KEPT SAFE IN HIS ARMS

The evening was supposed to be a fun filled evening. A few young men were out on the town. This was the beginning of spring and spirits ran high.

Sometime during the course of the evening, two good friends got into an argument. Jim decided to leave his friends rather than continue arguing.

THAT DECISION SAVED HIS LIFE......................

Later in the evening, the remaining friends were murdered. Shot down by someone not from the area........a senseless shooting.........

One can only imagine the thoughts going through Jim's head. The emotions that he experienced. He was alive, his friends were dead. The last conversation with his best friend was an argument.

Time passed and Jim looked into his inner self and developed a deeper spiritual awareness.

He could never take back the argument that transpired between he and his friend before the senseless murders. He had to live with that.

Jim was by himself, driving a compact car when he was involved in a car accident. He was not wearing a seat belt. The car was totaled. Broken glass everywhere. No one could survive this type of accident.........................

When Jim was extracted from his crushed vehicle, not only was he alive, but he had very few injuries...................

SOMEONE HELD HIM AND SHIELDED HIM INSIDE THE CAR.................. He saw his friend in the car with him. He felt someone holding him as the vehicle was destroyed.

His friend kept him safe........the memory of their last words spoken in anger was replaced by the wondrous act of his friend who came to him, protected him in his time of crisis.

Why was he saved? Why was his friend murdered?

I do not know Jim. I met him briefly when he was at work and he noticed the Cross that I always wear. A casual conversation relating to his job took place and then he shared this story with me. There is more to the story and at a later time, I may be able to expand on it........but first, I hope to meet Jim again......................

THE PILGRIM ROSARY

Dear Marie,

In July of 1959, Dolores and Steve were joined in marriage at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Plains, Pennsylvania.

In that same year of 1959, Pope John XXIII made an announcement calling for the first Ecumenical Council since 1870.

One of the invited delegates to this Ecumenical Council was Bishop Stefan Woznicki of the Diocese of Saginaw, Michigan.

While in Rome, Bishop Woznicki purchased a rosary as a wedding gift for Dolores and Steve.

Soon after, he met with Pope John XXIII and asked that his Holiness personally bless this rosary.

When the Bishop returned to the United States in 1960, he called for a meeting at the family homestead.

At this gathering, he presented the Blessed Rosary to Dolores and Steve.

In 1962, Pope John XXIII convened the Second Vatican Council in Rome.

In 1963, Pope John XXIII died.
In 1968, Bishop Woznicki died
In 1989, Dolores died

Since this Rosary has personal and historic significance, I would like you to accept, to keep and to protect this Rosary for as long as you are able.

Love,
Steve



Marie received this letter along with a package containing the rosary. She was delighted to be the recipient of this gift. She called Steve to thank him. In the ensuing conversation, he told her that when Dolores died, he put the rosary in a closet. He was very depressed at the time. The rosary stayed there for years.



He had forgotten about it. One day, as he was passing the closet, a strange feeling came over him. Someone needed help. It seemed as if the rosary was calling to him. He felt that someone needed help..He thought of Marie who had gone through difficult times. He decided to send this rosary to her.

Maries sister, Deb, was involved in a serious crisis at this time. Marie was aware of the problems in Debs life. She called her and said, "this rosary was meant for you".

Both sisters had been scheduled to meet in Colonial Williamsburg the next day and Marie would give her the rosary. Perfect timing, the rosary would be hand delivered rather than put into the mail.



Steve was told about this and decided to meet his sisters in Colonial Williamsburg. It was a wonderful family reunion. Marie gave the rosary to Deb. At that time, she said that this will be our Pilgrim Rosary. It will travel to the person in the family who needs it the most.

AND SO THE JOURNEY BEGAN...........



Deb prayed the rosary every single day. She carried it in her purse during the day and kept it under her pillow at night. This was a difficult time in her life and she needed help. And so she continued to pray. She prayed to the Blessed Mother and God. Her prayer was for strength to get through these difficult times. And also the wisdom to make good decisions that would have an impact on other lives.



Her prayers were answered. She received strength and guidance. There was light at the end of the tunnel. But............still .........things were not back to normal and never would be. She had to accept that. But prayer had helped her to accept.......



