Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Helen Sarcevic

 MIR-Peace founder, Helen Sarcevic. 

May she be in  HEAVEN.

Gratitude to all who have given their condolences via various media, calls, cards, etc!  Loving mother, grandmother, mother to many through graces of answering Gospa, Our Lady Queen of Peace's call in sharing God's love through MIR-Peace pilgrimage groups to Medjugorje since 1986. In recent years her daughter, Darlene Milas, follows in her footsteps, guiding MirPeace groups.


Below:
1st) OBITUARY,
 with link to St Ann's church FB page for live funeral, Fri, Feb 11th at 10am EST.
2nd) TESTIMONY by a son-in-law about going full circle 
as refugees to USA, and back to help Croatians, 
3rd) TESTIMONY by 1 of Helen's grandchildren.

Memorial DONATIONS may be offered  toward the St. James Parish Humanitarian Fund “Mary’s Hands” in Medjugorje, which answered Gospa's call to help all they can who are in need. 
Donations c/o and payable to: Darlene Milas, 
P.O. Box 105, Clarks Summit, PA 18411 
(memo: humanitarian donation).
OBITUARY --  
There will be a link for any friends, family and pilgrims who would like to follow the live-stream of Helen Sarcevic's funeral Mass from St Ann's Basilica, Scranton, PA, USA, through the church's Facebook page: Friday, February 11, 2022, at 10 am eastern standard time.
obituary link: Helen Sarcevic obituary

Helen T. Sarcevic, 85, of Newton Township, died peacefully at her home on Sunday morning. Her husband, Joseph Sarcevic, preceded her in death in 2012.

Born in Brodjanci, Croatia, she was the daughter of the late Franjo and Reza Arambasic Gesler. She was the founder and guide of MIR-Peace pilgrimages and was a member of the Church of Saint Gregory.

Helen and her husband left their beloved homeland in 1957 to escape communist oppression. They were grateful to build a new life of freedom in the USA. Helen was a caring soul known for her artistry and unwavering faith. Her radiant smile and encompassing heart formed a far-reaching family of love.

Helen is survived by daughters Christina Verdgeline and husband Paul, Miriam Vukmanic and husband Richard, Darlene Milas and husband Frederik; grandchildren Adriana and Nikola Vukmanic and Antonia and Kristian Milas.

She was preceded in death by an infant son, Zvonko; and sisters Petrica, Zlata, and Marta.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Ann’s Basilica, 1233 St. Ann Street, Scranton, PA  18504, by Father Lee Havey, C.P.. Interment will be at PIETA Cemetery, Tunkhannock.

Memorial donations may be offered toward the St. James Parish Humanitarian Fund “Mary’s Hands” in Medjugorje, c/o and payable to: Darlene Milas, P.O. Box 105, Clarks Summit, PA 18411 (memo: humanitarian donation).

Arrangements have been entrusted to Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 418 S. State Street, Clarks Summit.


TESTIMONY: Rick Vukmanić:

On Sunday, February 6, 2022, our family lost one of its matriarchs, my mother-in-law, Jelka “Helen” Sarcevic. I use the term, matriarch, in the truest sense. Baka Jelka was a fierce, fearless, faithful daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and servant. Knowing hardship from an early age, the family moved from her ancestral village, in part due to the prejudice of the Yugoslav regime against her father’s German ancestors. Later, refusing to sign a prepared statement declaring herself an unbeliever, Jelka was denied her teaching certificate and instead worked on a road repair crew in Bosnia. After meeting and marrying my father-in-law, his undercover activities regarding human rights violations and atrocities committed by the Yugoslav government, led to threats of imprisonment. With no other choice, they traveled to Istria and walked across the border into Italy, at night, seeking political and religious asylum. During their five years in displaced person camps throughout Italy, Jelka was able to use her training as a teacher to organize classes for the children in the camps creating some sense of normalcy in their lives. She stood by my father-in-law’s side as his career took them far from the tight knit Croatian community of Cleveland to other parts of Ohio and northeastern Pennsylvania. Following a catastrophic car accident, which almost took my wife’s life, Jelka made a pact with the Virgin promising to dedicate her life to Mary’s service, if Miriam survived. Following Miriam’s recovery, Jelka spent several decades leading pilgrimages to Medjugorje, helping to spread the message of peace and conversion, and eventually using her skills to assist in the humanitarian effort in war torn Croatia.
It is fitting that her funeral will be held at the shrine of St. Ann, the patroness of her parish church in Brodjanci, on Friday, February 11, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.
May God be merciful to her soul, grant her eternal rest, and welcome His faithful servant into the joy of His presence. https://www.lawrenceeyoungfuneralhome.com/.../helen...

TESTIMONY Adriana Vukmanić

Early this morning, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s, my dear Baka Jelka Šarčević peacefully passed away. I have been trying to think of the words to describe her all day, but none of them can do her justice. 

