Eyes Don't Lie        

What’s the story behind the song, “Eyes Don’t Lie?” It’s all about Scripture. For many years in prayer meetings we heard:

“And if my people, upon whom my name has been pronounced, humble themselves and pray, and seek my presence and turn from their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven and pardon their sins and revive their land. Now my eyes shall be open and my ears attentive to the prayer of this place.”   

2 Chronicles 7:14-15 (New American Bible)

 

We decided to compose a song using these Words of God. “Eyes Don’t Lie” was created. Below are the Scripture passages we used for this song. By the way, the word, “eyes,” is used 551 times in Bible.

[15] For their hope is on him that saveth them, and the eyes of God are upon them that love him."

 Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 34:15

 

[14] And my people, upon whom my name is called, being converted, shall make supplication to me, and seek out my face, and do penance for their most wicked ways: then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins and will heal their land. [15] My eyes also shall be open, and my ears attentive to the prayer of him that shall pray in this place.

                                                                                                       2 Chronicles 7:14-15

[4] And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and death shall be no more, nor mourning, nor crying, nor sorrow shall be any more, for the former things are passed away. [5] And he that sat on the throne, said: Behold, I make all things new. And he said to me: Write, for these words are most faithful and true.

Apocalypse (Revelations) 21:4-5

These translations are taken from the Douay Rheims Bible. 

The patron Saint of this song is St. Alphonsus Liguori, founder of the Redemptorists.

 

We invited the family members of our ministry to share picture with us that would fit the lyrics.

Thank you Jake, Sam, Bobby, Jake, Ali, Noah, David, Gale, Diana, Rob, Betty, Marie, Bridget, Brendan, Lauren, Bernice (RIP), Sunny (RIP), (Janet RIP).

 

Special thanks to JoAnne Von Zwehl for her permission to use her print, “Jesus, the Divine Healer,” ©2012 JoAnne Von Zwehl, Rosa Mystica Foundation of America, www.rosamysticaofamerica.org.

May God bless you and your families.

 

Peace Be with You,

Maria & Gloria

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Mystical Rose

Happy Feast of the Rosa Mystica – the Mystical Rose

July 13, 2020

 

Today is the Feast of the Mystical Rose, one of our favorite devotions to Our Lady. We were introduced to Rosa Mystica in 2003. Fr. Bill McCarthy, MSA and Sr. Bernadette Sheldon were going to lead a retreat at the Shrine of the Rosa Mystica in Edmeston, NY (20 minutes from the Baseball Hall of Fame). They wanted us to come sing for the retreat. We said “yes.”

We knew nothing about this devotion. In fact we never heard of it. But we decided to compose a song about her. We had 1 month to put it together. We set out to learn her story, first the 3 Roses because the statue of Rosa Mystica has 3 Roses. This led us to find out that the visionary, Pierina Gilli, first saw her with 3 swords in her heart!

Nov. 1946 Saint Maria Crocifissa di Rosa (of whom she had a special devotion) appeared to the visionary and told her to look at a certain point in her room. Pierina Gilli saw a beautiful Lady. Saint Maria explained that the Lady is the Virgin Mary who came to ask Pierina for “prayers, sacrifices and sufferings” to repair the sins of three categories of souls consecrated to God:

        ◆ the religious souls who betray their vocation

        ◆ the religious souls in mortal sin;

        ◆ the souls of priests who betrayed, becoming unworthy of their sacred ministry.

Afterwards, Saint Maria recommended the sanctification of the priests through the very effective means of prayer, sacrifice and penitence.

 

13th July 1947 Pierina Gilli asserted that the Virgin Mary appeared to her again, this time dressed in white, with three roses on Her breast instead of the the three swords, that this time were at Her feet:

        ◆ the white rose indicated the spirit of prayer,

        ◆ the red one the spirit of sacrifice,

        ◆ the yellow one, with golden reflections, the spirit of penitence

 

The song was finished – the music and arrangement – just before we left for our 5 hour drive to Rosa Mystica. It’s here that we began our relationship Our Lady of Rosa Mystica and with Noreen & Joe Von Zwehl who became the founders of the Edmeston Rosa Mystica Chapel. 

The link below will take you to the History of the Rosa Mystica Foundation of America

https://www.rosamysticaofamerica.org/history--photos.html

 

 

This link below will lead you to the website of Rosa Mystica in Montichiari, Italy where the original apparition occurred in 1946. You will encounter the visionary, Pierina Gilli, St. Maria Crocifissa di Rosa and The Rosa Mystica, the Blessed Virgin Mary.

https://www.rosamisticafontanelle.it/wp-content/uploads/documenti-inglese/dep-storia-ING.pdf

 

We were privileged to sing this song to Our Lady, Rosa Mystica in Montichiari on our first pilgrimage to Italy with Dr. Rosalie Turton and the 101 Foundation from New Jersey.

Peace Be with You,
Maria & Gloria

Solemnity of St. Peter & St. Paul - Difficulty with Go Forth

A word from Maria & Gloria

Blessed Solemnity 

of 

St. Peter & St. Paul

We thank those who let us know of the difficulty with viewing our latest video on their phone or tablet. On this day, we prayed to St. Peter and St. Paul to help us. They gave us the inspiration of providing everyone with a link to the video. 