Marie had told her to keep the rosary until someone else asked for it. And so the rosary was with her in Mexico when she broke her leg.



The Orthopedic surgeon at the hospital told her that she would require surgery. She asked for another opinion before resorting to surgery in Mexico. While waiting for another Surgeon to arrive, she took out the GREEN CHRYSTAL ROSARY and started to pray for guidance. Her broken leg would heal one way or another in time. Actually in less time than the healing of her broken heart.



Simply concentrating on prayer kept her mind off of her painful broken leg. The color green of the rosary reminded her of peace and healing. She reflected on that as well.



Examination time again...........The second Orthopedic surgeon came in and felt that surgery was required. But then he paused, conferred with the first surgeon and said that he just had a fleeting thought. They re looked at the ex-rays and suggested an alternative course.



There was a slim possibility that they could set the leg and see if it would mend without surgery. The chances were slim but possible. If the setting and cast did not work, then the leg would have to be broken again and pins put in place. That would be done in the United-States.



Deb kept fingering the rosary and felt confident that setting the leg would work.



The Surgeons then asked her what color cast she would like to wear. She started to laugh. She only saw casts in white before. Now she had a choice. With the green rosary still in her hand, she said that she would like a GREEN cast. For peace and healing.



The green cast was put on and she returned to the resort where she was staying. Her green cast received many comments.
As did her wheelchair.


Her leg took longer than usual to heal but heal it did. She did not have to have it rebroken. It healed perfectly. Her heart was also starting to heal................



Marie called when she returned and asked her to send the Pilgrim Rosary on to someone who needed prayer and healing. This she did.



Weeks later, she received a phone call. Once again praying the rosary worked............



I believe that Steve died in 1999. He was pleased that Marie wanted to share this rosary with others but Marie is all about sharing in life. She is a very special woman and an inspiration to all who know her.

AN UNEXPECTED PRAYER

Sherry was a passenger in a vehicle that was involved in a multi-car accident. An uninsured driver, driving an uninsured vehicle passed a number of cars and hit a patch of black ice.

This vehicle started spinning out of control and numerous vehicles were caught up in this disaster on a very busy highway.

Sherry never expected to survive the onslaught of vehicles crashing into their car. She turned to her husband to say good-bye and to say I love you when she hit the windshield. She suffered serious injury that required years of therapy but they survived.

Miraculously, as one car was spinning around, Sherry's husband saw an opportunity to direct their vehicle to push this vehicle through the overpass and create a path for other vehicles to avoid crashing into them and crushing them. Their GUARDIAN ANGELS were with them.

Bob's quick response to a split second opportunity saved not only their lives but the lives of others.

Their car was totaled.........but then began the road to recovery.

They had excellent car insurance with a company that they had been loyal to their entire lives. Their insurance had to kick in since the person who caused the accident was UNINSURED. Most of what had to be taken care of insurance wise was handled in a professional manner but not all and legal action had to be taken.

It did not matter that they were long term policy holders. What mattered was that the company had to make good on the UNINSURED motorist portion of the policy and had to pay the claim without recourse to another insurance company.

She did not go into details, but felt so frustrated trying to resolve the insurance issue while trying to heal her body at the same time.

She was grateful for being alive. The car was replaced. Her body eventually would heal.

She had to speak to someone from the insurance company on one particular day when she was in intense pain.........the woman that she spoke to encouraged her and helped her with her concerns........FINALLY........

AND THEN AN UNEXPECTED LETTER ARRIVED......

Dear Sherry,

I wanted to let you know that I felt your soul cry. I wanted to encourage you. I know a man named, Jesus the Christ who came, bleed and died for reasons like this. As I sit here and thought of what you told me about your accident, I began to weep. Then I was reminded that in the Bible it says that "weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." I said this to encourage your soul. That if you believe that God is able to restore your body, He alone will do.

What I am going to do is to hold you up in prayer.

Father, in Jesus name bless Sherry. Father meet her physical and emotional needs, God for you alone are able to heal her bones, heart and soul. Father bless her indeed and enlarge her territory that your hand would be with her. Father bless all that come and reside in her house. For I know that you're able. AMEN.....

Sherry, I want you to trust that God would bless and heal you.


