Lily of the Valley, a sweet memory of a child
As a child, growing up in rural Indiana, I was fascinated by the little flowers, “lily of the valley.”
These delicate white flowers, liked the shade, and grew behind the bushes that lined our front porch. In order to reach these small flowers, I would have to squeeze behind thick bushes to bend down and smell their heavenly fragrance.
Mother Angelica, oil painting by Mark Sanislo
Recently, I had the great blessing of visiting the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady of the Angels Monastery, in Hanceville, Alabama. It is truly a taste of Europe without leaving the states.
Building this beautiful medieval-style monastery was the idea of Mother Angelica, a Poor Clare of Perpetual Adoration who brought this order to Birmingham, AL. fifty years ago.
In 1995, while visiting the Sanctuary of the Divino Nino Jesus in Bogota, Columbia, Mother Angelica received a vision while praying before a small statue of the Divine Child Jesus. The statue came to life and said to her: “Build Me a Temple, and I will help those who help you.”
The Shrine and monastery are home to Mother Angelica and the cloistered nuns and is located on 400 acres of lush farmland. The road is lined with black fence and sweeping vistas of sloping hills on either side. It is both prayerful and majestic.
Praying the chaplet at the bedside of the dying
“I felt today how greatly a certain dying soul desired prayers. I prayed until I felt she had died. Oh dying souls are in such great need of prayer! O Jesus, inspire souls to pray often for the dying.” St. Faustina Kowalska, Diary # 1015
Divine Mercy week-end, 2012, I experienced a miracle of God’s mercy. I was singing at a Divine Mercy celebration in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Annie Karto, with Fr. Leszek Czelusniak, MIC, celebrates the release of Divine Mercy Flood My Soul
He was not supposed to be on the CD project. Music missionary Annie Karto was praying for a Marian priest to lead the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and selected Diary of St. Faustina quotes for her latest project, “Divine Mercy Flood My Soul.”
The Marian priest Fr. Leszek Czelusniak’s name was mentioned, and Divine Providence made it happen.
“St. Faustina was Polish, so I thought Fr. Leszek would be the perfect fit,” Karto stated.
As it turned out, Fr. Leszek was visiting Treasure Island, Fla., Annie’s hometown, for a local Divine Mercy conference. She called him in the morning, and he recorded his portion of the CD in two hours time that afternoon.
Divine Mercy has been the focus of Annie’s music ministry for the past 23 years. It all started with a deep reversion back to the Catholic faith through an experience of God’s Mercy in a small chapel in the Ozark mountains. From this experience, Annie received the song “Divine Mercy Flood My Soul” and has shared this song and the message of God’s mercy wherever she is invited.
The new CD highlights both a spoken and sung version of the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
The latter, written by Fr. Philip Pavich, OFM, includes beautiful stringed instruments, and sets a very reverent tone for worship. Dave and Joan Maroney of Mother of Mercy Messengers use this particular chaplet before their presentations. Dave says this is one of the most beautiful and reverent chaplets he has heard.
With an invitation from Rwandan genocide survivor Immaculee Ilibagiza, Karto was able to visit Fr. Leszek and the retreat center he and the Marians built in Kibeho, Rwanda, this past summer. Kibeho is the site of the approved apparition of Our Lady of Kibeho. Father Leszek has been serving as a missionary in Rwanda for more than 20 years.
Moved by the children in Kibeho and the ongoing work of the Marians, Karto decided to donate a portion of each CD sale for the work of the Marians in Kibeho.
To listen to samples of the CD “Divine Mercy Flood My Soul,” visit annie karto’s store.
To find out more about the Marians’ work in Kibeho, and how to contribute, visit marian.org/give/rwanda.php or kibeho.org, or email Ellen Miller at the Association of Marian Helpers, at emiller@marian.org.
Annie before Divine Mercy Image, New Mexico
During the course of Jesus’ revelations to Saint Faustina on the Divine Mercy He asked on numerous occasions that a feast day be dedicated to the Divine Mercy and that this feast be celebrated on the Sunday after Easter.
In a decree dated 23 May 2000, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments stated that “throughout the world the Second Sunday of Easter will receive the name Divine Mercy Sunday, a perennial invitation to the Christian world to face, with confidence in divine benevolence, the difficulties and trials that mankind will experience in the years to come.”
