Events

About Us

Mission Statement:
To live the messages of Our Lady as given in Medjugorje. Prayer, Penance, Conversion, Faith, and Peace, and to support others in their efforts to follow Mary to her Son, Jesus.

Who We Are:
As a result of hearing the messages of Our Lady and making a pilgrimage to Medjugorje, a group of laymen made it their mission to promote a celebration in Washington, D.C. which emulated the devotional format of St. James Church in Medjugorje. The Anniversary Committee was formed out of that group of men and women to honor Our Lady as the Virgin of Medjugorje and Queen of Peace.

What We Do: The organization is centered around the annual National Anniversary Celebration of Medjugore. The Celebration has been held on June 25th each year for 33 years. Throughout the years it has taken place in parish churches, monasteries and retreat houses within the Washington, D.C. area. In addition, our volunteers have been tireless in their endeavors to make Our Lady and her Son better known and loved. We continue to pray that the next generation will listen and heed the prophetic words of Our Lady.

2014 - 2018 National Medjugorje Anniversary Celebrations Speaker History UNDER CONSTRUCTION

2013 National Medjugorje Anniversary Celebration
the 32nd Anniversary of Our Lady at Medjugorje

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Celebrant: Msgr. Charles Pope

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Guest Speakers

Msgr. Charles Pope

Msgr. Charles Pope was born July 10, 1961, in Chicago, Illinois to Charles and Nancy Pope. He and his family moved to the Washington, D.C. area in 1972. He studied in the public school system and graduated from Garfield Senior High School in Woodbridge, VA in 1979.

Fr. Pope attended George Mason University for Undergraduate Studies were he attained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science in 1984. He worked briefly with the Army Corp of Engineers as a Computer Systems Analyst.

Fr. Pope’s interest in the priesthood stems from his experience as a church musician. Through his college years he served as a church organist, a cantor and choir director and through this work discovered his vocation to the priesthood. He entered Mt. Saint Mary’s Seminary in 1985 where he earned a Master of Divinity Degree as well as a Master of Arts Degree in Moral Theology. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 24, 1989 by James Cardinal Hickey.

Fr. Pope’s first assignment was at Mt. Calvary Parish in Forestville, MD as Associate Pastor from 1989-1993. From 1993-1999 Fr. Pope served as Associate Pastor of Holy Comforter St. Cyprian Parish in Southeast Washington, D.C. From 1999-2000 he was Associate Pastor at St. Mary’s Parish in Laurel, MD. In April of 2000 Fr. Pope was appointed Pastor of St. Thomas More Parish in Southeast Washington, D.C. In 2007 Msgr. Pope returned to Holy Comforter - St. Cyprian Parish where he currently serves as Pastor.

From 1997-1999 Fr. Pope Conducted a Weekly Bible Study in the U.S. Congress that was well attended. He currently conducts a weekly Bible Study at the White House. Other ongoing assignments for Fr. Pope include, being the Spiritual Director for the Washington Comitium of the Legion of Mary and Archdiocesan Coordinator for the Celebration of the Latin Mass. He is a member of the Priest Council and an Archdiocesan Consultor.

He was named a Monsignor in 2005. He has published several articles in pastoral journals, offered a regular column in the Catholic Standard, has taught numerous catechetical courses both in his parish work, and for the Archdiocese. He also served as Dean of the Southeast Deanery. Msgr. Pope immensely enjoys his work as a diocesan priest and a parish pastor.

(Click here for more information)

Dr. Kelly Bowring, Professor

Dr. Bowring has a new book, "The Great Battle Has Begun" and we are looking forward to his return engagement with us. In 2011, our attention was captured by his comprehensive overview of the prophetic time in which we live and what our response should be to these events. We welcome Dr. Bowring back again to Washington, DC.

Professor Bowring is the author of “The Secrets, Chastisement and the Triumph of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary”. (news release) May 13, 2009 -- A new book on apocalyptic times has just received the official recognition of the Catholic Church in the form of an imprimatur, affirming that nothing in the book contradicts Catholic faith and teaching. Professor Bowring discusses the major apparitions of the twentieth century, such as Fatima, Lourdes, Garabandal and Medjugorje. He looks at the messages of Our Lady and the Book of Revelation and what they are telling us for our time.

(Click here for more information)

2012 National Medjugorje Anniversary Celebration
the 31st Anniversary of Our Lady at Medjugorje
"I am your Queen of Peace..." - Medjugorje, April 9, 2009

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Celebrant: Msgr. Edward. J. Filardi, Pastor
Eucharistic Blessing: Fr. Dermot Roache, SMA
Master of Ceremonies: John Donovan
International Rosary: David Molina
Updates: Vincent Murray

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Guest Speakers

An Update--Fr. Michael Sevigny
Apostles of Peace, A Marian Community

As a Capuchin Franciscan Friar for some 43 years and a priest for 33 years and responding to that Marian grace to proclaim a Gospel of Peace while inviting others to join in this wonderful endeavor, Fr. Michael has called us to pray at the foot of the cross along with Mary. In their mission statement they describe themselves as the "little ones at the foot of the Cross...Let the Apostles of Peace bring forth the food received from holy adoration and contemplation, the bread of peace, the bread of love, from reconciliation and communion to the table of humanity, the hungry, to eat."

