The last few days of 1997 will be gone before we know it and then begins the year of determination: 1998 - The Year of the Holy Spirit in the Holy Father's countdown to the Millennium. We could look back on this year and review all that has happened, but, in the words of Satchell Paige, "Don't look back because somebody may be gaining on you." That somebody, of course, has a forked tail and horns. You know him better as ol' satan and he is furious right now for his time is oh so short. Not short enough as far as we're concerned, but short enough to realize the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart is nearer every day. The message to Father Don Stefano Gobbi given to him by Our Lady at Lourdes in September 1988 spoke of the next ten years. This message can be found in the Tenth Edition of Our Lady Speaks to Her Beloved Priests. With the year 1998 those ten years are up. Now comes time for the atonement. All the Blessed Mother foretold in that message has come to pass. 1998 is the pivotal year. In addition, Fr. Gobbi also received a follow-up message from Our Lady that her Triumph will occur before the Jubilee Year 2000!!!

      Therefore, each and everyone of us need to intensify our evangelization efforts as we enter this pivotal year. We can't look back and say "what if" for we must live with what we have, who we are, and what God has given us and be grateful to Him for everything...and be obedient to Him in everything. The Persecutions of the faithful will increase world-wide and we must be ready. That's why we have escalated this publication to a daily because of the urgency of the situation. Our faith is too vital, too precious, too important to hide under a bushel basket or to allow to be watered down. We must stand and fight, pick up our cross daily and follow Him wherever He leads us as we come to the crossroads of civilization as we know it. Christ didn't look back, neither should we. The soul does not look back, but rather looks ahead, yearning to be reunited with God in Heavenly Bliss forever. Let us take to heart and put into action the counsel of Saint Paul in 1 Corinthians 9: 24 and run the good race. "Do you not know that those who run in a race, all indeed run, but one who receives the prize? So run as to obtain it. And everyone in a contest abstains from all things - and they indeed to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one." No wonder the Blessed Virgin Mary has asked us in everyone of her messages during this last century to fast and pray. Have you ever noticed that the larger your cross the better you run? Rather than bogging us down, when we willingly carry His cross He gives us wings of fortitude to not only finish the race, but win it! Through the sacraments, prayer, fasting, penance and conversion of heart we will be in perfect shape for that extra spurt at the end. That is the only way we will be in spiritual shape for the race of our lives. So quicken your step and fasten that cross firmly on your shoulders in the relay race of your life, lest ol' hornhead gain on you as we head down the backstretch this coming year toward the finish line. Willingly carrying our cross will get us through the final obstacles with Heavenly colors as we fly down the stretch toward the Ultimate Prize!

Michael Cain, editor

December 1997