Author: Cathy Nolan

Blessed are the poor in spirit…   May 23, 2024 Dear Family of Mary! The Psalm Response for Holy Mass today is from the Gospel of Matthew: Mt 5:3: Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs! This is the first beatitude in Jesus’ list in Matthew 5! It must be the most important! But it might be difficult to describe this beatitude. I found this definition on LifeTeen.com, which is a Catholic website for teens. It is a good one, I think: “Now, the phrase ‘poor in spirit’ speaks to an even deeper reality … beyond physical poverty … but to true spiritual poverty. To be poor in spirit means to acknowledge our deepest human need for God and to grow in that longing and that dependence on a daily basis. It’s only when we realize how badly we need God and how we are nothing without Him that we become worthy of the Kingdom He promises us (Matthew 5:3); when we realize we are the beggars, our gratitude to the Giver (of life) becomes that much greater.” (LifeTeen.com) This radical dependence upon God is the key to joy and peace! Because He is the true source of all good! Our Lady has spoken to us about this radical dependence upon God often in her messages. Here is one message: March 18, 2016 “Dear children, with a motherly heart filled with love for you, my children, I desire to teach you complete trust in God the Father. I desire for you to learn by an internal gaze and internal listening to follow God’s will. I desire for you to learn to boundlessly trust in His mercy and His love, as I always trusted. Therefore, my children, cleanse your hearts. Free yourselves from everything that binds you to only what is earthly and permit what is of God to form your life by your prayer and sacrifice so that God’s Kingdom may be in your heart; that you may begin to live proceeding from God the Father; that you may always strive to walk with my Son. But for all of this, my children, you must be poor in spirit and filled with love and mercy… You must have pure and simple hearts and always be ready to serve. My children, listen to me, I speak for your salvation. Thank you.” Thank you, dearest Mother, for so gently guiding us into a relationship with the Father in which our littleness and poverty of spirit will keep us close to Him. May we grow more every day as His little ones who are poor in spirit! In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan (c) Mary TV 2024

All that is of this world…will disappear…   May 22, 2024 Dear Family of Mary! The first reading for Mass today is a challenging one. St. James talks about the sin of arrogance, in which one can presume that he can do whatever he wishes, without first placing it before the Lord for discernment. Leaving God out the the equation of our lives is a disaster!! Listen to the reading: Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and get gain”; whereas you do not know about tomorrow. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and we shall do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. Whoever knows what is right to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. (James 4:13-17, RSV-CE) Our Lady gave us a message in which she warned of the very same mistake, boasting and arrogance are sins before God. We are fools to live outside of God’s protection and love: November 2, 2015 “Dear children, anew I desire to speak to you about love. I have gathered you around me in the name of my Son according to His will. I desire that your faith be firm, flowing forth from love. Because, those of my children who understand the love of my Son and follow it, live in love and hope. They have come to know the love of God. Therefore, my children, pray, pray so as to be able to love all the more and to do works of love. Because, faith alone without love and works of love is not what I am asking of you: my children, this is an illusion of faith. It is a boasting of self. My Son seeks faith and works, love and goodness. I am praying, and I am also asking you to pray, and to live love; because I desire that my Son, when He looks at the hearts of all of my children, can see love and goodness in them and not hatred and indifference. My children, apostles of my love, do not lose hope, do not lose strength. You can do this. I am encouraging and blessing you. Because all that is of this world, which many of my children, unfortunately, put in the first place, will disappear; and only love and works of love will remain and open the door of the Kingdom of Heaven. I will wait for you at this door. At this door, I desire to welcome and embrace all of my children. Thank you!” Our Lady is such a good mother. She does not want to lose any of her children. Like St. James, she understands the temptations that lure her children away, the boasting in arrogance that blinds them. “Because all that is of this world, which many of my children, unfortunately, put in the first place, will disappear; and only love and works of love will remain and open the door of the Kingdom of Heaven.” Thank you, dearest Mother, for calling us back to the way of love, the way of humility and trust in God. May we pray for all those trapped in the ways of the world, that they will find their way back to God! In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan (c) Mary TV 2024  