Concerning the Feast of Mercy Jesus said:
Fr. Seraphim Michalenko
“Mercy is my life.”
These words spoken by Fr. Seraphim Michalenko seem to sum up his personality.
In an article by the Marians of The Immaculate Conception, the order which Fr. was ordained, he states,”I have known the Marians of the Immaculate Conception — and Divine Mercy — from my earliest days growing up in Adams, Mass. As a matter of fact, two Marians (including Fr. Walter Pelczynski, MIC, who founded the Association of Marian Helpers) were from my home parish!
During my childhood, when Fr. Walter would come home on vacation, he would always visit my family. Also, Fr. Joseph Jarzebowski, MIC, who brought the Divine Mercy message to America, preached at my parish in the mid-1940s. After he preached, my pastor enshrined the Divine Mercy image in our church — the first such enshrinement in the Western Hemisphere!
Inspired by these Marians, I knew in high school that God was calling me to the priesthood as a Marian. And dedicating my life to spreading Divine Mercy, a work entrusted to the Marians, turned out to be God’s plan for me. It was my privilege to work for 20 years as vice-postulator for Sr. Maria Faustina’s canonization cause. I give even greater thanks to God for the gift of my vocation with the Marians of the Immaculate Conception.”
Having had the wonderful blessing of participating at several Divine Mercy events with Fr. Seraphim, I can truly call him the “Divine Mercy priest.”
Divine Mercy Image, Mother of Mercy
Jesus asked St. Faustina that the Feast of the Divine Mercy be preceded by a Novena to the Divine Mercy which would begin on Good Friday. He gave St. Faustina an intention to pray for on each day of the Novena, saving for the last day the most difficult intention of all, the lukewarm and indifferent of whom He said:
Jesus appears to Mary after the Resurrection
Excerpted from POEM OF THE MAN-GOD, Volume 5, pages 701-704.
Mary is prostrated with Her face on the floor. She looks like a poor wretch. She looks like that withered flower of which She has spoken.
The closed window is opened with a violent banging of the heavy shutters, and with the first ray of the sun, Jesus enters.
Mary, Who has been shaken by the noise and has raised Her head to see which wind has opened the shutters, sees Her radiant Son: handsome, infinitely more handsome than He was before suffering, smiling, lively, brighter than the sun, dressed in a white garment that seems woven light, and Who is advancing towards Her.
She straightens Herself up on Her knees and crossing Her hands on Her breast, she says with a sob that is joy and grief: “Lord, My God.” And She ramains thus, enraptured in contemplating Him, with Her face all washed by tears, but made serene, pacified by His smile and by the ecstasy.
But He does not want to see His Mother on Her knees, like a servant. And He calls Her, stretching out His hands, from the wounds of which emanate rays that make His glorious Flesh even brighter: “Mother!” But it is not the sorrowful word of the conversations and the farewells before His Passion, or the heart-rending lament of the meeting on Calvary and of the agony. It is a cry of triumph, of joy, of freedom, of rejoicing, of love, of gratitude. And He bends over His Mother, Who dare not touch Him, and He places His hands under Her bent elbows, and He lifts Her up, He presses her to His Heart and kisses Her.
Oh! Mary realises then that it is not a vision, that it is Her Son Who has really risen, that it is Her Jesus, the Son Who still loves Her as a Son. And with a cry, She flings Her arms round His neck, and She embraces and kisses Him, laughing in Her weeping. She kisses His Forehead, where there are no longer any wounds, His Head no longer unkempt and bloody, His shining Eyes, His healed Cheeks, His Mouth no longer swollen. She then takes His Hands and kisses their backs and palms, their radiant wounds, and She suddenly bends down to His Feet and uncovers them from under His bright garment and kisses them.
Our Lady of Sorrows hold Her Son
Theotokôs
I’m “The Mother of God”
at the foot of the Cross clutching at Simeon’s sword impaled in my breast where the blood of despair trickles betwixt my fingers
as the sword pierces next
my heart, my mind, my
soul, my very being there
washes me in the blood of the
Lamb, again, as at His birth
The feast of the Annunciation of the Lord celebrates the angel Gabriel’s appearance to the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:26-38), his announcement that the Blessed Virgin had been chosen to be the Mother of Our Lord, and Mary’s fiat—her willing acceptance of God’s holy plan.
