildren for the day. The only one missing was the number one son, but he was totally in our hearts. The hubby and I are looking forward to visiting him sometime in the next couple of months. So now, with Christmas Eve upon us, we are wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas. May your hearts be filled with love and joy, may all those you hold dear be safe, and may the new year be replete with hopes and dreams fulfilled.
Until Next Year,


North Columbus Rotarians will spend the morning hosting a Game Day event for Big Brothers Big Sisters at Northside Baptist Church. We will hold the event indoors to play games such as basketball, kickball, corn hole and other games. We will also involve volunteers from the church youth to introduce them to what Rotary is all about - Service Above Self.
|Northside Baptist Church has graciously allowed us to utilize their facility for indoor games. We had volunteers from North Columbus Rotary, Northside Baptist Church, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Girls Inc.|


Steeple Bumpstead Congregational church
Steeple Bumpstead Congregational Church is at the heart of a village community in rural North Essex.
The church meets to pray and worship together, to celebrate and work together, to learn about the Bible and to make the Christian faith known widely.
Everybody is welcome! Come along, to ask questions, to make friends and to get involved in community activities. Sunday services are at 10.30am. The church is available for weddings and funerals and to celebrate the birth of a child.
Have a look around this website for more information, or do get in touch with us to talk.
Rev'd Sophia Girvan


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Endorsement by Archbishop Moxon
Although strongly endorsed by the leaders of Anglican Church in New Zealand, this ministry does not receive any funding support from the church and its continuance does depend upon the generosity of supporters.


Sister Donna Markham OP, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), announced the CCUSA Innovation Challenge during CCUSA’s Annual Gathering in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The challenge, which awards a total of $1 million to three agencies, seeks to inspire member agencies within the Catholic Charities network to propose a fresh solution toward alleviating, reducing, or eliminating poverty.
Agencies grouped into three categories based on the number of full-time employees – small, medium, or large – will submit proposals to CCUSA. The proposals must recommend new and innovative approaches to address poverty rather than expand upon current programs. The application deadline for the CCUSA Innovation Challenge is January 31, 2020. Only one submission per member agency will be accepted.
Catholic Charities USA is the national office for Catholic Charities agencies nationwide and a member of Caritas Internationalis. Catholic Charities USA’s members provide help and create hope to more than nine million people a year regardless of religious, social, or economic backgrounds. The mission of Catholic Charities is to provide service to people in need, to advocate for justice in social structures, and to call the entire church and other people of good will to do the same.
This was reported by Catholic Charities USA on September 26, 2019.
Contact information: Patricia Cole, Vice President, National Communications and Engagement, Catholic Charities USA, 2050 Ballenger Avenue, Suite 400, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; 703-236-6218; Email: email@example.com; Website: www.catholiccharitiesusa.org


About Whitestone Fellowship
Whitestone Fellowship† is a company of people seeking to live according to the teaching of the New Testament. We are a New Testament fellowship consisting of those who believe in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ and who desire to share their lives and experience of Him in fellowship with others.
Our meetings (currently home-based) are largely informal, being centred upon the Lord Jesus Christ - who is the Head of the body - and conducted according to the pattern set forth in the New Testament*.
Find us at
† Whitestone Fellowship is part of Ogmore Valley Gospel Mission, an independent evangelistic mission.
* I Cor. 11 & 14:26; I Tim. 2:9-12.


The coniunctio is an a priori image that
occupies a prominent place in the history of
man's mental development. If we trace this
idea back we find it has two sources in
alchemy, one Christian, the other pagan.
The Christian source is unmistakably the
doctrine of Christ and the Church, sponsus
and sponsa, where Christ takes the role of
Sol and the Church that of Luna. The
pagan source is on the one hand the
hieros-gamos, on the other the marital
union of the mystic with God.


Aurora Precious Moments Prayer Boy
PRECIOUS PRAYER BOY 9.5" - Precious Moments has been one of the world's most recognized inspirational brands throughout the past several decades, and is now available in adorable Aurora World plush!
- Share the gift of love with this 9.5in tall Prayer Boy!
- Features the signature Precious Moments teardrop eyes.
- Plays "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep" when triggered.
- Each of the Aurora World Precious Moments styles come with a heart shaped inspiration tag. This Prayer Boy's reads "Jesus Loves Me."
Aurora World is a premier manufacturer of gift plush, stuffed animals and soft toys, bringing gifts of smiles to children of all ages around the world since its establishment in 1981.


St Christopher Necklaces
Pay tribute to the patron saint of travellers with our selection of St Christopher necklaces. Discover 9ct gold and white gold pendants suspended on a delicate chain for a modern take on a traditional talisman that’s guaranteed to be treasured for years to come. Choose from a range of exquisite details: delicate engraving pays homage to the saint, lockets hold cherished memories close, and secure clasp fastenings make for easy wear. Whether you’re looking for a way to carry your faith or want to offer a piece of protection to your loved ones, these simple but elegant pendants make a thoughtful gift. Shop the full collection of St Christopher necklaces at Beaverbrooks.


The Catholic Education Foundation Endowment Program has seen significant growth in recent years as more donors have decided to honor loved ones by making gifts that will impact needy families in perpetuity. For more information about establishing a named fund, please contact Kevin Woodward at email@example.com or call 502.585.2747.
The Helen Asman Dahlem Scholarship Fund
In 2016, Helen Asman Dahlem’s son, Bernard A. Dahlem, along with his family, established a permanent endowment scholarship fund at the Catholic Education Foundation of Louisville to honor her loving memory and the Catholic education that so defined her life and that of her family. Originally endowed with $500,000 by the Dahlem family, the Foundation is working to match this amount and create a permanent fund of $1 million that will provide the gift of a Catholic education to a deserving young child whose family longs for the same God-blessed education that Helen received in her life.
Helen Dillon Mazzoli & Rosanne Dillon Endowment Fund
In the fall of 2017, the Honorable Romano L. Mazzoli established the Helen Dillon Mazzoli & Rosanne Dillon Endowment Fund in loving memory of his beloved wife Helen Dillon Mazzoli who passed away in 2012 and in honor of her sister, Rosanne Dillon. Proceeds from the fund will be directed towards providing tuition assistance to families who could never afford the full cost of a Catholic Education.


The Royal Family Attend Church On Christmas Day
KING'S LYNN, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 25: Princess Anne, Princess Royal attends the Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate on December 25, 2019 in King's Lynn, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
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My parents always bought my brother and I an ornament every year. I loved that! It allowed me to have a nice collection of them when I moved out on my own. Plus, I just love Christmas ornaments! The two shown above are from Papa and Nana (my parents). I didn’t get any photos of the ones from us. So that means the kids will get 2 ornaments each year since Nana will get them one too. 🙂
The sweet Christmas clothes they are wearing in this photo also came from my parents. I hope we can continue do something like this each year too. It is fun to see them all dressed up!
Another tradition we are doing is only giving the kids 3 or 4 presents each, and then their stockings. We want to stay focused on Jesus birth at Christmas and not get all caught up in gifts and “stuff”. We will also read the story of Jesus birth starting next year when Ronnie is a bit older. We really enjoyed our Christmas together as a family of four! Looking forward to making more traditions throughout the year and for other holiday’s.


PTC is hosting a luncheon, sponsored by Energy by 5, for all our South Plains friends and faith leaders on June 9, 11:45 AM at Second Baptist Church, 6109 Chicago Ave, Lubbock, TX 79424. You are cordially invited!
Rev. Jesse Rincones, Pastor of Alliance Baptist Church of Lubbock will preside over the brief program. Rev. Bill Stubblefield, Pastor of The Difference Makers' Fellowship will bring our address. We will pray for our teachers, and affirm our support for God's provision of education, provided by the public, for all Texas children.


