Mary has requested that the daily message be given each day to the world. It is
read nightly at the prayer service from her Image Building in Clearwater, Florida, U.S.A.
This is according to her request. All attempts will be made to publish this daily message
to the world at 11p.m. Eastern time, U.S.A.
We acknowledge that the final authority regarding these messages
rests with the Holy See of Rome.
|
 |
December 27, 2001
December 28th Holy
Spirit Novena
Scripture selection is Day 3 Period II. |
The Novena Rosary Mystery
for December 28th is Glorious. |
December 27, 2001
Messenger: Our dear friend
Rose died. I quote from the November 4 daily message
this follows:
Excerpt from November 4, 2001 message
Messenger: Yesterday John
and I went to visit Rose.
She is a Shepherd of Christ Apostle
in her eighties. She has been in
Shepherds of Christ since the
beginning. She led me to the place
where Fr. Smith and Fr. Carter were
talking in March, 1993. I think it
was the 3rd Monday. It was Immaculate
Heart Church.
She had her second treatment of chemo
the day before.
She had all her prayers on her table
at the nursing home:
the Morning Offering, the jiffy sheet,
the prayer manual and the Holy
Spirit Novena book.
She seemed peaceful and relying heavily
on the Lord.
I showed her the Nursing Home Tape #3
and she sang to the songs and was
at peace.
She said how beautiful it was.
When we turned on the Mass video, she
prayed intently with the Mass video.
It was very powerful. I heard Fr. Mike
give his beautiful homily and tell the
people to offer up their sufferings
united to the Mass for the priests, the
Church and the world.
It was such a powerful experience.
She was so focused on the Mass video.
It gave her so much comfort.
end of excerpt from November 4, 2001
December 27, 2001 message continues
Messenger: Rose
was intent on me going to Immaculate Heart Church
that Monday in March 1993. She was second in line and I was third in line in
the back of the Church where Fr. Carter was signing his Book Pain and the
Joy. I had him sign two books, one for me and one
for my
mom. I told him I taught at Xavier University (that is where he taught)
he was very nice. The line behind me was very long.
Rose was so intent on my going, she wouldn't take no for an
answer. We were to meet her friend in All Saints Parking lot and I
was to drive. I felt I was supposed to go, but I felt edgy because it
was early and I wasn't home for my family's dinner.
Rose's friend had the day mixed up so we went alone.
This was a very important meeting for me and Fr. Carter and being
at the Mass said by Father Smith. So much happened after that.
Rose liked Fr. Carter a lot. She would call him and talk to him.
Here is a picture of Fr. Carter and Rose on the Anniversary of when
he entered the priesthood June 10, 1997. We gave Fr. Carter a large statue
of
St. Michael the Archangel. We had a beautiful celebration, so many
Shepherds of Christ people were there.
June 10, 1997
June 10, 1997
June 10, 1997
December 27, 2001 daily message continues
Messenger: Rose
took care of the flowers at the Morrow Center, she tried
to work there most Tuesday's and would stay for the 6:20 prayers
on Tuesday's. Her friend Ed who answers the phones
picked her up and took her lots of places, to the Morrow Center
and to China on the 13ths.
Rose and Ellen and I were in the Cornerstone Prayer Group in
the early nineties, maybe before. That is when I met a very good friend
who told me seeing the Heart of Jesus as I did December 17, 1991 was not an
ordinary thing! It had been a long time after the vision when I told
her. I had shared it with another friend the day it happened.
Those early days in the nineties were important to the development of
my mission. I really only read the Psalms and Isaiah a lot, I would open
the Bible at the Cornerstone Prayer Group at All Saints because they used it
there and
I didn't know much about the books in the Bible and where to find them.
I met Ellen there, she typed all the Blue Books for me. Now she is an apostle
in Florida.
The Lord gave me a lot of knowledge about Himself in 1994-1996 and
on December 7, 1996, the scriptures
were opened up to me in a way as never
before. Father Carter said he never saw the scriptures as he did after that.
From the end of December 96 to the end of 1999, I received insights into the
scriptures every Sunday at Fr. Carter's Masses. I would discuss them with
him and then do the 3 hour rosary on those Sunday afternoons Our Lord
called Rosaries from the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
Our Lord was teaching all those in the Shepherds of Christ Core Prayer
Chapter as we did the rosary on those Sunday's. I then met with
Fr. Carter again in the evening and told him what happened at the
rosary meetings. Rose went to a lot of these rosary gatherings.
We had 3 years of Rosary gatherings on Sunday at the Morrow Center
as we went through the Three Cycles. On the last Sunday
of 1999 Jesus told me that the Sunday Rosaries from the Hearts of Jesus
and Mary were to stop. These rosaries were teachings for all of us
and they were all taped. Many have been used as teaching tools
in China for the Servants and Handmaids that were being trained
there. They were used at the 6:20 prayer gatherings before the
Blessed Sacrament. Jesus intended them to be used to help teach
the people there.
The movement was formed this way. Fr. Carter was given the
vision. He knew there would be 3 sets of people running
the movement. The priests are yet to come, but he said there
would be servants and handmaids and apostles and people
all over the world called associates would pray and support the
Newsletter.
It isn't the number of people that have made this movement work,
it is by His might. God has called the people. He has given us tremendous
grace and fervor to answer our calling.
Here are the first messages of Fr. Carter in 1994.
~ July 31, 1994 ~
Feast of St. Ignatius
Words of Jesus to Members of Shepherds of
Christ Associates:
"My beloved priest-companion, I intend to
use the priestly newsletter, Shepherds of Christ, and the movement, Shepherds
of Christ Associates, in a powerful way for the renewal of My Church and
the world.
"I will use the newsletter and the
chapters of Shepherds of Christ Associates as a powerful instrument for
spreading devotion to My Heart and My Mother's Heart.
"I am calling many to become members of Shepherds
of Christ Associates. To all of them I will give great blessings. I will
use them as instruments to help bring about the triumph of the Immaculate
Heart and the reign of My Sacred Heart. I will give great graces to the
members of Shepherds of Christ Associates. I will call them to be
deeply united to My Heart and to Mary's Heart as I lead them ever closer to My
Father in the Holy Spirit."
