Weekly News Flash from the Universal Living Rosary Association of Saint Philomena, Wednesday August 19, 2015

August 2015
Dear Apostle of the Immaculate Heart of Mary,

Your loving support of our missionary efforts is a far-reaching star of hope for the world. We have had so many special notes from religious and faithful, sharing news of their struggles, efforts and challenges in spreading devotion to Our Blessed Mother. When they reveal what they really face in doing this work, it is very humbling for us.

When America is under Siege, and it will come, we beg God that we will have the courage and faith of the suffering missionaries we help today in foreign lands. Always, your dear family is remembered each and every day in our prayers!

The supreme need of the day is to bring home to every Catholic that, upon him, rests the positive duty of going out and seeking those in need of conversion and bringing them into the Faith. The Church is a Society in which Jesus Christ lives and which exists for the purpose of bringing Christ to all men. If the Church is not living this mission, it is untrue to Itself. Christ never intended His Church to be a mere chaplaincy. The primary purpose of the Church’s action is the winning of converts. It is our bound duty to bring the Faith to everyone, without exception. If this is not done, we have a deadly inertia.

Today, it is argued: We must not unsettle anyone, they are in good faith or we must respect the beliefs of others. What can this mean, only that we are trying to convert no one but he who converts himself?

Inaction works havoc in the Church. Its mission is dampened and perverted. The Infinite Ocean of Grace which is meant to irrigate the universal desert of unbelief dries up. Our prayer alone does not suffice. Action must follow! If the maximum effort is forthcoming, then Grace will follow: over-flowing, conquering and miraculously winning souls for Christ. We must not pre-judge those we approach. Our job is to reach out and seek all. Even when we think our efforts are vain, worthless and barren, we are to make them. We are commanded to preach the Gospel to every creature. We must cast our nets regardless of what might be brought up, big or little, good or bad. In doing this, we are obedient stewards. The Life of Christ was one of confident strength. May He act in us to draw all souls to Himself through the Immaculate Heart of Mary!

Without Mary, all our thoughts, efforts, planning and hard work will only end in sterility. With Mary, every effort will bring forth eternal fruit!

Of Mary, there can never be enough!

One with you in the Immaculate Heart of Mary,

PATTI MELVIN, Director – ULRA

Let us pray for one another.

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AFZAAL reaching out to souls in Pakistan – July 2015:

Many are the challenges Afzaal faces in his apostolic work in Pakistan. Not only Catholics, but also all Christians suffer equally. In Gojra, the homes of many Christians were set on fire; this was repeated in Kharian, and again repeated in Joseph Colony in Lahore. A couple was burned alive in Clarkabad where it was claimed they violated the blasphemy law. Many Christians are condemned of blasphemy and, without court proceedings or trial, they are put to death. Daily, women are forced to accept Islam and marry, others are raped. Some escape to seek asylum in America, Australia and Europe. There is a target list containing many personalities and Afzaal, too, is on their list.

Anti-Catholic pastors are growing like grass. They are being funded by foreign countries. They may not be educated or suited for religious work. Within a year or two, they are ordained and some are consecrated bishops. Their pastoral authority includes the whole of Pakistan, not just one particular diocese. The best liked are those who speak against Baptism and Our Blessed Mother. In Afzaal’s area of Faisalabad, there are more than 15 bishops! These pastors seek out those with Rosaries and Miraculous Medals, and explain many false things about them.

Besides the obstacles outside the Catholic Church, internal problems are many. Years ago, priests from foreign countries evangelized the people teaching the dogma and doctrine of the Catholic Faith, living heroic lives of devotion and sanctity. Many suffered martyrdom. Now, local priests have turned things up-side-down. They seek only money. They come from poor families but, when ordained, their lives are changed. They have large homes, drive fancy cars and love to show off. Many drink heavily and have relations with women on the side. Some seek out Afzaal and beg him for Sacramentals promising to use them well and spread the devotion. Sadly, they sell them and use the profit for their own personal gain. When the people see their priest act in this way, they share with Afzaal their grief and seek his counsel if they should leave the priest and even the Church.