This letter came at a time when Sherry needed to hear this message. A stranger cared enough to reach out to her in prayer. Sherry was deeply touched and has kept this letter over the years. This customer service rep was a very caring person.



A STRANGER CARED ENOUGH TO REACH OUT........

This act of kindness has had far reaching results. Sherry and her friends reach out to others in kind and in prayer.

COMING HOME

Sandy was born and raised in the Catholic faith. She attended very conservative Catholic schools and was totally indoctrinated by those who taught her. She believed.......she trusted.....she never questioned.

As she grew older, graduated from college at a time when very few women attended college and married; she found that she had to open up her mind to the entire world around her; not just the protected world and years of childhood in the safe cocoon of home and Church.

Once she did that, she started to question some of what she was taught. Some of the scare tactics that kept one in line for fear of God and going to hell. She believed in a more loving God and had a hard time comprehending these scare tactics.

She also felt betrayed by two priests who she believed in. They did not practice what they were preaching.

And.....so like many others, she stopped going to Church.

Still that tug was there......she felt a void when she passed a Church and did not go in.

Years passed and this successful, intelligent woman no longer felt the tug nor the void. Her faith in God was still strong but not her belief in organized religion.

Her son loved the architecture of old Churches and every time that he would visit out of state, he would encourage her to visit different Churches with him. She agreed, but only AFTER Mass was over.

As he wandered in awe of the beauty of many of the old Churches, she reflected in prayer and found peace while meditating.

Soon she would stop in for a quick visit even when her son was not visiting. She did NOT attend Mass. She still felt a sense of betrayal. Her reasons were her own and as I was told her story, I did not question...........

She began to feel comfort in those visits.

A friend invited her to brunch one Sunday and suggested that they attend Mass together and then go to brunch.

It had been so, so many years since she had attended Mass.

As she listened to the homily, the Priest had mentioned some of the things that were taught in error due to misinformation and personal interpretation eons ago. They were some of the same things that she had questioned. The Priest talked about our loving Father who welcomes us with open, loving arms. With unconditional love........ This Priest touched her heart with his homily.

Brunch with her friend was great and also the ensuing conversation about the Church community that her friend belonged to.

Sandy decided to talk to the Pastor of the Church about her concerns. He helped her to see her concerns in a different light.

She made the decision to go to confession and attend Mass for a time. When she received Holy Communion; the Priest looked into her eyes when he said, "Body of Christ". He smiled as she answered, "Amen".

An overwhelming feeling of love for God and her fellowman came over her at that moment. SHE WAS BACK WHERE SHE BELONGED............

The celebration of the Mass was so different from the latin Mass of years ago. She listened to every word and reflected on what she heard. The first time that someone turned to her and offered their hand and said, "PEACE BE WITH YOU", she was not sure how to respond. Now that is a very favorite part of Mass for her.

People in the congregation turn to one another and say, "PEACE BE WITH YOU". Some people hug one another. There are many smiles as men, women and children express peace to one another. One can feel positive feelings of love and peace in this atmosphere.

Sandy felt so welcome. So much at home.

A friend invited her to brunch.......a kind, caring Priest answered her questions...members of the congregation wished her peace......

SHE CAME HOME TO THE CHURCH THAT SHE LEFT MANY YEARS AGO..........

A GIFT OF LOVE AND LIFE; AN ACT OF STRENGTH AND COURGAGE

The most difficult decision was to donate his skin to burn victims; one who was an infant.

Many years ago, I met a couple with four small children. We developed a life time friendship along with other young couples who had small children. This was a group of energetic, enthusiastic, fun loving, church going, community minded volunteer workers and most of all loving families who raised their children in a loving atmosphere.

We rejoiced in one an others success. We tried to comfort one another during times of loss. How can one comfort someone who has lost a child? Who has lost a spouse?

I would like to share the story of one special family at this time.

Vince was a sixteen year old who was returning home late one evening when he lost control over the car that he was driving. He hit a tree and died. He and his parents believed in organ donation. As most parents, they expected that Vince would be there to carry out their wish to be organ donors. Little did they know that he would pass on first.

He was a young man in good health and many lives were saved from his gift. His parents had never talked about or considered his skin. When they were approached about donating his skin as well, they needed to think long and hard. They made the decision to donate his skin to a number of burn victims.