- Message from Jesus to Father Edward J.
Carter, S.J., Founder, as given on July 31, 1994,
feast of Saint Ignatius Loyola, Founder of the Society of Jesus (The Jesuits)
end of July 31, 1994 message given to Fr.
Carter
~ October 13, 1994 ~
The Birth of the Full Ministries
of the Shepherds of Christ
"I wish to
share with you part of a message which Jesus gave us on October 13, 1994. The
message tells us about the expansion of the Shepherds of Christ movement:
'My beloved priest-companion, today I come to you with another mission. I am
asking you to establish Shepherds of Christ Ministries. At My request you have
already begun the priestly newsletter, "Shepherds of Christ", and
the prayer chapters, Shepherds of Christ Associates...
'I am giving you this message on this day, the 77th Anniversary of the Great
Apparition at Fatima, because of the close connection between the Shepherds of
Christ movement and the Fatima message. The Fatima message is centered in
devotion to My Heart and My Mother's Heart, especially in consecration to Our
Hearts. Shepherds of Christ Ministries is also centered in devotion to Our
Hearts. I will use Shepherds of Christ Ministries as a great instrument in
helping to bring about the triumph of the Immaculate Heart and the reign of My
Sacred Heart. When this occurs, My Church and the world will be experiencing
the great era of peace promised by My Mother at Fatima.
'Today, then, October 13, 1994, the 77th Anniversary of the Great Apparition
at Fatima, marks the birth of Shepherds of Christ Ministries. I pour forth the
great love of My Sacred Heart to all. I am Jesus, Chief Shepherd of the
flock.'
"Jesus has told us that Shepherds of
Christ Ministries includes: the priestly newsletter, Shepherds of
Christ, Shepherds of Christ Associates prayer chapters, various
publications, including books, whatever else Our Lord directs us to undertake.
"As members of Shepherds of Christ
Associates, you are an extremely important part of Shepherds of Christ
Ministries. You have given great joy to the Heart of Jesus by responding to
His invitation to become members of Shepherds of Christ Associates. As He
draws you closer to His Heart and to His Mother's Heart as Associates members,
He will fill you with an ever-increasing experience of His love, peace, and
joy."
- From In the Hearts of Jesus and Mary,
Newsletter of Shepherds of Christ Associates
by Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J., Volume 1, No. 1, 1995. p. 2.
end of October 13, 1994 message
given to Fr. Carter
December 27, 2001 message continues
Messenger: Here
is the message we received from Jesus to Fr. Carter
about the Apostles of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus.
Apostles
of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus
My dear fellow
Associate Members,
Jesus is calling special apostles to join a new division of
the Shepherds of Christ Movement. Here is a message from Jesus given to Father
Carter:
My beloved
priest-companion, I am requesting that a new prayer movement be started under
the direction of Shepherds of Christ Ministries. I am asking for volunteers
who are willing to pray before the Blessed Sacrament for one hour,
twice-weekly. Members of the Shepherds of Christ prayer chapters, as well as
others, are to be invited to join this movement.
These
apostles are to pray for the intentions I am giving you. For part of the hour
they are to use the prayers of the Shepherds of Christ Associates Handbook.
They may spend the rest of the hour as they so choose.
I will use
this new prayer movement within My Shepherds of Christ Ministries in a
powerful way to help in the renewal of My Church and the world. I will give
great graces to those who join this movement. The name, Apostles of the
Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, is to be given to this movement.
I am
inviting My beloved Rita Ring to be coordinator for this activity.
I pour out
the great love of My Sacred Heart to all. I am Jesus, Chief Shepherd of the
flock.
This is indeed a special calling for us to unite in one heart with His
Eucharistic Heart and pray for the following intentions:
- For the spread of the devotion to the Hearts of Jesus
and Mary culminating in the reign of the Sacred Heart and the triumph of
the Immaculate Heart.
- For the Pope.
- For all bishops of the world.
- For all priests.
- For all sisters and brothers in the religious life.
- For all members of the Shepherds of Christ Movement,
and for the spread of this movement to the world.
- For all members of the Catholic Church.
- For all members of the human family.
- For all souls in purgatory.
end of Apostles of the Eucharistic Heart
message
Bishop's House
S_____
INDIA
December ? 2001
My dear President,
Thank you, thank you.
Time is very ripe! Renewal, Renewal!!!
I read your appeal and invitation! I
could not but weep, shed tears. I could
not but mail this letter of mine.
Priests and Religious--wake up,
take courage, time is fleeing very fast.
Time cannot wait, neither can we wait.
Dear President--I do not miss
Eucharistic Adoration--praying before the
Blessed Sacrament--
Thank you... my courage
saying and reminding--praying devoutedly
before the Blessed Sacrament.
I have heard priests saying--I have
no time, my hands are full with this and that.
What a pity....
I do realize, I see very very
few 1 to 100, come for a visit to the
Blessed Sacrament.
Where is hunger and thirst--for
Christ!!!...
I shall soon speak with my bishop,
about this "Apostleship of the Eucharistic
Heart of Jesus" Movement which is a "must".
I myself am praying for priests from
my own leaflet--everyday.
I shall mention this to our Religious
Sisters' Superior, locally near our Cathedral.
My letters (other) will reach you.
I request your prayers, furthering this information.
Fr. ______
Archbishop's House
Pakistan
6 August 2001
Dear Rev. _____
I am not sure
if you are a priest or a layman, but for safety's
sake I addressing you as Rev. _____
It is my task
to expose the Blessed Sacrament every afternoon
for adoration in the St. _____ Cathedral, so I spend at least half
an hour in adoration every weekday quite regularly. I do not know
if this entitles me to obtain membership of the Apostles of the
Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, but that is not necessary.
On Sundays, we
do not expose the Blessed Sacrament, as there
are 5 regular Masses, and as a priest I myself have about three Masses
each Sunday. If I get time, I make my meditation in the afternoon in
the private Chapel.
Some other
Parishes too have regular adoration in their
churches, and I will ask them if they wish to be enrolled as Apostles
of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus.