Holy Thursday, also known as Maundy Thursday, is a significant day in the Christian calendar. It commemorates the Last Supper, the final meal that Jesus Christ shared with his disciples before his crucifixion. This solemn occasion is marked by various traditions and practices, some of which date back centuries.
The Origin of Holy Thursday
The origins of Holy Thursday can be traced back to the Jewish tradition of Passover. Passover commemorates the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt, and it is celebrated by the Jewish community every spring. According to the Bible, Jesus and his disciples were in Jerusalem to celebrate Passover when he instituted the Last Supper.
During the Last Supper, Jesus broke bread and shared it with his disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” He then took a cup of wine and said, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” These words are the foundation of the Christian sacrament of Holy Communion.
In addition to the Last Supper, Holy Thursday also marks the occasion when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. This act of service and humility is a powerful symbol of Jesus’ love for his followers and his willingness to serve them, even in the face of imminent death.
Holy Thursday Traditions
Holy Thursday is a day of fasting and penance in many Christian denominations. It is also the start of the Triduum, the three-day period leading up to Easter Sunday. Many churches hold special services on Holy Thursday, including the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.
During the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the priest washes the feet of 12 people, representing the 12 disciples. This ritual is a reminder of Jesus’ act of service and humility and serves as an invitation to follow in his footsteps. The Eucharist is also an important part of this Mass, as it commemorates the Last Supper.
Another Holy Thursday tradition is the stripping of the altar. After the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the altar is stripped of all decorations, including the altar cloths and candles. This symbolizes the stripping away of all earthly comforts and the impending darkness of Jesus’ crucifixion.
In some Christian communities, Holy Thursday is also a day of pilgrimage. Many people visit churches and religious sites to pray and reflect on the events of the Last Supper. Others may choose to perform acts of charity or service in honor of Jesus’ act of washing his disciples’ feet.
The Significance of Holy Thursday
Holy Thursday holds great significance for Christians around the world. It is a reminder of Jesus’ love and sacrifice, and it invites us to reflect on our own lives and actions. The act of washing feet is particularly powerful, as it reminds us to serve others with humility and selflessness.
The Last Supper also serves as a reminder of the importance of communion and fellowship. Jesus shared a meal with his disciples, breaking bread and pouring wine, and in doing so, he invited them into a deeper relationship with him. This act of communion is still celebrated by Christians today, as they gather to share the Eucharist and to remember Jesus’ sacrifice.
Holy Thursday is a solemn and meaningful occasion for Christians around the world. It invites us to reflect on Jesus’ love and sacrifice and to consider our own actions in light of his example. The rituals and traditions associated with Holy Thursday serve as powerful reminders of Jesus’ teachings and his call to serve others with humility and selflessness. As we celebrate Holy Thursday, let us remember Jesus’ love and sacrifice and strive to follow in his footsteps.