They were made aware of the successful transplants and the lives that were saved as a result of being an organ donor.

Years passed and the memory of Vince remains strong in the hearts and minds of all those who loved this young man during his short life.

His parents had a very long and successful marriage, raised their other children and became proud grandparents. Now was the time to enjoy retirement.

For a short time they were able to do this, then Ron became ill. Last November, he passed away.

We live quite a distance away and the last time that I saw him was at my husbands memorial service. Ron and Sharon were a great comfort to me. I hope that in some small measure, I was a comfort to Sharon.

Sharon has a great sense of humor and she told me that Ron had always wanted to go to medical school and that he finally made it. As his final gift to his fellowman, his body was donated to the New York Medical College. I could hear her heart breaking as she told me this.......I could relate.......

I would like to quote from his obituary, "Ron's beautiful soul was revealed in his warm smile, the laughter in his eyes and his heart much bigger than his size. His sense of wonder and awe of nature, art, music and beauty was a gift to all who knew him."

I truly admire this family who firmly believed in helping others. Their unselfish love of their fellowman was shown first as an organ donor of their child and then Ron's desire to have his body donated to a medical college.

I googled information about the position of the Catholic Church concerning organ donation and donating ones body to science.

In an article published in 2005 titled Organ donation -- the life saving agreement by Brenda Rees she wrote: "The unselfish act of becoming an organ donor recently took on a new shine with the revelation that Pope Benedict XVI is the first Pope on record as being a card-caring organ donor." " To donate one's organs is an act of love that is morally licit, so long as it is free and spontaneous," he said. Pope John Paul II described organ donation as "everyday heroism".

Pope John Paul II's encyclical, Evangelium Vitae discusses this issue.

Ron has joined George as well as our other friends in Heaven. The legacys that they left behind are everlasting. The memories precious.

Grace Moments by Dolores Martin

Recently, I added the titles of a number of writings to the right side of this page. This was done at the request of some readers who wanted to share a specific story with someone without having to scroll down through all of the various stories.

Please look at the various titles and simply click on the one that you would like to read.

Many people have Grace Moments in their lives. Please contact me at dmdoloresmartin@gmail.com if you would like to share your story. Your story may just be the one that someone needs to read.

ARE YOU GOD?

Do you believe that I am? I believe with my whole heart that you are God. He replied, "THEN I AM".

Delia passed away on April 10. 2008. Her daughter, Diane, was at her side. Diane experienced a "revelation" at the time of her mother's passing.

Many of us who have lost loved ones can share experiences of what happens at the time of passing ( or as in my case, approximately one month later) For those of us who experienced a first, some question their sanity. The reality is that our loved ones are reaching out to us and letting us know that they are HOME and HAPPY.

We are all capable of receiving these messages, however, our minds must be open and receptive. In these stress filled times, that is difficult for many to do, but once it occurs........comforting messages are relayed to us.

I would like to share Diane's story with you.

Delia was dying of cancer. Diane was her caretaker during this difficult time. She rarely slept and tried to comfort her mother as best she could.

This was precious time spent with one another. Diane was going through difficult times of her own but her mother provided comfort that all would work itself out.

As the time of Delia's passing drew near, she was unconscious. In the wee hours of the morning, approximately 3 hours and 24 minutes before Delia died.........Diane saw angels surrounding her mother. She also saw deceased relatives surrounding her mother.

Another figure appeared. She could not see a face, simply a figure in a white robe with a gold crown on his head. She communicated, Are you God? The man replied, "Do you believe that I am? She replied, "I believe with my whole heart that you are God. He replied, "then I am".

She looked at her mother and saw a transformation and softening of facial features as her mother passed away. Her mother was 88 years of age but looked much younger as she passed. The wrinkles seemed to disappear, the pain was gone........her face had an express of pure joy.

Diane thought that she was going crazy. She relayed what happened to her friend Susan. Susan told her that her faith was strong and people of strong faith experience moments like this.

Her mother is HOME with our HEAVENLY FATHER. Diane is a peace knowing this.

AN OLD FASHION CHRISTMAS

Christmas, the birth of the Christ Child.

