News February 6, 2025
News from Good News Ministries:
- The joy of Jesus despite the worst of times
- What is Heaven like? (a YouTube Short)
- Plus great links to great content!
The joy of Jesus despite the worst of times
The worst day of my life was exactly a year ago. On February 5th, 2024, God embraced my Ralph in his arms and took him Home.
My loss was Ralph’s gain.
Ralph’s gain was the best thing that could have happened to him, and I’m grateful for that. But he is sharing his advantages with me! Now he helps me in ways that he didn’t or couldn’t while he was still here. With God, we’re working toward something big that God has planned. I’m not ready to talk publicly about it, but I do give out hints in these newsletters as life unfolds.
After the initial shock of his passing, in my deepest grief, about the only thing I could pray was something I had learned many, many years ago. Because it had become a normal part of my relationship with Jesus, it came out of me without much effort: “Jesus, BE my JOY.”
This simple prayer always works. This same joy is available to all who ask for it in their sufferings. It was kind of weird: Although I felt incredibly sad, I also experienced an over-riding joy. Not the kind that put a smile on my face or dried the tears — it was the joy of Jesus. It was/is Jesus himself walking me through my new life as a widow. It was/is the presence of Jesus remaining at my side. It was/is the source of my strength as I move forward with my life and ministry, one step at a time.
Ralph continues to support this ministry that he and I founded 30 years ago. Now it’s with a heavenly collaboration. I can’t see what he’s up to, but it’s real. One way he makes sure I know it’s real is by helping out when I can’t find something in the huge mess of tools and equipment he left behind in our garage.
After Hurricane Milton, which flooded the garage and Ralph’s workshop, the elevator was unusable. (Yes, my house has an elevator; we built it for my parents who moved in with us, and now I’m relying on it a lot for myself.) To open the elevator door for the repairman, we needed a special key. As I walked through the garage, I noticed a cleared-off section of a table. In the middle of that clearing was the key, all by itself.
He’s helped me find other things, too. Even my handyman enlisted Ralph’s help. Robert would say, “Ralph, where’s the ___?” And immediately he spotted it.
Let’s honor God for what he did with and is still doing through Ralph: Support his favorite charity, Good News Ministries of Tampa Bay. To contribute to the special fund honoring Ralph, please visit continuetogive.com/RalphModica.
What is Heaven like? (a one-minute video)
youtube.com/shorts/XCf-iVpL7OI
Good News Prayer Room:
Use our collection of Catholic prayers designed with your needs in mind. They will give you hope and a stronger connection to God’s love and support. What do you need prayers for today?
Visit gnm.org/prayers.
Post your prayer requests @ gnm.org/post-a-prayer.
Good News WordBytes:
WANT MORE FAITH and HOPE in TROUBLED TIMES? WE’RE HERE for YOU! Choose from a variety of topics on our website of Catholic Faith-building articles. What do you need today?
Visit wordbytes.org.
God bless you!
Every morning, I lift up in prayer everyone who helps Good News Ministries in any way (donors, volunteers, prayer supporters, etc.) and all the prayer requests posted on our site. What can I cover in prayer for you? Post your prayer request.
How else can the team and I serve you today? Visit our homepage.
Thank you for reading this newsletter.
Your servant in Christ,
Terry Modica, Executive Director
Good News Ministries
gnm.org
Find this and past issues at gnm.org/newsletter. Please share what will minister to others.