The Blessed Virgin Mary, assumed into heaven, gives hope to the human race.  Like her, we are destined for eternity with God.  Mary, Our Mother, pray for us! Almighty and everlasting God, You have taken up body and soul into the heavenly glory the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of Your Son: Grant, we beseech You, that, ever intent upon heavenly things, we may be worthy to be partakers of her glory. Through Jesus Christ Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen. From the Roman Missal

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It's been an exhilarating time of production thus far here at EWTN with several amazing guests like street smart evangelist Justin Fatica, chastity champions Jason and Cystalina Evert, powerful preacher and healer Fr. Philip Scott and the always informative Bert Ghezzi.  But what I am most thrilled about is our day of live programming  tomorrow with another favorite guest, Dr. Ted Sri who will be walking us through the upcoming changes to the Mass.  I hope you will join us for this exciting opportunity.  The details are below:

TUNE IN FRIDAY 11AM EST on EWTN for  Women of Grace® LIVE! Television Call in and be part of the show

This Friday, August 12th at 11am EST, Women of Grace® TV will be a full one hour LIVE Call in Show.  Join Johnnette and Fr. Edmund Sylvia for this exciting show with Dr. Edward (Ted) Sri on "The Mass: Constant and Changing". We are inviting all of you to give us a call and get on the show.  Ask your questions or share your experiences with us. The LIVE call in phone number is 205-271-2980. JOIN IN ON THIS EXCITING LIVE SHOW!!!  WATCH IT LIVE ON EWTN! We'll be providing updates through our Women of Grace Facebook and Twitter pages so stay tuned...

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Am at EWTN. Today's guests were the Hard as Nails Ministries guys -- Justin Fatica, Brian Greenfield and Tim Hanley. They preach with what I call "cutting-edge evangelization." To give you a sample of what I mean, check out this poetic dramatization by its author, Tim Hanley. I find it AMAZING! http://youtu.be/AqYUnrOuCvc PS These guys are sold out to Our Lady. Yippee!

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My name is Barbara Mancuso, a parishioner at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Clermont, Florida.  Being a convert to the faith approximately 20 years ago, my journey continues.  In my desire to learn the Catholic faith and my purpose as a Cathloic woman, I participated in the Women Of Grace Study program 4 years ago.  It was a profound turning point in deepening my faith not only as a Catholic, but as a woman in the eyes of my Heavenly Father.  I was hearing many theological truths about why God created woman and truly seeking my role in that plan.  This to me was not just “another bible study”.  So many answers to questions I didn’t know how to ask! 

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Arrived in Dublin on June 16. Beautiful day! Sunny, warm. Met Therese McCrystal. Like the day: sunny, warm, and charming. Immediate connection. Off to a drive around Dublin.  Julia sang Molly Malone at Molly Malone bronze statue in city. So cute!  But Molly needs a cover-up!  Stopped at Carmelite church. Lovely. Relics of St. Valentine and St. Pius X. Got there in time for Mass. Praise God! Loved the depiction of the Rood -- a very meaningful image to me.  Would like to go back to Dublin to explore to city more fully. Next time, God willing.

