58
February 12, 1997

Is it possible not to believe God? I think it is unnecessary to answer that question particularly. Our everyday life constantly assures us of that. But, is it possible not to believe while at the same time we assert that we still believe in God? Sad to say, it is! And our everyday life, especially our life of faith, assures us of that also.

Always when in our deliberations and behavior we lean on anyone else than God, we are clearly saying that we do not believe in our own God. All of our words to the contrary are in vain. Were we to believe in God completely, it would never happen to us that we find fault with Him in anything, that we prefer to believe contemporary wisdom, the contemporary advice in newspapers of questionable quality, and not in Him who has created us and who continuously tells us that He loves us.

Our Lady is aware of this condition of ours, and therefore speaks to us in her messages not to create a new world only by our own power. God wants to created it together with us, to teach us that happiness is in a life with Him, and not in the things around us that are here today and gone tomorrow. Whoever trusts in Him will become a believer.

Fr. Miljenko

NUMBER OF HOLY COMMUNIONS AND CONCELEBRANTS

January and February are the months with the smallest number of pilgrims. Therefore in January in the shrine of the Queen of Peace in Medjugorje 15,000 Holy Communions were distributed and there were 563 concelebrations at masses by priests from home and abroad, that is 19 priests daily.

TO ALL MEDJUGORJE GROUPS

By the establishment of the Medjugorje "MIR" Information Center in Medjugorje we have become much more closely linked with the centers of prayer and peace throughout the world. The Press Bulletin which comes out regularly every second Wednesday publishes the most important events in the Shrine. Therefore we would kindly ask all those who spread the messages of the Queen of Peace and publish events of Medjugorje to consider the Medjugorje "MIR" Information Center as the only source of official information. Should there be anything new regarding the Medjugorje apparitions this Center will immediately make it public. This way you will avoid spreading unapproved things. Whatever is urgent we will immediately put on our www pages under the section "Announcements". Likewise we will inform by e-mail all those whose addresses we have.

We write in order to avoid the spreading of rumors like those that were recently spread in a sensational way to many Medjugorje prayer groups and caused much confusion and inconvenience. Thank very much all for all you are doing for Our Lady.

Fr. Ivan Landeda, OFM, Pastor

INTERNATIONAL YOUTH PRAYER MEETING

The eighth International Youth Prayer Meeting will be held from July 31 - August 6, 1997. We are announcing the prayer meeting program in its entirety.

Theme of the Festival: "YOU ARE MY BELOVED SON"

JULY 31. VII
- 8h Rosary,
- 19h Mass,
- 22h Introduction of the Festival and Adoration

THEME OF EACH DAY: 1. VIII - MY EXPERIENCE OF GOD
- Father Joerg Mueller, German
- Prayer: Meeting with God, don Cosimo Cavaluzzo
- Ivan Dragicevic, fra Slavko

2. VIII - YOU ARE THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD FROM THE TRIBE OF DAVID
- Brother Efraim, founder of the community "The Beatitudes"
- Baptism, Don Cosimo
- Mirjana Soldo/Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti
- After evening Mass, an Eucharistic Procession beginning from the
- Church around the village of Medjugorje

3. VIII - WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?
- Father Giani Sgreva, founder of the community "Oasis of Peace"
- The Eucharist, don Cosimo
- 16h - Rosary on Podbrdo with Vicka Ivankovi}

4. VIII - I CAME THAT YOU MAY HAVE LIFE . . . LIFE TO THE FULLEST
- Sister Elvira, founder of the community "Cenacolo"
- Confession, fra Slavko
- Jakov Colo and the young boys of the community "Cenacolo"
- Program by the community "Cenacolo"- 'Come and See', 22 - 24h

5. VIII - DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU!
- Father Jozo Zovko
- Serve the Lord with Joy/family and consecrated life, Brother Efraim
- 16h 'Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, you do to me':
- Alberto Bonifaccio
- Songs for Mary and Consecration by all the Youth

6. VIII - Krizevac - IT IS MY BELOVED SON, LISTEN TO HIM!
- Rosary going up Krizevac at 3 AM--*Holy Mass at 5 AM *

RECOMMENDATIONS

Because of the simultaneous translations young people should bring along earphones and a small FM radio. Individuals with classical instruments should notify Agostino who is responsible for the music. We will arrange residence for them in "Domus Pacis". Respond by fax ++387-88-651-444. Bring along a bible. Groups that will participate in the prayer meeting should not plan other programs for the duration of the youth meeting. Eucharistic adoration will take place continuously.

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Last Modified 02/11/97