Sunday, September 27, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Spirit-Led or Purpose Driven ?
http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/2003/1-purpose.htm
Here is a link to provide some information about the questions raised about the book Purpose Driven Life as to its alleged fallacies or legitimacy and its being alluded or regarded to as being 'new age'. I decided to share this link as there seems to be a lot of cause to raise this for clarification.
This is not to endorse in particular the writings or insights from the link but to create an awareness of the ongoing debates about the writings and allow readers, Catholics and non-catholics alike, the benefit of more informed decisions before reading it or giving it as gifts to others. Of all links, I found this one to be most insightful and comprehensive.
On a personal measure, we recommend conservative prudence so as not to unduly confuse or expose our faith.
Here is a link to provide some information about the questions raised about the book Purpose Driven Life as to its alleged fallacies or legitimacy and its being alluded or regarded to as being 'new age'. I decided to share this link as there seems to be a lot of cause to raise this for clarification.
This is not to endorse in particular the writings or insights from the link but to create an awareness of the ongoing debates about the writings and allow readers, Catholics and non-catholics alike, the benefit of more informed decisions before reading it or giving it as gifts to others. Of all links, I found this one to be most insightful and comprehensive.
On a personal measure, we recommend conservative prudence so as not to unduly confuse or expose our faith.
About the Divine Mercy Family - Being Found, Our Story
This is an article that I have written for our company's newsletter in November 2000, very very soon after I have learned about the Divine Mercy through the personal testimony of Stanley Villavicencio. This is is how it began for me. I never really thought I was that lost. Maybe inconsistent and loitering is more apt a description. Ultimately, looking back and looking at where it has brought me, I was happy to find God in all those circumstances that led me to being finally found and bound to the Divine Mercy.
Many say that we judge by the fruits. If that were the measure, then I am thankful for our harvest. Since the day my husband and I met Stanley and learned about the Divine Mercy, our life has never been the same. We have been tested, challenged, fallen and gotten up- but through it all we have been sustained. Our family, my children in particular, I consider wonderfully embraced and held by the Divine Mercy (That’s a whole other story to tell).
From this experience we learned that the grace of being able to trust and entrust all to Jesus is a wonderful gift that is to be nourished and cherished. We may fail. We may falter. But we must always rise up and give back our unconditional trust to Him whose mercy awaits and is truly immeasurable. We are living testaments that in all our needs, God watches, God waits and God always provides, oftentimes beyond the measure of our trust and faith. We just have to do our part and He will do the rest.
Everyday there are miracles waiting to be found. We just don’t see them yet. We just don’t appreciate them yet. But if you keep your eyes open, your hearts unhardened, your will unconquered by self- I am almost too certain that the miracles will find you.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Do you know Stanley?
Re-edited version taken from MV Bridges Newsletter November 2000 issue.
Perhaps the name Stanley Villavicencio doesn’t ring a bell to you. Chances are if you are from Manila, you would not know him at all. If you are from Cebu and certain portions of the Visayas and Mindanao, you might have heard of him. Perhaps on the onset of this article, you couldn’t even care less about this Stanley….after all, he is a stranger, almost a nobody.
Stanley Villavicencio is a simple man, 50 years of age, father of 13 children (plus three more adopted) who resides in Cebu. Known to many as simply Stanley or Bro. Stanley, he has been a full time missionary propagating the Divine Mercy and the blessings of the Jubilee Year indulgence for the last 11 years, unknown to most of us. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting him together with some parishioners from Alabang and Makati where he recently had his talk on the Divine Mercy and the jubilee year’s plenary indulgence. He is such a simple, humble and unassuming person yet he clearly and unmistakeably has an immeasurable depth of faith. One can’t help but feel that indeed, he is close to holy, if not holy himself.
