History has been made! First Marian apparition, dating back to 1859, approved in the United States on December 8th, 2010 in Wisconsin

Over 150 years ago, a Belgium immigrant woman had three visions of the Virgin Mary and built a shrine. The Catholic Church has issued a decree that the apparition is authentic and “worthy of belief.” “This is an affirmation of the spiritual fruits the people of God have received for 151 years,” Father John Doefler, the shrine’s rector and the vicar general and chancellor of the diocese, said of the bishop’s decree. “It opens the door for future spiritual growth.”

“I am the Queen of Heaven who prays for the conversion of sinners.” said the Virgin Mary to Adele Brise, on October 9, 1859. Our Lady ended by telling Adele, whose faith was strong but simple, to fear nothing and be confident in her help. For the next thirty-seven years of her life, until her death in 1896, Sister Adele Brise was faithful to this mission even through tremendous strife. Today healings and answered prayers are coming from the Virgin Mary where the shrine stands in Robinson, (now Champion) Wisconsin. – read full story

To visit The Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, go here.

Prayer Lights my Way – Part I

Prayer is always valued by our God. Prayer is mystical and isn’t always answered in the way we desire. Author of International bestseller Eternal Echos, John O’Donohue, writes “Prayer is never wasted. It always brings transformation. When you really want something and you do not receive it, you tend to believe that your prayer was not answered. Such a prayer has a powerful intentionality; and it is true that sometimes your prayer is not answered in this direct way. You do not receive what you long for. Unknown to you, that prayer has secretly worked on another aspect of the situation and effected a transfiguration which may become visible only at a later stage. Unknown to you, prayer is always at the service of destiny. Your days and ways are never simply as they appear on the surface. Human vision is always limited and selective, and you never see the whole picture. The Providence that weaves your days and sees the greater horizon and knows what your life needs in order for you to come fully to birth as the person you are called to be. Prayer refines you, so you may become worthy of your possibility and destiny. The irony of being here is that sometimes it is precisely what you want to avoid that brings you further toward creativity and compassion. The intensity of rejection is the index of need.”

Leah Darrow’s Faith Story

“My faith played a back seat role for years until it all came to a soulful boiling point during a high power photo shoot and believe it or not, this is where I turned back to God and my faith. Ever heard that prodigal son story? I’m his sister.” – Leah Darrow

Footprints in the Sand (original version)

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.

This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,

“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”

The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”

Mary Stevenson, 1936

Shared Story: I never met my father…

I never met my biological father. This left a spiritual wound within me.

Later in life, I married a Joseph at St. Joseph Chapel in St Joseph County on St. Joseph Lake. Then after roaming for ten years, we bought our first home in St. Joseph, Mi and go to St. Joseph Church.

Saint Joseph, patron of all patriarchs, has been a light in my life, a sign from God.

God sent me signs all along to heal the spiritual wound. If I hadn’t noticed, I’d still be hurt. St. Joseph lights my way.