So last Tuesday, August 4, 2020, I had something of an extraordinary encounter with the person of St. Peter. I wept through the whole thing (about 40 minutes) as he shared what he went through during the Passion of Jesus. A friend asked me to recount what happened, and this is the video of my retelling. For those of you at St. Peter Parish, who have been without our beloved pastor for months due to stroke, be encouraged! For those of you who are succumbing to fear and anxiety, be encouraged! Peter has much to teach us about new beginnings, the mercy of God, and the friendship of our big brothers and sisters in Heaven, who know you and love you. (P.S.You’re always welcome to join us at St Peter in Covington, LA, after 8:30 am Mass on Tuesdays for a Gospel reflection and the rosary!).
Ever since C19 caused almost all of my booked events to be cancelled or postponed, I’ve been finding great joy in oil painting, especially subjects of God’s beautiful creation.
This latest painting from my studio, which is now available, feels like a window into the countryside! I am also thrilled to be taking commissions. What can I paint for you? Proceeds benefit my Sounds of Peace music project for the poor, the sick, and the dying (www.kittycleveland.com/soundsofpeace)
Feel free to contact me for more information about this painting or about your original ideas for a painting. I love to hear from you!
Please join us each evening for the virtual Holy Spirit Novena at St. John of the Cross, beginning on Friday, May 22nd, at 6:30 pm CST and ending with the vigil for Pentecost Sunday, May 30th. I’ll be providing the music on Saturday evening, May 23rd, starting at 6:30 pm. Veni Sancte Spiritus! Set your alarm and tune in LIVE at 6:30 pm on YouTube at :
I commend the commitment of Kitty Cleveland, who is dedicating her considerable talents to the new evangelization, especially in its care for the poor. May God bless all her efforts.
Friends, I just received this incredible feedback on my Sounds of Peace MP3 players from someone suffering in the hospital from COVID-19. What a message of miraculous hope!
My Miracle Story!
by Parish from La.
“I have to share this with you, and I cannot explain it; however, I will try. I was down in the hospital [with COVID-19] and thought my world was crashing around me. I was so sad crying for [my family members who are also sick, two of whom were in the hospital]. I was a basket case. I was just so sad for everyone in the hospital. I mean, if you had seen me, you would have thought I was checking out, and everyone I loved was coming with me. And then came a little knock on my door and my nurse comes in and says, “Good Evening Parish. How are you doing?”
Well, you know me. I am a big guy. I pop up and say what I always say to everyone when asked that question: It’s another day in paradise. I am here to fight another day. Still, inside I am struggling with the fact that this could be it. But then Kelli, my nurse says, “Parish the Catholic Church dropped these MP3 players loaded with music on them for our patients to listen to. Would you like one?” I said, sure, I would love one. I read the information that was in a little blue pouch. I read the bottom of the card, Please pray for the intentions of Maria Mandras. I learned that it was Sounds of Peace, and the artist was Kitty Cleveland…Little did I know my life would change right then and there.
As soon as I turned on the music a calm came across my body. All my doubts, fears, and sickness left my body. I felt inspired and loved by God. The doctor came in and said, “You look too healthy to be here. Would you like to go home?” I started to cry again.
I thank everyone for all the prayers. I appreciate the healthcare providers at Lakeview Regional Medical Center that took care of me. I so love my wife Julie, who never gave up praying and fighting for me to be on the right medications. I thank all the friends who never quit praying for me. I thank Sounds of Peace and Kitty Cleveland for the fantastic music that they sent to me at my lowest point. I thank my teammates and friends who prayed for me. I thank my friend Scot who drove 2.5 hours one way to give me medication that would fight the virus, and I thank God for not leaving me and sending all these things my way to protect me. I still pray for everyone who is ill and has no one to pray for them.
COVID-19 is no joke. It takes over your lungs, and you cannot breathe…Life is so short, and you will not believe how many of your friends are praying for you. All thoughts and prayers are so appreciated!
Stay safe & be well! Happy Easter!!!! Without God, there is no hope. Through the resurrection, God gives us his Mercy and Grace to be a Light to the World today and every day! HE IS ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!! HAPPY EASTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! COVID-19 is a wake-up call to the World!”
What an incredible Easter miracle story, and it would never have happened without the generosity of my many friends and sponsors–both those who have sponsored my CDs over the last 20 years and those who have sponsored the Sounds of Peace digital music packages. May God bless each one of you with treasure in Heaven!
For those who would like to know more, each player package includes a mini MP3 (digital music) player loaded with $100 of music and prayer–all 9 of my CDs. I just ask for help covering my costs at $25 each, which allows me to buy two more players to replace it.
If you would like to learn more about how you can help sponsor a Sounds of Peace digital music player package for the sick and dying, and also how you can get one for yourself or a loved one, please go to www.kittycleveland.com/soundsofpeace. God bless you, friends! Kitty