Fr. Michael and the Sisters of the Apostles of Peace have published their first newsletter with the latest updates on their work and the wonderful progress they have made in the year since they were last in Washington. Check out the lay apostolate of the Associate Missionaries of Peace.

(Click here for more information)

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Rateb Y. Rabie, KCHS
Founder, President/CEO HCEF

Join with the Holy Land Ecumenical Foundation on pilgrimage to the Holy Land in August, 2013. Maranatha is the International Ecumenical Movement for Prayer for World Peace and the Healing of Humanity and is sponsoring this pilgrimage. Join Vicka Ivankovic Mejatovic, the visionary of Our Lady of Medjugorje in praying in the land where Jesus was born and preached the Good News. Come aside from your daily routine and place yourself in the heart of Jesus and the heart of the land which is so important in the plan of God for our world and for world peace.

(Click here for more information)

2011 National Medjugorje Anniversary Celebration
the 30th Anniversary of Our Lady at Medjugorje
Marian day of Prayer

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Celebrant & Homilist: Fr. Victor

Holy hour & Benediction: Fr. Dermot Roache, SMA (For more information click here)

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Guest Speakers

Dr. Kelly Bowring, Professor

Professor Bowring is the author of “The Secrets, Chastisement and the Triumph of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary”. (news release) May 13, 2009 -- A new book on apocalyptic times has just received the official recognition of the Catholic Church in the form of an imprimatur, affirming that nothing in the book contradicts Catholic faith and teaching. Professor Bowring discusses the major apparitions of the twentieth century, such as Fatima, Lourdes, Garabandal and Medjugorje. He looks at the messages of Our Lady and the Book of Revelation and what they are telling us for our time.

(Click here for more information)

Fr. Victor Chaker, Pastor, St. Mary Church, Coventry CT

St. Mary's Parish family is a unique Christian, Catholic Community. We are unique because we take Jesus' commandments seriously by loving God and our neighbors.In response to our loving God, we have a multitude of opportunities that will fit most individual's talents and schedule. We gather Saturday evening and Sunday morning to celebrate God's love in the Eucharist, which is the source and summit of our happiness. We are also graced with a Perpetual Adoration chapel where anyone can spend quality time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Twenty-four hours a day seven days a week. As for loving our neighbor, we have a variety of ministries to server our brothers and sisters to fulfill most of their needs.

Fr. Victor
Chaker

(Click here for more information)

Mary Sue Eck, Editor and Publisher of Medjugorje Magazine

Mary Sue Eck, and Husband Larry, are the editors and publishers of Medjugorje Magazine . In addition to this, they have also authored 'Medjugorje Miracles of Physical Healings.' "People often say that Medjugorje has no physical healings, like Lourdes. Wrong! We decided to look through all 55 of our issues and see if we had enough physical healings to fill a book. We had too many. Like a magazine, a book is done in a format of so many pages and we decided to keep the cost down and go for about 200 pages. We chose enough stories to fit into that number. We also added a sixteen page, full color section so readers can see the people who are sharing their story.Some of the stories we included are incredible healing stories, like Colleen Willard’s, Artie Boyle’s, and Jerry Drumm’s. But there are others, like Loretta Young and her broken foot. She walked all over Medjugorje on it without pain, learning how badly it was broken only when she arrived home and had it x-rayed."
Mary Sue Eck (Click here fore more information)

2010 National Medjugorje Anniversary Celebration
the 29th Anniversary of Our Lady at Medjugorje
Celebrate the Marian Spirituality of Pope John Paul II

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Johnnette Benkovic, EWTN

Johnnette S. Benkovic is Founder and President of Living His Life Abundantly® International, Inc., a Catholic evangelization apostolate with outreaches in television, radio, print, and internet communications. She is also Founder of Women of Grace®, a Catholic apostolate for Christian women that features a number of outreaches including conferences, curricula, study groups and more.

After years of being a non-practicing Catholic, Johnnette experienced a deep conversion back to her Catholic faith in 1981and discerned a call to share the Gospel message through the media. She has been a consistent presence in Catholic radio since 1987 and in Catholic television since 1988.

Johnnette is Executive Producer of The Abundant Life(seen internationally on EWTN), a television program that discusses contemporary issues from a Catholic perspective. She is also host of Women of Grace Live, a one hour call-in radio talk show that airs live five times a week. She is heard nationally on AM/FM stations and internationally via short wave radio. For additional information about Living His Life Abundantly® International, Inc. and Women of Grace®, visit the websites listed above.