With kind regards,
Yours sincerely in Christ,
Archbishop of _____
Diocese of ______
2 August 2001
Dear John,
Loving greetings and prayerful wishes to you from Bishop
_____ of
the diocese of _____, A.P. India. Received your membership form to
join the Apostles of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus. Thank you for the
same and herewith I am filling the form and sending to you for the
membership. Please send more forms for my priests and religious. Happy
also to hear that you are getting ready with the Newsletter Book II. I
wish all success for the same. Let us all learn to love the Eucharistic
Heart of Jesus and draw more graces from it.
With blessings,
+ _______
Bishop of ______
Diocese of ______
2 August 2001
Dear John,
Loving greetings and prayerful wishes to you from Bishop
_____ of
the diocese of _____, A.P. India.
I received a parcel of the Audio Cassettes of the
Shepherds of Christ
Ministries. But they are only enough for some of my priests only.
Therefore I request you to send me another parcel of 30 sets of cassettes
more for my priests and religious in the diocese. You can send them
directly to my address and I shall make it available for the priests.
Wishing you all the best and prayers, I remain
Yours in the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus,
+ _______
Diocese of _______
Catholic Bishop's House
INDIA
Mr. John Weickert,
August 12, 2001
President, Shepherds of Christ Ministries,
P.O. Box 193, Morrow,
OH 45152-0193,
U.S.A.
Dear Mr. John Weickert,
Thank you for your letter. I am sending you
the filled-up Membership Form. Thank you for sending me 'Shepherds
of Christ' regularly.
Yours sincerely,
+___________
Bishop in India
To: info@SofC.org
Sent: Saturday, August 11, 2001 2:49 AM
Subject: Membership Form
Dear
John, Thank you for the Newsletter, July 18, 2001, which I
received a few days ago, and I want to submit with all my heart my
application for Membership to the "Apostles of the Eucharistic Heart of
Jesus". The particulars, as asked by the form, are as follows:
Fr.
M. C.
India.
To: info@SofC.org
Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2001 8:29 AM
Subject: Apostles of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus
Dear John,
Greetings of peace and Joy in the Lord
from New Delhi - INDIA.
Thank you for the membership form which I am also sending by post.
Congratulations for spreading the devotion and Love for the Eucharistic
Lord. His presence in our Life makes all the difference.
I certainly would count it a privilege
to be a member of the
Apostles of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus.
Kindly include my name too.
Please note my new address:
Wishing you a very happy feast of the
Assumption of our Blessed Mother,
In our Eucharistic Lord,
Fr. M.V. S.D.B.
To: info@SofC.org
Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2001 5:07 AM
Subject: Membership Form
Dear Rev. Fr. ___
I am from Sri Lanka and I receive your Shepherds of Christ continuously. I
gain so much of valuable blessings by them and I give copies of the
newsletter to priests in Sri Lanka too.
I am so happy to be part of the movement of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus.
I make it a point to daily visit the Blessed Sacrament and pray before Jesus
who is alive. I am so glad now I can pray the chaplet of the Shepherds of
Christ as a volunteer. I will get more members enrolled from our local
church who would volunteer to pray before the Blessed Sacrament and fax you
details.
I strongly believe that prayers said before the Blessed Sacrament never go
unanswered. Please do let me know if you need any help from Sri Lanka and
with God's help I will do all I could to spread this devotion amongst the
local people.
May God bless all the wonderful work you are doing.
Yours faithfully,
Mrs. A. E.
December 27, 2001 message continues
Messenger: Mary said how important it is
the Bishops consecrate
their dioceses to the Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart.
The Apostles of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus Movement can
help bring this about.
The Father Speaks:
My children, the Plan will unfold. The message I gave to you
January 5, 1995 is this "My Plan will unfold despite the willfulness
of anyone there."
Messenger:
Many times people have blocked the work God has tried to
accomplish through the Shepherds of Christ Movement.
I remember, God the Father saying this in the
front of the Rosary Chapel at the Holy Spirit Center.
"My Plan will unfold despite the willfulness
of anyone there."
Messenger: On
January 5, 1999, it was bitter cold and Melanie and I and the others
were before Mary's image for the evening gathering. The window seemed
black as usual during the evening Prayers. God the Father gave me
this message and I wrote it in my Bible.
From January 5, 1999
God the Father speaks: It
is because of your fervor to pray here, that you have helped to hold back
the hand of My Son from punishing the earth with just punishment for the
crimes committed against God.
end of January 5, 1999
message
December 27, 2001 message continues
Messenger: We
have followed the Plan, God has given to us.
On January 5, 1997 I received the Bare Baby message
after I had been given the all night message of December 29, 1996.
Excerpt from January
5, 1999 Daily Message
Messenger: On January 5, 1997, I was wakened by Our
Lord and He was mumbling as He was around my bed as He did on October 8, 1997,
when He delivered the "Seedless, Barren, No Fruit on the Vine"
message.
I heard Him and He repeated the words
over and over again. I had a copy of the all-night message on the floor, I
jumped from the bed and began to write around the message, for it was the only
paper available and He was speaking very plainly and direct. I wrote this
message in the margins of the paper. He kept repeating "BABY, BARE BABY,
LAID BARE".
Message of January 5, 1997
Jesus speaks: Open yourself, Oh Jerusalem, your
time is come you will be a light to the people in darkness, many will
walk whence you come and the earth will be shakened and the light will
come across a dark sky and enlighten their minds.
Oh stiff-necked people, you are so
stiff in your ways, let the spirit envelope you and lead you on your
way.
A country of stiffs, a people of
planning and prodding, of deliberating and wondering—you lack faith,
Jerusalem, you lack faith in God.
Oh walk naked into the cold night,
you are cold in your hearts and naked in your clothing—I cloth you with
glory, I light your face with light, but you turn your cheeks to the
darkness and stay stiff-necked in your hearts. Oh cold and dark hearts,
reach for the light that you may know the glory that awaits the sinners
and enlightens their minds.
end of excerpt January 5, 1999 Daily Message
December 27, 2001 message continues
Messenger: We
do not know how God has worked in so many hearts
all over the globe because of the Newsletter and the Shepherds of Christ
Movement.
December 27, 2001 message continues
Messenger: Here
is a note from Father Carter, written on August 8th, 43 years
after he entered the Jesuits.
In this message we find the vision given to him by Our Lord.
