Author: Cathy Nolan

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord!   December 22, 2022 Dear Family of Mary! As we draw ever closer to the Nativity of the Lord, we ponder the Visitation again, but this time it is Mary herself who declares to us the Truth! It is the Truth about who she is and about what God has done for her. It is the Truth about God’s people, and what God has done for all of us! Truly she extols the Mercy of God which saves us all, in miraculous ways. So miraculous that we will sing about it for all eternity. We will say to each other: “The Almighty as done great things for Mary, can you believe it! He has done the unimaginable for her! And we are so stunned that we will worship God forever and ever at what He has done in and through Mary!” Let us rejoice with shouts of praise! Luke 1:46-56: Mary said:  “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior, for he has looked upon his lowly servant.  From this day all generations will call me blessed:  the Almighty has done great things for me,  and holy is his Name.  He has mercy on those who fear him  in every generation.  He has shown the strength of his arm,  and has scattered the proud in their conceit.  He has cast down the mighty from their thrones  and has lifted up the lowly.  He has filled the hungry with good things,  and the rich he has sent away empty.  He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.” Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home. The Gospel of the Lord. Amen, and amen!! In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan (c) Mary TV 2022  

  December 21, 2022 Dear Family of Mary! Today we hear the amazing encounter between Mary and Elizabeth! The Angel Gabriel had told Mary that Elizabeth was in her 6th month of pregnancy! It was a miraculous conception in that Elizabeth and Zachariah were so old. Mary went in haste! The Holy Spirit was guiding her. There was a miraculous encounter awaiting both women and both babies!! God entered human history in an extraordinary way through Mary and Elizabeth! Nothing would ever be the same after these conceptions!! Let us meditate with awe: Luke 1:39-45 Mary set out in those days and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” Amen, and amen!! In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan (c) Mary TV 2022    

Hail, full of Grace! December 20, 2022 Dear Family of Mary! The Gospel reading today is the account of the Annunciation of the Lord, which Mary herself must have told to St. Luke. We learn so much in so few words in this account. We learn about God’s sending of Gabriel to Mary, to ask her to be the mother of His Son. Wow! We learn about Gabriel, who quickly went to Mary and entering her house, he greeted Mary as “Hail, full of grace!” We learn that Mary was a young woman, but she was in full command of her freedom and her will. She was able to ask all the right questions to come to a full and free decision about what God was asking. And we hear Mary exclaim: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” She is the model for our relationship with God! Be it done!!! This encounter changed history completely and forever!! Our Lady gave herself to be the Mother of the Savior! We can never thank her enough! Let us meditate with joy: Luke 1:26-38 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his ­father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end. But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. Amen, and amen!! In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan (c) Mary TV 2022    

  December 19, 2022 Dear Family of Mary! The Gospel readings for the rest of this week are so powerful, so full of prophecy, that they deserve to be read carefully and prayerfully! Here is the Gospel for today, December 19, 2022. Take time and let the Holy Spirit speak to your heart about all that is said. Especially look for the action of the Holy Spirit and the words of the Angel Gabriel. This encounter between Zechariah and the Angel Gabriel occurred in the Sanctuary of the Lord at the altar of incense. It was not chance meeting. God sent St. Gabriel with a very important message for Zechariah that would begin the events of our salvation. Let’s listen with our hearts, and also ask Our Lady explain it to us! A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 1:5-25 In the days of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah; his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years.  Once when he was serving as priest in his division’s turn before God, according to the practice of the priestly service, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense. Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside at the hour of the incense offering, the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense. Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He will drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb, and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord.”  Then Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel said to him in reply, “I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.” Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was gesturing to them but remained mute.  Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home.  After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she went into seclusion for five months, saying, “So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others.”  The Gospel of the Lord! In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan (c) Mary TV 2022    