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Six years ago, I had a heart attack due to stress, not blockage.  Though my recovery was complete, I felt brokenness within my heart. Looking back, I can see God's hand during my recovery. His tenderness was felt in the eyes of my husband, Ken.  His strength was experienced in the hands of the cardiac rehab staff. While recuperating, I became an EWTN junkie.  I watched The Abundant Life and later began watching the Women of Grace® TV programs and learned much from Johnnette, Fr. Ed and their guests.  Johnnette's enthusiasm made me yearn for peace and purpose. One day, after prayer, I asked myself, "Could I become a woman of grace?" At daily Mass, a hunger for Scripture began to grow in my heart.  I signed up for my first bible study at St. Timothy's Church, on Revelation, and realized that I had jumped into deep waters.  My table leader encouraged me to be persistent and watch the Holy Spirit work through the study.  A few months into the study, Scripture began to come alive for me.  The following year, I was asked to be a table leader.  Though I had my doubts, prayer once again opened my heart and I gave a reluctant "yes." Immersing myself in the lessons, I sensed that God wanted me to have a more active faith.  I began volunteering at St. Joseph's Hospital and there I met a pastoral care volunteer who had a deep Marian devotion and an interior radiance.  "Now there's a woman of grace," I thought.  Little did I know, that only a few short years later, I would volunteer as a Eucharistic Minister at the same hospital where I went through cardiac rehab. Last year, a bible study facilitator gave me a flier for the Women of Grace® study series at St. Lawrence Church in Tampa.  I wasn't sure what was involved, but knew I needed to attend.  Once again, God was calling my name.  The facilitators, Isabelle and Amy, modeled a spirit of receptivity, trust, and surrender.  Through the study, I began to pray more before the Blessed Sacrament, to say the rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet.  As a result, I experienced Our Lady as my spiritual mother and a deeper sense of peace and healing in my heart.  It seemed that the Women of Grace study ended too soon but I knew it was time for me to leave the upper room and become an "apostle" for Jesus and Mary. Spiritually transformed and energized, I was inspired to serve God as a Women of Grace facilitator.  In May, I co-facilitated a small group in my home.  At times it felt like I was on training wheels, yet the Holy Spirit worked through my imperfections and it was a blessing to bond with my spiritual sisters.  In June, I co-facilitated a larger group at St. Mark the Evangelist.  The scripture passage "And Jesus said to His disciples, 'Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life....Instead, seek His kingdom...for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.'" As a former corporate trainer, I learned that facilitating a spiritual study, like Women of Grace, is propelled by the Holy Spirit.  When I surrender to God's love, He does the rest. I am grateful to Our Lady for the gift of a holy boldness.  God truly qualifies the unqualified.  How blessed I feel to play a small part in the anointed work of Women of Grace®.

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"Grandma," called my almost five-year old granddaughter from the backseat of the car. "Yes, Julia," I replied. "Grandma, do you know Jesus' phone number?" "No darling, I don't. But sometimes I sure wish I did!" "Well, how do we talk to Him?" "Oh," I said, "we just have to pray -- even in our hearts -- and He hears us." "How do we know what He says back?" "Julia, Jesus always answers us.  But we hear His answers in our heart. We have to listen very carefully." Things were quiet for a few minutes. "Julia, what are you doing?" I asked. "Shhhh -- Grandma. I'm listening." Are you listening today? "And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. "  -- 1 Kings 19: 11-12

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Happy Independence Day! Blessed John Paul II said, "Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought."  Today, this holy concept of freedom is being challenged from Supreme Court decisions to decisions made in our local schools and communities. In the face of it all, we can become discouraged, beleagured, and sick at heart. Let me offer a bit of encouragement I received this morning as I offered a prayer for our country. These words are given to us by the prophet Isaiah in chapter 35. May we find in them hope for our day and time, and direction for our actions:

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Yesterday I was doing some weeding in my garden and there, once again, I came upon my archenemy -- a prolific weed against which I wage a war. Sprouting tendrils from the mother plant, it creeps its way along the ground’s surface in search of one of my pretty blossoms and blooms.  Spying its prey, it coils itself around my dainty bloom, plants a root system nearby, and attempts to suck the life out of my lovely flower. Also, click here for all information related to flowers.

“Aha, “ I said. “We meet again!” And mustering up energy and strength, I waged a fierce battle, grabbed it by its vine and yanked it out, triumphant for the moment!

But before I too quickly raised a toast to victory, I knew the war had not been won. The weed would return. Yes, it would come back again, impervious to my latest win. In this war, vigilance was required, steadfastness of heart, fortitude and resolve, humility and perseverance. These would hold me firm in my fight, and help me sustain the zeal and vigor that I need.

Yes, with the help of grace, the battle will be won – maybe not in time, perhaps only in eternity, when I see Jesus face to face, and all is made new (Rev. 21:5).

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A few days ago a member of my high school graduating class passed away.  Bonnie had always been the type of person who was on the periphery of events, parties, dances, and all of the social things that make up a high school experience.  In many ways, she was challenged – not intellectually but in other ways that can make teenage years tough. Her last days sound as if they were as challenging as those earlier days.  And she left the world seemingly bereft of the parents whom she buried and any close personal friends.  Fortunately, another classmate was made aware of her death through a professional acquaintance.  He notified the rest of us.

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