Put Jesus in the first place…   May 21, 2024 Dear Family of Mary! We find ourselves back in Ordinary Time! After the incredible journey through Lent, Easter and Pentecost, we are again walking together in our normal, everyday lives! But we have been changed! The incredible miracles of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection leave their mark on our hearts and souls, deepening our faith and helping us to walk with Jesus a little more faithfully! Our Lady has spoken to us about this process in her messages. She calls us to put Jesus in the first place in our lives! This is exactly what we need to do now. It is the only logical response to the mysteries that we have experienced over the past few months! May we put Jesus in the first place in our lives!! Our Lady speaks: March 18, 2002 “Dear Children! As a mother, I implore you, open your heart and offer it to me, and fear nothing. I will be with you and will teach you how to put Jesus in the first place. I will teach you to love Him and to belong to Him completely. Comprehend, dear children that without my Son there is no salvation. You should become aware that He is your beginning and your end. Only with this awareness can you be happy and merit eternal life. As your mother, I desire this for you. Thank you for having responded to my call.” March 18, 2004 “Dear children! Also today, watching you with a heart full of love, I desire to tell you that what you persistently seek, what you long for, my little children, is before you. It is sufficient that, in a cleaned heart, you place my Son in the first place, and then you will be able to see. Listen to me and permit me to lead you to this in a motherly way.” March 18, 2014 “Dear children! As a mother, I desire to be of help to you. With my motherly love, I desire to help you to open your heart and to put my Son in the first place in it. Through your love for my Son and through your prayer, I desire for God’s light to illuminate you and God’s mercy to fill you. In this way, I desire for the darkness, and the shadow of death which wants to encompass and mislead you, to be driven away. I desire for you to feel the joy of the blessing of God’s promise. You, children of man, you are God’s children – you are my children. Therefore, my children, set out on the ways on which my love leads you, teaches you humility and wisdom, and finds the way to the Heavenly Father. Pray with me for those who do not accept me and do not follow me – those who, because of hardness of their hearts, cannot feel the joy of humility, devotion, peace and love – the joy of my Son. Pray that your shepherds, with their blessed hands, may always give you the joy of God’s blessing. Thank you.” Thank you, dearest Mother, for offering to help us to put Jesus in the first place in our lives! We accept your help and guidance!! We want Jesus to be our #1! In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan (c) Mary TV 2024

The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church   May 20, 2024 Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church Dear Family of Mary! Here is a message from Our Mother, who is Mother of the Church: June 2, 2016 “Dear children, as the Mother of the Church, as your mother, I am smiling as I look at you: how you are coming to me, how you are gathering around me, how you are seeking me. My comings among you are proof of how much Heaven loves you. They indicate to you the way to eternal life, to salvation. My apostles, you who strive to have a pure heart and to have my Son in it, you are on the good way. You who are seeking my Son are seeking the good way. He left many signs of His love. He left hope. It is easy to find Him if you are ready for sacrifice and penance – if you have patience, mercy and love for your neighbors. Many of my children do not see and do not hear because they do not want to. They do not accept my words and my works, yet through me, my Son calls everyone. His Spirit illuminates all of my children in the light of the Heavenly Father, in the unity of Heaven and Earth, in mutual love – because love invokes love and makes works more important than words. Therefore, my apostles, pray for your Church, love it and do works of love. No matter how betrayed or wounded, it is here because it comes from the Heavenly Father. Pray for your shepherds so that in them you may see the greatness of the love of my Son. Thank you.” Dear Mother Mary, we thank you for being with us in this most extraordinary way in Medjugorje. You are the Mother of the Church!! And you are our Mother! Thank you for loving us so much, and for never leaving us alone, not for a minute!! You are our Mother!! In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan (c) Mary TV 2024      