(Click here for more information)

Fr. Bill McCarthy, MSA

Fr. Bill McCarthy has been giving parish missions for years and has spoken at over 200 parishes in Connecticut and New England. In the past several years he has been asked to speak in parishes and at Conferences across the United States. He has a special gift for showing God's love for each person. Through his teaching, Love, Acceptance and joyful encouragement his missions are healing and inspiring. He is the co-founder and co-director of My Father's House Retreat Center in Moodus, Connecticut, where he also gives weekend retreats. His TV program, In His Name, is presented weekly in Connecticut on 18 Public Access channels and also in the Boston diocese. Fr. Bill is a member of the Missionaries of Holy Apostles (MSA) located in Cronwell, Connecticut.

2008 National Medjugorje Anniversary Celebration
the 27th Anniversary of Our Lady at Medjugorje
Day of Prayer

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Celebrant: Stanislaw Cardinal Dziwisz, Archbishop of Krakow, Poland, Secretary to Pope John Paul II
(Click here for more information)
Concelebrant: Adam Cardinal Maida, Archbishop of Detroit, Michigan, Founder and President of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center
(Click here for more information)
International Rosary: David Molina
Master of Ceremonies: John Donovan
Forum Moderator: Raymond Arroyo, News Director EWTN
(Click here for more information)

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Guest Speakers and Forum

Speakers
Bishop Martin D. Holley, Auxilliary Bishop of Washington, DC

Forum
Janice T. Connell
Peggy Stanton
Fr. Ron Stone
Mercedes Wilson

2007 National Medjugorje Anniversary Celebration
the 26th Anniversary of Our Lady at Medjugorje
"Little Children, Believe, Pray, and Love, and God will be near you" - Our Lady of Peace, October 25, 2005

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                                                                                            Celebrant: Fr. Damir Stojic (Click here for more information)
Concelebrant:                        Fr. John Kightlinger
Opening Adoration: Rev. Javier Santaballa
International Rosary: David Molina
Homilist: Fr. Damir Stojic (Click here for more information)
Master of Ceremonies: John Donovan

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Guest Speakers

John Kirk, Medjugorje Witness
Janice T. Connell, Speaker and Author

2005 National Medjugorje Anniversary Celebration
the 24th Anniversary of Our Lady at Medjugorje
"Uceasingly Adore the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar" - Our Lady of Peace, March 15, 1984

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Celebrant & Homilist: Rev. Richard Spencer (Click here for more information)
International Rosary David Molina

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Guest Speaker

Thomas Rutkoski

Thomas Rutkoski, a fallen-away Catholic for 27 years, worked at KDKA TV, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Most of his 20-year career there was as chief photojournalist. In the early 1980s, his work took him to Jerusalem where God began to piece together his dramatic journey to conversion. Later the Lord caused Thomas to visit Lourdes and then Fatima where additional pieces of the mosaic of his conversion were put into place. After a time and overwhelmed by Christ's intervention, he relinquished his television career to travel the world, telling all who would listen how God changed his life. When he introduced himself to the Church as a Catholic evangelist, the response he heard most often was, "You're a what?" Thomas now shares his journey of faith with others in many ways. He considers himself a prodigal son and tantamount to the leper who returned to say thank you to Jesus.

In 1990, Thomas founded a Catholic, nonprofit foundation dedicated to evangelization and humanitarian efforts called Gospa Missions, Gospa being Polish for Our Lady. He mounted this great effort to fulfill a promise he made to Christ in gratitude for his conversion. This new evangelist became very Gospel-based and was invited to speak in Catholic churches throughout the world. The Mission's small beginnings have grown to include worldwide retreats, conferences, prison ministry, healing ministry, speaking engagements, publishing and humanitarian efforts. Eight years into the conversion process Thomas's wife, Mary, came on board after her 23-year sabbatical from the Catholic faith.

The presentations Thomas delivers have reached and helped convert thousands of souls through Jesus, Mary and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Thomas has authored four books: Apostles of the Last Days , Miracles and How to Work Them, Great Divide and My Scriptural Rosary. Thousands are being called back to Jesus because of these volumes.

Thomas resigned his position at KDKA in the spring of 1991 to run Gospa Missions full-time. For ten years of that period he did so with no salary. Since February of 1992, Gospa Missions has published a monthly Catholic newsletter with an international circulation. Closer to home, Thomas is a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus and has served as a Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and member of his parish council.