Do we consider Mary’s yes, and the courage this response must have taken? Picture for a moment, a young girl, maybe spinning yarn by the morning light, and suddenly, a dazzling spirit, an angel, appears before Her.
"Let my Heart be a Refuge for you" Sacred Heart statue in chapel at OSMM
In these days and times, people are looking for a refuge. A place where they can feel safe. A place where they feel loved and accepted. A refuge from the storms of life.
There is such a place located in Illinois called Vandalia. This small town is where Lincoln started his political career. It is also the town where two housewives started a ministry, “Our Sorrowful Mother’s Ministry”, or, OSMM. The two women, driven by a love for their Catholic faith, and a desire to evangelize, started with no resources, and have continued these past 15 years on faith and small contributions.
Dave and Annie, sunset, Treasure Island
Can it possibly be 30 years have gone by since we said, “I do”? At times it seems like yesterday when we began this adventure.
Thank goodness for the sacrament of marriage. The word, sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ to receive grace. I can certainly think of many graces that have come our way these past 30 years.
It was no coincidence that Jesus performed His first miracle at a wedding in Cana.
Statue of Jesus, Oklahoma City Memorial
Several times in scripture it is recorded that Jesus wept. I can only imagine with His great love for us, and as He drew away quietly in prayer with God the Father, there were even more tears.
How can love Himself, not cry today at seeing so much violence, bloodshed, and crimes against children?
“Standing by the foot of the cross of Jesus were His mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala.” (Jn. 19)
Many times throughout history, the word “stand” speaks of holding firm. “Stand your ground,” is a familiar phrase. St. Paul urges us to “stand firm and to hold onto the traditions that have been taught to us.”( 2 Thessalonians)
During this particular Lent however, I am deeply moved by Mary’s courage and unwavering strength, as She stood beneath the cross of Her Son. To me Her example of standing in the face of such sorrow and evil is transforming.
“When did we see you a stranger and welcome you?” Matthew 25
Ten days ago, I returned from a singing mission in Trinidad.
Tired from travel, and looking forward to spending an afternoon with some friends visiting from Indiana, I was in a hurry to meet them. As I traveled down my neighborhood road, a young woman flagged me down.
Fr. John Theodore CSsp, leads Adoration in Trinidad, Divine Mercy Conference
More than 600 people came from different parts of Trinidad to the Divine Mercy Conference hosted by The Sanctuary of The Holy Family. The devotion, the beauty and attention to detail made this conference one to remember forever.
I was blessed to be a speaker, along with Fr. Seraphim Michalenko, M.I.C., and Dr. Bryan Thatcher from EADM. in Tampa, FL.
Who could resist the steel drums, and the music led by the local praise and worship choir that lifted our spirits, and hearts to God?
school children in Kibeho, enjoy bread for the first time
Something so basic, so accessible to most of us, is a gift beyond words to school children in Kibeho, Rwanda. Bread. Plain and simple, yet beyond the reach for many children across the world.
The new 7 loaves project recently opened in Kibeho, Rwanda, providing the local schoolchildren with the most satisfying taste never experienced before.
The man in the middle, Fr. Leszek Czelusniak, M.I.C. was ordained a priest in Poland, over twenty years ago. Fr. Leszek was sent to Kibeho, Rwanda to help rebuild lives torn apart from the Rwandan genocide, and provide for the spiritual and material needs of the people. Through the years, Fr. Leszek always trusted in God’s providence to supply what he needed.
Annie with children in village of Kibeho
“On the lips of children, and infants you have found perfect praise.” Psalm 8
This evening, I was distraught as I watched the news of families in Syria being forced to flee their homes as bombs were exploding around them. Children could be seen running out from apartment buildings that were burning. One man sadly held the limp, dead body of his young daughter for the camera to see. It was too much for me.
FIAT!
Phillipians 4:6 tells us, “Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God.”
I was pondering why so many of us seemed to be filled with anxieties and fears for our present situations and our future. I often fall in and out of this situation myself.