|Posted by apostolicleona on January 30, 2014 at 6:00 PM||comments (0)|
Good, healthy, goldy friendships are very important to have. The Bible speaks quite a bit about friendships, how to be in a friendship, the rewards of good friends ships and the curses of bad ones. Having good Christian friendships is something we all need. Many times throughout our lives we need the strength, comfort and Godly councel of a good Christian friend. Then other times you become that source of strength, comfort and Godly councel for them. If you don't have good Christian friends, PRAY for some! God will answer your prayer and bring good people into your life. If you already have good Christian friends, PRAY for them! We all need prayer and along side with God, we are each others support! God Bless and enjoy the scriptures below!
*I went through a trial in my life and during this trial everyone turned their back on me. People in my family, my friends and even Church family. I remember weeping and telling God how lonely I was for a friend, "just one friend to talk to Lord! that's all i need!" Then God reminded me of this:
Proverbs 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (*how great is this!? God himself tells us that he's our friend, and better than that!!! He's a friend who will be closer to us than a brother! He is always there for us! ALWAYS!!! What a comfort it is to know that we are never truly alone)
John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. (*Jesus said this to the deciples before he was crusified. This tell us that Jesus loves us greatly! Witht he GREATEST love! This is something we need to inject into our own lives, to be more like Jesus and have this great love for our friends! This is something we see often in our militaries, soldiers become brothers and love each other with the greatest love, a love that makes them willing to lay down their life for their friends, their brothers, their country! How beautiful to have that kind of love, loyalty and dedication!)
John 15:14-15 You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. (*If we obey God's commandments we are his friends, I can't think of any better commandments to follow or a better friend to have.)
James 2:23 And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"—and he was called a friend of God. (*God's word is true and absolute so if it says that He is no respector of persons, meaning that he doesn't favor one of us more than another, if Abraham can become known as "Friend of God" then so can we! If we believe God and live righteously then then we too can be known as "Friend of God".)
*These Scriptures below represent how we need to conduct ourselfs in order to be a good Christian friend and they also tell us the benefits of good friends! The people closest to us can hurt us the most, let these scriptures help you find peace and mend your broken hearts. Gods word is powerful, read it, love it, absorb it into every fiber of your being. Surround yourself with people of like faith and love one another and FORGIVE!
Proverbs 13:20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. (*My grandpa used to say "if ur gonna roll with the pigs ur gonna smell like the pigs.", so make sure you choose your friends wisely. Choose friends that will build you up and be good influences.)
Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. (*this scripture is plain and simple, friends are a necessity)
Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (*despite arguments, disagreements or any disputes at all, remain LOVING to your friend, don't hate! hate is from the devil and not an attribute of God. I know sometimes it can be tough, but to be able to call yourself a Godly Christian friend you have to obey the scriptures, Loving is good for our own souls as much as it is for others.)
1 Samuel 18:1 As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. (*an example of loving a friend as yourself, how beautiful.)
1 Samuel 18:3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. (*BFF's! I wanna be this kind of friend.)
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! (*when you're up you can also help your friends up, encourage them, guide them, and when you're down a good christian friend can do the same for you. If you don't have godly friends in your life it can make things a little more difficult than they have to be.)
Ecclesiastes 4:12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (*there is strength in numbers!)
Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; (*choose good friends and be blessed!)
Psalm 55:12-14 For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him. But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. We used to take sweet counsel together; within God's house we walked in the throng. (*almost nothing hurts worse than a friend coming against you, don't hold grudges and don't do evil or speak evil of your brothers/sisters in Christ or your natural ones either, have the heart of Christ which forgives and loves always.)
Psalm 133:1 A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! (*isn't it great when everyone gets along? God can work in the midst of unity but he cannot work in the midst of turmoil.)
1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (*if you see a need, MEET IT! does someone need milk or a warm coat? according to the Word of God if you don't provide the need you are worse than an unbeliever! Be generous, ask God for a spirit of giving to be applied to your heart.)
1 Timothy 2:8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; (*God doesn't like discord, we aren't supposed to be angry and argue ... we are supposed to pray & worship together.)
Colossians 3:12-14 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (*This is a scripture we should pray out loud for ourselves, that we can be the kind of person/friend/brother/sister/parent that this scripture describes.)
Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. (*when a brother's in sorrow we should all feel his need and when he passes thru the valley we should all feel relief. Pray for a sensitive heart.)
Romans 12:1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (*be holy and accepable to God, be lovers of him, read his word, pray his word, worship him so we can be good, acceptable and perfect in his eyes!)
1 Peter 1:22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, (*obedience is better than sacrifice! Love with a pure heart! if you have a hard time loving .. which many do because of past hurts and betrayals ... pray for God to give you a pure and loving heart that is sensitive to him and those around you.)
Hebrews 13:1 Let brotherly love continue. (*Loving one another is a GOOD thing! this scripture is short, sweet and to the point!)
Matthew 18:15-20 If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. (*sad but true .. it happens ... people make mistakes, we are human .. whether its on purpose or by an ignorant mistake, if your brother/sister/friend has sinned against you, confront them WITH LOVE not with anger. Many times people don't even know what they said or did hurt you and any issues can be resolved right then and there if you have the right temperement when presenting. If that doesn't work then it's time for a loving intervention.)
Matthew 18:35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart." (*forgiving others is VITAL!! if you can't forgive people its a sin. Anything that isn't according to God and his charachter is a sin. God forgives, therefore we must also be forgiving. How many times have we sinned, whether it be in secret or in the open, against God and how many times has he forgiven us? More times than we can count that's for sure! if you are having a hard time forgiving its simple, just pray and ask God to help you remove any resentment, hurt or hate that is in your heart towards that person and He will do it.)
Matthew 25:40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ (*whether it's that bum on the street begging, your lousy waitress or someone you know personally ... treat them with kindness always! Love always! God says what we do to them we do to him. We know what storm others are going thru and what causes their "attitudes" or puts them in the lowly position they are in. only God knows and only He can judge.)
1 John 3:15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. (*yep! hate is as bad as murder to God! you can't make it into the kingdom of God if you hate ANYONE. ask God to remove known hates and even unknown hates that may be buried deep down inside.)
1John 4:20 If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. (*scary but true! Hatred is a deep rooted seed and needs to be completely removed from our hearts and even our vocabulary! The only things we should hate are the things that God hates and the Bible plainly tells us what those things are.)
John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (*what a straightforward scripture. Love others as Jesus loves us. Jesus loves us with "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." . a love that's so great that is shines and radiates thru us letting others know just by looking at us that we are His disciples. It's the Love of Christ and we all need to have it!)
|Posted by apostolicleona on January 6, 2013 at 11:55 PM||comments (0)|
Praying for our children is a MUST .. Kids today face challenges and temptations that we were never exposed to .. God is comming back SOON and we not only need to prepare ourselves, but we also need to pray that our children are prepared also. We need our children protected by the hand of God because there is so much evil in this world today and ONLY He can protect them like they need to be. Salvation for them is first and most important, but we also need to pray about their honesty and integrity, their love for Gods word and so on. Hide the word of God in your heart and also teach your children to do the same, be the example they need Mom & Dad. Your children are a precious gift from God and they need nurturing, guidance and prayer.
1. Salvation—"Lord, let salvation spring up within my children, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory." (Isa. 45:8; 2 Tim. 2:10)
2. Growth in Grace—"I pray that my children may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Pet. 3:18)
3. Love—"Grant, Lord, that my children may learn to live a life of love, through the Spirit who dwells in them." (Gal. 5:25; Eph. 5:2)
4. Honesty and Integrity—"May integrity and honesty be their virtue
and their protection." (Ps. 25:21)
5. Self-Control—"Father, help my children not to be like many others around them, but let them be alert and self-controlled in all they do."
(1 Thess. 5:6)
6. Love for God's Word—"May my children grow to find Your Word more precious than much pure gold and sweeter than honey from the comb." (Ps. 19:10)
7. Justice—"God, help my children to love justice as You do and act justly in all they do." (Ps. 11:7; Mic. 6:8)
8. Mercy—"May my children always be merciful, just as their Father is merciful." (Luke 6:36)
9. Respect (for self, others, and authority)—"Father, grant that my children may show proper respect to everyone, as Your Word commands." (1 Pet. 2:17)
10. Biblical Self-Esteem—"Help my children develop a strong self-esteem that is rooted in the realization that they are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus." (Eph. 2:10)
11. Faithfulness—"Let love and faithfulness never leave my children, but bind these twin virtues around their necks and write them on the tablet of their hearts." (Prov. 3:3)
12. Courage—"May my children always be strong and courageous in their character and in their actions." (Deut. 31:6)
13. Purity—"Create in them a pure heart, O God, and let that purity of heart be shown in their actions." (Ps. 51:10)
14. Kindness—"Lord, may my children always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else." (1 Thes. 5:15)
15. Generosity—"Grant that my children may be generous and willing to share, and so lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age." (1 Tim. 6:18-19)
16. Peace-Loving—"Father, let my children make every effort to do what leads to peace." (Rom. 14:19)
17. Joy—"May my children be filled with the joy given by the Holy Spirit." (1 Thes. 1:6)
18. Perseverance—"Lord, teach my children perseverance in all they do, and help them especially to run with perseverance the race marked out for them." (Heb. 12:1)
19. Humility—"God, please cultivate in my children the ability to show true humility toward all." (Titus 3:2)
20. Compassion—"Lord, please clothe my children with the virtue of compassion." (Col. 3:12)
21. Responsibility—"Grant that my children may learn responsibility, for each one should carry his own load." (Gal. 6:5)
22. Contentment—"Father, teach my children the secret of being content in any and every situation, through Him who gives them strength." (Phil. 4:12-13)
23. Faith—"I pray that faith will find root and grow in my children's hearts, that by faith they may gain what has been promised to them." (Luke 17:5-6; Heb. 11:1-40)
24. A Servant's Heart—"God, please help my children develop servant's hearts, that they may serve wholeheartedly, as if they were serving the Lord, not men." (Eph. 6:7)
25. Hope—"May the God of hope grant that my children may overflow with hope and hopefulness by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Rom. 15:13)
26. Willingness and Ability to Work—"Teach my children, Lord, to value work and to work at it with all their heart, as working for the Lord and not for men." (Col. 3:23)
27. Passion for God—"Lord, please instill in my children a soul that 'followeth hard after thee,' one that clings passionately to You." (Ps. 63:8)
28. Self-Discipline—"Father, I pray that my children may acquire a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair." (Prov. 1:3)
29. Prayerfulness—"Grant, Lord, that my children's lives may be marked by prayerfulness, that they may learn to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers." (1 Thess. 5:17)
30. Gratitude—"Help my children to live lives that are always overflowing with thankfulness and always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Eph. 5:20; Col. 2:7)
31. A Heart for Missions—"Lord, please help my children to develop a desire to see Your glory declared among the nations, Your marvelous deeds among the peoples." (Ps. 96:3)
|Posted by apostolicleona on October 23, 2012 at 6:40 PM||comments (0)|
Lets face it .... one of the hardest most perplexing jobs we are given is to be a parent. Luckily God gives us instructions! The bible tells us in Proverbs 22:6 "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." ... while parenting can have it's difficult times, applying the Word of God to our child rearing and teaching our children to love God can send forth blessings and give us relationships with our children that will be rewarding from generation to generation. While I don't believe in "child abuse" I do believe in correction, as our loving Father above also corrects us. Children need instruction, love, nurturing and above all to be taught God's ways and God's word. Be a good example Parent!!
Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord
Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
Psalm 127:3-5 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
Proverbs 23:26 "My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways."
Proverbs 6:20 "My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:"
2Tim 3:15 "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."
Proverbs 19:18 "Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying."
Proverbs 22:15 "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him."
Proverbs 29:17 "Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul."
|Posted by apostolicleona on October 23, 2012 at 6:20 PM||comments (0)|
In this day and age, staying married is not only hard but it's also a rarity. Divorce rates are at an all time high. I say marriage is hard because the society we live in tell us "if it doesn't work out .. just move on". But this contradicts God's word, God hates divorce. The bible clearly states that in Malachi 2:16 "For I hate divorce!" says the LORD, the God of Israel. "To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies. "So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife." ..... If we hide the Word of God in our hearts and obey his commandments, living with our spouses can not only be easy but it will also give us a lifetime of rewards in God, love and peace... so I again to you, hide the Word of God in your hearts, model yourself after the way the Word of God says we should be and pray these scriptures over your marriage.
Genesis 2:21-25 So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.
Hebrews 13:4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.
Ephesians 5:23,24,32 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.
Proverbs 12:4 A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.
Proverbs 18:22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.
Matthew 19:4-6 "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh' ? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."
Colossians 3:18-19 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
Hebrews 13:4-7 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.


On a hill and offering stunning views of the river Ebro, rises the Templar castle of Miravet, surrounded by a wall 25 meters high. It is the most imposing fortress built by the powerful Order of the Temple in Europe. The order, however, fell into disgrace after losing the last Christian strongholds in the Holy Land. The French king, in collusion with the pope, got them declared heretics, so that their property could be confiscated. The Catalan king Jaume II followed in the footsteps of the French monarch and laid siege to the fortress of Miravet in December 1307. Inside, the warrior monks resisted for a year. Although they eventually had to surrender, they were able to preserve their lives, unlike their French brothers who died at the stake. Four years later, in November 1312, in the cathedral of Tarragona, the innocence of the Templars was solemnly decreed.


God is Good Metal Sign for the Home
The God is Good metal home décor sign simply and beautifully states what you believe in your heart. Display your God is Good sign anywhere in your home to remind you of this good truth every time you see it.
This clean, elegant sign looks great in entryways, family rooms, bedrooms, and on porches, garden walls, and patios. Available in a variety of colors, this metal artwork will look great anywhere you display it. We take great joy in our work, and we know you’ll love your product!