Veni Creator Spiritus!   May 17, 2024 Dear Family of Mary! This Sunday (May 19, 2024) is Pentecost! We have arrived at this special day. Our Lady emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is of utmost importance! She said to us: Advent 1983 “Begin by calling on the Holy Spirit each day. The most important thing is to pray to the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit descends on earth, then everything becomes clear and everything is transformed.” We can make a commitment to pray to the Holy Spirit each morning from now on! Here is the powerful prayer to the Holy Spirit that the parish in Medjugorje prays before evening mass!! Let’s pray it every day, as we awaken!! Veni Creator Spiritus: Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest, and in our souls take up Thy rest; come with Thy grace and heavenly aid to fill the hearts which Thou hast made. O Comforter, to Thee we cry, O heavenly gift of God Most High, O fount of life and fire of love, and sweet anointing from above. Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known; Thou, finger of God’s hand we own; Thou, promise of the Father, Thou Who dost the tongue with power imbue. Kindle our sense from above, and make our hearts o’erflow with love; with patience firm and virtue high the weakness of our flesh supply. Far from us drive the foe we dread, and grant us Thy peace instead; so shall we not, with Thee for guide, turn from the path of life aside. Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow the Father and the Son to know; and Thee, through endless times confessed, of both the eternal Spirit blest. Now to the Father and the Son, Who rose from death, be glory given, with Thou, O Holy Comforter, henceforth by all in earth and heaven. Amen. Thank you, dearest Mother, for guiding us in our relationship with the Holy Spirit, our guide and strength in these days. We promise to pray to the Holy Spirit each morning and often throughout the day!! Amen! In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan (c) Mary TV 2024

Pray in solitude to the Holy Spirit   May 16, 2024 Dear Family of Mary! We draw ever closer to Pentecost. Here is another message from Our Lady which will help us to prepare for the coming of the Holy Spirit: April 25, 2020 “Dear children! May this time be an incentive for personal conversion for you. Pray, little children, in solitude, to the Holy Spirit to strengthen you in faith and trust in God, that you may be worthy witnesses of the love which God bestows upon you through my presence. Little children, do not permit trials to harden your heart and for prayer to be like a desert. Be a reflection of God’s love and witness the Risen Jesus by your lives. I am with you and I love all of you with my motherly love. Thank you for having responded to my call.” In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan (c) Mary TV 2024

Pray to the Holy Spirit!   May 15, 2024 St. Isidore Dear Family of Mary! Today we have three messages from Our Lady in which she called us to welcome the Holy Spirit into our hearts during prayer. I believe we should enter into our personal prayer with the expectation that the Holy Spirit will come to us and inspire us every time we pray!! Prayer is not just a time in which we talk to God (or could we say, talk at God)!! It is a time in which we humbly enter into a conversation with the Lord. And it is the Holy Spirit who makes that conversation possible!! If we are not hearing from the Lord in prayer, it is because the ears of our heart are closed!! We need to open our hearts to God especially during our personal prayer! We need to welcome the Holy Spirit and respond to His promptings with joy! Our Lady said to us: Advent 1983 “Begin by calling on the Holy Spirit each day. The most important thing is to pray to the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit descends on earth, then everything becomes clear and everything is transformed.” May 25, 2003 “Dear children! Also today I call you to prayer. Renew your personal prayer, and in a special way pray to the Holy Spirit to help you pray with the heart. I intercede for all of you, little children, and call all of you to conversion. If you convert, all those around you will also be renewed and prayer will be a joy for them. Thank you for having responded to my call.” April 25, 2015 “Dear children! I am with you also today to lead you to salvation. Your soul is restless because your spirit is weak and tired from all worldly things. You, little children, pray to the Holy Spirit that He may transform you and fill you with His strength of faith and hope, so that you may be firm in this battle against evil. I am with you and intercede for you before my Son Jesus. Thank you for having responded to my call…” The Holy Spirit is not an option, He is the Third Person of the Trinity! We need Him in our lives constantly, leading us, guiding us, strengthening us, teaching us, and protecting us! As we approach Pentecost, let’s open our hearts to the presence of the Holy Spirit, and expect miracles!! In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan (c) Mary TV 2024