This morning, I was uplifted by reading the post of Dr. Jeffrey A. Mirus on the writings of a priest, Fr. de Caussade, an eighteenth century French Jesuit. Fr. de Caussade writes,
Presentation in the Temple
On this day, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, I was wondering how Joseph and Mary must have felt as they carried little Jesus into the temple?
We all know how exciting of day it was when we brought our children to be baptized. I imagine the Holy Family was filled with the same joy and anticipation.
Because they had no money, Joseph and Mary were obliged to offer up the ransom of the poor, that being a pair of turtle-doves. ( Luke 2:24)
St Bernard wrote a sermon for this feast in which he refers to the long-standing tradition of mounting a procession of candles in the church.
Trappist Monks, Holy Spirit Monastery, Conyers, Georgia
“From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised.” Psalm 113
Recently, I was blessed to book a private retreat at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, Georgia.
Today marks the “Feast of the Epiphany.” The word Epiphany means “manifestation.”
As I was researching this feast day for a radio interview, I found several insights noteworthy.
Mary, Mother of God
On this solemnity of Our Lady we begin the New Year. Truly, there could not be a better start to the year, and of all the days of our life, than by being very close to Mary.
With the confidence of children, we turn to Mary, so She may help us to live in holiness every day of the year.
She is Mother to us all in the order of grace.
The Second Vatican Council, in a principal document, Lumen Gentium, (Light of the Nations), states that the motherhood of Mary will last forever. ” It began with Her consent which She gave in faith at the Annunciation and which She sustained without wavering beneath the cross, and lasts until the eternal fulfillment of all the elect.”
How comforting to know our Mother is interceding for each of us this very moment, and until we are all safely home.
Let us ask Her to guide us and never leave our side this New Year.
The Vatican, Rome, Italy
Several years ago, prompted by concerns from people who wanted their loved ones to return to the Church, I was inspired to write a song titled, “Come Home” on the CD, “Perfect Sacrifice.” This song closely relates to the story of the prodigal son.
In my opinion, the return of the prodigal son, found in Luke 15:11-32, is more about the patient love of a father rather than the sins of the son. The lyrics to “Come Home” begin with the words, ” a father searches, down a long dusty road, waiting and watching, for his child to come home. His eyes fill with tears, his arms open wide, he dreams his loved one is there at his side, come home”!
Recently, Catholics Come Home, an organization founded to invite non-practicing Catholics to return to the sacraments, launched a nationwide campaign.
Over thirty dioceses have agreed to help in promoting this wonderful evangelization effort through T.V. commercials, and by parishioners offering warm invitations to friends and family members. Already, there has been much success.
It cannot be denied that we are a family. During a dinner, when a family member is missing, we all notice it. On the other hand, we all benefit from the unique gifts and talents each person brings “to the table.” As a Catholic singer/songwriter who has benefited so greatly from the Catholic Church, I extend a heartfelt invitation to “come home.”
The Nativity
This advent seemed to be a struggle for me spiritually. Trying to prepare my heart for the coming of Jesus, I felt distracted, and frustrated. I tried different methods of obtaining the peace I longed for, to no avail.
On Christmas Eve, I was blessed to join the choir for Midnight Mass, which is celebrated around the world, and also morning mass on Christmas Day.
During the morning Mass, while singing “O Little Town of Bethlehem” several lines of the song jumped out at me. “How silently, how silently this wondrous Gift is given.” “Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.”
On Christmas Day, while least expecting it, the Christ Child entered into my poor heart. My soul was flooded with peace and joy, as tears streamed down my face. We cannot force a gift to come, but only be open to receive and acknowledge our own poverty. May the Christ Child come silently to your heart this Christmas.
Annie walking on the "Way of St. James" Santiago, Spain
Recently, my husband Dave and I went to see a new film titled “The Way.” This particular film, starring actor Martin Sheen and his son, Emilio Estevez, was especially appealing to me, since I had been to Santiago, Spain in June 2010. “The way of St. James,” known as El Camino de Santiago in Spain, is a journey and intimate experience unique to each pilgrim who travels it, whether by walking a few miles or the entire 600 miles.
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Today, December 12th, Catholics all over the world celebrate the Feast of our Lady of Guadalupe. The words she speaks so tenderly to Juan Diego in the title of this blog, comfort my heart this morning.