2004 National Medjugorje Anniversary Celebration
the 23rd Anniversary of Our Lady at Medjugorje
"I call you all to build a new world of peace with me through prayer" - Our Lady of Peace, December 25, 1992

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Celebrant & Homilist: Rev. Charles Pope (Click here for more information)
International Rosary David Molina

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Guest Speaker

Dana Rosemary Scallon, Member of the European Parliament for Connacht/Ulster, Ireland

Dana Rosemary Scallon (born Rosemary Brown on 30 August 1951) is better known simply as Dana, an Irish singer and former politician. Her career began when, as an A-level student, she won the 1970 Eurovision Song Contest with "All Kinds of Everything", a subsequent worldwide million-seller. Over thirty singles and thirty albums later, Dana's career continues, now also as a leading songwriter and performer of Catholic music – like "The Rosary" album, another worldwide million-seller. The singer became a popular pantomime princess – her portrayal of Snow White was so successful it lasted fourteen years, including an extended season in the West End of London. Her talent for charming the children was recognised when she was chosen to star in three Children's Royal Variety Shows. She ran in the Irish presidential election of 1997 and surprised everyone with her performance. Basing her campaign on the Irish Constitution, Dana Rosemary Scallon (Independent), an early-priced 100/1 outsider, finished third with double the votes of the one-time-favourite Labour Party candidate. Within two years this surprising newcomer to politics had become an MEP – Connaught-Ulster's first female member of the European Parliament.

(Click here for more information)

2003 National Medjugorje Anniversary Celebration
the 22nd Anniversary of Our Lady at Medjugorje
"Be joyful carriers of peace in this troubled world." - Our Lady of Peace

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Celebrant & Homilist & Eucharistic Blessing: Rev. M. Siekierski, Pastor

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Guest Speaker

Dr. T. Petrisko, The Missionary Image of Our Lady of Medjugorje

Dr. Thomas Petrisko is president of the Pittsburgh Center for Peace. He is the author of 17 books including The Call of the Ages, The Last Crusade and The Sorrow, the Sacrifice and the Triumph. He is also the editor of nine special edition Queen of Peace newspapers of which many millions have been distributed throughout the world.

2002 National Medjugorje Anniversary Celebration
the 21st Anniversary of Our Lady at Medjugorje
"Today I wish to call you to love our neighbor" - Our Lady of Peace

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Celebrant & Homilist: Fr. Giordano Belanich (Click here for more information)
Exposition of the Eucharist: Rev. Raymond Moore
International Rosary David Molina

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Guest Speaker

Dan Lynch, The Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Dan Lynch of St. Albans, Vermont is the Director of the Apostolates of The Jesus King of All Nations Devotion and The Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. He coordinates the journeys of their Images. He also speaks at Missions, Retreats and Conferences throughout the world. The Images are sent to local Guardian Teams who have requested Visitations to churches, abortion centers, monasteries, convents, prisons, hospitals, nursing homes and schools. These Teams prepare the reception and coordinate all liturgical events with the local pastors.

(Click here for more information)

2001 National Medjugorje Anniversary Celebration
the 20th Anniversary of Our Lady at Medjugorje
"Prayer works miracles" - Our Lady at Medjugorje, April 25, 2001

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Homily: Rev. Joseph Barr (Click here for more information)
International Rosary: David Molina

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Guest Speaker

Bud MacFarlene, Sr.

For the last 28 years Bud has been speaking all over the USA about the apparitions and messages of Jesus and Mary, Divine Mercy, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the Holy Eucharist, and the Family as the Foundation of the Church and the Future of Society. His audio tape “Marian apparitions Explained” was #1 in the country for 10 years in the 1990’s.

2000 National Medjugorje Anniversary Celebration
the 19th Anniversary of Our Lady at Medjugorje
"I call you to spiritual renewal..." - Our Lady at Medjugorje

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Celebrant: Rev. John Burke, O.P.
Opening Adoration & International Rosary: Deacon Richard O'Connell