December 27, 2001 message continues
Messenger: Fr.
Carter was called home last year at Christmas time.
December 18, 2000, 3:00 a.m. Jesus said:
Would you wish to deprive Me of giving a
holy soul their reward?
That is what they lived for, that some day
they would be with Me in heaven.
end of December 18, 2000
message
Excerpt from July 21, 2001 message
Messenger: I saw Father Carter dressed in white and I
saw
how much I have to struggle here below
doing God's work and I wanted
Fr. Carter to be in heaven.
end of excerpt
Excerpt from December 23, 2000 Message
Jesus speaks: Father
Carter will intercede for you at
the throne of God....
Rejoice, your brother has returned home,
now he intercedes for you at the throne
of God.
end of December 23, 2000 Message
Excerpt from April 5, 2001 Daily Message
Jesus speaks:
My priest, Father Carter pleads for you
at the throne of God.
end of excerpt from April 5, 2001
December 27, 2001 message continues
Messenger: Well Rose was called home
on Christmas Eve. She prayed
her prayers at 6:20 in the hospital. Our Lord told
me to give her a little tape recorder. She played them
and her batteries would wear out.
Rose lived the Shepherds of Christ Prayer life. She loved to pray.
She loved to attend Mass. She loved to be before the
Blessed Sacrament in Adoration. Rose loved Jesus.
She wrote her love letter to Him as her spouse. She
was so connected to Him and she loved Him so much.
Her union with Him deepened in those last days of
suffering.
She really worked the Shepherds of Christ program. She lived the
Shepherds of Christ way of life for a Shepherds of Christ Apostle. She
prayed so fervently for the priests,
the Church and the world.
She answered the call to do this. She loved the priests so deeply in her heart-
She spent her life at the end praying for the priests,
the Church and the world.
We do not even know the grace that could have
been released for our Church and our world because
of her suffering.
She is not dead, she lives and she is deeply
connected with us in this mission.
She and Fr. Carter have passed on. There are other
Shepherds of Christ Members who have passed on, Don and Mary Ann.
Some people have been laid out
holding the image rosary in their hands.
We are one, we are united in love, praying for the
priests, the Church and the world. We pray united to the Mass.
We want to pray so fervently.
Rose had peace. She did her morning offering. She
prayed for the Movement Jesus began. Rose is united
to us forever in deep love.
Fr. Carter's words at the end were "Our hearts are
merged."
"Our Hearts are merged."
Oh God we praise you and love you and thank
you for your gifts.
THROUGH HIM, WITH HIM AND IN HIM
July 5, 2000
December 27, 2001 message continues
Messenger: Rose loved Mary.
December 27, 2001 message continues
Messenger: Funeral
Saturday 10-11 am.
Mass 11:00 at All Saints.
To: info@SofC.org
Sent: Monday, August 06, 2001 7:41 AM
Subject: greetings from ______
I am regular reader of your booklet. Yours is a wonderful site in the web
Fr. M. K.
Secretary to the bishop
India
4-10-2001
Rev. Fr. Edward Carter
Shepherds of Christ Ministers
PO Box 193 Morrow,
Ohio 45152-0193
USA
Dear Rev. Fr. Carter,
Let me begin with wishing you a very happy Easter. This
letter may reach you only after Easter. But you will be remembered
during the Easter liturgy. And I shall distribute the newsletter to my
priests. I am confident that the priests will like the articles and that
it would help their spiritual life very much. May the Good Shepherd who
loves his priests bless your ministry.
Sincerely yours,
+____________
Bishop of _____
Zimbabwe
Re: Subscription by
Diocese to Shepherds of Christ Newsletter
It came to my attention recently some issues of the above Newsletter
that I consider quite helpful for our priests. Therefore, I would be very
grateful if you could send us a copy for each of the priests in the
Diocese, we are 25. I understand they are distributed free of charge.
In order to avoid the cost of postage you could send them by surface
and in one parcel addressed to:
With many thanks and best prayerful wishes on this great apostolate you
are doing.
Yours sincerely
Bishop of ______
To: Shepherds of Christ
Date: Wednesday, November 28, 2001 2:49 PM
Subject: Thanks!
Dear Mr. Weickert,
This is a very belated acknowledgement of your letter dated July 18, 2001.
When it arrived here I was on leave in my native country, ______. When
I came back to South Africa, two days after the 11th September tragedy, it
took time to catch up with matters.
I was sad to learn from your letter about the death of Father Edward Carter.
May his soul rest in peace with the Lord.
Since the arrival of your letter we have also received the 2nd issue of the
Shepherds of Christ Newsletter, together with a large consignment of Prayer
Manuals for the Shepherds of Christ Associates.
As usual, the Newsletter will go to all priests and houses of
religious in our diocese.
As regards the prayer manuals, I will discuss with our diocesan vocations
co-ordinator the possibility of bringing together the idea of your
movement's prayer chapters with our effort to establish the Living Rosary.
The aim of the latter is prayer for vocations and for seminarians and
priests.
Many of our people are still only semi literate, but they have a great love
for the Church and realize that the times when they could rely on getting
priests from elsewhere are gone.
May the Lord bless your wonderful work!
Wishing you a fruitful Advent and holy Christmas,
Sincerely yours in the Lord,
+ _______, Bishop of
______, S. Africa
Most
Reverend Bishop ________, D.D.
CUDDAPAH
Bishop
Emeritus of Cuddapah
A.P.S India
DATE 23-1-2001
Dear Fr. Carter,
Let me start this letter wishing you a Very Happy New Year with all its
blessings of peace, joy and happiness and success. May God bless you.
I received the Shepherds of Christ - Issue 4, 2000 only yesterday. I have not
gone through it. I hope that you get enough and more funds to continue. My
special prayers for you for this purpose. It is a surprise for me to know that
you print in Spanish and are going to do it also in French. I cannot but admire
your courage and hard work.
Congratulations.
You will have enough funds. No good work will suffer by lack of funds. That's my
experience.
How are you? Please keep up your health and joy.
I came back to Cuddapah and remain at my old address given above. Neck pain
affects me to sit and work. Otherwise I keep well and happy.
Once more I congratulate you and wish you every success. Please pray for
me. My love to all those there.