Our pastor had a vision to plant a life-giving church in Elk City, OK. He planted The Way Church in February of 2011 with just a handful of people. With the help of people committed to seeing that dream fulfilled, the church has experienced significant growth. The Way Church continues to focus on reaching out to the non-churched by building relationships and preaching the message of the Gospel.
The staff and leadership here at The Way Church is comprised of men and women who love, care and pray for every single person in the church. If you have any questions for any of our staff, feel free to reach out and email them or call our church office to speak with them. You can contact the church office at firstname.lastname@example.org
Kyle is the Senior Pastor of The Way Church. He and his wife, Randi planted The Way Church in 2011 with a vision to see people experience Jesus and see the church reach its full potential. They live in Elk City with their son, Titus, and two daughters, Avery and Aniston.
Eric is the Youth Pastor at The Way Church. He is passionate about loving God and people. Eric was drawn to The Way because of the vision to see people experience Jesus. Eric and his wife, Natasha, live in Elk City with their two sons, Mayson and Golden, and daughter, Harper.
Travis is the Next Steps Pastor at The Way Church. He is passionate about providing the behind-the-scenes support to staff and helping people take next steps in their walk with God. Travis and his wife, Shayla, live in Elk City with their two children, Emorie and Colin.
Susan has been the Administrative Assistant at The Way Church since 2014. She has a heart to serve and has been instrumental in doing whatever is necessary to move the mission forward. Susan and her husband, Tyrel, live in Elk City with their three children, Meghan, Kynlee, and Creed.
At our church, you will hear the word “gospel” repeatedly because it is the most important truth that we can know and experience. The gospel is not merely a message that needs to be shared with non-Christians, but also with Christians. It is not something that mature Christians move on from, but rather something that they move deeper into. The gospel is the lens in which we should view theology, ministry, and all aspects of life.
The Apostle Paul defined the word “gospel” concisely in 1st Corinthians 15:3-5 when he wrote, “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.” Simply put, the gospel is all about Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, and the implications it has for us.


Defiant Kentucky clerk Kim Davis met briefly with Pope Francis during his historic U.S. visit, an encounter she said validates her crusade against gay marriage.
The Liberty Counsel released the following statement about Davis' meeting with Pope Francis:
"Media is buzzing about the Pope’s comments in support of conscientious objection and whether he knows about the Rowan County, Kentucky, Clerk of Court who was jailed for six days for refusing to issue same-sex marriage licenses. The Pope met privately with Kim Davis and her husband, Joe, at the Vatican Embassy in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, September 24, which was the birthday of Kim’s father. Pope Francis spoke with Kim and Joe Davis in English.
"During the meeting Pope Francis said, "Thank you for your courage." Pope Francis also told Kim Davis, "Stay strong. He held out his hands and asked Kim to pray for him. Kim held his hands and said, "I will. Please pray for me," and the Pope said he would. The two embraced. The Pontiff presented Kim and Joe Davis each with a Rosary that he personally blessed. Kim's mother and father are Catholic, and Kim and Joe will present the Rosaries to her parents. Kim's mother was the elected Clerk of Court for Rowan County for 37 years until her retirement in 2014.
"Kim Davis said, "I was humbled to meet Pope Francis. Of all people, why me?" Davis continued, "I never thought I would meet the Pope. Who am I to have this rare opportunity? I am just a County Clerk who loves Jesus and desires with all my heart to serve him." Kim said, "Pope Francis was kind, genuinely caring, and very personable. He even asked me to pray for him. Pope Francis thanked me for my courage and told me to 'stay strong.'"
"The challenges we face in America regarding the sanctity of human life, marriage, and religious freedom are the same universal challenges Christians face around the world. Religious freedom is a human right that comes from God. These values are shared in common by people of faith, and the threats to religious freedom are universal. Kim Davis has become a symbol of this worldwide conflict between Christian faith and recent cultural challenges regarding marriage," said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel.
"Speaking with reporters on board the Papal plane to Rome, Pope Francis told Terry Moran of ABC News that conscientious objection is a human right, even for government officials: "Conscientious objection is a right that is a part of every human right. It is a right. And if a person does not allow others to be a conscientious objector, he denies a right. Conscientious objection must enter into every juridical structure because it is a right, a human right. Otherwise we would end up in a situation where we select what is a right, saying 'this right that has merit, this one does not.' It (conscientious objection) is a human right. It always moved me when I read, and I read it many times, when I read the "Chanson de Roland" when the people were all in line and before them was the baptismal font and they had to choose between the baptismal font or the sword. They had to choose. They weren't permitted conscientious objection. It is a right and if we want to make peace we have to respect all rights."
"The ABC News Chief Foreign Correspondent asked if that includes government officials as well, and the Pope reiterated that conscientious objection is a human right: "It is a human right and if a government official is a human person, he has that right," Pope Francis affirmed.
"After the above statement of Pope Francis was published, some in the media wondered if the Pontiff knew of Kim Davis. "Not only did Pope Francis know of Kim Davis, he personally met with her to express his support," concluded Staver.
"Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics."


The Long Arm of Papal Authority
Late Medieval Christian Peripheries and Their Communication
with the Holy See
Gerhard Jaritz is a member of the International
Medieval Congress (Leeds Programming Committee) and
is a Professor in the Medieval Studies Department at
Central European University.
Kirsi Salonen is the author of "The Penitentiary
as a Well of Grace in the Late Middle Ages: The Example
of the Province of Uppsala 1448-1527"
Torsten Jorgensen is Professor at the Centre
for Medieval Studies at University of Bergen
The volume contains selected papers from two conferences
in 2003, at the University of Bergen (Norway) and at
Central European University in Budapest. They deal comparatively
with the communication of the Holy See with Northern
Europe and Eastern Central Europe in the Late Middle
Ages, both areas at the margins of Western Christendom.
Special emphasis is placed on analysis of registers
in the Apostolic Penitentiary.
List of Tables List of Figures Abbreviations
related to the collections of the Vatican Secret Archives
Preface Chapter 1. Piroska Nagy, Peripheries
in Question in Late Medieval Christendom Chapter
2. Kirsi Salonen, The Penitentiary under
Pope Pius II. The Supplications and Their Provenance
Chapter 3. Torstein Jørgensen,
At the Edge of the World: The Supplications from the
Norwegian Province of Nidaros Chapter 4. Kirsi
Salonen, The Supplications from the Province of
Uppsala. Main Trends and Developments Chapter 5.
Irene Furneaux, Pre-Reformation Scottish Marriage
Cases in the Archives of the Papal Penitentiary Chapter
6. Jadranka Neralic, Central Europe and the
Late Medieval Papal Chancery Chapter 7. Etleva
Lala, The Papal Curia and Albania in the Later Middle
Ages Chapter 8. Piroska Nagy and Kirsi
Salonen, East-Central Europe and the Penitentiary
(1458-1484) Chapter 9. Lucie Dolealová,
"But if you marry me": Reflections of the
Hussite Movement in the Penitentiary (1438-1483)
Chapter 10. Ana Marinkovic, Social and Territorial
Endogamy in the Ragusan Republic: Matrimonial Dispenses
during the Pontificates of Paul II and Sixtus IV (1464-1484)
Chapter 11. Gastone Saletnich and Wolfgang
Müller, Rodolfo Gonzaga (1452-1495):News on
a Celebrity Murder Case Chapter 12. Blanka
Szeghyová, Church and Secular Courts in Upper
Hungary (Fourteenth to Sixteenth Century) Chapter
13. Ludwig Schmugge, Penitentiary Documents
from Outside the Penitentiary Chapter 14.
Gerhard Jaritz, Patterns and Levels of Periphery?
List of Contributors
ISBN 963-7326-06-5 paperback $34.95 / €29.95 /


“And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.”
1 John 5:14-15, ESV
Welcome to Washington Connecting!
Connecting followers of Jesus...in expectation for God’s will.
Washingtonconnecting.org is a website designed to connect believers in prayer for our state and nation. We are part of a non-denominational, multi-ethnic Jesus-centered prayer movement. Washington State is in great need of unceasing prayer. Please join us and stand in the gap for Washington and our country.