"Behold the Lamb of God" St. John the Baptist
At yesterday’s liturgy, marking the third Sunday of Advent, or “joyful Sunday” our pastor, Father John Blum made some interesting remarks about St. John the Baptist.
Speaking from the pulpit at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in St. Pete Beach, FL. Father Blum shared that if there could be an “unofficial patron saint of Advent” it would be this remarkable man.
"O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us!"
With the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, the Catholic Church affirms that Mary, on account of a singular privilege bestowed by God and in view of the merits of Christ’s death, was preserved from contracting the stain of original sin and came into existence already completely holy.
Four years after being defined by Pope Pius IX, this truth was confirmed by the Madonna herself at Lourdes in an apparition to Bernadette with the words: “I am the Immaculate Conception.”
Advent candles
We are not accustomed to waiting in this present day. The tradition of the Advent wreath invites us to anticipate lighting a new candle for each Sunday in Advent.
Rwandan children holding water container
One of the most moving scenes I witnessed while in Rwanda, this past August was the children walking along the road to get water. Most of them carried the same bright yellow plastic container. From the time they are very small, this is the main task they learn.
The average distance that women in developing countries walk to collect water per day is four miles and the average weight that women carry on their heads is approximately 44 pounds.
St. Augustine with his mother, St. Monica
November is a time for true thanksgiving. One of the truths of our Catholic faith that I have been thankfully reflecting on this month is the communion of saints.
The bride, Miranda Volk is walked down the aisle by her brother, Mack Volk
The bride looked nervous before the Mass began. Earlier this spring, she had to say good-bye to her beloved father, Robert H. Volk Jr. or “Mickey” to his friends and loved ones. Her brother, Mack, seem to cherish the role of escorting his lovely sister down the aisle.
Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Mother Teresa wrote this poem : LIFE
Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is bliss, taste it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is costly, care for it.
Life is wealth, keep it.
Life is love, enjoy it.
Life is mystery, know it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.
Annie Karto, singing at Divine Mercy Parish, Sacramento, CA.
The weather was perfect for a Divine Mercy gathering at the Divine Mercy Parish in Sacramento, CA. Walking into this beautiful church, your eyes are drawn to the beautifully carved image of The Divine Mercy that is placed above the tabernacle.
Sharing a talk, “Divine Mercy, Bridge to Heaven.” I sang songs relating to a few special people who have “bridged the gap” in our lifetimes. Blessed John Paul 11, Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and St. Maria Faustina Kowalska.
St. Maria Faustina Kowalska
On October 5, 1938, a young religious by the name Sister Faustina (Helen Kowalska) died in a convent of the Congregation of Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Cracow, Poland. She came from a very poor family that had struggled hard on their little farm during the terrible years of WWI. Sister had had only three years of very simple education. Hers were the humblest of tasks in the convent, usually in the kitchen or the vegetable garden, or as a porter.
On February 22, 1931, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ appeared to this simple nun, bringing with Him a wonderful message of Mercy for all mankind. Saint Faustina tells us in her diary under this date:
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us!
“Mary, my Mother and my Lady, I offer You my soul, my body, my life and my death, and all that will follow it. I place everything in Your hands. O my mother, cover my soul with Your virginal mantle and grant me the grace of purity of heart, soul and body. Defend me with Your power against all enemies, and especially against those who hide their malice behind the mask of virtue. O lovely lily!” “Diary of St. Faustina” #79
Annie and her mother, Nita
My mother, Nita Reuter was recently hospitalized due to weakness, and shortness of breath. Having raised 8 children, my mom was never one to complain. The doctors found 2 blood clots in her lungs, which if left undetected, can travel to the heart or the brain and become fatal. Thankfully, she has improved, and we are praying for full recovery.
Annie and local children at apparition site of Our Lady of Kibeho
After mass at the Shrine of our Lady of Kibeho, I greeted some of the local children inside the church. They immediately embraced me, and then with the permission of their mothers, followed me outside to the apparition site of our Lady of Kibeho.
Annie poses with a young Rwandan girl at the Feast of the Assumption in Rwanda on, August 15, 2011.