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Guest Speaker

Michael Brown

Spirit Daily was established as a Catholic and spiritual news website in 2000. Its first and largest-ever headline, ironically, was release of the third secret of Fatima. It was dedicated later that year on September 29. It was established and is directed by Michael Brown with his wife Lisa. His return to the faith in the early 1980s included an experience with the Archangel Michael (see "Prayer of the Warrior"). Lisa's return to the faith came in the early 1990s. Mr. Brown has been to more than thirty sites of alleged Marian apparition, as well as other holy sites in places like Israel. He has specialized in Catholic spiritual-phenomena reportage. Michael Harold Brown was born in St. Mary's Hospital in Niagara Falls, N.Y. March 5, 1952, with twin sister Maureen. He is the son of Harold and Rose Brown. Harold was a CPA and Rose was a school teacher. Brown attended 24th Street Grammar School, Gaskill Junior High School, Niagara Falls High School, and Fordham University, where he obtained a degree in communications, specializing in print journalism. Upon graduation he was hired as a general assignment reporter for The Binghamton, New York Sun-Bulletin. In 1976 he authored his first book, a journalistic and scientific look at those who claimed psychokinesis. In 1977 he rejoined The Niagara Gazette as a full-time reporter, covering outlying cities and towns and focusing on toxic-waste dumps in the towns of Lewiston and Porter. He then became the city hall reporter for Niagara Falls and a columnist. It was during this time that his focus turned to a toxic dump in the city itself, which soon became famous as "Love Canal." Through the grace of God, Love Canal grew into a major national and international story and sparked interest in the toxic waste problem. Michael also uncovered other toxic-waste threats. Michael's reporting was nominated for three categories of the Pulitzer Prize and drew a special award from the Environmental Protection Agency. President Carter declared Love Canal a national disaster. Michael then wrote a book for Pantheon (a division of Random House) entitled Laying Waste: The Poisoning of America by Toxic Chemicals, which was adapted for articles in The New York Times Magazine (three times), the Atlantic Monthly, New York Magazine, Rolling Stone, Family Weekly (now USA Today Magazine), and other magazines and major newspapers. The book drew many dozens of reviews and Michael appeared on hundreds of radio and TV shows, including national ones such as Today, Nightline, and McNeil-Lehrer. He also wrote a book about air contamination called The Toxic Cloud. In the early 1980s, while writing a book about the Mafia, he experienced a dramatic return to his Catholic faith (detailed in his book Prayer of the Warrior). His other books include Witness (with Josyp Terelya), The Final Hour (his most well-known book), The Trumpet of Gabriel, The Day Will Come, The Last Secret, Secrets of the Eucharist, After Life, Seven Days With Mary, The Bridge to Heaven, Sent To Earth, The God of Miracles, Tower of Light, The Other Side (a current bestseller), a novel, The Seven, and a book about the deceased and angels and demons, The Spirits Around Us. He and wife Lisa have three children, Elizabeth Grace, Joseph Michael, and Mary Rose, plus a parrot, Mikie, and are founders of the Catholic news website, www.spiritdaily.com. They live near St. Augustine, Fl. Michael has traveled throughout Europe and other places researching apparitions of the Blessed Mother and spiritual phenomena.

(Click here for more information)

1999 National Medjugorje Anniversary Celebration
the 18th Anniversary of Our Lady at Medjugorje
"Through fasting and prayer, one can stop wars, one can suspend the laws of nature" - Our Lady of Peace, July 21, 1982

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Celebrant & Homilist & Eucharistic Blessing: Fr. Mathew Siekierski
International Rosary: David Molina

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Guest Speaker

Fr. Jack Fullen

He co-founded the Missionaries of Our Lady of Divine Mercy with Kellie Ross as a spiritual outreach organization at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Gainesville, Virginia. The ministry ultimately led to established the House of Mercy which became a hospitality center that offers free clothing, new shoes, a catholic lending library and fellowship to the underprivileged and marginalized in Manassas, Virginia.

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1998 National Medjugorje Anniversary Celebration
the 17th Anniversary of Our Lady at Medjugorje
"Turn your hearts to prayer and ask that the Holy Spirit be poured upon you" - Our Lady of Peace, November 5, 1985

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Celebrant: Fr. Charles Pope (Click here for more information)
Opening Adoration:            Fr. Charles McCann
Homilist & Eucharistic Blessing: Fr. Dan Leary
International Rosary:        David Molina
Reposing Sacrament:         Fr. Charles McCann
   Master of Ceremonies:       John Donovan

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Guest Speaker

Fr. Robert Panke

Msgr. Robert Panke, the archdiocese's longtime director of the Office of Priest Formation and Vocations, has been appointed as the Rector of Blessed John Paul II Seminary. In that role, he will be responsible for the formation program and the administration of the seminary. He will also serve as the seminary's academic dean, working with academic authorities at Catholic University. Msgr. Panke will continue to serve as Director of Formation for all the seminarians of the archdiocese, and he will also serve as Director of Continuing Clergy Formation, overseeing the ongoing formation and education of all the archdiocese's priests. Msgr. Panke will reside at the seminary once the building is completed, but until that time, he will remain in residence at St. Patrick Church in Washington.

(Click here for more information)

1997 National Medjugorje Anniversary Celebration
the 16th Anniversary of Our Lady at Medjugorje
"I have come to tell the world that God exists!" - Our Lady at Medjugorje, June 1983

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Celebrant: Fr. Charles Pope (Click here for more information)
                                                                        Opening Adoration: Fr. Charles McCann, Pastor
Homilist: Fr. Paul Berghout
Master of Ceremonies: John Donovan

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Guest Speakers

Maureen and Tedd Flynn

Author of best selling book on the political philosophy of the new world order, Hope of the Wicked: The Master Plan to Rule the World, and co-author of the best selling book on Marian apparitions, The Thunder of Justice. He has traveled to over 50 countries and has given many talks on radio, TV and conferences globally.