I especially named this article ”Introduction into Seven Churches of Revelation” because there are and will be many more articles detailing the subject of Seven Churches in Asia Minor. Please enjoy the article below and more on my website.
Faith has been a strong motivator throughout history. Anatolia has hosted many civilizations from the past to the present day. Thanks to his respect and tolerance for different civilizations, many civilizations have left valuable historical and cultural monuments in Anatolia. Religious structures, rituals, festivals, and ceremonial events have a serious diversity in Anatolia even today. The existence of many early Christian era monuments and churches is a strong proof of Anatolia’s tolerance for new religions.
Anatolia is a unique geography with both Judaism temples and Christian temples. Although Christianity, which has billions of believers all over the world today and was born in the Palestinian Territories but it is Anatolia where it grew and developed. Many places in Turkey having names mentioned in the Bible can be visited. Some of these holy places are the Seven Churches in Revelation which are mentioned in the last chapter of the Bible. The revelation section relates to the apocalypse. This section describes the end of the world with depictions, symbols, and definitions. It is thought that these abstract explanations, which are difficult to understand today, are a style of expression that can be understood by the believers of the biblical times. Seven Churches in the Revelation are located in the Aegean Region of Turkey today. These churches are popular Christian touring spots in Turkey today. Lots of believers come to Turkey solely to visit them. Also guests who take tours of holy Jerusalem stop in Turkey on their way back and visit Seven Churches of Apocalypse. As a tour guide, I am proud to take hundreds of Christians on Seven Churches tours every year.
On the third day after Jesus was crucified, he rose from death, appeared to the apostles, and asked them to spread his message to all nations. Then he was raised to the sky next to God. Aegean Region of Turkey today was referred by the name ‘’Asia Minor’’. Saint John the Evangelist was commissioned for the Asian Province and he came where he created Seven Churches. Saint John is one of the twelve companions and disciples Jesus Christ. The Bible mentions him as the writer, the Divine, the Theologian. Jesus has tasked him with spreading beliefs. It is believed that revelations of Saint John the evangelist were written on the island of Patmos while he was exiled. There are many prophecies in this book claiming believers will triumph over those who deny religion and God will overcome evil in the world. Jesus will embrace all humanity in the Apocalypse, and that there are many future predictions.
The first chapters of the Book of Revelation consisting of letters written to the Seven Churches. These letters refer to the first Seven communities who lived in the Asian Province during the Roman Period and adopted the Christian religion and teachings. Each letter dealt with a different subject and made warnings to people of that period, sometimes at counsel, sometimes in reproach.
List of Seven Churches of Revelation in Asia Minor
- Ephesus (Today Selcuk – Izmir)
- Smyrna (Today Izmir)
- Pergamon (Bergama – Izmir)
- Sardes (Salihli – Manisa)
- Philadelphia (Alaşehir – Manisa)
- Laodikeia (Denizli)
- Thyateira (Akhisar – Manisa)
I will be sharing my expertise and knowledge on Seven Churches of Revelation on the upcoming articles. If you wish to learn more about Seven Churches, you can write to me. Also if you need to book a tour or a private licensed tour guide for Seven Churches of Revelation you can always contact me too. See you soon, Hasan Gülday.


Church On Wheels portable stage is very durable and has a compact design. That design makes it easy to load on to our portable stage carts. When paired with our cart, our portable stage IS the EASIEST stage to setup and tear-down. In fact, it is so easy that only ONE person is needed to setup an entire stage. This makes our stage very fast and convenient for churches with small setup and tear down teams. Our portable stage is made in the USA, in the Church on Wheels facilities.


Seminarian Appeal 2017
- 20 January 2017
‘O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still
proclaim your wondrous deeds.’ Psalm 71:17
Having grown up in Myanmar, 26-year-old seminarian Nicholas Nerius knows all too well the violence and unrest resulting from his country being in the grips of one of the longest-running civil wars the world has seen. Although much of the fighting has stopped, there is another urgent crisis facing the people… Click here to read more...
With some areas still witnessing conflict, and over one million children out of school, the nation is seeing rising levels of extensive and damaging drug abuse. Initially used as a stimulant by the military, the drugs have now infiltrated into civilian life, and is sweeping through the nation and contributing to what community leaders have described as a major epidemic.1
Despite these ongoing issues, there is still hope. The Catholic Church in Myanmar, with the support of Catholic Mission, and its faithful donors, is training young men and women so that they may support the people of Myanmar in solving these issues and build a stronger nation for the future.
Nicholas is one of 178 seminarians at St Joseph’s Major Seminary in Yangon, Myanmar. On Saturdays he can be found preparing local Catholic children for their first Communion in a small parish about 15 minutes away from St Joseph’s Major Seminary. His mission is to keep children focused on learning to be good citizens, and to live wholesome and fulfilling lives.
Nicholas says that community outreach is just one way in which he can contribute to solving what he feels is one of Myanmar’s tragic deficiencies: education for young people. He feels that he is providing a small service that might make a big difference in these children’s lives and, vitally, place a protective barrier between them and the unfortunate cycle of drug abuse in which Nicholas was shocked to find his brother Martino is caught up.
Please help support these seminarians and the work of the Catholic Church, not only in Myanmar but all around the world. Together we can encourage Nicholas as he proclaims God’s wondrous deeds and prepares the way for a brighter future in Myanmar.
Click here to donate now.
1 Watson and Schwarz (2015), ‘Beyond the sectarian fighting lies Myanmar's dark drugs problem’, January 3, CNN


The rosary is a sacred and widely recognized prayer tool in the Catholic tradition. It is both a physical object and a form of prayer. The word “rosary” originates from the Latin word “rosarium,” meaning “rose garden.” The rosary consists of a string of beads, a crucifix, and a central medallion, typically depicting the Virgin Mary.
The structure of the rosary is divided into five decades, with each decade representing a particular mystery from the life of Jesus Christ or the Virgin Mary. The mysteries are categorized into the Joyful Mysteries (reflecting on events from Jesus’ birth to childhood), the Sorrowful Mysteries (contemplating Jesus’ suffering and crucifixion), and the Glorious Mysteries (reflecting on Jesus’ resurrection and ascension).
The rosary begins with the recitation of the Apostles’ Creed, followed by the Lord’s Prayer (the Our Father) and three Hail Mary prayers. The main part of the prayer consists of the repetitive recitation of the Hail Mary prayer while meditating on the corresponding mystery for each decade. A decade comprises ten Hail Mary prayers, recited as one meditates on the life of Jesus or Mary.
The rosary beads serve as a tactile aid to keep track of the prayers. They are divided into groups of ten beads, known as a decade, with a larger bead marking the beginning and end of each decade. The beads guide the faithful through the prayers, providing a rhythm and focus for contemplation.
The rosary is a meditative and reflective practice, inviting individuals to enter into a deeper connection with God and the mysteries of faith. By reciting the prayers and meditating on the mysteries, Catholics seek to grow in faith, express devotion to the Virgin Mary, and unite themselves with the life and teachings of Jesus.
Throughout history, the rosary has played a significant role in Catholic spirituality, offering comfort, solace, and a pathway to spiritual contemplation. It is used in private devotions and communal prayer settings, such as family gatherings, church services, and pilgrimages. The rosary continues to be a powerful symbol of faith, devotion, and a source of spiritual nourishment for millions of people around the world.


How to Apply at CUA
To apply for any of the jobs listed in the Current Position Listings, please follow the directions at the bottom of each position. If you experience any difficulty during the application process, please feel free to contact the Office of Human Resources at tel: 202-319-5050.
We seek candidates who support, understand, are enthusiastic about, and will make a significant contribution to the mission of the University, which reads as follows: “As the national university of the Catholic Church in the United States, founded and sponsored by the bishops of the country with the approval of the Holy See, The Catholic University of America is committed to being a comprehensive Catholic and American institution of higher learning, faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ as handed on by the Church. Dedicated to advancing the dialogue between faith and reason, The Catholic University of America seeks to discover and impart the truth through excellence in teaching and research, all in service to the Church, the nation and the world.”
Complete and sign a CUA Application for Employment. Be sure to include your signature and the date.
Attach any related paperwork to the Application. Attachments to the Application for Employment should be related to the position for which you are applying.
Mail, fax, or e-mail the Application to the appropriate recruiter. The fax number for Human Resources is 202-319-5802. If you prefer to send your application by mail, please address it to:
The Catholic University of America
Office of Human Resources
Re: Position Title & Number
620 Michigan Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20064
Wait for a response.The CUA Application for Employment and resumes are received and screened by the Office of Human Resources. Applicants that meet the "minimum requirements," as advertised, are forwarded immediately to the hiring department. CUA does not encourage applicants to contact hiring departments/offices before being contacted for an initial interview, since the hiring department presently contacts applicants to be interviewed. Upon receipt of your application, the Office of Human Resources will send you an acknowledgment letting you know that we have received your application and that it is in the process of being reviewed. While we process applications as quickly as possible, it may be two to three weeks after you have sent your application that you receive our acknowledgement of receipt. However, please note that even though it may take some time for you to receive our acknowledgment, your application is sent immediately upon receipt to the hiring department.