With much
love, wishes, prayers and blessings.
Yours in Jesus, Mary, Joseph
_______________
Dear Fr. Carter,
I would like to thank you for the first issue of 1998 of
Shepherds of Christ which you have sent me.
I have found your newsletter thought-provoking and
spiritually enriching. I have handed four of the five copies you sent me to
the two Rectors of our Minor and Philosophy seminaries, to the priest in
contact with our young priests and with vocations, and to our cloister at
Carmel. I am sure that they will appreciate it as much as I do.
I shall be grateful if you could send me 75 copies. You can
be sure they will be read avidly and greatly appreciated. Also, I shall be
extremely grateful if you send me 3 copies of the first 12 letters that have
appeared in book form.
Congratulations on this excellent apostolate. Keep up the
good work you are doing. May Mary, our blessed Mother, bless this spiritual
apostolate of yours. I have appreciated very much the quotations you put from
Fr. Angelo Amato, S.D.B. and from Cardinal Newman regarding our blessed
Mother.
Thanking you once again,
In caritate Christi
Armando Trinidad
Archbishop of Lahore, Pakistan
1998 - ISSUE TWO
Dear Father,
I have been asked by His Excellency Bishop Frances Gerard
Brooks, D.D., to thank you for your recent letter.
At a recent diocesan conference our bishop informed the
priests of the diocese of your recent letter and provided for their perusal
the samples of your newsletter. The response was very positive, with many
priests indicating a desire to receive your newsletter on a regular basis.
His Excellency has asked me to confirm with you the
possibility of ordering 60 copies of your newsletter. This will allow for a
copy to be given to every priest, deacon and seminarian of the diocese. It
will also facilitate "sample" copies to be distributed further
afield.
Rev. Niall Sheehan
Cathedral Presbytery
Newry, Northern Ireland
Dear Father,
This date two copies of your Catholic newsletter reached my desk. I put other
mail aside and read your publication.
It sold itself. Therefore I would ask for 60 copies that can be spread
among our priests, brothers, sisters, deacons and catechists.
I am sure they will appreciate what you send.
Blessings and best wishes.
Your servant in Christ,
Cardinal Pio Taofinu'u
Archbishop of Samoa-Apia
1998 - ISSUE FOUR
Dear Fr. Edward:
Thank you for the Shepherds of Christ Newsletter. You are putting in the hands
of our priests timely materials for spiritual reading and for allocutions and
homilies. I myself will find this helpful for my apostolate of giving
recollections and retreats to seminarians and priests.
I will be glad to have 60 copies of each issue of the Newsletter starting
with the forthcoming newsletter.
Permit me to extend to you and your companions in the apostolate my
appreciation and gratitude for extending your help to your fellow priests in
the ministry.
God bless you.
Sincerely yours,
Angel N. Lagdameo
Bishop of Dumaguete, Philippines
Dear Father,
Yesterday I received your letters and the book, Spirituality Newsletters.
I am delighted because there is so much material coming on to my desk it is
well-nigh impossible to read much of it. However, your gift looks to me as if
it will fill a great need for us here. We simply do not have the time to read
a great deal and have often thought it would be a great thing if one of us
could digest a great deal of the writings we receive, summarize them and send
them to the rest of us. However, that too is quite impractical we find. And I
rather think that what you have sent is the very thing we need, and because it
is on spirituality it will be the greatest help and inspiration. I have to
tell you that all the priests here are great workers, and all of them work
long hours manually in travel by boat, in caring for light plants, boat
engines, buildings, etc., just to support their stations, (most on pretty
lonely islands) so that they have little money to buy good books, and little
time to read them if they get them. What you have sent seems to really fill a
bill for us. It seems at first sight to be the essence of the great need we
have, for the development of the priest himself in spirituality.
Thank you very much indeed. I am really grateful.
Yours very sincerely and fraternally in Our Lord
Bishop D.C. Morre
Diocese of Alotau
Papua new Guinea
Dear Fr. Carter,
I am writing to ask you to please send me ten copies of the Spiritual
Newsletter for Priests, Shepherds of Christ, and a copy of the book
which includes the first 12 issues of your newsletter.
I have received two issues of 1998, and I have found them
very useful to enhance our priestly on-going formation, and I wish to give one
to my nine diocesan priests and keep one for myself.
Sincerely yours in Christ
Bishop Ambrose Ravasi, IMC
Diocese of Marsabit, Kenya
30 June 1999
Reverend and dear Father Carter,
Warmest Greetings to you from Plentong, Malaysia.
I write to thank you for your kindness and thoughtfulness
in sending us several copies of your "Spirituality Newsletter for
Priests". We have received Issues One & Two, 1999.
There is no doubt that our priests will benefit from the
articles of your Newsletter and hopefully they will inspire and encourage them
to seek holiness in their pastoral work.
With renewed gratitude and warm regards.
Yours sincerely in the Lord,
Bishop James Chan
Melaka-Johor Diocese
2000 - ISSUE ONE
Dear Fr. Carter,
I received the parcel you so kindly sent me. Thank you for the book
"Shepherds of Christ" and the set of audio cassettes.
May I request of you this favour. There are more than 100 priests in the
dioceses of Cuddapah and also Kurnool where I served as Apostolic
Administrator for three years. They love me also and visit me when they come
this side. I want to give them all the book, "Shepherds of Christ"
and ask them to study and meditate on it.
I admire this great work that you are doing for the priestly holiness. The
holiness of the Church depends on the holiness of its priests. It is a great
pity that many fail to be "Christ". Only prayer and love can bring
them around. My congratulations to you once again. With love and blessings,
Rev. S. A. Aruliah D.D.
Bishop Emeritus of Cuddapah
India
2000 - ISSUE ONE
I received the parcel you so kindly sent me. Thank you for the book
"Shepherds of Christ" and the set of audio cassettes.
May I request of you this favour. There are more than 100 priests in the
dioceses of Cuddapah and also Kurnool where I served as Apostolic
Administrator for three years. They love me also and visit me when they come
this side. I want to give them all the book, "Shepherds of Christ"
and ask them to study and meditate on it.
