Catholic Teens - January 18, 2005

On Tue, 18 Jan 2005 10:55:51 -0600, pwxsevere wrote
> It has been wonderful to see the outpouring of support and prayers
> to the victims of the deadly tsunami in southern Asia these past few
> weeks. It reminds us that good can always be brought out of tragedy
> and that people really can work together.
>
> Amazing stories are coming forth from this disaster, including this
> miracle that happened in Indonesia. The story is below. This
> basilica, filled with 2000 people for Mass right near the ocean, was
> spared, in fact no water got in, despite the fact that everything
> else was washed away or damaged. Amazing. Read on....
>
> A Ray of Hope Amid the Chaos
> By: Michael Whitcraft
> This brings us to December 26, 2004, when the terrifying tsunami
> wrought destruction throughout the coastlines of southern Asia. The
> town of Vailankanni was not spared the destruction. However, as the
> waves engulfed the town, a Mass was taking place in the shrine with
> 2,000 pilgrims in attendance.
>
> Although, it left the entire town in shambles, killing thousands, the
> deadly waters did not enter the shrine, and everyone present was
> spared. According to the BBC, the shrine was the only building to
> escape the devastation.1
>
> Perhaps the most extraordinary aspect is that buildings on the same
> elevation, further inshore were destroyed, while those inside the
> shrine remained entirely dry.
>
> Basilica officials did not hesitate to call the event miraculous, an
> opinion shared by Sebastian Kannappilly, a businessman from
> neighboring Kerala state who was in the shrine during Mass. He
> stated: "It was a miracle that the water did not enter the church."
> His driver, who was waiting outside the Church, perished.2
>
> God bless you!
> Phil Lawson

"It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you
wish." --Mother Teresa