FREE FOOD & DIAPER DRIVE
Ocean Gate Southern Baptist Church is hosting a free food and diaper drive. Donated food and diapers will go towards anyone in need and will be provided on a first come, first serve, basis, while supplies last. Sizes 2-6 available.
Thursday, January 19, 2023, 1:00PM-2:00PM
13443 Ocean Gate Avenue
Hawthorne, CA 90250
For more information, please contact: Assistant Pastor Louis (760) 524-1416


Fri, Dec 08|
Alleluia! Lutheran Church
Christmas Party 2023
Our Christmas parties are famous and fun. Cookies, German food, and lots of wonderful music.
Time & Location
Dec 08, 5:00 PM
Alleluia! Lutheran Church, 4055 Book Rd, Naperville, IL 60564, USA
About the Event
Our traditional Christmas Party entails short performances by the students, the cheerful singing of German Christmas Songs (incl. parents and guests), seasonal cookies, and beverages that will be served throughout the party. Santa himself shows up occasionally and is excited for pictures with the students.
After last year's success, we also plan to host a silent auction again this year during the event, which will benefit our growing school.
Want to learn more about why and how Christmas is celebrated in Germany?
Here's a fun read: https://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/germany.shtml


Crystal Springs Baptist Camp
Welcome to Crystal Springs Baptist Camp! If you’re looking for a camp ministry that is built on solid, Biblical teaching, deep friendships, and experiencing new and fun activities, we’ve got you covered! We have a lot of fun here, but sharing the Gospel is our greatest joy and most important mission. We would love to have you visit so we could get to know you and share God’s goodness with you too! We are located on a beautiful spring-fed lake in the heart of North Dakota, just 60 miles from Bismarck, so stop on by!
How You Can Help
Approximately 25% of Crystal Springs’ operating costs are funded by camp tuition. The rest of our expenses are funded by people like you who are willing to invest in God’s Kingdom through donations to Crystal Springs


Everything Fossil is your wholesale supplier for fossil resources with a Biblical message. We offer real fossils and fossil replicas for gifts, teaching visual-aids, and museum displays.
Genuine, high-quality fossils from all over the world. Our fossils come in unique, convenient packaging. Unlike most fossils in gift shop packaging, we offer the young earth history of each specimen, without evolutionary ideas.
Exquisite hand-crafted fossil replicas. Our replicas are perfect for display, teaching visual-aids, and gift shop items. Like our real fossils, replicas arrive in suitable packaging, offering the young-earth view of each fossil represented by the replica.
Do you have a favorite fossil that you like to use for teaching, but worry about it breaking? Want to sell replicas of a favorite specimen in your gift shop? Do you need a travel-friendly version of your fossil for speaking engagements that is not as fragile or expensive? Our replication services can help! If you would like replicas to be made of your specimen, we provide this service uniquely for you.
Do you want to take your family on the adventure of a lifetime? Join us on a real-life dinosaur dig for your next summer vacation! Create once-in-a-lifetime memories digging up real dinosaur bones as you connect with your family in God’s beautiful creation!
Everything Fossil is here to help equip you with the tools you need for teaching and reaching your local community. Please get in touch with us if you have any questions about our products or services. Let us know what we can do to better assist you with your mission.


As followers of Jesus, we give not because we have to but because God first gave to us and we do so with a joyful heart and generous spirit. Giving is our response to God’s generosity to us. Generous giving blesses others and supplies the needs of God’s people, it is also an act of obedience and trust – in doing it we are saying that it is God, not ourselves or anyone else, who ultimately provides for our needs. Giving should never be forced or grudging, but rather voluntary and cheerful.
Giving financially is just one way of expressing generosity. If you’re struggling financially or in debt, we encourage you to express generosity in a non-financial way by serving on a team, praying for the Church, or being generous with your time towards others.
Click the link below to find out how your donation will help us…
Which Is The Best Way To Give?
We are grateful for each gift, no matter what the amount or how the gift is made. However, if you consider yourself a part of All Saints’ with St. Mark’s churches and are in a position to give financially, or would just like to give to support us, we would love for you to consider setting up a regular, monthly gift.
Regular giving is crucial for us as it enables us to plan impactful, long-term projects and to help as many people as possible follow Jesus and his teachings. Right now, you can give regularly by joining the Parish Giving Scheme. Please see the links below for more information on this and other donation methods…
Adding Gift Aid to your Donation
Other Ways to Support Us…
We appreciate any way that you are able to help us, be it financially or through your time or talents. You can find information below on some of the other ways in which you can support us, or just drop us an email email@example.com


In Victorian England there was a tradition in which groups of singers traveled from house to house, singing carols or songs, for which they were often rewarded with money, mince pies, or a glass of a warm drink. Often money was collected and given to charity. Earlier Christmas caroling was known as wassailing.
One of the most popular Christmas carols is Silent Night. The carol was first performed at Midnight Mass in St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, Austria in 1818. The original lyrics of the song Stille Nacht were written in German by Josef Mohr. Below is a Christmas carol published by Scribner's in 1881 and written for "the old Tyrolese melody, Silent Night."
SILENT night! shadowy night!
Purple dome, starry light!
Pouring splendor of centuries down,
Gold and purple, a glorious crown,
Where the manger so rude and wild
Cradles a sleeping child.
Silent night! mystical night!
Kings and seers sought thy light.
Where the watch of the shepherds is kept,
Heavenly hosts through the stillness have swept,
Clear proclaiming a Saviour born!
Singing the Christmas morn!
Holy night-- heralding dawn!
Far and near breaks the morn!
Breaks the day when the Saviour of men,
Bringing pardon and healing again,
Holy, harmless, and undefiled,
Cometh a little child!


Calvary Hospital was founded by the Little Company of Mary in 1951. They reluctantly withdrew from the Hospital in 1978 and the Catholic Diocese of Cairns agreed to take responsibility for the complex. On January 1, 1979 the Diocese assumed control of the Hospital. The Sisters of Mercy (Brisbane) provided three nursing and administration nuns from that date until the Little Company of Mary returned to work in partnership with the Diocese in January 1984 until 1997. Unprecedented support from the people of North Queensland for the Building Fund resulted in the construction of the main building of the Hospital which was opened in June 1981 with 130 beds. Development has continued over the years to provide patients with a high standard of accommodation, advanced medical equipment and excellent patient care. On the 16th Sept 2001, Calvary Hospital celebrated its 50th Anniversary.
Calvary Hospital was purchased by Ramsay Health Care on 11 November 2002 and changed it's name to Cairns Private Hospital.
Cairns Private Hospital has recently expanded its capacity to 150 beds.


Westminster Abbey was founded in 960 and has been the coronation church since 1066. It has witnessed 38 coronations and is the final resting place of 17 monarchs.
The present church was begun in 1245 by Henry III and is today one of the most important Gothic buildings in England.
The Abbey houses an extensive collection of treasures and precious artefacts. It is also the burial place or memorial site of some of the most important and famous people in English history: Chaucer, Dickens and Churchill to name but a few.
Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon’s coronation took place here on Sunday 24th June 1509. On the previous day the King and Queen had come from the Tower of London through the City to Whitehall. On the morning of the coronation they made their way to the Palace of Westminster and then walked to the Abbey in procession.
After the ceremony, there was a banquet in Westminster Hall, followed by days of jousting and feasting.
The coronations of Henry’s children: Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I, also took place in this magnificent Abbey. It is possible to see the head of Mary I’s wooden effigy in the Abbey Museum. The original wax effigy carried on Elizabeth’s hearse was remade in 1760 and is also on display in the Abbey Museum.
It is also possible to see the coronation chair that was used in almost all ceremonies since Edward II in 1308. On sitting and pondering this amazing piece of history you are struck by the powerful realisation that you are in fact looking back in time.
The Abbey is a place that all Tudor fans- all history fans- should visit at least once in their lifetime.
The Cloisters- Westminster Abbey
For more information visit:
This page has been compiled using information from the history section of the Westminster Abbey official website.