The Light of the World   December 16, 2022 Dear Family of Mary! “John was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. But I have testimony greater than John’s…” (John 5:35-36) Our Lady speaks of the testimony of Jesus, that testimony that sheds light over the whole world! We are called to bear witness: November 2, 2018  “Dear children, My motherly heart suffers as I am looking at my children who do not love the truth, those who are hiding it – as I look at my children who do not pray with their feelings and actions. I am sad as I am saying to my Son that many of my children no longer have faith, that they do not know Him – my Son. That is why I call you, apostles of my love: you strive to look to the very depth in human hearts and there you are certain to find the little hidden treasure. To look in this way is mercy from the Heavenly Father. To seek the good even where there is the greatest evil – to strive to comprehend each other and not to judge – that is what my Son is asking of you. And I, as a mother, am calling you to listen to Him. My children, the spirit is mightier than the flesh, and, carried by love and actions, it overcomes all obstacles. Do not forget: my Son has loved you and loves you. His love is with you and in you when you are one with Him. He is the light of the world and no one and nothing will be able to stop Him in the final glory. Therefore, apostles of my love, do not be afraid to witness the truth. Witness it with enthusiasm, with works, with love, with your sacrifice, and, above all, in humility. Witness the truth to all those who have not come to know my Son. I will be alongside you. I will encourage you. Witness the love which never ends because it comes from the Heavenly Father who is eternal and who offers eternity to all of my children. The spirit of my Son will be alongside you. Anew I am calling you, my children: pray for your shepherds, pray that the love of my Son may lead them. Thank you.” In Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Cathy Nolan (c)Mary TV.tv PS. St. James Parish continues the Christmas Novena in which they climb Apparition Hill every day for 9 days (December 15-23), praying the Rosary, in honor of Jesus’ Birth! Mary TV is streaming this Novena climb each day, at 2:00 pm Medjugorje time! Join us!!  

Behold I am sending my messenger…   December 15, 2022 Dear Family of Mary! Today we hear a bit more about St. John the Baptist in our Gospel. Jesus speaks about John and his role in God’s plan: When the messengers of John the Baptist had left, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John. “What did you go out to the desert to see—a reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine garments? Those who dress luxuriously and live sumptuously are found in royal palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom Scripture says: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,/ he will prepare your way before you. (Luke 7:24-27) Jesus draws attention to John, making it clear that John is different than other men. They all know that John lived in the desert, fasting and living an austere life style. He was different from all of them, not married, no trade, only his prophetic voice in the wilderness. Jesus says in fact: “This is the one about whom Scripture says: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, he will prepare your way before you.” That is why it has intrigued me from the very beginning of the apparitions, that Our Lady chose June 24th as the day she would first appear in Medjugorje. Here is what is recorded in the messages about it: Wednesday, June 24, 1981 The visionaries see a distant apparition of a young woman in a long grey dress holding a baby in her arms on the hill of Crnica (now known as Apparition Hill). The first time was in the afternoon, the second time towards 6:00pm. Our Lady came on John’s Feast Day (June 24), she didn’t speak, and she was holding baby Jesus. She almost seems timid to me. Waiting for the response of the children, who of course, run away!! I am sure the Lord ordained that Our Lady would begin her apparitions in Medjugorje on June 24. He wanted to show that Our Lady was continuing the prophetic work of St. John the Baptist. That is powerful indeed! But today as I was reading a beautiful meditation by Cardinal Danielou in the Magnificat about John the Baptist, I perceived something more personal about it. I somehow saw the close relationship between Our Lady and St. John the Baptist as family. She must have loved St. John! And it hit me that maybe Our Lady was a little bit shy about beginning this encounter with the children, and about what God was going to accomplish through her. Maybe she found comfort in having St. John the Baptist with her somehow on his feast day. Maybe John was a strength for her as she began this huge effort to save her children, and prepare the way for her Son to return! After all, she was related to him, and she was there when Jesus anointed him with the Holy Spirit, before he was born!! This is the human side of the story!! Anyway, we can’t forget that Jesus said: “This is the one about whom Scripture says: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,/ he will prepare your way before you.” John went before Jesus the first time, and now he has been called upon to go before Him, through and with Our Lady this last time. I believe that Our Lady is preparing the way of the Lord, who will come to judge His people in this day! In Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Cathy Nolan (c)Mary TV.tv PS. Today St. James Parish begins the Christmas Novena in which they climb Apparition Hill every day for 9 days, praying the Rosary, in honor of Jesus’ Birth!  Mary TV will stream this Novena climb each day, at 2:00 pm Medjugorje time!  Join us!!

