Monday, February 28, 2005
JUST RECEIVED IN EMAIL
A report from the ground on the effort to save Terri:
President, Catholic Media Coalition
www.catholicmediacoalition.org
"The first law of history is not to dare to utter falsehood; the second, not to fear to speak the truth."
Pope Leo XIII
Our Lady of Fatima Pilgrim Virgin Statue visits Woodside Hospice
To all my dear Catholic friends...
On Friday, Father Thomas Euteneuer President of Human Life International in Va came down to Hospice and led us in prayer outside Hospice, in the pouring rain. With all the umbrellas, dark clouds and rain, rosaries swaying in the wind it looked a lot like Fatima and in fact I told Father that as I drove him back to pick up his car. But during the prayer, as the hour of 3:00 approached and we were preparing to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, the rain became torrential and we huddled closer trying to keep dry - it almost seemed like great tears were falling from heaven. Father then consecrated the building to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and bound all those inside to her Heart and the Sacred Heart of Jesus so that no evil would befall Terri. He then blessed the rain as it fell, to make it holy water - and wash the evil from the Hospice bldg. Some of the people began dropping their umbrellas to let the holy rain wash over them - it was a beautiful and powerful time of prayer. Quite strangely it would also be at this precise moment that across town Judge Greer handed down his order of execution. The fax from his office is time stamped 2:59PM -hence the great tears from heaven.
But there is more... tonight, very unexpectedly we were blessed to have the touring statue of Our Lady of Fatima brought to Hospice by the pilgrims. This is the same statue that has been known to shed tears and has traveled worldwide since 1947 with several reported miracles. She had been down in southern Fl and was supposed to go to Chicago but the pilgrims told us they felt she wanted to come there. Again it had poured all day and we prepared for another Fatima -like setting - but late in the day, the sun broke through the clouds, the rain stopped. We went tonight with lighted candles and prayed - with a most gorgeous red and blue sunset against the evening sky. We then began processing with the statue of Our Lady held high in the air, singing and praying more.
Now for some highly strange reason there were no police guarding the parking lot and entrance to Hospice tonight - only a car with no police officer inside and so as we marched with Our Lady along the sidewalk, we turned right up the driveway and approached the circular drive at the main entrance. At first I was a little frightened - because in all the times I have been there there have always been armed guards and we have never gotten past the main public sidewalk. And we were certain that the police would appear at any moment to stop us. But as I looked up at that statue solemly leading the procession, my fear melted and I felt like heaven was protecting us. No one came and so we continued to march on. Then, just as Our Lady passed under the covered breezeway right in front of the electronic security locked doors, suddenly the doors opened wide - and we gasped and froze momentarily - figuring the police were now coming out - but there was no one there. The doors suddenly closed and then opened again - we looked all around -not a soul was there. And just as quietly as those doors opened, they closed as our Lady left the breezeway. I turned then and kept looking over my shoulder to see if we were somehow setting off a signal that caused the doors to open but the entire procession had been a good 30 feet from the doors and they never opened again as the others followed behind us.
Once we were all gathered again out front Terri's sister Suzanne spoke to all of us with tears in her eyes. She was so grateful for all the love and prayers we - and the whole world have shown her family. She told us just saying "thank you" did not seem like enough - she was lost for words really, but none were needed. We watched them pack our Lady away to take her on her scheduled trip to Illinois and as we turned to leave there in front were the police guards again. Perhaps they were on an extra long break - maybe they went for donuts - or maybe, Our Lady just wanted them to stay away. So for a few special moments under the protective mantel of the Blessed Mother we came that much closer to Terri in quiet peaceful prayer, song and praise. And I think that is just what She wanted.... To let us all know not to worry, not to get discouraged, not to despair...Our Lord is taking care of his precious child!
Much love in Christ,
Debi
Thank you to Debi for this beautiful description of the vigil with the pilgrim statue of Our Lady of Fatima. Please continue to pray, especially the rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Please also sign the petition to the Florida House asking for articles of impeachment against Judge George Greer. Visit this url (http://www.petitiononline.com/ijg520/petition.html), read the document, sign, and pass it on to as many as possible. Judge Greer recently lost in his bid to become the chief judge of Florida's Sixth Judicial Circuit Court. His opponent, David A. Demers, won an unprecedented third term. The chief judge is responsible for assigning cases. Greer had already announced that, should he win, he would assign himself to the Schiavo case. Demers can remove him. Let us pray that justice be done and that the Lord use this new event to help bring about Terri's release from the triumverate of evil: Michael Schiavo, death attorney George Felos, and Judge George Greer. (http://www.theempirejournal.com/0227052_schiavo_judge_loses_bid.htm) May the Divine Assistance remain always with us, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, pray for us.
Mary Ann Kreitzer
President, Les Femmes
www.lesfemmes-thetruth.org
President, Catholic Media Coalition
www.catholicmediacoalition.org