LAURA & Co. Salon
Laura is a very passionate person. Her first love is Jesus Christ. Her priorities are first God, then her wonderful husband, Steve, and her 2 beautiful children Drake and Addison. Of course hair and beauty are important, especially if they help a woman see how truly beautiful she really is, but nutrition and fitness are also very important to her.
Integrity of hair is very important, toxin-free living(including hair products), and being environmentally conscious.
We want to educate, empower, and enrich the lifestyle of today's woman seeking beautiful, healthy, natural hair. We provide a mastery of hair care sciences that completely transforms beauty inside and out. We care for the world we live in, from the products we use to the ways in which we give back to society. We strive to bring glory to God in all that we do.


|It’s a simple gift-filled shoebox.
But the impact each Operation Christmas Child shoebox has when it’s opened by a child somewhere around the world is anything but ordinary. In many cases, the box is life-changing because it goes to a child who has never received a gift before, and never had the opportunity to learn who Jesus is.
Each box tells a boy or girl they are loved, they matter, and God loves them as His children.
All that in one simple shoebox. What gift from you could have more impact than that?!
Now is the time to be shopping for and packing your Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes! Invite your friends, family, co-workers, or your church to pack boxes too so even more children in the world can get the gift of a lifetime through an Operation Christmas Child shoebox.
For everything you need to know about how to pack a shoebox—including what NOT to pack—and what to do with your shoeboxes once you’ve packed them, click here:


Family Life Atmosphere
Joy Ranch of Woodlawn, VA was incorporated in 1957 and opened its doors in 1961 under the direction of the late Rev. Richard and Mary McHenry with a vision of providing a home for children and leading them to Jesus Christ. With the generous help of many faithful supporters, Joy Ranch has served over 5,000 children and is considered home by many of its former residents.
Joy Ranch is committed to a family-based orientation and family-life atmosphere in the treatment of children. The mission and objectives of all programs at Joy Ranch is to bring wholeness and wellness to the child and his or her family. Residential care is provided for dependent and needy children ages 5 – 17 from all over the United States who require placement because of death, tragedy, abuse, neglect, or other unsatisfactory or necessitating family situations. The staff of Joy Ranch moves forward with one goal- to change a child for Christ.
Joy Ranch Cottages
At Joy Ranch children live in ranch-style cottages staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by loving, committed caring Christians. Staff and children share meals and participate in activities in a family setting. Daily expectations of youth include good personal hygiene, chores, preparation of meals, appropriate relationships, school attendance and therapeutic participation when necessary. Joy Ranch children also take part in many other events, including church and community service related outings.
Cottages at Joy Ranch accommodate up to eight residents with one or two persons to a bedroom. Our emergency cottage is reserved for cases that require children to have private rooms. Male and female residents are housed separately. All cottages have areas devoted to recreation, exercise, and study, and have access to a full sized gymnasium and ball fields.
Lots of Love and Laughter
Church attendance and devotions in each cottage are a part of the regular schedule at Joy Ranch. “Once during evening devotions,” Mary McHenry remembers in Feed My Lambs, The Joy Ranch Story, “I told the children with whom I was praying that this time we would have sentence prayers. I explained that we would sit in a circle and we would pray one sentence when our turn came. We had two small boys in our midst – a 5 year old and a 4 year old. When the 5 year olds turn came, he said, ‘I’ve done said mine.’ And then the 4 year old said, ‘I’ve done forgot mine.’ I think the Lord forgave the rest of us for laughing during prayer time. In fact, I rather think the Lord laughed with us.” There’s lots of love and laughter at Joy Ranch.
Nestled in the Blue Ridge
Joy Ranch is comprised of 62 beautiful acres nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains and located at 813 Joy Ranch Road, just off Highway 58, in Woodlawn, Virginia. The campus has five ranch-style cottages, a gymnasium/auditorium complex, administrative and counseling offices, a recreation facility, soccer field and ball diamond.
Admission to Joy Ranch is dependent on a completed admission packet and pre-placement interviews. All placements must include a signed agreement from the child’s legal guardian. Service rates are dependent on placement needs and/or income level of the child’s legal guardian. Scholarship funds are available to families who demonstrate a financial need. Joy Ranch is grateful for the many friends who are making a lasting difference in the life of a child through prayers, volunteer service, and financial support. A representative from Joy Ranch would be glad to visit your church or organization.


Easter Service at St Andrew's Church
On Wednesday 29th March we all attended a both entertaining and thought-provoking service for Easter at our local church. We were very fortunate to have Revd. Brian McHenry in attendance also.
Mrs Maisey (our specialist music teacher), has been working hard with all of the classes and the choir, to have some very innovative, beautiful songs to share with the congregation. Earth Class sang Hot Cross Bunny; Astronauts and Phoenix Classes sang Three Days that Changed the World; Galaxy Class sang Easter Story; Voyager Class sang He is Alive and the choir sang Jerusalem. The school's Brass Band also entertained us with a rousing rendition of Easter Folksong.
We were also reminded of the unfolding events leading up to and including Easter, by novel interludes from Voyager Class's "reporters" who conducted interviews with "eyewitnesses" to help us piece together the significant events.
Thank you to Mrs Cullen and Mrs Bartlett for giving up their time to offer their musical support today and also thank you to all the parents and carers who attended in the congregation to join in with service, hymns and prayers.
Happy Easter to all!


Beads, king cakes, outlandish costumes and parades are just a few of the memories revilers world-wide will takeaway from their Louisiana festival experience, particularly Mardi Gras or better known as Fat Tuesday.
Each year hundreds of thousands prepare and anticipate the grandeur of Louisiana Mardi Gras. Elaborate and elegant Mardi Gras Balls lead the way along the magical carnival season and begin a journey of celebrating weeks before the big day arrives. Each year Pixus prepares itself for the major role in creating stunning Mardi Gras decorations like the Eiffel Tower, cutout standees, banners and more (photo shown at right).
Parades, King Cakes, Beads and Outlandish Costumes
Mardi Gras became a legal holiday in Louisiana in 1875 and was once a Christian holiday with roots in ancient Rome.
Religious leaders at that time decided to incorporate the celebration into their faith injecting a much deeper and spiritual meaning? This time of year begins the Catholic Epiphany or King’s Day culminating on the day before the Holy Day, Ash Wednesday.
Mardi Gras in the French language means “Fat Tuesday”
This begins the practice of the last night of eating richer and fatty foods before the ritual fasting as part of the Catholic Lenten season. Mardi Gras also marks the end of celebrations and arrives with the practice of fasting and religious obligations associated with the penitential season of Lent. The date of Fat Tuesday coincides with that of celebrations of Shrove Tuesday, derived from the word shrive, meaning “confess.”
Popular practices on Mardi Gras include the wearing of bright, colorful masks and costumes, overturning social conventions, dancing, parades, and of course the colorful beads. Similar expressions to Mardi Gras appear in other European languages sharing the Christian tradition, as it is associated with the religious requirement for confession before Lent begins. In many areas, the term “Mardi Gras” has come to mean the whole period of activity related to all celebratory events, beyond just the single day. In some American cities it is now called “Mardi Gras Day.” It has also become a single people’s counter to the coupled-centric Valentine’s Day.
Pixus is solely responsible for content, views and opinions shared within this article.
Send comments, inquiries and suggestions to Mike Latiolais at [email protected]


New Change Early Learning Center falls under the umbrella of World Changers Church International.
The vision of the daycare was birthed over 25 years ago and opened its doors on the property of World Changers Ministries located in College Park, Georgia. Known for many years as World Changers Daycare, in the late nineties our Pastors wanted a foundational environment of change for the children’s spirit, soul and body. Most facilities in our area were two dimensional (mind and body), but they wanted our emphasis to be three‑dimensional where the children can have their spirit, soul, and body stimulated and exercised on a daily basis for overall health, growth, well‑being and balance of life. With this passion of change burning in our Pastors hearts, the daycare name was changed to New Change Early Learning Center. The name change signifies us going in a new direction where we focus on developing every child we come in contact with spiritually, socially, emotionally, and physically.
Our goal is to give each child, through the atmosphere of proper nurturing, guidance, and love, the opportunity to blossom and acquire a desire to learn and to be the best person they can be, no matter the circumstances.