Justice and Peace shall kiss! December 13, 2022 Memorial of St. John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church Dear Family of Mary! The Responsorial Psalm for today is exceedingly beautiful! Let’s pray it together and feel the great love of God raining down upon us: R. (Isaiah 45:8) Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior. I will hear what God proclaims; the LORD–for he proclaims peace to his people. Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land. R. Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior. Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven. R. Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior. The LORD himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase. Justice shall walk before him, and salvation, along the way of his steps. R. Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior. Truly, our God wants to rain down His Love upon us, to pour out His salvation upon us, to fill us with His Kindness and truth! He wants us to have all these good things. Can we open our hearts to Him so that He can fill them? Can we say yes to Him, and in humility await His coming? Our Lady gave us a message in which she told us that she wants to lead us into that loving relationship with her Son. She has been sent in these days to establish us in His Love, in His Justice and His Truth so that we can reflect that Love, Justice, and Truth to all those who have not yet experienced it. Listen to her invitation: April 2, 2018 “Dear children, Through the great love of the Heavenly Father I am beside you as your mother and you are beside me as my children, as apostles of my love whom I ceaselessly gather around me. My children, you are those who, along with prayer, need to completely surrender to my Son so that you may no longer live but my Son may live in you – so that all those who do not know my Son may see Him in you and come to desire to know Him. Pray that in you they may see resolute humility and goodness, a readiness to serve others; that in you they may see that you live your vocation in the world with the heart, in communion with my Son; that in you they may see meekness, tenderness and love for my Son as well as for all brothers and sisters. Apostles of my love, you must pray much and cleanse your hearts so that you may be the first to walk on the way of my Son, that you may be the just who are united with the justice of my Son. My children, as apostles of my love, you must be united in the communion which emanates from my Son, so that my children who do not know my Son may recognize the communion of love and may come to desire to walk on the way of life, the way of unity with my Son. Thank you.” Mother may we help all your children to know the great love of your Son through our witness. May we help your Heart to Triumph and Jesus’ Heart to rain down upon the earth His Peace! May it be so! Amen! In Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Cathy Nolan (c)Mary TV.tv  

The Future is God’s!   December 13, 2022 St. Lucy Dear Family of Mary! In the first reading for Holy Mass today, the prophet Zephaniah speaks God’s word: “But I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, who shall take refuge in the name of the Lord: the Remnant of Israel. They shall do no wrong and speak no lies; nor shall there be found in their mouths a deceitful tongue; they shall pasture and couch their flocks with none to disturb them.” (Zeph 3:12-13) How beautiful it is to be chosen by God to be His people. I love this description of them, that they will be humble and lowly, doing no wrong and speaking no lies…what a wonderful people to belong to!! What a wonderful future that is for us! Our Lady gave us a message in which she calls us to be that remnant, the people who are humble and lowly, and who do no wrong: March 25, 2021 “Dear children! Also, today I am with you to tell you: Little children, (he) who prays does not fear the future and does not lose hope. You are chosen to carry joy and peace, because you are mine. I have come here with the name ‘Queen of Peace’ because the devil wants peacelessness and war, he wants to fill your heart with fear of the future – but the future is God’s. That is why, be humble and pray, and surrender everything into the hands of the Most High Who created you. Thank you for having responded to my call.” Our Lady tells us to “be humble and pray…” We can choose to be humble. We can choose to pray. This is within our reach. It is part of our freedom and personal responsibility to choose humility and prayer. But when we pray and are humble, life changes for us. God can become active and guide us very gently and powerfully into His goodness and joy!! He can bless us as His people!! We can be that remnant! And we can be agents of God’s peace in a world so desperate for peace. And remember, “The future is God’s!” This is truth! And it gives us the right perspective on our lives. The future is not mine to dictate, and it is not Satan’s to command, but the future is in God’s hands, in God’s domain. He is the master of all. And so our security for the future is only found in our relationship with God. The future is God’s!! May it be so! Amen! In Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Cathy Nolan (c)Mary TV.tv  