1996 National Medjugorje Anniversary Celebration
the 15th Anniversary of Our Lady at Medjugorje
"I am the Queen of Peace" - Our Lady of Peace, August 1981

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Celebrant: Fr. Charles Pope (Click here for more information)
Opening Adoration & International Rosary: Fr. Joseph Jenkins
Homilist: Fr. Steven Valenta
Eucharistic Blessing: Fr. Charles Pope
Master of Ceremonies: John Donovan

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Guest Speaker

Fr. Stephen Valenta, OFM, Conv.

As a Conventual Franciscan Friar and priest for more than 57 years, Father Stephen Valenta has helped countless people through spiritual direction and pastoral counseling. Fr. Stephen offers a number of audio/video/books and has hosted parish retreats worldwide. He welcomes your comments and questions.

Today, Father Stephen runs the "Hearts to heart Ministries" through which he conducts workshops on praying with the heart and the development of one's will. He conducts parish missions, gives retreats and provides for days of recollection.

Father Stephen has produced over 500 video and audio programs for worldwide distribution. His newest books entitled, "The Journey From the Head to the Heart and Beyond and "SearchingThrough the Teachings of Jesus" are for sale on this site. Thousands of copies have been printed and are available in multiple languages.

Ordained in 1951 in Albany, NY, Father Stephen's first assignment was in a mid-city parish in Binghamton, NY, where his primary work was developing the character of young people of the parish. In 1955, he found the Catholic Information Center in that city and put all of his efforts into convert instructions and public relations for the Catholic Church. During this time Father Stephen entered into the field of communications to spread the Faith through radio and television; he also entered into the ecumenical ministry and established a dialogue group of Catholic priests and Protestant ministers.

In 1966, Father Stephen became the chaplain at the State University of New York at Binghamton, working diligently to foster the Faith of the Catholic students.

In 1973, he was granted a sabbatical where he spent a year in Assisi, Italy, studying the prayer life of St. Francis. After the year was up, he returned to establish Mount St. Francis Hermitage in Maine, NY, having received permission from his major superior to imitate more realistically the life of his founder. At this facility, Father Stephen was able to nourish the Faith of thousands of people who came to the hermitage from the entire east coast of the United States and Canada.

After more than seventeen years living a very rugged and deeply spiritual life, he entered into a preaching ministry traveling through the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia, sharing with hundreds of thousands what he had learned at the hermitage where he had spent his time listening to and carrying out the prompts and nudges of the Holy Spirit.

Father Valenta has earned a Masters in psychology. For years he has, and continues to give retreats to Mother Teresa's Sisters throughout the world. Father Stephen has crossed the oceans a hundred times leading pilgrimages to many holy shrines around the world.

(Click here for more information)

1995 National Medjugorje Anniversary Celebration
the 14th Anniversary of Our Lady at Medjugorje
"Be Peace and Light" - Our Lady of Peace, February 25, 1995

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                                                                                  Celebrant:                               Fr. Andrew Draper, T.O.R.
Homilist:                                 Fr. Fred Jelly, O.P. (Click here for more information)
Eucharistic Blessing Fr. Edward Evans

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Guest Speakers

Fr. Fred Jelly, O.P., renowned Marian scholar

Professor at the International Marian Research Institute for many years, died on April 14, 2000, in Georgetown Medical Center in Washington following a lengthy illness. Fr. Fred was born June 20, 1927 in Bayonne, New Jersey, and, before entering the Dominicans in 1949, attended Seton Hall Prep and Seton Hall University. After studies at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C., he was ordained to the priesthood in 1956. He was professor of theology and philosophy at the Providence College, Prior of the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C.; Academic Dean at the Pontifical College Josephinum; Visiting Professor of Theology at St. Thomas University in Dallas; and most recently Academic Dean and Professor of Systematic Theology at Mt. St. Mary’s, Emmitsburg, Maryland.

He was active in many academic organizations and noted for his abiding interest in Mariology and ecumenism. He was consultant to the American bishops in their pastoral letter, Behold Your Mother (1974). He was a longtime and very active member of the Mariological Society of America, serving as president of that organization 1976–1978. He assisted in establishing the American branch of the Ecumenical Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary and also served as president of that organization. In 1986, he authored Madonna: Mary in the Catholic Tradition, a work used as a basic text in Marian studies. He received the "Patron Medal" in 1993 from the Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the Catholic University of America in recognition of his promotion of Marian studies.

He was involved in religious education and catechetics and wrote the section on Mary in the best-selling catechism The Teaching of Christ. He worked with the Catholic Home Study Institute to develop materials for religious education. Many of his conferences on religious topics are available on audio-cassette from Alba House.

He was chosen to participate as the Catholic representative in several ecumenical dialogues: the Lutheran-Roman Catholic Dialogue; the Anglican-Roman Catholic Bilateral Dialogue in the USA (1975); and the American Dialogue with the Southern Baptists (1982). His last published article reviewed the ecumenical conferences recorded in fifty years of Marian Studies, the journal containing the proceedings of the annual meeting of the Mariological Society of America.