We give them thanks for their help and the glory to God!

Below is the  link to our YouTube channel for "Go Forth."

https://youtu.be/A0ohbUuJt2Q

We hope you enjoy it and like it!

May God Bless you and your families!

Peace Be with You

Solemnity of St. Peter & St. Paul - "Go Forth" Video

Go Forth

The song, “Go Forth” was composed in 2000, the Great Jubilee Year,

“Christ Yesterday, Today and Forever.”

It was a celebration of grace of the mercy of God and the forgiveness of sins throughout the Catholic Church on earth. We wanted to compose a song of evangelization: to spread the Good News to all people beginning with our families and local Churches.

 

The Scripture passage from St. Matthew 28:18-20 became the basis of the lyrics.

          18   And Jesus came and said to them: All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me.

          19   Going therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing the in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,

          20   and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

(New Revised Standard Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

 

You will see pictures from some of the places we have visited. These pictures brought us wonderful memories of the people, pilgrimages and places where Our Lord and Our Lady have sent us through the years.

 

We chose to bring this to you just before the Solemnity of St. Peter and Paul.

St. Peter and St. Paul, Apostles (called and sent by Jesus to preach the Good News) are the men most responsible for spreading the Catholic message and faith in the early days of the Church. Both were martyred in Rome for their love of God and their mission of faith.

St. Peter was one of the 12 apostles, as well as the first pope and founder of the Roman Church. St. Peter was crucified upside down because he said he was not worthy to be sacrificed in the same manner as Christ. There are 2 letters by St. Peter in the New Testament.

St. Paul was also an apostle, responsible for much of the New Testament. 13 out of the 27 books are attributed to him.  Because of his Roman citizenship, Saint Paul was beheaded. 

Go Forth

(St. Matthew 28:17-20)

 

Chorus:

Go forth! Go forth!

Make disciples of all nations, Go forth!

Go forth! Go forth!

Baptizing them in God’s Name, Go forth!

Go forth! Go forth!

Love as I have loved you, Loved you, Go forth!

Go forth! Go forth!

Make disciples of all nations, Go forth!

 

1. Go forth, go forth, make disciples of all nations.

God is great and Holy is His Name!

Jesus call us all without exception,

God is great and Holy is His Name!

Spread His Word in your community,

In word and deed by holy charity! (Chorus)

 

 

2. Jesus send us with the Holy Spirit,

God is great and Holy is His Name!

He gives us faith and wisdom infinite,

God is great and Holy is His Name!

Proclaim salvation in your family!

Then live His Word for all the world to see! (Chorus)

 

3. Holy Spirit enflame us with Your pow’r,

God is great and Holy is His Name!

To stand with Christ in the final hour,

God is great and Holy is His Name!

Are you ready to prepare the way

For the reign of Christ in your heart today! (Chorus)

 

“Both apostles share the same feast day, for these two were one; and even though they suffered on different days, they were as one. Peter went first, and Paul followed. And so we celebrate this day made holy for us by the apostles’ blood. Let us embrace what they believed, their life, their labors, their sufferings, their preaching, and their confession of faith.”  – St Augustine

Thoughts and Sayings of Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen "Truth and Obedience"

People say that when they know,

they will do;

Christ says when we do,

then we will know.

The seeds of truth sprout 

in the soil of obedience.

Fr. Bill's Corner - Discernment Made Easy

  

Fr. Bill's Corner

We are introducing a special corner dedicated to Fr. William J. McCarthy, MSA. Fr. Bill has the gift of being able to shed light on religious concepts to anyone from a child to a scholar.  

We have known Father for almost 30 years. We have heard his sermons and talks many times. Thank God he has written many books, large and small and mainly easy to read. He loves poetry and singing.

His retreats at My Father’s House in Moodus, CT were spiritually inspiring and joyful. He and  Sr. Bernadette Sheldon were the co-directors for many years. We were invited many times to sing at these events always leaving the retreats with new thoughts and insights about God as well as new friends with whom we are still in contact.

We had many memorable moments on our pilgrimages to Our Lady of Guadalupe, the northeast shrines in Canada and the USA, Ireland, Fatima, Lourdes and the Holy Land.

Now for a poem on discernment from his shortest book and a treasure, “Listening to God.”

When the idea / event is not of God

God says, NO.

When you are not right,

God says GROW.

When the time is not right,

God says SLOW.

When everything is right,

God says GO!

Peace Be with You,

Maria & Gloria

Ria Music Ministry

Unus Deus

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Blessed solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, God the Father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit! This song was written based on this Scripture reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians Ephesians 4: 1-6 I therefore, a prisoner in the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation in which you are called, [2] With all humility and mildness, with patience, supporting one another in charity. [3] Careful to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. [4] One body and one Spirit; as you are called in one hope of your calling. [5] One Lord, one faith, one baptism. [6] One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all.

May God bless you all with His Peace and Love!