WORLD BOARD OF TRUSTEES APOSTOLA E OF FATIMA, USA President...... John A. Kostrubanic Erie Diocesan Division Vice President...... John M. Walsh Treasurer...... Walter Jakopac A Public Association of the Faithful Secretary...... Wayne Hagan for the Universal Church Dionne Orner • E. William Sockey III Spiritual Director...... Fr. David L. Poulson Rodney 'Andrew' Housler • Bonnie Housler Asst. Spiritual Director...... Fr. Robert J. Levis Kristin Stravinsky

“I invoke upon you ... all Erie Diocesan Blue Army members ... joy and peace ... and my Apostolic Blessing.” Saint John Paul II "I bless your work and your Apostolate." Pope Benedict XVI 2014 Sept., October, Nov., December fatima and divine are enough “At all times there have not been lacking persons having the spirit of , not indeed for the declaration of any new doctrine of , but for the direction of human acts.” (St. Thomas, Summa Theologiae, II-II, 174, 6, ad 3) On a fairly regular basis, I receive place around the world. Some of questions about alleged private them are probably authentic, many that are being promoted of them are likely not. I’ve chosen both by word-of-mouth and over the to devote myself to the Fatima Internet. Some of the ones I’ve been message, because of it’s official consulted about are Maria Divine Church approval, it’s good fruit and Mercy, Holy Love Ministries, and the fact that it’s predictions have Caritas of Birmingham. In some cases, the local bishop, where come true one after another, in order. the events are taking place, has issued official statements The other thing that attracts me to the Fatima message of disapproval. The content of the messages sometimes is its economy of language. The entire message is brief undermines the authority of the Hierarchy, whether of the local enough that one can become thoroughly familiar with it, Bishop or even of the Pope himself. This does not stop local even memorize it, to the extent that it becomes part of us. Catholics from avidly following the messages and sharing and I’ve also tried to live the message contained in promoting them with each other. Perfection in word and deed St. Faustina’s Diary, for similar reasons. is not a prerequisite for the office of bishop, and even the As St. Thomas Aquinas said in the passage quoted at the Pope is immune from error only in specific, precisely defined beginning, private is “for the direction of human circumstances. Nevertheless, respect and deference to the acts”. Public revelation, which was completed with the death Hierarchy of the Church, and for that matter to legitimate civil of the last apostle, contains everything we need to believe authorities, has always been a characteristic of authentic and do in order to save souls. tells us divine revelation. taught that the religious authorities of how to do that in the unique circumstances of our own His time had succeeded to “the Chair of Moses” and that one time. Until we are living the Gospel of Jesus Christ fully and should follow their teaching but not their example. He taught authentically, until we are living Our Lady’s Fatima message that Caesar should be given what was due to him and that of holiness, reparation, prayer for peace and sacrifice for Pontius Pilate would have no authority at all, unless it were the conversion of sinners, and until we are living Our Lord’s given to him from above. It is not characteristic of authentic Divine Mercy message of trust in His mercy and being revelation to undermine the legitimacy of leaders, especially merciful to each other, we need not trouble ourselves with the authority of the divinely-established Hierarchy. It is other private revelations, especially unapproved ones. The characteristic of authentic revelation to inspire and encourage Church-approved messages of Our Lady of Fatima and of our leaders to live up to their responsibilities and to pray that Divine Mercy are sufficient for “the direction of human acts”, they receive the grace to do so. in our time. Frankly, I have neither the time, nor the interest to Father David Poulson investigate the visions and locutions, alleged to be taking Spiritual Director Welcome the Hearts of Jesus and Mary into your Home today through the HOME ENTHRONEMENT PROGRAM Today, as this article is being written, is the birth date of Jesus revealed to St. Margaret Mary, His Sacred St. Margaret Mary of Alacoque who was born July 22, 1647. Heart as a symbol of His love for mankind, saying, This beautiful Saint brought the 12 Promises of Jesus to “My divine Heart is so inflamed with love for those practicing devotion to the of Jesus. mankind ... that it can no longer contain within itself the flames of its burning and must spread them The 12 promises Jesus gave to us with the abroad by your means.” She described that His Heart was on fire devotion to His Sacred Heart include: and surrounded by a crown of thorns. Our Lord told her that the flames 1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life. represented His love for humanity, and the thorns represented man’s sinfulness and ingratitude. Jesus informed her that her mission was to 2. I will establish peace in their families. establish the devotion to His Most Sacred Heart, and He revealed that 3. I will console them in all their troubles. He would bestow upon all those who practice the devotion. 4. They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life Jesus is personally inviting you to welcome His most Sacred Heart and especially at the hour of their death. in your home alongside with His Mother’s Immaculate Heart. We need 5. I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings. nothing more than this delight, comfort, and eternal guide that we will 6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source of an receive from our dear Lord and Mother. This is the result of having infinite ocean of mercy. your home Enthroned to the Sacred Heart of Jesus with Consecration 7. Tepid souls shall become fervent. to Mary. Your home becomes a domestic church. Mary’s Immaculate 8. Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection. Heart will lead you to the Sacred Heart of her Son. Jesus will lead you 9. I will bless the homes where an image of My Heart to the where He is truly present. This will then make of your shall be exposed and honored. home not only a house of prayer but a Marian and Eucharistic . Jesus and Mary will lead you to their Hearts burning with love for you 10. I will give to priests the power of touching the most and your family. There are countless blessings and spiritual protection hardened hearts. for you and your family with the Home Enthronement. 