And this is how I can best recount his narration:
That fateful day of March 2, 1993, Stanley had a near death experience after convulsing and vomiting massive amounts of blood early morning in his house. He was brought to a Cebu Hospital and due to the massive loss of blood and organ failures, he was rendered and declared clinically dead. For three days he was in a state of coma, and during this time, he recounted his experience when he had a conversation with Our Lord Jesus and a glimpse of heaven and eternity.
Stanley described how Jesus showed him his life laid out on a very large video screen marked with all the dates and exact time to the minute and even the seconds. In fact, he was shown the film of his life three times. On the screen, his sins were magnified and ran in slow motion (especially what he referred to as his mortal sins) while his good deeds were shown in a fast phase. Each time he was doing a good deed, he felt his body enveloped in what he described to be complete joy and a state of elation. He also described heaven to be a garden full of big fresh and fragrant flora and fauna where the air is fresh and cool ( likening it to an airconditioned room).
Jesus, he described to be taller than him, handsome and fair, hair - wavy and long, lips- red, eyes- blue, teeth- perfect and straight and be-dimpled when He smiles. He also said that he realized HOW HUMBLE OUR LORD IS as with each conversation, He would always say “please”.
He said he realized that you cannot totally describe the feeling or the satistaction and emotion of seeing God and being in front of our Lord. He reckons than heaven indeed is not only a place. It is heaven itself to be in the presence of our Lord.
He continued that Jesus gave him the mission to spread the devotion to the Divine Mercy, including the names of the people who will help him as he had no personal means to spread the devotion on his own. Soon after, Stanley suddenly came out of coma after exactly 3 days. As he became aware of the tubes connected through his mouth, nose and all over his body, he personally took out the life support system himself. The nurse, in shock, ran away and broke the heel of her shoe. The attending resident doctor who was equally surprised repeatedly examined Stanley many times. The doctor was so overwhelmed by this miracle that he exclaimed that “science cannot do anything against the mercy of God”, soon after entered the seminary, and is now a Jesuit Priest!
In the same encounter, Jesus told him, “Go back to the world because you still have many things to do. If I have any message for you, I will just appear to you in a dream.”
The manifestations and messages of Jesus in this encounter was later on confirmed to be a mission for spreading the Divine Mercy to all. Among those who pursued the review of his case was Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal and theologian doctors sent by the Divine Mercy Institute of Pope John Paul II in Stockbridge Masachussette, USA. The recognition and confirmation of both parties have been instrumental in helping Stanley bring his mission to others within the Philippines and around the world, including the Vatican. The church endorsements and support has introduced and enabled him to bring his experience to the public both to Catholics and non-Catholics. Even the selection of his spiritual director was with providential guidance. He dreamt of priests in numbers and in each succeeding dream, the number of priests would diminish until only one was left- Msgr. Cris Garcia.
Msgr. Cris Garcia also has a gift- the gift of internal locution. Everytime Stanley would encounter Jesus in a dream, Msgr Cris would also confirm the message through his locution. Stanley, since has encountered Jesus many times and conveyed many messages regarding the Jubilee Year, our holy sacraments, perseverance in prayer and the trust and devotion to the Divine Mercy. Now, Stanley is being invited all over the nation to share his personal experience with the Jesus Christ with others and encourage people to trust in our Living God.
Many say that we judge by the fruits. If that were the measure, then I am thankful for our harvest. Since the day my husband and I met Stanley and learned about the Divine Mercy, our life has never been the same. We have been tested, challenged, fallen and gotten up- but through it all we have been sustained. Our family, my children in particular, I consider wonderfully embraced and held by the Divine Mercy (That’s a whole other story to tell).
From this experience we learned that the grace of being able to trust and entrust all to Jesus is a wonderful gift that is to be nourished and cherished. We may fail. We may falter. But we must always rise up and give back our unconditional trust to Him whose mercy awaits and is truly immeasurable. We are living testaments that in all our needs, God watches, God waits and God always provides, oftentimes beyond the measure of our trust and faith. We just have to do our part and He will do the rest.