If you knew my Baka, you know that she was a woman of great faith, an absolutely extraordinary person, and a true gift to this earth. From having to escape the communist regime in her homeland of Croatia on foot and starting a new life in the United States with one bag of personal belongings to her name, to leading hundreds, if not thousands, of pilgrims to Medjugorje, to organizing international relief efforts during the Homeland War in the Former Yugoslavia and personally delivering supplies during the peak of the violence and continuing the efforts long after the war ended, my Baka did it all and touched countless lives along the way.
But, most importantly, my Baka was the prime example of the light that is found at the inner core of every person when you take away all the needless earthly distractions that keep us from focusing on what is truly important in our lives. She found the good in every situation and reminded you that all will be well if you have faith and keep your trust in God’s plan.
Baka Jelka, you showed me what it means to have courage, to be kind, and to trust and follow God. I only hope that I can honor you by having even an ounce of the impact that you’ve had during your 85 years on this earth.
We will miss you dearly, but I know, without a doubt, you are in a better place with God, reunited with your loved ones, and filled with more happiness than anyone on earth could ever know. It is finally time for you to rest.
Baka Jelka, već nam nedostaješ ali znamo da si sada s Dedom i Bogom i da ćeš uvijek gledati na nas. Znaj da ću uvijek misliti na tebe i da nikada neću zaboraviti što si me naučila i koliko si nas volila. Počivaj u miru Božijem. Ti si to sto puta zaslužila.
Volim te puno Baka Jelka,
Tvoja Draga Jana ❤️
BOG i HRVATI "God and the Croatians"

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

personal prayer message

 

Let's answer Our Lady's call & allow our hearts to change (& convert) from within through daily personal prayer. 

Mir! Peace! God's peace be with you!

 (EN) Gospa's Medjugorje message, January 25, 2022.

(HR) Gospina poruka, 25. siječanj 2022.



(ENGLISH)

“Dear children! Today I am calling you to return to personal prayer. Little children, do not forget that Satan is strong and that he wants to attract all the more souls to himself. That is why, you be vigilant in prayer and resolute in the good. I am with you and am blessing all of you with my motherly blessing. Thank you for having responded to my call.”


(HRVATSKI)
Gospina poruka, 25. siječanj 2022.

„Draga djeco! Danas vas pozivam da se vratite osobnoj molitvi. Dječice, ne zaboravite da je sotona jak i da želi sebi privući što više duša. Zato vi budite budni u molitvi i odlučni u dobru. Ja sam s vama i sve vas blagoslivljam svojim majčinskim blagoslovom. Hvala vam što ste se odazvali mome pozivu.“


#Medjugorjemessage #Gospa #begood #personalprayer #goodness #blessing #motherslove

Saturday, December 25, 2021

Christmas greeting

 "...enrich all those whom you meet, so that they may feel the grace which you are receiving..." 
~Gospa.  

Hvala Bogu! Thanks be to God!

Merry & Blessed Christmas! Sretan i Blagoslovljen Božić!



(EN) Our Lady, Queen of Peace, Gospa's monthly Medjugorje message for us all through visionary Marija, December  25, 2021. 
(HRGospina poruka, 25. prosinac 2021.
 (ENGLISH)
“Dear children! Today I am carrying my Son Jesus to you, for Him to give you His peace. Little children, without peace you do not have a future or blessing; therefore return to prayer, because the fruit of prayer is joy and faith, without which you cannot live. Today's blessing which we give you, carry to your families and enrich all those whom you meet, so that they may feel the grace which you are receiving. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

(HRVATSKI)
„Draga djeco! Danas vam nosim svog Sina Isusa da vam da svoj mir. Dječice, bez mira nemate budućnosti ni blagoslova, zato vratite se molitvi jer plod molitve su radost i vjera, bez koje ne možete živjeti. Današnji blagoslov koji vam dajemo, nosite u svoje obitelji i obogatite sve one s kojima se susrećete, da osjete milost koju vi primate. Hvala vam što ste se odazvali mome pozivu.“

2 photos: faithful gathered in front of St James Croatian Catholic church, by Mario Ostojic; and the nativity scene (creche), inside the church by Radiopostaja MIR Medugorje. Peace be with you all over the world!!!


#medjugorjemessage #JesusChrist #prayer #goodfruits #fruits #blessings #grace #Gospa #OurLady #Queenofpeace #peacebewithyou

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Christmas peace and joy

 God's peace be with you! Peace on earth, good will towards all!

🙏🎄🌠 This Advent and Christmas season, it's wonderful to reflect on peace and joy in our hearts as Gospa, the Blessed Virgin Mary in Medjugorje has been tirelessly teaching us, her children, through prayer, fasting, to get closer to God through her Son, Jesus Christ. No matter who, where, or what we are...We are all family! *** 💝 ***
a quote from Medjugorje message on Christmas, 2007, is below. 
Sarcevic family wishes you all a 

Blessed & MERRY CHRISTMAS!  

Blagoslovljen i Sretan Božić! 

(Helen Sarcevic, Mir-Peace pilgrimage founder; daughters Christina Verdgeline, Miriam Vukmanic & family, Darlene Milas guide and translator & family).

Mir-PEACE pilgrimage groups have been traveling to Croatian Catholic church parish of #Medjugorje since the mid 1980s #blessed... people of other religions have felt peace there also.
... and we're planning to continue in 2022! God-willing.