11. Those, who propagate this devotion shall have their names Blessed Mother Theresa reminds us when she said, “You written in My Heart, never to be effaced. know in the Sacred Heart of Jesus we are one. So smile and have 12. The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall that total surrender, loving trust and perfect cheerfulness which receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive is the spirit of our society - and so, bring many, many souls to months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under Christ. Love Jesus — live with Jesus that you may my displeasure, nor without receiving their ; live for Jesus.” This is the heart and soul of having your My heart shall be their assured refuge at that last hour. home Enthroned to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Call to schedule your Home Enthronement today or for more information about the Home Enthronement Program. A priest will conduct the ceremony in your home. Bring the love you have for Jesus as a light for all to see through this outward sign of your love and devotion. Kristin Stravinsky • [email protected] • 3440 Bon View Drive, Erie, PA • 903-495-2020 REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS The purpose of our Apostolate is to make reparation for the sins of the Fr. Dr. Robert J. Levis, our assistant Spiritual world, to pray for the conversion of sinners, and for the poor souls in Purgatory. This prayer was found recently by one of our Members and if Director in St. Marys Retirement Home; I think he you read what Jesus told St. Gertrude – it is obviously very powerful. It told me that he would be 95 this year. He can is printed in its entirety that you might send for a copy for yourself if you certainly use our prayers. Pray for our Bishop wish or cut out the one here given. Save souls. Lawrence Persico and our Spiritual Director, Copies of this prayer card available from Our Lady of the Library Fr. David Poulson; pray for all the priests and 11721 Hidden Creek Road, Prospect, KY 40059 • 502-425-9738 • www.olrl.org religious and for vocations. Please pray for “Katie” Bechtel, daughter of John & Margie Prayer of St. Walsh, who just had serious surgery done Our Lord told St. Gertrude the Great, that the following prayer would the beginning of August; pray for her speedy release 1,000 souls form Purgatory each time it is said. recovery. Pray also, for  Dorothy Kolenich, “Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, a faithful Member of the Warren, Ohio WAF Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the Division and mother of Dr. Katie Moran, who gives Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal talks on Fatima and has written several books Church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.” and pamphlets (refer to the last issue of OLC). (Please memorize this prayer in order to say it more often no matter where you may be.) May rest her soul. St. Gertrude's life was the mystic life of the Cloister - a Benedictine nun. She mediated on the Passion of Christ, which many times brought This year it will not be held because the 1st Saturday a flood of tears to her eyes. She did many penances ANNUAL of November, when we normally have our Retreat and and Our Lord appeared to her many times. She had meeting, falls on All Saints Day and our priests will a tender love for the Blessed Virgin and was very RETREAT have a full schedule of Masses to fulfill. May God be devoted to the suffering Souls in Purgatory. She died with them and give them perseverance, faith, and . in 1334. Her feast day is November 16th. 2 “Well Done Good and Faithful Servant” Remember the parable Jesus related concerning the talents we were given? It is not often that we remember the good being done by Members of Our Lady’s Blue Army, but for the sake of you readers and watchers, the follow- ing information is to let you know that your donations and prayers are much appreciated. The time spent by these Members is offered for “the love of Jesus, the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the sins committed against the ”. John Walsh drives his wife, Margie, to all the Catholic schools in the Erie Diocese and she teaches the fourth and eighth grade students about the Rosary and the brown . I am aware of at least three of the Erie Diocesan priests who attended some of the classes or meetings in John and Margie’s home when they were children, meetings held for over twenty years. Were these priests inspired by anything they heard during a session they attended learning about the message of Fatima which includes the praying of the Rosary and wearing of the Scapular? Our Bishops appreciate the work being done here (copy of letter en- closed) and the children and teachers are appreciative of the sacrifices John and Margie make (try to read some of the letters children have sent, thanking them). Assisting them are the volunteers making and the Knights of Columbus (Mr. Stephen Cash lead- ing the way) funding much of the cost of this program in concert with our own WAF Division. Thousands of Rosaries and and “How to pray the Rosary” pamphlets are given away each year. Thank you for your support; please try to encourage your children to put away the ipods, ipads, television, head phones, smart phones, etc. and attend a youth / cadet program that some of you out there could also be conducting in your home. Could this lead to more priests for the Diocese? It is not possible to print all the letters received from the children, but we squeezed what we could into this issue of OLC. Children are from St. Parish School in Greenville, PA, 4th grade, and the talk was given at the end of this past school year. 3 PLEASE POST TWENTIETH ANNUAL DIOCESAN ROSARY MARCH Sunday, October 12th, 2014 2:00 PM Saint Peter Cathedral 10th and Sassafras Street • Erie, PA he World Apostolate of Fatima will again sponsor the Rosary March T and we invite all prayer groups to join us in praying 15 decades of the Rosary in procession through a ten block area of the streets of the City of Erie; please try to be ready to line up fifteen or twenty minutes early. This is a great opportunity to do something extra in your prayer life, to implore Our Lord to grant us His mercy for our needs, for our families, for those who have asked us to pray for them.

