For us who are mere newbies -only a year or so Padraig how did your forum start and is it everything you felt it would be? Or more? Where did u see it going oh so many moons ago???
I'll let Padraig take the lead on this, though I might add my two cents! Safe in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary!
Well an interesting topic. ,Charity I am glad you asked. Several of us were on a Catholic forum called , 'Catholic Planet' run by a young fellow from Florida with a Master Degree in theology. http://www.catholicplanet.com/ The reason why people joined was this site got headlined on , 'Spirit Daily' because Ron gave a list of times of future world events like the Warning events like the Warning from Scripture and Catholic Prophesy. Precise dates. In fact Ron failed and keep failing in this and keeps changing the dates. But many folks stick with him, heaven knows why. More later.
Small world. I first came across Ron Conte Jr's writings a few years ago and had some brief "discussions" with him on Catholic Answers. Ron's revisionist foray into prophecy did wear a little thin as you say. His Thomas Aquinas based theologising (esp moral theology principles), beyond the fundamentals, started diverging from what I was taught.
Well Ron is a tight kid and runs a tight ship. As you will see. But one time when I was out of work and happened to mention it to him in passing he offered me some money to get by, though I suspect Ron is poor as a Church mouse himself. I didn't take him up on the offer but I will never,ever forget an act of great casual kindness. So I always think fondly of him.
While I was on the forum I had a notion to tell the story of my conversion in prison. But since it involved meeting and talking to our Lady and how she taught me how to pray , I was very reluctant to do so as it might involve pride and vainglory. But I went away and asked Our Lady and she said that while it would be a sacrifice to talk about my inner spiritual life I should do so as it would be a source of great good for souls. So I told my story bit by bit on the forum and at once was relieved to see the fruits were very good and it was indeed helping souls. Also since this was on the net I was able to keep well in the background so there was little enough danger of a swelled head. A while after this I sent the story to Michael Brown and he headlined it on, 'Spirit Daily'. This created great interest on the net and it has been published all over the world. http://www.catholicplanet.net/forum/archive/index.php?t-191.html Since then I have heard it cropping up all over the place, for instance a lady in California told me she was visiting a school and a priest was reading my story to the children. I have also heard of conversions and many people having their faith strengthened through its influence. So Our Lady was right and I was wrong, as you would expect. So anyway Ron Conte was then in the habit of throwing loads of people of the forum for being heretics. Happily enough Our Lady had asked me to start her own forum which she explained to me would be very spiritual and mystical in nature ;also with a focus the Sings of the Times and that I should also share my expereinces on prayer since she herself taught me. Again I was reluctant ,I thought it better to keep the secret graces secret, but she insisted , again telling me this Mother of God Forum would be a source of great good and great graces, for now , but more especially after the Warning when poor folk would be running about like headless chickens. Again Mary was right and I was wrong, I have had numerous testimonies of conversion and folks having their Faith was strenghtened. So the fruit has been good. When I got my ass kicked of Ron's forum for being a heretic (along with a number of others on the forum) we formed the nucleus of the present forum. At that time we were getting about 30 hits a day, not it is nearly a thousand. I have to say two things about this, the quality of the membership has been amazing. Very ,very good Catholic people, very spiritual, even quite a number of mystics, visionaries and prophets. Some bag eggs like Maria of Divine Mercy , who made a brief showing but really good, good people. Also the atmosphere on the forum is very spiritual, many people have commented on the prayerfulness. This is because Mary is present on the forum, it is her home and she takes a motherly interest. I think compared to other Catholic forums this is very marked. Here is a little book I wrote about my conversion. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/on-...-to-pray-padraig/1105734274?ean=9781447583912
Matthew 7:16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
The reason why Our Lady wanted the forum set up was that after the Warning (or Illumination of Conscience) , which is to happen shortly was that people would be terrified and confused, not knowing such simple things as how to make an act of contrition or who Jesus or Mary is. What it is to be a Catholic. People will come to the forum for guidance and help and prayers. They will see our witness that we have been discussing this event years before it even happened. Hopefully it will help people as we enter the fullness of the Tribulation period itself. It is part of the Mother of God's forward planning as, sent from heaven we are prepared, spiritually for events to come. a little like a tiny Noah's Ark, for the faithful remnant. So far I prayerfully believe she is pleased by it and continues to bless us all here as Mother of God. May she continue, through all your prayers to do so.
