Disclaimer

NOTICE: I am a practicing Catholic, active and in good-standing with my local diocese, who professes faith and loyalty to the Church. This ministry - my "little work" - is strictly a personal expression of that faith and loyalty, and not an officially recognized ministry in the Diocese of Honolulu.

~ Peter, Ministry Administrator


Sunday, February 9, 2025

A Presentation and a Special Blessing from Our Lady



Yesterday morning this ministry conducted a presentation at St. John Vianney Church - it was another Saints & Relics talk tailored for the parish's CCD kids and their parents/adult sponsors; I've been conducting this talk for this group every February since 2021 and it's always well-received.  This year there was a different vibe, though, but in a very good way - the audience was larger than usual and seemed extra-receptive to what was being shared.

First off, I like it when parish's include parents in their children’s CCD journey because I strongly feel that some parents could use a Catholic education, too.  As with prior talks I've done, I emphasized the fact that "church begins at home"; the importance of praying together as a family outside of Mass for the general and spiritual well-being of the family ... especially for the protection of the children against negative worldly influences.  I also use the example of the virtues of the Holy Family or St. Therese of Lisieux, her canonized parents (Sts. Louis & Zelie Martin), and her four holy nun-sisters to drive the point home.  That part of the talk is usually received with a lukewarm response from some of the adults, but at this year's presentation, most adults and children were really paying closer attention throughout the entire talk; I sensed there was a deep "thirst" for the message.

Relics of the Holy Family on display.  Other Holy Persons/Relics featured were the Servant of God Nina Ruiz Abad, Bl. Carlo Acutis, St. Damien of Molokai, St. Germaine Cousinand St. Giuseppe Moscatiand Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati.

As confirmation, after the presentation this author received positive feedback that made me hopeful that people got a measure of satisfaction from the message shared about our Spiritual Heroes, and faith-seeds had also been planted - one father approached me and commented: "Thank you for doing this.  I really enjoyed it.  This was inspirational.  I didn't know much about the Saints." ... and a young mother had the following feedback: "Thank you for coming.  I enjoyed your talk.  I brought my older kids along to listen and your presentation addressed questions they had about Saints and how relevant they are to our faith."

... and to see the parents and their children up at the relic display - discussing the Saints; praying together; and touching the reliquaries with awe and reverence - is always priceless.  Again, one could sense the thirst for a personal connection with God, and the Saints/Relics were providing something tangible to satisfy that need.  May the Lord, Our Lady, and the Saints continue working on these families to help them grow in their Catholic Faith.

The children and parents making personal connections with our Saints and Blesseds through their precious and holy relics.

And speaking of Our Lady, I commend every presentation to her maternal intercession before conducting them.  This presentation was no exception - I asked our Heavenly Mother to obtain graces for a successful talk; for all the attendees to open their hearts to Jesus's message, especially the parents.  After the event, shortly after reaching home and parking my car, my attention was strongly drawn to the sky, which was immediately followed by an inner voice telling me to "take a picture".  Although I didn't discern anything specific in the clouds I immediately obeyed and snapped two pics.

Later, when I reviewed the photos, I was amazed to discover the luminous figure of the Blessed Virgin in both photos - I understood that she had shown herself to affirm her maternal solicitude and blessing upon the families, which made yesterday's event all the more special for me.  Below are the photos ...

   

ABOVE: The Blessed Virgin appears in
these photos taken after the presentation.

BELOW: My visual interpretation of the
holy figures I discern in the two photos.


* * *  A  T E S T I M O N I A L  * * *

  "I had so many wonderful comments and words of gratitude from the families.  The mom of Annabelle pulled me aside with tears slipping down her face thanking us and yourself for the wonderful affirmations.  Annabelle was so full of joy. Her mom was touched by her faith in God's power and a desire to be more like the saints herself. Aren't we all drawn closer to Jesus through these children who believe wholeheartedly?  May God continue to bless you through your ministry."

- Joan H., CCD Youth Coordinator

All Thanks and Praises be to our Lord, to His most Holy Mother Mary, and all the Saints who touched lives today.  GOD IS GOOD.

Saturday, February 8, 2025

Are you Battle Ready?


Stand with St. Michael and the
Angelic Army of Heaven!


  "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."  - Ephesians 6:11-17

An unusual cloud formation above 
Kailua
Town in February 2025.  Are we being prepared
for spiritual warfare?

St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle!

Saturday, February 1, 2025

For Discernment: What's up with the Planet Venus?


For those not aware, there's been an extraordinary astronomical event unfolding, even at this very moment, as I'm writing this blog - a rare planetary alignment of all 7 planets is underway that will be visible at the end of this month.

I first started noticing something was up when I began seeing an extraordinarily bright light from my home, directly above the Waikiki area, beginning in November 2024.  I initially thought it was a large drone but changed my mind when it continued to quietly appear nightly in the same spot without any blinking lights.  I later learned from a friend that it was the planet Venus ... and not long after a faint reddish light was seen beside it, which I understood to be the planet Mars.

I know what's taking place is a natural occurrence, but can't help but wonder if there's also a spiritual undertone to it all.  The reason being is because several photos I took of Venus, on consecutive nights back in November, unexpectedly showed mysterious images in place of the planet.  Three of the clearest photos are shown below in the successive order they were snapped, and just a few days apart:

Seen together, could these be interpreted
as a message from Heaven?

I've been praying about these photos for the past two months - about whether I should share them - but I finally decided to post them because I now feel there's a relevant message that's being given, at least to me.  But I'm hoping there are others out there who will discern the same and spiritually profit from this blog.

Essentially, I believe our Lord is trying to draw attention to His True Presence in the Eucharist; urgently conveying a wake-up call for souls to open up to His LOVE being poured out through the Eucharist, and for us to respond with love; that the Eucharist must be central in our present and uncertain times.  This is a reasonable assessment and relevant, given that these occurrences coincide with the US Church's ongoing "Eucharistic Revival", which was initiated in mid-2024.

A normal photo of Venus - its that brilliant
white spot way above the moon.  Waikiki city
lights shine brightly below.

And what was a final "nudge" for me to post the pics was an exciting discovery I made a couple weeks ago - I researched the Biblical significance of Venus and was surprised to learn that the planet was called the "Morning Star" in ancient times, and early Christians referenced it as a symbol for our Risen Lord!  In fact, Jesus proclaimed this, Himself - take a look at this passage from the Book of Revelation, 22:12-16:

  "Look, I am coming soon!  My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

  Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.  Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

  I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches.  I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."

Talk about a seriously pertinent Scripture Passage for our times, and note the very end where Jesus identifies Himself as the "Morning Star"; the entire passage resonated with me.  Now tie that all together with this series of unusual photos of Venus I took.  Doesn't it somehow go together?  Personally, I totally get it.

Another view of Venus (captured from
Kailua Town - beautiful!).

Today these photos continue speaking to me about the importance of the Eucharist and the urgency of our present times. Jesus is ringing an alarm, so it seems - "Look, I am coming soon!" - and it's time for the world to wake up!  Irregardless, whether one discerns the unusual images, a message ... or nothing at all ... we Catholics still need to continue recognizing; partaking of; appreciating; loving; and defending the Eucharist.

... and what about this strange photo?
Is Heaven saying something?

And finally ... about the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope - I think these photos may also serve as a prophetic reminder for the Jubilee: JESUS - TRULY PRESENT IN THE EUCHARIST - IS OUR UNFAILING HOPE!  Amen.

"And there shall be signs in the sun, and
in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the
earth distress of nations, with perplexity;
the sea and the waves roaring ..."

- Luke 21:25