Trip travel info email: mir.peace81@gmail.com.
@MirPeaceUSA.

***💝*** Message. Gospa, Our Lady Queen of Peace:
"Dear children!

Today in a special way I call you to become open to God and for each of your hearts today to become a place of Jesus' birth. Little children, through all this time that God permits me to be with you, I desire to lead you to the joy of your life. Little children, the only true joy of your life is God. Therefore, dear children, do not seek joy in things of this earth but open your hearts and accept God. Little children, everything passes; only God remains in your heart. Thank you for having responded to my call."

A message from Our Lady to Jakov Colo to whom she appears once-yearly on Christmas. December 25, 2007. The apparition began at 2:29pm and lasted six minutes.

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Glorify Jesus for Christmas

 "Dear children! 
For Christmas my invitation is that together we glorify Jesus. I present Him to you in a special way on that day and my invitation to you is that on that day we glorify Jesus and His nativity... on that day pray still more and think more about Jesus..." 
~Gospa, 12-12-1985, Medjugorje


"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

~Gospel according to Luke, 2:19



#Christmasiscoming #Christmaslights #glory #glorifyHim #nativity #Alleluia #MotherOfGod #thinkaboutit #invitation

Sunday, November 28, 2021

advent hope faith joy peace

 (hr) Došašće ili advent – vrijeme duhovne pripreme za Božić. (en) Advent - time for spiritual preparation for Christmas.

First Sunday of Advent, HOPE!1st of the 4 weeks we joyfully and with prayer prepare for the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ's birth at Christmas... And opening our hearts in trust for God's truth and love for the coming of the Light of the world.  May we share that light and love with all our brothers and sisters, help them get to know Gospa's son, Jesus, in their hearts May the Holy Spirit help us all use wisdom to do God's will together. Peace be with you today everyone!



~~~ Our Lady, Gospa's Medjugorje message, Advent, 1983, thru visionary: 
"Begin by calling on the Holy Spirit each day. The most important thing is to pray to the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit descends on earth, then everything becomes clear, and everything is transformed." ~Gospa.
Bless the ADVENT WREATH "Traditionally, Advent wreaths are constructed of a circle of evergreen branches into which four candles are inserted, representing the 4 weeks of Advent. Ideally, three candles are purple and one is rose, but white candles can also be used.
The purple candles in particular symbolize the prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices and goods works undertaken at this time. The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, Gaudete Sunday is the Sunday of rejoicing, because the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of Advent, when their preparation is now half over and they are close to Christmas.
The progressive lighting of the candles symbolizes the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord’s first coming into the world and the anticipation of his second coming to judge the living and the dead."
(~USSCB.org)

#Medjugorje #Advent2021 #holidayseason #reasonfortheseason  #VirginMary #JesusChrist #HolySpirit #tradition #firstsunday

Thursday, November 25, 2021

HOPE & make PEACE

 Gospa, Queen of Peace, is with us in Medjugorje (where heaven touches the earth) "because He, the Most High, is sending me among you to encourage you to hope...to be peacemakers." 

Let's decide to be prayer and love. 
(EN) Gospa's monthly Medjugorje Message, November 25, 2021 - for everyone.

(HR) Gospina Međugorska mjesečna poruka, 25. studeni 2021.

(ENGLISH)
“Dear children! I am with you in this time of mercy and I am calling all of you to be carriers of peace and love in this world where, through me, little children, God is calling you to be prayer and love, and an expression of Heaven here on earth. May your hearts be filled with joy and faith in God; that, little children, you may have complete trust in His holy will. That is why I am with you, because He, the Most High, is sending me among you to encourage you to hope; and you will be peacemakers in this peaceless world. Thank you for having responded to my call.”



Today in America it's THANKSGIVING. We can give thanks for all God's gifts every day, including these inspirational messages from Our Lady Queen of Peace (the Blessed Virgin Mary). 
Also for the gift of constant presence of the Holy Spirit, always available to help us whenever we ask for & are open to the gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. (Seven gifts of the #HolySpirit).


(HRVATSKI)
Gospina Međugorska mjesečna poruka, 25. studeni 2021.
„Draga djeco! S vama sam u ovom milosrdnom vremenu i pozivam vas sve da budete nositelji mira i ljubavi u ovom svijetu, gdje vas, dječice, Bog preko mene poziva da budete molitva i ljubav i izraz raja ovdje na zemlji. Neka vaša srca budu ispunjena radošću i vjerom u Boga da imate, dječice, potpuno povjerenje u njegovu svetu volju. Zato sam s vama, jer me On, Svevišnji, šalje među vas da vas potaknem na nadu i vi ćete biti mirotvorci u ovom nemirnom svijetu. Hvala vam što ste se odazvali mome pozivu.“


#heavenonearth #Medjugorje #medjugorjemessage #thanksgiving2021 #peaceandlove #peaceonearth #inspirationalquote #HappyThanksgiving #HolySpirit #sevengifts #GiftsOfTheHolySpirit #gifts