In 1998, he was awarded the degree of Magister of Sacred Theology from the Dominican Prior General. The award was conferred by the Prior Provincial of the Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Joseph at a Vespers Service in St. Vincent Ferrer Church, New York City. Fr. Fred was a dedicated Thomist who strove to relate the teachings of St. Thomas to contemporary theology. He was a dedicated and respected teacher and a congenial and convivial colleague.

Mr. Gerry Matatics

Gerry Matatics, the first minister ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) to convert to Roman Catholicism (1986), who spent three years studying Catholicism in an attempt to prevent his fellow seminarian Scott Hahn from converting to it, is well known worldwide as one of the most highly acclaimed Catholic apologists, debaters, and conference speakers, having worked with well known apologists associated with Catholic Answers. Gerry Matatics is the not only the first PCA minister to convert to Roman Catholicism, but also the first Roman Catholic Apologist to become a Traditional Roman Catholic, repudiating the doctrinal and liturgical changes subsequent to the second Vatican Council, along with its hierarchy. As founder and president of Biblical Foundations International, Gerry holds seminars, addresses, conferences, and publicly and globally debates well-known critics of Catholicism in both Catholic and Protestant churches, colleges, and universities (including Boston College, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Oxford, and the University of Notre Dame) and seminaries. In addition to having been a frequent guest on both Protestant and Catholic radio and television worldwide, (including EWTN), he has taught theology, scripture, patristics, apologetics, Latin, and Greek, and is also featured as a commentating theologian on the DVD for Mel Gibson’s blockbuster film “The Passion of the Christ, Director’s Cut.”

(Click here for more information)

1994 National Medjugorje Anniversary Celebration
the 13th Anniversary of Our Lady at Medjugorje
"Be Converted!" - Our Lady of Peace, April 20, 1983

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Celebrant: Fr. Charles Pope (Click here for more information)
Homilist: Fr. Edward Evans
Eucharistic Blessing

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Guest Speakers

Mr. William Luceno, Mary's Media Foundation

(Click here for more information)

Mr. Ray Burke, Medjugorje in America

Rev. Msgr. Henry Posluszny, St. Faustina Parish, Poland

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1993 National Medjugorje Anniversary Celebration
the 12th Anniversary of Apparitions of Our Lady at Medjugorje
Mary, at the foot of the Cross

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Guest Speaker

Joan Ulicny, Former Director of The Pittsburg Center for Peace and author of "A Great Vision"

Joan made her pilgrimage to Medjugorje despite the war, even though she had been advised not to come. She has visited Our Lady, our Mother, already six times. This girl has deep blue eyes that have turned away from the natural light, and on her face is a constant smile. Tall, nicely built, with a pleasant voice, she tells her life story, which has received all its beauty in Medjugorje.

Joan, tell us something about yourself........
I was born 36 years ago in Pittsburgh, in the American state of Pennsylvania. My mother is Croatian from Zagreb (surname at birth Zortic), and my father is Czech. I did not learn Croatian, nor do I know Czech. Now I would like so much to know Croatian. I finished college and got a job with the well-known computer company IBM. I was successful at work so that, after only two years, an opportunity for advancement opened up, which is not very common at IBM, but rather rare. With two years of experience, I became a manager, something that is usually waited for 10 to 15 years.

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1992 National Medjugorje Anniversary Celebration
the 11th Anniversary of Apparitions of Our Lady at Medjugorje
"Pray, Pray, Pray" - Our Lady of Peace

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Celebrant & Homilist: Fr. Albert Shamon (Click here fore more information)

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Guest Speakers

Bob & Penny Lord

Our speakers for today are well known Catholic authors and authorities on the Shrines of the Angels and the Saints. Their simple and engaging style has placed them among the most popular Catholic writers of the day. Some fo their bestsellers include "The Many Faces of Mary", "Miracles of the Eucharist", and "We Came Back to Jesus." They are very active in evangilization by sponsoring pilgrimages throughout the year to the Shrines and the Holy Land. They also have a lecture series, a program on EWTN, and on the newsletter.

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1991 National Medjugorje Anniversary Celebration
the 10th Anniversary of Apparitions of Our Lady at Medjugorje

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Celebrant & Homilist & Eucharistic Blessing: Fr. Martin Lucia
Holy Hour: Fr. Sylvester Catallo, O.F.M. (Click here for more info.)