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit   May 14, 2024 St. Matthias Dear Family of Mary! Today we will pray with a message given to us on May 25, 2000. Our Lady spoke plainly on that day. She made it very clear that we must seek the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is not optional for those of us who wish to serve Our Lady! She needs us to be firmly connected to the Lord, by His Spirit which is so freely offered to us! May 25, 2000 “Dear children! I rejoice with you and in this time of grace I call you to spiritual renewal. Pray, little children, that the Holy Spirit may come to dwell in you in fullness, so that you may be able to witness in joy to all those who are far from faith. Especially, little children, pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit so that in the spirit of love, every day and in each situation, you may be closer to your fellow-man; and that in wisdom and love you may overcome every difficulty. I am with you and I intercede for each of you before Jesus. Thank you for having responded to my call.” Our Lady needs us. But it is essential that we are filled with the Holy Spirit so that we will be able to respond to her call! She needs us to be operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Pray through this list of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit (taken from the Catechism of the Catholic Church) and ask the Lord to pour them out upon you this Pentecost!! III. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit 1830 The moral life of Christians is sustained by the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These are permanent dispositions which make man docile in following the promptings of the Holy Spirit. “1831 The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are : wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. They belong in their fullness to Christ, Son of David. They complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them. They make the faithful docile in readily obeying divine inspirations.” And here is a short definition of each (from Catholic Answers): “Wisdom is both the knowledge of and judgment about “divine things” and the ability to judge and direct human affairs according to divine truth. Understanding is penetrating insight into the very heart of things, especially those higher truths that are necessary for our eternal salvation—in effect, the ability to “see” God. Counsel allows a man to be directed by God in matters necessary for his salvation. Fortitude denotes a firmness of mind in doing good and in avoiding evil, particularly when it is difficult or dangerous to do so, and the confidence to overcome all obstacles, even deadly ones, by virtue of the assurance of everlasting life. Knowledge is the ability to judge correctly about matters of faith and right action, so as to never wander from the straight path of justice. Piety is, principally, revering God with filial affection, paying worship and duty to God, paying due duty to all men on account of their relationship to God, and honoring the saints and not contradicting Scripture. The Latin word pietas denotes the reverence that we give to our father and to our country; since God is the Father of all, the worship of God is also called piety. Fear of God is, in this context, “filial” or chaste fear whereby we revere God and avoid separating ourselves from him—as opposed to “servile” fear, whereby we fear punishment.” Come Holy Spirit!! Come and fill the hearts of thy faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Your Love!! In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan (c) Mary TV 2024

A Time of Prayer and Silence   May 13, 2024 Feast of Our Lady of Fatima Dear Family of Mary! We are approaching Pentecost! This week we need to pray even more for the coming of the Holy Spirit in a special way upon each of us! We need the Holy Spirit! We cannot be fruitful for God without the Holy Spirit active in our hearts, tending them like little gardens of love. May this message from Our Lady guide us forward: July 25, 2011 “Dear children! May this time be for you a time of prayer and silence. Rest your body and spirit, may they be in God’s love… Permit me, little children, to lead you, open your hearts to the Holy Spirit so that all the good that is in you may blossom and bear fruit one hundred fold. Begin and end the day with prayer with the heart. Thank you for having responded to my call.” In the peace of personal prayer, may Our Lady’s words guide us!! In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan (c) Mary TV 2024

The Ascension of the Lord!   May 9, 2024 Dear Family of Mary! Today we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord! Jesus was “taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God!” The apostles gazed upon Him as He rose into the sky, and disappeared from sight. But they were not without Jesus’ help for long, because He sent the Holy Spirit to be their guide and comfort. And these men changed the world!! “And he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen.” (Mark 16:15-20, RSV-CE) Jesus gave the apostles good instructions just before He ascended. Our Lady gives us good instruction too, through her messages. Both Jesus and Mary are trying to direct us to what is important in the days we have to live. Here is one such message from Our Lady to us, through Mirjana: December 2, 2014 “Dear children, Remember – for I am telling you – that love will win. I know that many of you are losing hope because around you, you see suffering, pain, jealousy, envy… but, I am your mother. I am in the Kingdom but am also here with you. My Son is sending me anew to help you. Therefore, do not lose hope; instead, follow me – because the victory of my heart is in the name of God. My beloved Son is thinking of you as he has always thought of you. Believe him and live him. He is the life of the world. My children, to live my Son means to live the Gospel. This is not easy. This means love, forgiveness and sacrifice. This purifies and it opens the Kingdom. Sincere prayer, which is not only words but is a prayer which the heart speaks, will help you. Likewise fasting (will help you), because it is still more of love, forgiveness and sacrifice. Therefore, do not lose hope but follow me. I am imploring you anew to pray for your shepherds so that they may always look to my Son who was the first Shepherd of the world and whose family was the entire world.” We have nothing to fear with our Jesus in Heaven, and Our Lady with us in these days!! May we live our lives to the fullest with Jesus and Mary! In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan (c) Mary TV 2024