Why should you join us in this Come and pray the Rosary with procession when the world is in us and bring your family. The such turmoil, when there are so March will be held rain or shine few vocations to the priesthood, – if it rains, we will remain in the when families are so divided, when Church; those who are not able to so many do not recognize our Lord walk the distance may remain in the in the Tabernacle, etc….? Cathedral where the Rosary will be St. John Paul II wrote his simultaneously prayed. Hymns will apostolic letter on the rosary in be sung, the Divine Mercy Prayer 2002. He said, “as a prayer for will be said, Benediction will be peace, the rosary is also, and held, and a homily will be given always has been, a prayer of and by Father David Renne, for the family. At one time this ordained in 2013 and presently prayer was particularly dear to serving as the Parochial Vicar at Christian families, and it certainly brought them Our Lady of Peace Church in Millcreek. closer together. It is important not to lose this You may receive a brown scapular at the end precious inheritance. We need to return to the of the services and be enrolled if you have not practice of family prayer and prayer for families, been enrolled yet. There will be free literature on continuing to use the rosary.” the table in the vestibule. Please bring a friend or family member with you. For information, please call coordinator Mr. John Walsh at 868-1100 To Jesus through Mary.

4 PLEASE POST TO JESUS, WHY THROUGH THE BLESSED MOTHER? In reading “Saint John Paul the Great, His five Loves”, author “These mighty giants of holiness, full of grace and of Jason Evert related that St. John Paul II met a man named Jan Tyranowski zeal, will be chosen to oppose the enemies of God swarm- at St. Stanislaw Kostka Church during the Nazi occupation of his country. ing up on all sides; and they will be singularly devout to Tyranowski spent four hours each morning in meditation before his daily the Blessed Virgin, illumined by her light, nourished with her work schedule; he introduced St. John Paul to writings of spiritual people milk, led by her spirit, sustained by her strength and shielded who became saints like St. John of the Cross and Saint Teresa of Avila. by her protection. They will combat with one hand, and build He also recommended to the upcoming priest to read “True Devotion with the other: they will oppose, overthrow, rout and crush to Mary”. Saint John Paul related at a later time that reading that book the heretics with their heresies, the schismatics with their turned out to be a “decisive turning point in my life.”. It should be well schisms, the idolators with their idolatries, the sinners with taken here that spiritual saints did not become holy with idle time on their their impieties; they will vuild the temple of the true Solo- hands or wasting time on things of this world; their uncommitted time mon and the mystical city of God – that is to say, the Most was spent praying and reading about the virtues and practices of other Blessed Virgin, called by the Fathers the temple of Solomon saints. We should follow their example since we are all called to be saints. and the city of God. By their words and their example, they will lead a multitude to this true devotion – a fact which will The following are some thoughts expressed by St. Louis De Montfort make them many enemies, but will also win them a wealth of that caused the turning point in the life of a future Pope and Saint. victories an of glory for God alone. This is what God has “I hold, with the entire Church, that, in comparison with the revealed to Saint Vincent Ferrier, that great apostle of his infinite Majesty of the Most High God, Mary is no more than a age, as he himself has quite clearly indicated in one of his mere creature formed by His hand; that, in the light of such a works.” comparison, she is less than an atom – nay more, that she is noth- “The Holy Ghost Himself appears to have predicted this ing, since only He Who Is has existence as of Himself. Conse- truth in Psalm 58, where we read: ‘And they shall know that quently, this great Lord, eternally independent and sufficient unto God will rule Jacob: and all the ends of the earth. They Himself, had absolutely no need – and still has no need – of the shall return at evening and shall suffer hunger like dogs; and Blessed Virgin for the fulfillment of His designs and for the mani- shall go round about the city. They shall be scattered abroad festation of His glory. He has merely to wish, and all is fulfilled.” to eat’ … This city which men shall find at the end of the “This being clearly understood, however, I maintain that world and to which they will come to appease their hunger God, who from her creation deigned to inaugurate and perfect for justice, is the Most Blessed Virgin, whom the Holy Ghost His greatest designs through the Most Blessed Virgin, will not has called the city of God.” alter this mode of procedure from century to century. For He “It is through Mary that the salvation of the world was is God, and therefore does not alter His ways of thinking and of begun, and it is through Mary that it is to be consummated.” acting.” Our Blessed Mother gave us her peace plan from Heaven at “It was through Mary alone that God the Father gave His only-begotten Son to the world.” Fatima; I cannot understand how anyone would not want to “I have said that all these things would come to pass in a consecrate himself to the Blessed Mother of God and wear the special way, at the end of the world. Through His holy Mother, brown Scapular as a sign of this consecration. Offer your daily God is to furnish great saints who will surpass the majority of duties for the love of Jesus and in reparation for the sins commit- the other saints in sanctity, as much as the cedars of Lebanon ted against the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Pray the Rosary daily exceed in grandeur and magnificence the hyssop of the valleys. and make the five 1st Saturdays of reparation. Sign the Pledge This was revealed to a saintly person whose life has been writ- above and become “illumined by her light”. ten by a great servant of God.” John Kostrubanic, Pres.