I admire this great work that you are doing for the priestly holiness. The
holiness of the Church depends on the holiness of its priests. It is a great
pity that many fail to be "Christ". Only prayer and love can bring
them around. My congratulations to you once again. With love and blessings,
Rev. S. A. Aruliah D.D.
Bishop Emeritus of Cuddapah
India
Dear and Rev. Edward,
Loving and cordial greetings to you from Most Rev. G. Johannes, Bishop of
Kurnool.
I am glad to learn that you are publishing a
magazine by name Shepherds of Christ. Recently, I was given some
magazines to be distributed to our priests by Most Rev. Bishop S. A. Aruliah
of Cuddapah and the magazines are very good and worth reading.
As the magazines are useful to our priests,
I would like to get them for our priests too. Presently there are 70 priests
in our diocese and distribution of these magazines to our priests will surely
help their spiritual life. As your magazine covers so may theological,
pastoral themes, it helps our priests in their pastoral life.
Hence, I request you to send at least 70 Shepherds
of Christ magazines to us so that we may distribute to our priests. I
also request you to send some audio-video tapes which can help our priests
pastorally.
With Blessings,
GORANTLA Johannes D. D.
Bishop of Kurnool, India
2000 - ISSUE THREE
Dear Fr. Carter,
I have been reading the newsletter book Shepherds of Christ
meditatively since it came. All the articles are deep theology and
spirituality. If only priests read it properly and prayerfully, a change
towards Christ cannot but come. All my Diocesan priests got the book and are
reading it. I have sent a few copies to the seminary rector in South India
whom I know, asking him to read it and also order the newsletter. I am sure
they will profit by it.
Bishop S.A. Aruliah
Cuddapah
India
THE ARCHBISHOP'S OFFICE
MALAYSIA
The Editor
Shepherds of Christ Ministries
P. O. Box 193
Morrow, Ohio 45152-0193.
U.S.A.
2-5-2001
Dear Editor,
Thank you for sending me your magazine 2001 - Issue 1. From the
notice given on page 5, I have learned of the death of Fr.
Edward J. Carter S.J. on
18, 2000. He founded the Shepherds of Christ Movement and
published the
quarterly magazine of which I and my priests are the regular
receivers and readers.
While I am mourning his death, I am also praying for the repose
of his soul. May
the merciful and loving Lord grant him eternal rest for the good
he contributed to
many priests through his service.
Thank you for sending me 5 copies continuously your magazine.
Please continue to do so.
With best wishes.
Yours in the Lord,
Archbishop ___________
Archbishop's Curia
Secretariat for the Clergy
9th November 2001
Dear Fr. Carter,
I would like
thank you for receiving regularly your newsletters these
past 2 years.
For the last
three issues we have been receiving far more copies than
our requirements. Kindly note that we need only 340 copies to be able
to
distribute to each individual priest in our diocese.
I take the
opportunity of this letter to congratulate you on the very
interesting and informative articles.
In union of
prayers.
Fr. ____
Delegate
5 November 2001
Bishop ________
India
Dear Director,
Greetings
and Blessings in the Lord Jesus.
I received
Shepherds of Christ Magazine, No 2, 2001 issue
safely. I thank you sincerely for it. May God bless your ministry for
priests. I sent that together to all priests and convents.
I am sure that they profit by the beautiful articles especially the
long articles Sacraments and Mass. It is deep, clear and concise.
Thank you.
May I request
you a favour. Can you send me a few of
the best books of Carter on spiritual life. I asked him for these
two years back. But he died without answering my letter.
Thank you. I am a retired bishop with some time to read. I
would like to read only such books to prepare myself to heaven.
I know the
wonderful work you are doing in publishing
and sending this magazine. I am sure you will not need funds.
God sees to his work.
All my sympathy
to U.S.A. I pray that will help it to
recover. All for good - materialism and too much confidence
on oneself must die.
With much love -
_____
Letters from Priests
I read with deep interest your edition
of Shepherds of Christ. It is spiritually based, neatly organized,
and very readable. Again, congratulations on a beautiful ministry.
Rev. Joseph F. Brennan
Pastor, St. Genevieve Church LaFayette, Louisiana
Thank you for sending me the
newsletter, Shepherds of Christ. I loved it. I need all the help
you can give during these confusing times. I must not lose sight of my
objective—a true salesman for Our Lord. I must be sold first to love Him
before I bring others to Him.
Fr. Sabbas R. Christ the
King Rectory Commack, L.I., New York
A blessed New Year—and a quick note
of thanks for the excellent bulletin, Shepherds of Christ.
Eamon Carroll, O. Carm.
Chicago, Illinois
I just wanted to drop you a note to
tell you how much I enjoyed reading Shepherds of Christ. I found it good
spiritual reading—and refreshing. Keep up the good work.
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Eugene P. Hruska, V.G. Great
Falls, Montana
Dear Ed,
I just wanted to take this chance to thank you for
sending to me the Shepherds of Christ Newsletter. I have appreciated it very
much, both to keep in touch with what you are doing and to enjoy the rich
variety of topics needed for priestly reflection today—topics like
friendship, prayer, and the Holy Spirit (a subject close to a Paulist’s
heart) in recent issues.
Sincerely,
Larry Boadt, CSP Paulist Press, Mahwah, NJ
I like your newsletter very much.
Shepherds of Christ gave me plenty of food for prayer!
Fr. Michael A. Becker St.
Rose of Lima, Altoona, PA.
Dear Fr. Ed,
From nowhere I received a copy of your newsletter.
Reading it was a source of simple delight as is anything buoying up our
priesthood these days. The folksy “Joys of Being a Priest” (by Fr.
Philip Hamilton, March-April issue) brought a smile. I think of these
fifty-one years with their ups and downs as something very special. As life
moves quickly and relentlessly on I am sure of this: It Is Great To Be a
Priest. To have spent this one life on anything less would appear to this
simple soul as a great waste. Please keep the newsletter coming—and thank
you for the lift!
Fraternally in Christ,
Rev. Charles Mallen, C.SS.R. Venice, Florida
Dear Ed,
It is slow in coming, but I want to add my voice to the
praise your newsletter for priests must be getting. I find the material good
for reflective, meditative reading and praying. Heaven knows we priests need
that.