As a child growing up in a Polish neighborhood in the coal mining area of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., I remember all of the love and preparation for the wonderful day of Christmas.

There was little money to rush to the mall to purchase presents. Actually, we did not think of that. Christmas and Advent were special. We prepared for the birth of the Christ Child. The good Sisters who taught us at Marymount, helped us to make simple gifts to share with family. We made Christmas ornaments to decorate the tree.

This particular Christmas, there was no money for a tree. Actually, Dad had $1.00. We joked that maybe someone would sell us a tree for a dollar. Mom simply said that we would have a Christmas tree.

Both Mom and Dad had such a total simple FAITH THAT GOD WOULD PROVIDE.........AND HE ALWAYS DID.

The tree was secondary to the NATIVITY SCENE. Most of the people in the neighborhood spent time building an elaborate NATIVITY SCENE in their homes in preparation for Christmas. Many of these scenes took up a good portion of ones living room.

The week after Christmas was spent visiting one an others homes to view the various NATIVITY SCENES and THE CHRIST CHILD LAYING IN THE MANGER. Everyone would have a beautiful Christmas tree.

Dad could build anything. He would turn scraps of wood into something useful. Mom showed us how to create so much from very little. We created a beautiful NATIVITY SCENE.

We fasted, we went to Church. We visited hospitals and old folks homes. We sang Christmas carols. There was little commercialism. The TRUE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS was everywhere. We were happy and joyful. The fact that there was no money that year was not a concern. GOD WOULD PROVIDE.......all that we needed.

We waited until Christmas Eve morning to look for a tree in the hopes that they were on sale and one could be found for $1.00. We knew that we would find something. I simply did not expect what transpired.

Every decent looking tree was gone. Dad was determined to bring something home and not disappoint Mom. I watched him turning a few trees around. They all had a partial good side. I thought that Dad would purchase one and put the bad side against the wall. I was amazed at what he did. He negotiated to purchase two trees with bad sides for less than $1.00. Before he showed the trees to Mom, he took them to his workshop and cut the bad sides off. He then wired the two trees together and made one beautiful tree.

We had a beautiful tree to put along side our Nativity scene, just in time for Christmas Eve Supper.

This festive meal is a very important meal in Polish tradition. It contains an odd number of meatless dishes. Many dishes simply shared just on this special day. Hay is placed under the tablecloth and an extra place is always set at the table. Mom whispered to me that she hoped that Christ in disguise of a needy person would knock on our door and share this meal with us.

This meal would begin after the first star was sighted in the sky. At such time, we would share the oplatek, which is a thin wafer provided by our Church.

After this festive meal, gifts were shared and we usually went to midnight Mass. I did not expect any special Christmas gift that year because of the financial situation in our home. What a surprise when Mom and Dad brought out children's furniture that Dad made from small pieces of wood. A cupboard for some small dishes and a buffet.

That was over 50 years ago and that furniture has been passed down to many children to enjoy.

After Midnight Mass, we would socialize with friends and neighbors and then head home for another snack of those wonderful foods that we could not touch until Christmas Day.

This was such a wonderful Spiritual time. A time for reflection, a time for prayer, a time to rejoice the BIRTH OF CHRIST.

I would like to wish everyone a very MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A JOYOUS, HEALTHY NEW YEAR.

"TIS BETTER TO GIVE THAN RECEIVE"

Eileen was diligently saving money to purchase a blue fox fur coat that she had her eye on. Every so often, she would visit the furrier who carried this coat and try it on.

She had saved $1,600.00 so far toward the cost of this beautiful coat. Soon she would have enough money to purchase this coat, perhaps in time for Christmas.

One evening, her sister, Barbara, called from her home in another state. They talked on the phone every week but had not seen one another in several months. Barbara was divorced and worked at a job that provided the bare necessities but there was rarely enough money for extras.

She always seemed to turn lemons into lemonade. She was a happy person.

During this particular conversation, she was not her usual upbeat self. Eileen sensed that there was a problem and asked what was going on.

Barbara said that due to circumstances that she could not control, she had fallen behind on her mortgage payments and had just received notice from the bank that they were going to take action against her unless she came up with $1,800.00 within a short period of time.

She had no way to raise that amount of money and was resigned to losing her home. She was going apartment hunting that afternoon.