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1990 National Medjugorje Anniversary Celebration
the 9th Anniversary of Apparitions of our Lady at Medjugorje
The Year of the Youth and Family

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Celebrant: Fr. Edward Evans
Homilist: Fr. George Kirwin
Healing Prayer: Fr. Richard Scott

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Fr. Francis Cotter, OCD

Fr. Cotter entered the Discalced Carmelite Friars in 1981 and made his first profession of vows March 19, 1982. Father Francis was ordained as a priest on March 18, 1989. He was a member of the Carmelite friars’ communities of Washington D.C., Elmire, N.Y., Peterborough, N.H. and Holy Hill. For the past 10 years, he served as chaplain to the Discalced Carmelite nuns in Denmark, Wis.
Father Cotter served in the U.S. Army from 1964-1967 as a military intelligence coordinator. He attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. From 1977 until the time of his entrance into the Discalced Carmelite Order, Father Francis was director of rehabilitation for the sheriff’s department of Franklin County, Mass.

Fr. Joseph Brennan, OSC
By Fr. Raymond Steffes, osc

Fr. Joseph Brennan, osc, has roots firmly planted in the Onamia Crosier Priory. Apart from five years at Holy Cross Manor, Beallsville,
Md., six years at the Crosier Major Seminary in Hastings, Neb., and
about two years of graduate school at Notre Dame and Catholic
University, Fr. Joseph has spent most of his 65 years as a priest at Holy Cross Priory in Onamia, Minn.

This stability has been an important asset to our community, as well as a genuine expression of his personality and spirituality. Our community exults in this gift of 65 years, while it congratulates Fr. Joseph for living out his vocation in so splendid a manner. Fr. Joseph’s aging and his diminished health have only made stronger his
presence in our community.

On a beautiful fall day in 1933, Michael and Loretta Brennan motored,
with their five children, from Rochester to Onamia. These were “hard times” on the farm, but nevertheless Michael was determined that his oldest son, Joseph, would attend a Catholic high school and God-willing, would one day be a priest.

Sixty-five years of priesthood is a rare and precious gift for an American Crosier. One has but to walk around in our cemetery to discover that it is practically unprecedented. In our generation, aging is becoming a new experience, and Fr. Joseph is showing us the way. Ten years ago he was still helping with weekend Masses in neighboring parishes, but now, at age 90, he has assumed a more retiring and contemplative style of life. Fr. Joseph offers his daily Mass early in the morning, but never fails to join the community for Morning Prayer, Conventual Mass, as well as the other Hours of prayer throughout the day. Often now he is unable to make the upand-
down movements of the Liturgy of the Hours, but he lets the sung Psalms, hymns and prayers flow over him in utter stillness. Fr. Joseph is offering his growing frailty as a sacrifice, consumed by the years. He came to Crosier Seminary as a young, strong farm lad three-quarters of a century ago and the Lord God has received him as an offering, faithful and true.

Fr. Joseph still keeps contact by mail with many friends made through the years, offering them the fruit of his experience and wisdom. Some weeks ago his brother Terry joined him here for a few hours of family news and memories. But even these occasions are
now rare.

The aging of the old tree is an important part of its life—perhaps the most important. May the prayers, sacrifices and offerings of Fr. Joseph
Brennan, osc, “Start afresh from a place of light.”

Fr. Raymond Steffes, osc, is a member
of the Crosier Community of Onamia.

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Father Sylvester Catallo O.F .M., Cap.

Father Sylvester Catallo O.F .M., Cap., (a former translator for the Marian Movement of Priests founder,
Father Don Stefano Gobbi) regards the child as a "pure" soul. Having resigned herself to God's will prior to the age of seven (the age of reason), it is unlikely that Audrey has ever sinned. Father Emmanuel Charles McCarthy, a Massachusetts based Melkite Catholic priest whose ministry centers around justice and peace, believes that the little girl is redemptively connected with the sins of nuclear destruction. Significant dates in
Audrey's life often echo monumental historic events as well. August 9th, 11:03 am., the first recorded medical entry on the day of the drowning accident, is also the exact date and time of I the bombing of Nagasaki some forty-two years earlier. The date of Audrey's initial release from the hospital, November 14th, is the anniversary of the bombing of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas, in 1921.

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1989 National Medjugorje Anniversary Celebration
the 8th Anniversary of Apparitions of Our Lady at Medjugorje
A day of peace with Mary

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Homilist: Fr. Lubey (Click here for more information)

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1987 - 1988 National Medjugorje Anniversary Celebration
the 6th, and 7th Anniversary of Apparitions of Our Lady at Medjugorje

1986 National Medjugorje Anniversary Celebration
the 5th Anniversary of Apparitions of Our Lady at Medjugorje

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Celebrant and Homilist: Fr. Al Winshman SJ (Click here for more information)

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2013 Guest Performer

Mark Forrest
International Irish Tenor

His melodic voice has filled concert halls and cathedrals world wide. He has sung inspirational hymns for luminaries such as Pope John Paul II and Mother Theresa. His soothing Broadway melodies have entertained award-winning performers including Charlton Heston and Mauree

Listen to Mark - Click Here

About Us

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Guest Speakers

2013 Guest Performer

Mark ForrestInternational Irish Tenor

Mark Forrest
International Irish Tenor