In the Heart of Christ,
Bob Harvanek, S.J. Loyola University, Chicago
Dear Fr. Ed,
Of all the stuff that comes cascading into my mailbox
every day, “Shepherds of Christ” really stands out. To me it exemplifies
one of the great strengths of Catholicism—its spirituality. I use the
newsletter for my prayer after Mass. It has brought me closer to God through
Christ by focusing on the basics of Catholic-Christian spirituality in a way
that enlightens and inspires.
Fr. Bill Zimmer Chicago, Illinois
It gives me special pleasure to share
the following letter. It comes from my doctoral dissertation director, Fr.
Ernie Larkin, O. Carm. He is one of the leading experts on the spiritual
teaching of St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila. He has also been
one of my most influential teachers, and for this I am most grateful to him.—Editor
Dear Ed,
I am embarrassed not to have been one of the first to congratulate you on
your obviously successful newsletter for priests. It is…solid,
inspirational, and founded in the best of our tradition. I am very proud of
you. May the Lord touch many of our hearts through this ministry. All the
best to you!
Ernie Larkin, O Carm. Phoenix, Arizona
Dear Father Ed,
Prayer is truly the food of faith and faith is the foundation of our
priestly lives. Through your Shepherds of Christ newsletter you remind us
through your insights and prayers that emotion does indeed feed devotion and
that we are all only a heartbeat away from the face-to-face presence of the
Father through the Son in the Spirit! Thanks for all your letter means to
all of us.
Fraternally,
Msgr. Jeremiah F. Kenney Baltimore, Maryland
Dear Father Ed,
The enclosed is a small way of thanking you for the articles in Shepherds
of Christ.
The article “Thoughts on the Eucharist” (July-August)
reminds me of the overwhelming love of Christ for me, fellow Catholics and
the world. I pray in the vein of St. Peter Eymard that I might return my all
and answer Christ with “this is me for you”.
In Christ,
Fr. Joe Kenlon, O.F.M.Cap New Paltz, New York
Dear Father Ed,
I must sincerely tell you how enjoyable your newsletter is. I find it
spiritually uplifting. Many times in our earnestness to be of help we forget
our own spiritual needs.
You are doing a great service to the American priesthood.
May God bless you and sustain you in your endeavors. My prayers are with
you, because I (and I am sure many other priests) feel enriched every time I
read your newsletter. Thanks.
In Jesus’ love,
Rev. William Bonnici Clinton Township, MI
November/December 1995 Issue
Dear Fr. Ed,
Thanks for the Shepherds of Christ newsletter. I enjoyed the July-August
one. 'Twas very good and uplifting. May the Holy Spirit pierce your mind
with ways to encourage your brother priests. Fraternally in Christ,
Rev. John Turk
Warren, Ohio
Dear Father Ed,
With all the misquotes and the twisted interpretations of the Catholic
Teachings in our daily Press, it is enjoyable to pick up Shepherds of Christ
and read some solid Catholic Teaching. Keep up the good work. Thank you for
the Newsletter.
Fr. Werner Verhoff, C.PP.S.
Dear Fr. Carter,
I appreciated very much that you wrote to me. I can imagine the amount of
work you have in publishing a newsletter for 45,000 priests and preparing to
send it to priests in other countries. I congratulate you that you send it
free of charge…
I received only two issues. I would love to get every
issue. Your newsletter is a mine of thoughts and inspirations…
…in my humble opinion, encouragement is what priests
need the most today. Everybody should show them their appreciation…for
bearing the burdens of those who left or are not coming. I admire the great
majority of young priests for their beautiful spirituality. Yours
respectfully in the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary,
Fr. Leonard Currieri, M.SS.CC.
Linwood, New Jersey
Dear Ed,
In the true spirit of St. Ignio you have captured the essence of some very great
saints in the Church. I found your selections truly inspiring and reinforcing of
the beliefs that must be at the center of every priest's life. Thank you and
keep up this long needed newsletter.
Father Jim Wysocki,
Marine City, Michigan
January/February 1996 Issue
Dear Father,
Your publication is most welcome; a breath of fresh air and wisdom.
All the best in Christ,
Don Derivaux
St. Alphonsus Church
McComb, Mississippi
Dear Ed,
Your current Newsletter, December issue, is simply exceptional. Very solid food.
I'm reading it very slowly. I especially liked Basil Pennington's image of the
Christic self.
In Christ Jesus
John Wetmore
Church of St. Stephen, Protomartyr
St. Louis, Missouri
(Dear Father Ed,)
Thank you for the great newsletter. I use it for spiritual reading. It's a great
help.
Fr. John Le Voir
Church of the Holy Trinity
South St. Paul, Minnesota
Dear Fr. Ed,
I always enjoy the newsletter. It is always full of such a broad range of solid
spiritual and doctrinal authors and topics. Very inspiring! As someone rather
newly ordained (Oct., 1993), I'll take all the support and inspiration I can
get!
In Christ,
Glenn Eftink
Cathedral of St. Mary of the Annunciation
Cape Girardeau, Missouri
March/April 1996 Issue
Dear Fr. Carter,
Thank you for your valuable newsletter of spirituality for
priests.
Fraternally,
Msgr. Walter Schroeder
Church of the Magdalene
North Tarrytown, New York
Dear Ed,
I've read every issue of Shepherds of Christ, which is rather rare, because I've
received a ton of junk mail every day. Thanks for taking time out to share your
inspiring reflections with us who are "too busy."
Just a token to defray some of your costs.
In Christ,
Msgr. Domenic M. Luong
Mary Queen of Vietnam Church
New Orleans, Louisiana
Dear Father Ed,
Thank you for your Nov/Dec Newsletter. Some paragraphs are clearly gifts of the
Holy Spirit for me. Keep up the great work for Jesus Christ.
In JMJ,
Gus Biehl, S.M.
East St. Louis, Illinois
Dear Fr. Carter,
Thank you for your most welcome newsletter. I read it gradually, one section at
a time, so I can sit with and let sink in the penetrating thoughts you have
gleaned from a wonderful variety of sources. If it weren't for this well-chosen
digest I would not meet some of the spiritual writers you feature. Yours is an
excellent resource for contemplatives on a tight schedule.
