Stephen K. Ray's Blog, page 496

The Two Groups Today

Today's First Group. Picture taken with my iPhone 360 panoramic application. One and a half hours sharing the Catholic faith to an enthusiastic group in north Bombay.

The Second group was on Vasia India, north of Bombay. Here we had the leaders of the various Catholic groups. Over 1000 people filled the room. I hope to go back here some day. There were many charismatics and the spirit and enthusiasm and joy of the Faith was palpable.

I hope to have another video soon, but I am going 14 hours a day and making a video is hard to do when sleep is the priority :-)

Below: Me with Archbishop of Vasai India – Felis Anthony Machado and Bishop Agnelo of Bombay. The second picture is of me with all the young people "manning" the book table.

The First Group Today

today's First Group

Our Days and Ministry in Goa India

To see my last run through Goa India, click here http://bit.ly/dZ5H5e.

To see a short video summary of our days and ministry in Goa, here is a YouTube Video. I will add more info here, more pictures and thanks to specific people soon — after I get some sleep!

Fifteen Talks in Three Days – in 90+ degrees

Today I completed my talks in Goa India. Archbishop Philip Neri was there for all three days. I was speaking for five times a day for three days. They were 14 hour days. I love serving Jesus and his Church.

For the first two days I spoke to lay people and the group was way over 2,000 sitting in heat for the whole day!

Today (Monday) I spoke only to religious: priests, sisters and seminarians. There were over 500 in attendance. I spoke to them from 10 AM -5 PM. They were beautiful, devote, spiritual and enthusiastic bunch of Catholics – the spiritual leaders of the whole Archdiocese of Goa!

What a day! Tomorrow we head back to Bombay for 6 more days of talks, then on to Egypt and Jordan and Israel. Please pray for us!

(Picture below: the priests and religious and seminarians of Goa!)

Mark Connell's Story

Born Catholic, turned Catholic-basher, then back to Catholic. Enjoy!

Floating high above the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the symphony of bells calls the Catholics of Morris, Illinois, to worship on this February morning. Far below the bell tower, the nave slowly fills with people as I let my prayers ride upon the sound.

It is a miracle that my wife and I are here today. A short year ago, I had told my Protestant pastor that I was going to pray for the Catholic people during Lent, that they would come to know the Lord. Now, here I am in this church, eyes clouding with tears, heart filled with peace and wonder—a Catholic once again.

To read the rest of this story, published in THIS ROCK Magazine, click here.

If You Know a Filipino . . .

. . . please send them a copy of my Open Letter to Filipinos. You can send them the text or simply the link.

I wrote this letter while in Manila for a local parish bulletin but it has circled the globe many times and has appeared repeatedly in all the Philippine newspapers.

It was one of those blessed moments. If you are Filipino or know a Filipino, please make sure they read this letter.

Long Hot Blessed Day in Goa

Today speaking five times for 1.5 hours each time to 2000 wonderful Indians. A new thing for me: speaking with a translator!

Record temperatures in India. I gave 5 talks in high 90's. I was drenched in sweat but I LOVE serving the Lord and his Church.

Same temperatures and schedule tomorrow.

The first pictures are from the seminar at Pilar Center during the day. The last two pictures are from the evening talk at St. Jerome's Church in Mapuca Goa.

Janet's ankle is getting better after her tumble down the stairs four days ago. I am so happy she is recovering quickly.

What Does Abortion Look Like?

Remember this when you support or talk to those pro-choice legislators and presidents.

Remember this when we choose to do nothing to defend innocent human life. What will God say at the great judgment if we remain silent in view of this holocaust!

Three pictures:

1: 9 weeks

2: 10 weeks

3: 3rd trimester girl with

head removed during a

partial birth abortion.

Shame on America!

Shame on our new president!

Shame on the Supreme Court!

Shame on our Congress!

Shame on us!

For more on this, visit www.PriestsForLife.com

Why No Baby Should be Aborted

This ad was produced by www.CatholicVote.org and airedg on BET Cable Network. Also, check out www.BlackGenocide.org which shows the most dangerous place for an African American to be is not on the streets of the inner city, but in the womb of their African American mother.

In fact, it was just reported that among blacks living in New York City, 6 out of 10 pregnancies end in abortion!

For more like this, read my article "Should This Baby Be Aborted? You Decide!"

Running and Fishing in Goa India; Upcoming 15 Talks in 3 Days! Yikes!

What a different world it is here is Goa India. Just proves that India is not JUST Bombay but has widely diverse areas and culture. Goa was converted by the Portuguese Catholics in the 1500's when St. Francis Xavier landed on their shores.

Everything here is clean and more organized and, in my estimation, beautiful. The people are exceedingly friendly with a large number of Christians with chapels and churches every block or two. We really love Goa.

Today I took off running to the point of land out into the ocean. I climbed the lookout point to see the ocean and city. Then through the little village areas with chickens, pigs and cows wandering among the rustic housing.

I arrived eventually on the beach which is much different than Mumbai. Here I met friendly fishermen who explained everything to me with long chats and I even helped them fish for a while.

Then I ran up to the street and got a drink of coconut water — he cut the coconut, gave me a straw and I drank it on the spot. Then through a unique construction site and back to our bungalow. Very fun and exciting!

You can see my run with map, pictures, story and videos here.

Already there are over 2,000 people registered in Goa for our Apologetics Conference. Many Catholics are being enticed out of the Church by sects, cults and local "church planters." I am here to help reverse the bleeding — strengthening the Catholics, teaching them to defend the faith and to bring the lost sheep home.

Janet's ankle is healing slowly from her fall down the stairs. Still unable to walk. Pray for us! More soon.