In Christ Renewed (Part 1)

I have been a Catholic my entire life, but never really understood my religion, nor understood how it could impact my life. At my parish in Valparaiso, Indiana, in the USA, there is a yearly retreat called ‘Christ Renews His Parish’. It is arranged by very special, caring women who have attended the retreat themselves in the past.

I was invited on this 2-day retreat, and up until February of 2004, I found every excuse that I could not to attend. Saying “yes” to these women, and to Our Lord, has changed my life. On the last day we had a washing of the feet by our pastor, Father Joe, and I trembled and cried uncontrollably. I did not realize what was happening to me at the time. This weekend was instrumental in my heart being opened to the Holy Spirit, allowing me to become closer to Our Lord and to His mother.

A few months later, after hearing a witness involving Medjugorje that was given by one of the other women who had been on retreat with me, I was invited to travel to this small town in Croatia. I knew that this was somewhere that I had to get to some day, but I never thought it would be this soon!

I have 3 teenage sons, a job, and a lot of responsibilities, and I wanted to find out much more about this place and the happenings there . In this small village in l984, the Blessed Mother appeared and spoke to 6 children. She continues to speak with some of them even today.

Well, I started searching the internet for anything I could find on Medjugorje. One night I came upon a site where there were witnesses, and you could contact the ‘writer’. The person that I contacted happened to be Marjie, and she was very instrumental in my actually going on this pilgrimage last September. Within a week or two I received the free cd, ‘Gospa Oratorio’, a witness tape, and some rosaries from Medjugorje. She and I have a very special friendship, and it is all due to the workings of Our Blessed Mother.