Everyday there are miracles waiting to be found. We just don’t see them yet. We just don’t appreciate them yet. But if you keep your eyes open, your hearts unhardened, your will unconquered by self- I am almost too certain that the miracles will find you.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Do you know Stanley?
Re-edited version taken from MV Bridges Newsletter November 2000 issue.
Perhaps the name Stanley Villavicencio doesn’t ring a bell to you. Chances are if you are from Manila, you would not know him at all. If you are from Cebu and certain portions of the Visayas and Mindanao, you might have heard of him. Perhaps on the onset of this article, you couldn’t even care less about this Stanley….after all, he is a stranger, almost a nobody.
Stanley Villavicencio is a simple man, 50 years of age, father of 13 children (plus three more adopted) who resides in Cebu. Known to many as simply Stanley or Bro. Stanley, he has been a full time missionary propagating the Divine Mercy and the blessings of the Jubilee Year indulgence for the last 11 years, unknown to most of us. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting him together with some parishioners from Alabang and Makati where he recently had his talk on the Divine Mercy and the jubilee year’s plenary indulgence. He is such a simple, humble and unassuming person yet he clearly and unmistakeably has an immeasurable depth of faith. One can’t help but feel that indeed, he is close to holy, if not holy himself.
And this is how I can best recount his narration:
That fateful day of March 2, 1993, Stanley had a near death experience after convulsing and vomiting massive amounts of blood early morning in his house. He was brought to a Cebu Hospital and due to the massive loss of blood and organ failures, he was rendered and declared clinically dead. For three days he was in a state of coma, and during this time, he recounted his experience when he had a conversation with Our Lord Jesus and a glimpse of heaven and eternity.
Stanley described how Jesus showed him his life laid out on a very large video screen marked with all the dates and exact time to the minute and even the seconds. In fact, he was shown the film of his life three times. On the screen, his sins were magnified and ran in slow motion (especially what he referred to as his mortal sins) while his good deeds were shown in a fast phase. Each time he was doing a good deed, he felt his body enveloped in what he described to be complete joy and a state of elation. He also described heaven to be a garden full of big fresh and fragrant flora and fauna where the air is fresh and cool ( likening it to an airconditioned room).
Jesus, he described to be taller than him, handsome and fair, hair - wavy and long, lips- red, eyes- blue, teeth- perfect and straight and be-dimpled when He smiles. He also said that he realized HOW HUMBLE OUR LORD IS as with each conversation, He would always say “please”.
He said he realized that you cannot totally describe the feeling or the satistaction and emotion of seeing God and being in front of our Lord. He reckons than heaven indeed is not only a place. It is heaven itself to be in the presence of our Lord.
He continued that Jesus gave him the mission to spread the devotion to the Divine Mercy, including the names of the people who will help him as he had no personal means to spread the devotion on his own. Soon after, Stanley suddenly came out of coma after exactly 3 days. As he became aware of the tubes connected through his mouth, nose and all over his body, he personally took out the life support system himself. The nurse, in shock, ran away and broke the heel of her shoe. The attending resident doctor who was equally surprised repeatedly examined Stanley many times. The doctor was so overwhelmed by this miracle that he exclaimed that “science cannot do anything against the mercy of God”, soon after entered the seminary, and is now a Jesuit Priest!
In the same encounter, Jesus told him, “Go back to the world because you still have many things to do. If I have any message for you, I will just appear to you in a dream.”
The manifestations and messages of Jesus in this encounter was later on confirmed to be a mission for spreading the Divine Mercy to all. Among those who pursued the review of his case was Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal and theologian doctors sent by the Divine Mercy Institute of Pope John Paul II in Stockbridge Masachussette, USA. The recognition and confirmation of both parties have been instrumental in helping Stanley bring his mission to others within the Philippines and around the world, including the Vatican. The church endorsements and support has introduced and enabled him to bring his experience to the public both to Catholics and non-Catholics. Even the selection of his spiritual director was with providential guidance. He dreamt of priests in numbers and in each succeeding dream, the number of priests would diminish until only one was left- Msgr. Cris Garcia.