Rose is currently a Research Fellow at the Research Institute of Irish and Scottish Studies (RIISS) at the University of Aberdeen and the Cushwa Centre for the Study of American Catholicism at the University of Notre Dame, working on the project ‘Irish Women Religious in Anglophone World, 1840-1960’
She holds a PhD History from the University of Aberdeen and an MSc Modern British and Irish History from the University of Edinburgh.
Her PhD Dissertation, titled ‘Confronting Modernity: Leo XIII, Rerum Novarum, and the Catholic Church in Ireland and Prussian Poland 1878-1914′, examines how Pope Leo XIII’s neo-Thomistic restoration of natural law reasoning in his 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum was influenced by his experiences in Ireland and Prussia during the 1880s. It then examines these influences within the content of Rerum Novarum itself. The final chapter demonstrates how the wide distribution of the encyclical enabled its use outside of its intended scope by lower class Catholics in Ulster and Poznania to justify economic and political protest and resistance. This PhD was supervised by Professor Robert I. Frost, FBA and Professor Michael Brown.
Peter R. D’Agostino Research Travel Grant, Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism, University of Notre Dame, 2019.
Presidential Prize for Best Postgraduate Paper in 2016, American Conference for Irish Studies (ACIS), 2017.
Santander Mobility Award, University of Aberdeen – University of Poznań, 2016.
Postgraduate Research Grant, Royal Historical Society, 2016.
Comparative Statecraft and Constitutional Thought Studentship, CISRUL, 2014-18.
Colin Barr and Rose Luminiello, ‘“The Leader of the Virgin Choirs of Erin”: St. Brigid’s Missionary College, 1883-1914,’ edited by Paul Towned, Timothy McMahon and Michael DeNie, in Ireland’s Imperial Cultures, (Manchester University Press: 2016).
Luminiello, Rose, copy editor in Colin Barr, Daire Keogh, and Anne O’Connor, (eds.), The Letters of Paul Cullen, (Upcoming, Dublin: Irish Manuscripts Commission).
Rose Luminiello, “Review. Grave Matter: Death and Dying in Dublin 1500 to the Present,” Journal of Ecclesiastical History (Upcoming: Autumn 2017).
— ‘Review: Irish Education and Catholic Emancipation, 1791-1831: The Campaigns of Bishop Doyle and Daniel O’Connell by Brian Fleming. Pp. 235. Oxford: Peter Lang, 2017.’ Journal of Ecclesiastical History. Forthcoming: Spring, 2019.
— ‘Review: The Life and Times of Daniel Murray: Archbishop of Dublin 1823-1852. By Thomas J. Morrissey, SJ. Pp. 288. Dublin: Messenger Publications, 2018. The Life and Career of Archbishop Richard Whately: Ireland, Religion and Reform. By Ciara Boylan. Pp. 215. Dublin: Four Courts Press Ltd., 2018.’ Journal of Ecclesiastical History. Forthcoming: Spring, 2019.
PhD History. ‘Confronting Modernity: Leo XIII, Rerum Novarum, and the Catholic Church in Ireland and Prussian Poland, 1878-1914.’ Submitted March 2019. Supervised by Prof. Robert I. Frost (F.B.A) and Prof. Michael Brown.
MSc ‘St. Brigid’s Missionary College and the Effects of Irish Catholic Religious Sisters in the Irish Spiritual Empire and Diasporas,’ supervised by Prof. Enda Delaney.
Bachelor’s ‘Misconceptions of Young Ireland in 1848: The Destruction of the Movement by Paul Cardinal Cullen,’ supervised by Dr. Daniel Davy.


Traditionally, Lucifer is a name that in English generally refers to the devil before being cast from heaven. In Latin, from which the English word is derived, Lucifer means "light-bearer."
Lucifer was an archangel, light-bearer, and one of God's most beloved. Lucifer refused to worship man as God's greatest creation and sought to put himself above God. As a result he was cast down to hell by God and brought one third of the heavenly host (angels) with him. These other fallen angels became the demons of hell.


The pope is the Bishop of Rome and therefore ex officio
the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church.
The primacy of the Roman bishop is largely derived
from his role as the supposed apostolic successor to Saint Peter,
to whom Jesus is said to have given the Keys of Heaven
and the powers of "binding and loosing",
naming him as the "rock" upon which the church would be built.
Since the 1860s, the pope has also been head of state of Vatican City,
a sovereign city-state entirely enclaved within Rome.
The current pope is Francis, who was elected on 13 March 2013


0214 The Virgin of Kasperov
1997. 58x50x2 cms.
Iconography broadly divides images of The Virgin into two su-categories. They are the “Hodegetria”[ Greek=”Showing the Way”] where The Virgin formally introduces The Christ Child to the world and “Oumileinye” [Russ. = “Tenderness”] which shows a greater intimacy and emotional love between Mother and Son. No greater example of the latter group is The Virgin of Korsun. The Virgin of Kasperov is a very close variant.
Like the Virgin of Korsun, The Virgin of Kasperov portrays only the upper part of the Virgin’s body but this icon emphasises the emotion between the two by increasing the close-up. There is no sterness in The Virgin’s gaze. She looks down lovingly at Her Son cuddling him closely with both hands. For His part, Jesus reaches up to clutch tightly to His Mother”s maphorion.A tender and personal relationship that is palpable.
Likenesses of the Kasperovskaya began to appear in the 16th cent. however it was not until 1640 after the Virgin’s intercession to relieve an outbreak of plague in the city, that her miraculous powers were accredited.
This icon was carved in wood in 1997 and signed “P.Shishuk”. Shishuk has carved a number altar pieces and icons that decorate churches in the Russian Federation. He has also had exhibitions in Germany and The Netherlands. This icon was purchase direct from his studio in Kazakstan in 1997.


The Fourth Sunday Of Lent (Mar. 14)
Narrated by Pastor Roger Theimer
We Can’t, but Jesus Can
You shall not commit adultery. Exodus 20:14
This commandment focuses on an area of our lives that is most sacred but most frequently abused. In commenting on this law, Jesus tells us (in Matthew 5:27-28) that even impure thoughts and desires are sinful. Who can plead “not guilty"?
Let’s face it: We do not become sinners because we sin: no, we sin because we are sinful by nature. Try as we may, we cannot rid ourselves of sinful desires and deeds. Our annual Lenten pilgrimage brings to mind how deep is our sin and guilt and how great is the salvation Jesus has won for us by his wounds!
When we realize that our best attempts at doing right are crippled by our sin, that is when we are drawn to the cross of Jesus. There we lay down our sins and are healed again by the wounds he suffered for us.
REFLECT: How can you rid yourself of impure thoughts?
PRAY: Thank you, my Savior, for coming to my rescue. Amen.
Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.


- Robert G. Doe, MD serves as Executive Director of Light of Hope, CSO. He is married to Silvia and is the father of four. His time is divided between family, working for Lancaster General Urgent Care, and participating and/or leading international medical mission trips. Dr. Doe has a passion for the healing of people groups and nations.
- Debbie Millette serves as Administrator for the organization managing the day to day business of the Connection Center building and staff and assisting Dr. Doe with Light of Hope CSO business. Her favorite scriptures are Isaiah 58 and John 17 and she is delighted to be a part of a ministry that is taking seriously the call to work together as a unified body to bring hope and healing to those in need of it.
- Ruth Reyes-Vega serves as the Rental Director, coordinating the use of the space in the building and assisting renters with communications and responding to any needs as they arise.
- Pat Healy is our Maintenance Director taking care of the physical needs of the building.
- Carmen Morales is our Housekeeping Director and keeps the common spaces in the building clean and ready for ministry.
- Dr. Robert Doe MD, Executive Director, Chairman (Ex-officio member)
- Debbie Millette, Administrator, Treasurer (Ex-officio member)
- Ruth Reyes-Vega, Secretary
- Tom DelRocini, Lancaster United
- Phil Hernandez, In the Light Ministries
- Lloyd Hoover, Transition to Community/ Potter’s House
- Jose’ Jimenez, Water Street Ministries
- Mark King, Lord’s House of Prayer
- Matt Kroll, Lord’s House of Prayer
- James McFarlane, Way of Jesus Academy
- Emanuel Oliver, In the Light Ministries
- Alex Rivera, Family Life Community Church
- Manny Roman, Puerta de Refugio


I Love my work as a Christian Counselor, for me it is the best job in the world. Seeing God’s light illuminate the face of my clients and lead them in a new direction is a“priceless” experience for me.
After more than 20 years as a parish pastor and a Christian Therapist, I have tools that may help you and your family find the peace and light you are searching for today. Regardless of the issues your facing today, I know the skill and heart God has blessed me with, will ease the suffering you face now with healing that will last. If that, is what you’re needing, I can help.