Wow, you kicked off a forum for being a heretic! That is hard to imagine. (And thanks for the above, its inspiring).
Yes indeed. Me and many , many others. We were having a discussion about hell and damnation. I quoted Padre Pio who said that at the point of death he believed everyone would get to meet God face to face and make a final choice. Perhaps I was not clear but Ron thought I meant everyone would have a chance to repent AFTER which is of course false. Ron ordered me to recant. I dug my heels in and bang...a goner. I was concerned I was another Martin Luther but I checked with a holy old priest in confession but he just burst out laughing and said it was all nonsense. Phew!!
Not sure why you contributed this interesting interview with Fr. Adam. Unfortunately he seems to have somewhat "hijacked" Garabandal to fit in with his own Eschatalogical "certainties" so I wasn't as impressed as I wanted to be. I am not saying that his view is inconsistent with Garabandal, However as he got a few minor Garabandal facts wrong (which are easily verified), which favour his own personal views, this to me reveals a level self-interest that significantly blocks/distorts prophetic "channeling".
I'm so glad you posted this- being still somewhat new I never knew the genesis for this site or your wonderful conversion story- it is very inspiring. Besides the spiritual guidance, your history brought back memories of my grandfather, a captain in the old IRA, and relatives who actually might have been in Long Kesh the same time as you.
Sometimes , Mike people buy me books connected to the war here and I can never bear to read them ,it just seems so sad to me. I think all wars are sad, when you are a young man it seems exciiting a great adventure, now looking back it just seems such a waste. There are good things like courage and sacrifice but the bad far outweighs the good I think. Still you can't put an old head on young shoulders.
Hi Padraig, I was so happy to read what you have stated about Our Lady in this thread. Having availed yourself to create this forum for the reasons you have described is a sign in itself that Our Blessed Mother will watch over all those that participate and the many thousands that do and will in the future read some of the many threads here. To have taken the preparation of this forum firstly in prayer to Our Lady and then trusted her, Our Lady's motherly blessings have and will [God willing] produced many fruits. I for one feel very blessed to have come across this forum. I find it edifying especially as I live and work in the world where I deal with many who have little to no faith. At times out there in the world, I have felt alone in my beliefs but this forum provides a soothing balm to my tattered soul; just by the mere fact that I am in the company of so many good Catholic people that like myself search, struggle and seek to do His holy will. We form the communion of saints and I believe that Mary has us all under her mantle. Just one more thing, it is only with suffering that the victory is won. The sufferings and sorrows of your past and present united with Our Lords sufferings and sorrows are what produce the wonderful fruits that we are now reaping on this forum. Padre Pio said, “If we knew the value of suffering we would never give it up”.
I don't know what other people think of suffering , J. But as I look down the years any little Crosses I have had seem lost in the love of God and insignificant compared to the sufferings I see others bear. I notice this especially in the section on the forum were people ask for prayer. An alcoholic husband, children who have lost the Faith, a mother or Father who is dying, terminal illness., there seem to be real Crosses and ones when we hear of them can only leave us all staring and praying. For myself I can think of no real crosses at all only joy. I was looking at my brothers spectacles at the week end how full of scratches they are, how old. When I asked him why he did not change them he said paying for a growing family left him little money for this. This is the Cross which most of those who read this make for your families. To Sacrifice yourselves for others , for your children and you do so without even counting it or thinking about it. This is true love, this is true sacrifice. I was also listening to the stories of immigrants to London last night, one guy Stefan recently did not eat for a week because his rotten wages did not leave him enough for food. There are many like him , this is true sacrifice, this is the Cross. But the greatest suffering of all is to be poor in Faith. This is what Mother Teresa of Calcutta taught us , that not to have Faith is the greatest poverty, the greatest suffering of all , whereas the greatest gift of all. To be a person of prayer is to be the richest person in the world and this lies within the reach of us all.
But I must say over the years I have begun more and more to realise what a gift from heaven the forum is. It is a bit like being a member of a family. When we are young we take it for granted ; but when we are older looking back we understand what good the love and sacrifices of our parents really brought us. Some of the greatest gifts in life take a little time to sink in. View attachment 1961 Romans 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Thanks for all this background info about the forum Padraig, as a newbie I was wondering about it too. I am still reading through that thread on catholic planet about your conversion, and wow, what a wonderful conversion experience you had. Bless you & everyone else who got this forum going, I'm learning a lot from the posts and the only down side of it for me is that I have to fight the daily urge to spend too much time here!