My recent trip to Rwanda has filled me with such joy and peace! The local children there taught me a song which ended with the word, “gusenga.” I was puzzled by the meaning of this word until I visited the children’s genocide memorial. The word, “gusenga” means “pray” in Kirwanda, the language of the people of Rwanda. At the memorial, I found a picture of a young boy smiling down on me.
Immaculee Illibagiza and Annie Karto
Women from around the country gathered in Worthington, Minnesota, July 15-16, for week-end retreat hear the witness of Rwandan genocide survivor, Immaculee Illibagiza. We prayed and heard testimonies from several priests and were led in dance to beautiful Rwandan music. I was blessed to participate in the retreat by sharing “Song for Immaculee” which was released on my CD, “Refuge.”
It is with great joy I announce the release of “Divine Mercy Flood My Soul.”
These past twenty years, the message of Divine Mercy has been the focus of my music ministry. My desire and purpose for this CD is to draw listeners closer to the merciful Heart of Jesus. Continue reading
The Reuter family gathers at the cemetery where our husband, father and grandfather, Deacon Bill Reuter was laid to rest in 2001.
Arkansas can be very hot in July. Our family gathered there in the Ozark mountains to celebrate the memory of our late father, Deacon Bill Reuter who passed from this life to eternal life ten years ago. Continue reading
Down by the river with my grandsons, Seth, Sawyer and Alex
The 4th of July brings families together all over this great country of ours. Ours was no exception. We gathered in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, to honor the memory of my father, Deacon Bill Reuter, who began his new life in Christ ten years ago this July. Our meeting place was the Kings River, which is one of two rivers in the U.S. that flows south to north. Continue reading
Annie sings during the Divine Mercy Celebration at St. Stephen Parish in Valrico, Fla. June 4.
On Saturday, June 4, Dr. Bryan Thatcher and I were invited to share reflections on Divine Mercy at St. Stephens in Valrico, FL. Dr. Thatcher is the founder and catalyst behind The Eucharistic Apsostles of Divine Mercy which is headquartered in Riverview, Fla.
I will always pray for you.
“For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His footsteps.” 1 Peter 2:21
These words from scripture are truth, but sometimes the reality is so hard to take.This is especially the case when innocent children suffer.
Annie Karto performs a sound check prior to the opening of the Eucharistic Convention.
“I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever!”
What a great blessing to sing at The Eucharistic Convention in Auckland, New Zealand, Divine Mercy weekend, 2011. It started out a bit hazy as I stumbled sleepily into the Auckland airport looking for my host to pick me up. We managed to not find each other for quite some time, but this added to our laughter later.
My husband, Dave, and I pose for a photograph in the garden at St. Bernadette Institute of Sacred Art.
My husband Dave and I enjoyed a blessed visit to Albuquerque, New Mexico in March 2011.
We were invited by Dan Paulos, Director of St. Bernadette Institute of Sacred Art, Albuquerque, New Mexico. The reason for this invitation was to re-record a few of the over 400 songs that were written by Sister Miriam Therese Winter. Many vocal artists from around the country have been invited to participate in this wonderful compilation of Sister’s amazing songs.
My father, Deacon Bill Reuter.
Do we stop to think about how we are in communion with the souls in purgatory?
On this day, an interview with Teresa Tomeo on the Catholic Connection, caused me to stop and ponder. Teresa’s father recently passed from this life, this “pilgrimage of love” to enter eternal life.
“Divine Mercy Flood My Soul”
I am just completing a CD, featuring prayers from the Diary of St. Faustina, and the Divine Mercy Chaplet, spoken version and sung version. This labor of love started over a year ago. Beautiful instrumental strings were added, including violin, cello and harp. Once again, I used talented producer, Barry Hartglass from Carmel, New York- www.myspace.com/barryhartglass . Since the “heart” of my music ministry is focused on the Divine Mercy of God, it has always been a dream of mine to dedicate a full CD to this most awesome Mercy of God! Adding to this special recording is the voice of Fr. Leszek, M.I.C. from Kibeho, Rwanda, Africa. Fr. Leszek is Polish, which is the heritage of our dear St. Faustina. I will make this recording available soon on my website, www.anniekarto.com God bless you, and snuggle close to the Merciful Heart of Jesus this Lent…. In His Love… Annie Karto