volume 9, no. 1
THURSDAY
January 1, 1998
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Solemnity of the Mother of God: Spouse of the Holy Spirit in the Year of the Holy Spirit as we countdown 730 days to Jubilee 2000
Fittingly the first day of 1998 is dedicated to the Spouse of the Holy Spirit, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and "woman of Hope" as the second stage begins in the trilogy year celebration leading to the millennium which Pope John Paul II had proclaimed Jubilee 2000. As we complete the Year of Jesus Christ, Son and begin the Year of the Holy Spirit, we are filled with awe at God's Mercy and Love in the face of a world whose heart has collectively hardened to all the Holy Trinity asks. The year 1998 will be a pivotal year. That has been documented by many saints and visionaries over the years, and the Blessed Virgin Mary herself to Father Don Stefano Gobbi and to Saint John Bosco in a vision he received well over a hundred years ago pertaining to the final years of the twentieth century. We are indeed in those times prophesied and God's greatest emissary is His very Own Mother whose obedient maternity we celebrate today. LITURGY OF THE DAY
A special New Year's Message from Our Lord and Our Lady
 The Blessed Mother imparted to the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart a very special New Year's message in 1992 and her Divine Son conveys a pertinent message on January 1, 1995; both are incorporated within the 632 messages from the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts. "I SOLEMNLY TELL YOU..."
Today is the Eighth Day in the Octave of Christmas
The first day of the new year is also the eighth day of Christmas as we have been documenting in each issue this past week. Today we feature the eighth verse of the popular Christmas carol "Twelve Days of Christmas" which, in truth, was a mini catechism in code for Catholics who were not allowed to practice their faith openly during the time after the Reformation up to the French Revolution. The "True Love" refers to God the Father and each gift is truly a Divine Gift that helped Catholics persevere and perpetuate the tenets of the One, True Faith in the face of great harassment.
Thursday, January 1
"On the eighth day of Christmas my True Love gave to me, eight maids a-milking."
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The eight maids a-milking represent the Eight Beatitudes preached by Jesus Christ on His sermon on the mount and which Catholics, no matter how persecuted, could practice good deeds through the Beatitudes and gain great consolation and courage from these.
Medjugorje Monthly Message for December 25th
Dear children! Also today I rejoice with you and I call you to the good. I desire that each of you reflect and carry peace in your heart and say: I want God in the first place in my life. In this way, little children, each of you will become holy. Little children, tell everyone, I want the good for you and he will respond with the good and, little children, good will come to dwell in the heart of each man. Little children, tonight I bring to you the good of my Son Who gave His life to save you. That is why, little children, rejoice and extend your hands to Jesus Who is only good. Thank you for having responded to my call! For more on Medjugorje, MEDJUGORJE
HAPPY NEW YEAR 1998 Year of the Holy Spirit, Spouse of the Blessed Mother Illustration copyright by J. Gennaro
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NEWS & VIEWS with a Catholic slant
HEADLINES:
Holy Father ushers out 1997 with promise of hope for 1998 Finishing up 1997, the Pope made his traditional year-end address as the Bishop of Rome to a packed congregation in the center of the city of Rome attended by many Roman political dignitaries, in which he once again expressed hope and joy as the journey towards Jubilee 2000 grows shorter every day. Bishop of Rome to read more.
Poles run into obstacle on sex ed: It's called politics Polish-style No sooner had Poland celebrated the fact abortion would be banned than another vice reared its ugly head and was given new life by political hardliners much to the dismay of concerned parents who do not want sex education taught in their schools. angry Poles to read more.
Cuba Caritas receives much needed medical supplies via American Cardinal on New Year's Eve
The first flux of US Bishops heading to Cuba for this month's papal visit began just before the year ended when Baltimore's Cardinal William Keeler, on a humanitarian mission, brought a substantial amount of antibiotics for Caritas in Cuba. He was welcomed by Cuba's head prelate Cardinal Jaime Ortega. Cuba to read more.
Acknowledgment:
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PRAYERS & DEVOTION
In honor of Mary, Mother of God
Memorare Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence I fly unto to you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you do I come, before you do I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
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PROVERB OF THE DAY"Observe, My son, your Father's bidding, and rejeact not your Mother's teaching; keep them fastened over your heart always, put them around your neck." Proverbs 6: 20-21
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To review past articles in text, click on Archives.
To read the graphics version of the November issues, NOVEMBER ISSUES
To read the graphics version of the December issues,
DECEMBER ISSUES
To read the graphics version of the January issues,
JANUARY ISSUES
Coming
THIS WEEKEND:
- First PewPoint of the new year
The Meaning of the Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth Days of Christmas
...and more in our second issue for 1998!
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