Msgr. Cris Garcia also has a gift- the gift of internal locution. Everytime Stanley would encounter Jesus in a dream, Msgr Cris would also confirm the message through his locution. Stanley, since has encountered Jesus many times and conveyed many messages regarding the Jubilee Year, our holy sacraments, perseverance in prayer and the trust and devotion to the Divine Mercy. Now, Stanley is being invited all over the nation to share his personal experience with the Jesus Christ with others and encourage people to trust in our Living God.
More pictures from the 4th Annual Divine Mercy Conference, Saturday March 7, 2009
4th Annual Divine Mercy Conference, Saturday March 7, 2009 at Cardinal Spellman HS, Bronx, NY.
Divine Mercy: Unique Hope for the World
Hosted by the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, Divine Mercy Apostolate of the Diocese of Brooklyn, and the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.
Keynote speakers included Fr. Seraphin Michalenko, Msgr. James Lisante, Fr. Benedict Groeschel, Fr. Frank Pavone, Br. Stanley Villavicencio and Melissa Lucanie. More than 700 people were in attendance for the day which also included Confession, Adoration and Holy Mass.
Tremendous day - powerful witnesses to the faith.
Source: http://www.catholicphotographer.com/Global-Events/Divine-Mercy-Conference-Mar-7/7585275_2rGQZ#490374252_dMNQq
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Bro Stanley in Sydney Part 1
Here's a video link for part 1 of 10 videos Mr. Henry Valenzuela took during SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA mission last August 2009.
Stanley Villavicencio Talk Part 1/3
Part 1 of 3 taken of Bro. Stanley Villavicencio's actual testimony in the USA.
Updated USA DIVINE MERCY MISSION SCHEDULE (w/ attachment)
I just received this file from my brother in law Raymund Roxas.
Please find the details of the US MISSION schedule as detailed. Will keep you posted for more updates.
Meantime, for direct clarification as this schedule may change, please email Roxas001@msn.com =)
Please HELP BRING THE DIVINE MERCY to more people so that more people can TRUST in God's goodness ! Pass the info and share!
God bless!
Please find the details of the US MISSION schedule as detailed. Will keep you posted for more updates.
Meantime, for direct clarification as this schedule may change, please email Roxas001@msn.com =)
Please HELP BRING THE DIVINE MERCY to more people so that more people can TRUST in God's goodness ! Pass the info and share!
God bless!
Attachment: USADivineMercySked5.xls
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Pro-Life Philippines will hold a youth congress on the demerits of the Reproductive Health Bill « Monk’s Hobbit
http://monkshobbit.wordpress.com/2009/09/24/pro-life-philippines-will-hold-a-youth-congress-on-the-demerits-of-the-reproductive-health-bill/
An open invitation to all those who wish to join the crusade in preserving the sanctity of life.
God bless!
An open invitation to all those who wish to join the crusade in preserving the sanctity of life.
God bless!
Updates on USA Divine Mercy Mission Schedule
As of latest, the overview of the schedule is as follows:
Present - Los Angeles
Sept 26 onwards to mid December, the slated itinerary shall be as follows:
- Missouri
- Virginia
- Spokane
- Sacramento
- Colorado
- Nebraska
- New Jersey
- New York
- San Francisco
For details, please contact US schedule coordinator Raymund Roxas through
Roxas001@msn.com
You may also join the Divine Mercy MERCYNARIES yahoo group which they facilitate.
God bless! =)
Present - Los Angeles
Sept 26 onwards to mid December, the slated itinerary shall be as follows:
- Missouri
- Virginia
- Spokane
- Sacramento
- Colorado
- Nebraska
- New Jersey
- New York
- San Francisco
For details, please contact US schedule coordinator Raymund Roxas through
Roxas001@msn.com
You may also join the Divine Mercy MERCYNARIES yahoo group which they facilitate.
God bless! =)
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