In Christ's peace,
Frank Desiderio, C.S.P.
St. Paul's College
Washington, D.C.
Greetings!
I am enclosing a donation for Shepherds of Christ which I
find uplifting and inspiring.
Rev. Gino Dalpiaz, C.S.
Scalabrini Mission Center
Stone Park, Illinois
Dear Fr. Carter,
I just received my first newsletter, Shepherds of Christ. I am very grateful for
this publication. It provides some wonderful reflections and it is possible to
read them even with a busy parish schedule.
Thank you for providing this wonderful service. Please accept
the enclosed donation as a token of my appreciation.
Gratefully,
Rev. Gregory F. Hoppough, C.S.S.
Sacred Heart Church
Waltham, Massachusetts
As we are establishing the newsletter in an increasing number
of countries, we are beginning to receive letters from our brother priests in
different parts of the world. This helps all of us to be more aware of our
fraternal union with all priests throughout the Universal Church. Here is a
letter from a priest in Uganda, Africa:
Dear Father,
I am writing you to thank you for a well-done job for the renewal and growth of
priests through the spirituality newsletter, Shepherds of Christ. I am also
grateful for the copy I received recently, the Nov/Dec 1995 issue. How I wish I
had received all issues. The articles are nourishing, supportive, informative
and challenging. Thank you very much for your work and generosity.
I am wondering whether it is possible for me to continue
receiving a copy of Shepherds of Christ regularly. As a person involved in
giving renewal courses for priests, seminarians, and religious men and women, I
have found it helpful.
Fr. Albert Gavamukulyo
Kisubi, Uganda
Dear Fr. Carter,
Deo Gratias and also to you for your Shepherds of Christ
newsletter-a gem. Your articles always have solid meditation material and an
inviting way of leading us priests on that path of holiness to which we are
called.
May your work be graced by the Lord.
Sincerely in Jesus and Mary,
Fr. Eugene Golas,
Grand Rapids, Michigan
My dear Fr. Carter:
Many thanks for the March-April issue of Shepherds of Christ.
That is the first issue I ever saw or received. May the good Lord bless you. It
is a wonderful newsletter. I am enclosing a small donation. May God love you.
Sincerely,
Fr. Charles Jirik,
Minneapolis MN
Dear Ed,
I recently ran across your publication. As a newly ordained
priest, I found it most refreshing and affirming. Please subscribe me at the
above address. We are all grateful to people like you who help people like us.
Gratefully,
Fr. John Kennedy,
Monroe, Louisiana
Dear Fr. Carter,
Thanks so much for the spirituality newsletter. I'll be using the Sept.-Oct.
issue for meditations for the rest of the year and beyond.
I was a little down due to the fact that there are four
terminal cancer patients in the parish and it is hard to cope-with them, their
families, and oneself. Then your lovely newsletter came and truly lifted my
spirits.
Please accept the enclosed to support your grace-filled
ministry.
In Christ,
Fr. Walter E. Heinz
Pomeroy, Ohio
Dear Father,
Using your reflections is like making a retreat-great for reviewing.
God bless you,
Fr. Edmund Schreiber
Franklin Park, Illinois
Dear Friend,
I want to thank you for publishing Shepherds of Christ. I really do appreciate
your thoughtfulness of helping us pastors to keep our mind's focus on Jesus.
Thank you,
Rev. Gerald Cernoch
Shiver, Texas
Dear Fr. Carter,
I want to thank you for sending me a copy of Shepherds of Christ. This
Spirituality Newsletter for Priests contains very nourishing food for priests.
Reading through it lifted up my "drooping spirit." May you be blessed
in this ministry.
And I have a request: There are 78 Diocesan priests in the Diocese of
Darjeeling, India, in the foothills of the Himalayas, working in the remote
missions. A copy of Shepherds of Christ to each one of them would be very
enriching. May I request you to send to me about 80 copies of Shepherds of
Christ regularly so that I can send each priest in the Diocese a copy.
Thanking you in advance,
Yours fraternally in the Lord,
Fr. Thomas DiSouza
Diocesan Administrator
Darjeeling, India
My dear Fr. Carter:
Just a short note and a small donation to support the wonderful work you are
doing for the Lord. May He bless you and your spiritual ministry to His priests
throughout the world. I read all that you have been writing with care and
prayer.
In your charity, please remember me and the Church in China.
Fr. Bernard Hwang
Oregon City, Oregon
Dear Rev. Fr. Ed Carter, S.J.,
Thank you very much for providing us
with rich spiritual literature.
The Shepherds of Christ Newsletter
has been very useful to us and I have received positive response from a good
number of priests. Thank you for the good work and we shall be happy if you
continue sending them to us.
Fr. John Bazimenyera, St.
Augustine's Institute, Kampala, Uganda.
Dear Fr. Carter,
It took me such a long time to answer
your letter of over a month ago. I am sorry for this delay. I have just received
your issue of SHEPHERDS OF CHRIST for March/April 1997 for which I heartily
thank you. I have already distributed quite a lot to our Gozitan priests, and
they want to thank you as they find your newsletter very enriching spiritually.
I am sending some copies to the Seminarians in Malta and to other priests there.
By the way, I have some good news for
you, I think. A little over a month ago His Lordship, the bishop of Baton Rouge
was our guest at Manresa Retreat House. He came over to visit the families of
three Gozitan priests who work in his diocese. I have introduced the SHEPHERDS
OF CHRIST newsletter to him, which he appreciated greatly. I also passed over
some copies to the Spiritual Father of the American College in Rome who was
accompanying His Lordship.
God bless you with His love and
peace. Rev. Joseph M. Galdes, S.J., Gozo, Malta.
Dear Fr. Ed Carter,
Thank you very much for your kind letter and for the
enclosures. Congratulations for the wonderful work that is being done to animate
the Shepherds. I believe such material is very essential these days to nourish
and strengthen the Ministers of the Word and the Sacraments.
I would like to give a copy each to every Priest working in
the diocese and to the seminarians in their final stages of formation. I will be
happy to receive 100 copies of Shepherds of Christ for that purpose.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Robert Kerkerketla, SDB DD
Bishop of Tezpur, India