Afzaal has sacrificed his life, family and health to bring to souls the truths of our Holy Faith, supply them with Sacramentals free of charge, teaching them devotion to Our Lady and enrolling hundreds of thousands in the Living Rosary. He has translated and printed all of our materials in their native language, Urdu. Travel is grueling, accommodation is poor, and the danger is great! Your support of the Living Rosary mission in Pakistan has brought forth a rich harvest of souls. May God reward you eternally!

< PATTI MELVIN, ULRA Director >

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Dear Patti,

I am glad to inform you that we celebrated the feast of St. Philomena successfully. Our Bishop and 6 priests offered the Mass. About 150 faithful attended. I gave breakfast to all. We held the annual meeting and elected new E.C. members. We decided not to hold our Conference this year, because our Chin State and our diocese seriously suffered from flood water. I will send you a report on our activities when the internet is available. God bless you! Best regards to all your co-workers.

< Father Joseph Mung – MYANMAR >

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ST. PHILOMENA FEAST DAY – TERESITA, PHILLIPINES

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Dear Patti,

I received the box you sent me and am very happy. We send you our love and eternal gratitude. We had the celebration of Saint Philomena on our web page and together we all prayed her Chaplet for all the members, especially for you. Attached are some pictures of St. Philomena. We assure you of our prayers for you and your family, and are very happy and thankful to hear of Richard’s recovery. God bless you!

Violeta – El Salvador

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Dear Patti,

Guess what? I informed you earlier that I moved temporarily out of the Capital (Windhoek) and now residing in one of the remotest areas of the country in a place called Opuwo. This January, I met a devoted Catholic lady who joined one of my talks while on holiday. She works in Opuwo. When she returned to her work, she shared with others and inspired them on her new faith discovery. The Bible says: "My thoughts are not yours and My ways not your ways." In five months’ time I found myself also in Opuwo. Because of the changing of lives in Santa Philomena's Association, I found myself feeling uneasy when I moved in the country, because as much as I would like the people to put their joy and gratitude emphasis on Blessed Mother Mary and Santa Philomena, I found people eagerly wanting to see and meet the Sr. Uutoni, who announced and organized the Association in Namibia. This caused me always not to want to identify myself at once. Meanwhile, as much as I wish to be in the background, people always find me out. Like yesterday, I was forced to speak to the new members after a month in this place. I must admit that I am overwhelmed by what I saw. There was a big number, both old and young, which made me happy. I am sure they will announce it to others and the group will grow. Among them, there was a Peace Corps Volunteer from the USA. Amazing, he shared with me that he was not aware of this great evangelical Association in Texas part of his native land.

I thank and praise God Who made things possible for all of Mary's children to meet and pray in this way. Once more, thank you for making our mission easier in this part of the world. All our members are praying for you and for our benefactors. Remain blessed always.

Sister Margaret Uutoni – NAMIBIA.

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Share Your Gift of Faith

For centuries, our cherished Catholic faith has been passed from person to person, parent to child, etc. Each of us carries in our heart a special memory of how God first graced us with the knowledge of the faith and how Our Blessed Mother, Saint Philomena, Venerable Pauline Jaricot and other saints changed our lives and brought us closer to Christ.

In our work in the Universal Living Rosary Association, we see first hand how millions of souls are currently living without that knowledge of God and are living outside of His grace. We have been given a beautiful opportunity to carry out Christ's work and pass on our faith and blessings to others who would otherwise never be introduced to Our Lord, the Savior of all mankind. Just as we pray for the souls in Purgatory who have no one to pray for them, we should also make it a part of our life's mission to pass on our faith to as many souls as possible who have no one else to pass it on to them, who don't know Our Lord and His promise of salvation.

This is the box we send out to the foreign Missions $77.95. It contains Rosaries, Scapulars, Miraculous Medals, Cord & Oil, Newsletters, Calendars, Catechism books, 2 TAN books, large color prints, lists and encouragements for our Promoters.

This is the box we send out to the foreign Missions $77.95. It contains Rosaries, Scapulars, Miraculous Medals, Cord & Oil, Newsletters, Calendars, Catechism books, 2 TAN books, large color prints, lists and encouragement for our Promoters.

Please Click here to Share Your Gift of Faith


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