Our Lady of Guadalupe December 12, 2022 Dear Family of Mary! Today we honor Our Lady of Guadalupe! She came in 1531 to Juan Diego, a simple man who lived in Mexico. His conversations with Our Lady have been recorded and they reflect the wonderful motherly relationship she had with Juan Diego. Below is a good summary of the events surrounding this apparition: As a good and solicitous mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary protects her children. The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is observed in the United States of America on December 12th, commemorating as a third class feast the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Juan Diego in December 1531 and the subsequent miracle of her image being impressed upon his tilma (a rough cloak woven from vegetable fibers). This miraculous image spoke to the Aztecs in their symbolic—or glyphic—language on many levels. But primarily the imagery showed who the Lady of Tepeyac was and her power exemplified by being “clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.” This important symbolism was further confirmed by the name she gave to Juan Diego’s in his Nahuatl tongue, “Coatlaxopeuh”—rendered in Spanish as “Guadalupe”—meaning “the one who crushes the serpent”—here not just in reference the Devil, but a specific Aztecan deity. The results of this singular miracle was nothing less than miraculous itself as the native Indians of Mexico began to convert to the One, True Catholic Faith by the millions. Previously these varied peoples had suffered under the scourge of the Aztec religion, one of the bloodiest forms of paganism known to mankind (for example, the human sacrifice of over 10,000 in a single day to dedicate a new temple). Remarking on the tilma’s imagery, Our Lady radiates peace and serenity with her consoling demeanor and posture, yet with a calm strength she overwhelms the violent and bloodthirsty gods of the Aztecs, vividly demonstrated by her blocking out the sun god and standing upon the moon god, the pagan religion’s two most powerful deities. The solicitude expressed on the face of Our Lady of Guadalupe for the souls of all Americans (whether they reside in the regions of the North, Central or South)—thus the appropriateness of her title as “Empress of the Americas” is perhaps even more profoundly comprehended when we consider her consoling words to Juan Diego summarized as: “Trust in me: I am your mother”. Below is a link to the full article: Our Lady of Guadalupe Summary I find that the explanation of Our Lady’s power against Satan and his demons, represented by the Sun God and the Moon God, to be very moving. In our day, Our Lady in Medjugorje continues this battle against the ancient enemy, saving and converting millions, and freeing us from the enemy’s power. She is a powerful exorcist, according to Fr. Gabriel Amorth! Here is a litany to Our Lady of Guadalupe!! Let’s pray: Litany of Our Lady of Guadalupe A novena litany, with Ecclesiastical Approval by Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. God our Heavenly Father, Creator through whom we live, have mercy on us. God the Son, the One who owns what is near and beyond, have mercy on us. God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy of us. Holy Mary of Guadalupe, pray for us.* Holy Mary, Mother of America, Holy Mary, Star of the New Evangelization, Holy Mary, Perfect and Ever Virgin, Holy Mary, Mother of the True God, Holy Mary, Mother worthy of honor and veneration, Holy Mary, Mother most merciful, Holy Mary, Mother of those who love you and have confidence in you, Holy Mary, Mother of those who cry to you and search for you, Holy Mary, Mother who cures all our pains, miseries, and sorrows, Holy Mary, Mother who remedies and alleviates our sufferings, Holy Mary, Mother who keeps us within her compassionate and merciful gaze, Holy Mary, Mother who shows us her help, love and compassion, Holy Mary, Mother who chooses those who are humble and simple, Holy Mary, Mother who graciously repays all who serve her, Holy Mary, Mother who has us under her shadow and protection, Holy Mary, Mother who carries us in her embrace, Holy Mary, Fountain of our joy, Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let Us Pray Almighty and Eternal God, your message of mercy, entrusted to Our Lady of Guadalupe, invites all your children to place all their trust in you. Through the intercession of the mother of your Son, may your message of Merciful Love inflame our hearts that we may be faithful heralds and instruments of this Divine Mercy to the world. (Mention your intentions) We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. In Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Cathy Nolan (c)Mary TV.tv  

St. Juan Diego, pray for us!   December 9, 2022 St. Juan Diego Dear Family of Mary! Today the Church honors St. Juan Diego, the visionary of Mexico, who received the Tilma with Our Lady’s image on it. That Tilma still exists, on display in the Cathedral in Mexico City. It is a miracle!! But I think there is a great grace for us in is the love that Our Lady showed to Juan Diego when she called him to help her. She opened her loving, maternal heart to him. This quote is so moving: Our Lady spoke these words to Juan Diego when he was worried about his uncle, and was afraid to go into the city to speak to the bishop: Do not fear this sickness nor any other sickness, nor any sharp and hurtful thing. Am I not here, I, who am your mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? Do you need something more? Let nothing else worry you, disturb you… Our Lady speaks to us with the same loving heart in Medjugorje. Here is one such message: September 2, 2012 “Dear children, as my eyes are looking at you, my soul is seeking those souls with whom it desires to be one – the souls who have understood the importance of prayer for those of my children who have not come to know the love of the Heavenly Father. I am calling you because I need you. Accept the mission and do not be afraid, I will strengthen you. I will fill you with my graces. With my love I will protect you from the evil spirit. I will be with you. With my presence I will console you in difficult moments. Thank you for your open hearts. Pray for priests. Pray that the unity between my Son and them may be all the stronger, that they may be one. Thank you.” This is Mother Mary, the Mother of Jesus who is our Mother! She loves us and will protect us and strengthen us as we help her to find and draw to her all her other children. This is our task, our work for her, even as it was for Juan Diego. May we respond with faith and courage, even as St. Juan Diego did!!! In Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Cathy Nolan (c)Mary TV.tv