She DID NOT ASK EILEEN FOR A LOAN.

Eileen, without hesitation, told Barbara that she would send her a check for $1,800.00 to bring her mortgage current. Barbara said that she would try to repay her as funds became available.

Eileen simply said that this money was for future birthdays, Christmas etc. and was a gift.

BYE, BYE fur coat. Eileen knew that if she had purchased that coat at a time when her sister was in jeopardy of losing her home, that she would not enjoy wearing the coat.

EILEEN STILL NEEDED A COAT......

She went shopping and saw a Jordache fake fur coat that caught her eye. It was originally $250.00 reduced to $75.00. She continued to try on coats but her eyes kept going back to that Jordache fake.

She purchased that coat. It turned out to be a coat that she called HER HAPPY COAT.

Whenever Eileen wore this coat, someone would come up to her and admire it. This did not happen, once or twice, but EVERY TIME THAT SHE WORE THIS COAT.

There was nothing special about this coat except the reason that she purchased it. She came to realize that this coat was special because of how she came to own it.

She came to believe that every time someone complimented the coat and how well it looked on her that this HAD TO BE A MESSAGE FROM GOD letting her know that HE WAS PLEASED with her action.

She does NOT RECEIVE compliments on her other coats.

She has gained weight and no longer can fit into this coat. She recently donated this coat to charity. She hopes that the woman who now wears this coat, receives as much pleasure as she did from wearing it.

As I contemplated writing this story, I googled, JOY OF GIVING. I came upon an article from Science Central.

"Brain imaging research is unwrapping what's behind the joy of giving."

"You give from the heart and.....it satisfies your brain," says Jordan Grafman, chief of the Cognitive Neuroscience Section of a division of the National Institutes of Health.

Studies were conducted using a technique called functional MRI. " They were not surprised that when people received money, it lit up structures deep in the brain associated with the release of the chemical dopamine, which is known to trigger feelings of pleasure and reward."

"But as they reported in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, donating to charities lit up the brain's reward circuits even more than receiving cash.

TIS BETTER TO GIVE THAN RECEIVE............

IT MUST BE A CATHOLIC CELEBRATION

Ron and Regina left Michigan several days ago for a new venture in their journey through life.

They are driving to their new home in a tiny fishing village north of Merida, the capital of the Yucatan. They cross the border to Mexico in Brownsville, Texas for the remaining 1400 mile journey around the Gulf Coast to the Northern Yucatan area that is their future home.

Any long trip such as this is a challenge. One needs to be prepared for the unexpected on a journey such as this. They encountered obstacles and detours. They encountered beautiful scenery and hospitable people.

They were traveling on December 8 and it seemed as if everyone was celebrating the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The roads were filled for hundreds of miles with children carrying wood statues of Mother Mary. Many carried torches or candles. Autos were following behind this vast procession of people showing their love of the Blessed Mother.

Regina stated to Ron, IT MUST BE A CATHOLIC CELEBRATION. They had not encountered a celebration such as this while back home.

George and I joined in the joyous celebration of the Immaculate Conception many years ago while we were in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. It was a memorable experience. The joy and love of the people of Mexico for the Blessed Mother was so intense. The emotions filled our hearts.

Puerto Vallarta is nestled between the rugged sierras' and the ocean. We were staying on a beachfront property but ventured up into the rugged terrain on occasion. The road in the mountain area is steep and winds down the mountainside.

We were several miles away from the village and normally would take a taxi to our destination. But not this night.

As we left the resort, we looked to the mountain road on this dark night and witnessed an unbroken line of light moving slowly down the steep, winding road. It was an incredible sight. We were told that all roads to the village were filled with people carrying statues of the Blessed Mother, burning torches and lighted candles.

It would be impossible for a taxi to pass into the village from our location. It was suggested that we eat at the resort.

NO WAY!!!! We had never witnessed such a beautiful scene before and decided to join this procession of thousands of people walking down the mountainside to gather in the village and honor our Blessed Mother.

We forgot about dinner and fed off the energy and love of the beautiful human beings that we interacted with on this lovely night.

All loved our Blessed Mother very much and that love totally filled the atmosphere.

What a beautiful night to remember. December 8, 1985.