Your financial support is greatly appreciated and vital to the operation of our Apostolate.

Please submit your printed matter for january / february / march / april issue by december 1, 2014 DONATIONS FOR 2014 $10.00 Ruth Drum $23.00 Kathleen Gladden $ 50.00 Robert Ratchford May thru August Mary Salchak $25.00 M/M James Price Joseph Kohler III $100.00 WAF Clearfield Chapter $13.00 Antoinette Kilhoffer $20.00 Andy & Bonnie Housler Anonymous Paula Reinhart $33.00 Anonymous $14.00 Anonymous Julie Aranyous (Please consider remembering us May God Bless All Of You “Above list of donations are listed for those who may wish to use in your will to aid in the spread for Your Generous Support! this information for the purpose of reference for a tax deduction.” of this message) If you would like to receive “Our Lady’s Courier” please fill out the enclosed form including your name and mailing address, and send it to our address. Your donations help pay our printing and mailing costs and helps spread the message of Fatima. Thank you and God Bless.  Please send “Our Lady’s Courier” by email - send us your request and email address Donations should be sent to:  Yes, I wish to receive “Our Lady’s Courier”, but cannot donate at this time  World Apostolate of Fatima, I prefer to keep my donation anonymous Make checks payable to: Erie Diocesan Division  No thank you, I do not wish to receive “Our Lady’s Courier” The World Apostolate of Fatima, P.O. Box 311 Erie Division  Please send me ______pledges to sign and have flown to Fairview, PA 16415 Fatima to be placed at the base of Our Lady’s Statue at the site of the apparitions  Yes, I wish to receive “Our Lady’s Courier”, and have enclosed a donation of ______to help support this Apostolate 5 World Apostolate of Fatima, USA: www.worldapostolateusa.com email: [email protected] pray the rosary daily, wear the brown scapular, offer your daily duties

Non-Profit Org. WORLD U.S. POSTAGE APOSTOLA E OF FATIMA, USA P A I D Erie Diocesan CENTER OF BLUE ARMY OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA Erie, PA A Canonically approved Apostolate of the Permit No. 629 Erie Diocesan Division Center P.O. Box 311 • Fairview, PA 16415 [email protected] Phone (814) 790-2046 • (814) 474-2753

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CURRENT RESIDENT OR  Date Expired

  pledge of

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______) Immaculate Heart: • fA Zip 1. To offer up every day the sacrifices ______demanded by my daily duty. 311 (

2. To pray part of the Rosary* daily Box te of Fax INFORMATION A

while mediating on the mysteries. Diocese ______P.O.

3. To wear the Scapular of Mount Carmel as profession of this promise • and as an act of consecration to you. Province / MEMBER 4. To accomplish the devotion of the ______Center Five First Saturdays of the month, ) State ______

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tion on the Mysteries of the Rosary. be Divsion World Apostol

I shall renew this promise often, must ( especially in moments of temptation. ( ______* Usually understood to mean at least five decades. ______TURE ______Diocesan NOTE: This pledge is not a vow and does not bind under a sin, nevertheless, it is a promise of love; your word N ddress

to your heavenly Mother. Sig Name a City Telephone E-mail Parish Mail To: Erie  