Yvonne Limoges Directora de la Sociedad Espiritista de Florida
Spiritist Society of Florida
5042 22 Avenue North,
St. Petersburg, Florida 33710
SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER 2012
Yvonne Limoges, Director and Editor
SPIRITIST
CONGRESS in BRAZIL
Written by Yvonne Limoges
As a Spiritist, I
always wanted to visit the country with the most Spiritists and Spiritist
centers in the world. My mother Yolanda Crespo and I finally made that trip. Antonio
Leite from NYC (one of the Editors of the virtual website Advanced Study Group of Spiritism and a good friend of many years)
met us at the airport in São Paulo and acted as our guide.
We also had (another editor of the same Spiritist Group but who lives in
Brazil) Carlos Alberto Iglesias Bernardo, who kindly drove us around the city
providing interesting historical information.We visited 4 Spiritist centers in
that city.One of them was founded in 1904 by a pioneering Spiritist named
Batuira; one Center was Abrigo
Bezerra de Menezes at website
www.abrigobezmenezes.org.br; and,
another center ran a
nursing home for the elderly of which we were given a tour from top to bottom –
patients received daily spiritual passes by mediums, and workers and residents
all seemed to have a smile on their face. All the centers provided passes,
mediumship messages, and one we saw working with helping troubled communicating
spirits.
We also visited his original home, the current foundation in his name and also
the Spiritist center of the famous journalist, philosopher, translator, poet,
parapsychologist, and more, of my most favorite Brazilian Spiritist author of
over 50 books, J. Herculano Pires (1914-1979).
He is considered the most faithful
interpreter of Kardec’s thinking and of the Spiritist Doctrine, as
defined by the spirit of Emmanuel, via Brazil’s most famous and beloved medium “Chico”
Xavier (1910-2002).
I was graciously given several
of Pires’ books translated into Spanish.One can read some of his books on-line
in Portuguese at: http://manancialdeluz.blogspot.com/2009/09/as-obras-de-jose-herculano-pires-1.html
Afterwards, we were driven to the city of Santos for the five day Pan American Spiritist Confederation Congress (CEPA), website: www.cepainfo.org/ . This port city was by
the beach and with mountains all around it.
Antonio, my mother and I, and Spiritists (330
participants in all) from Brazil and other countries such as Spain (including
the Canary Islands), Venezuela, Cuba, Argentina, Guatamala, Mexico, and the
U.S.A. attended. I gave my lecture in English (translated into Spanish) as did
numerous others, theirs in either Spanish or Portuguese. The variety of topics
was very interesting revolving primarily around the main theme of the Congress which
was Reincarnation.
A business meeting was
held. And then the Congress ended with a wonderful dinner and dance.
By the way, as we traveled around
Brazil, the food we ate was absolutely delicious!
JON AIZPURUA
The above individual is the Vice President
(previously President for 9 years) of CEPA and he was at the Congress we
attended in Brazil. He gave an informative and very inspirational lecture that
was in the evening and open to the public. Some of what he said was very
profound which is too difficult for me to put here, but below are a few
thoughts of his to contemplate.
- What kind of person are you?
1) One who does
wrong without a conscience and may even enjoy it.
2) One who does
wrong without realizing it.
3) One who does
nothing.
4) One who does good
solely for praise.
5) One who does good
for goodness sake.
- It is never too
late to change; it does not matter about the past. One can always look forward towards
the future.
-Humans have
biological, psychological, humanistic, and social natures.
-Allan Kardec and
the work of his Society were convinced by the spirits through mediumship that
reincarnation exists. Kardec wrote and compiled The Spirits’ Book to explain it, and called this way of belief in
reincarnation - Spiritism.
- A cute story was:
How do porcupines mate? They evolved. As we evolve, we can unite through
solidarity and love; the love of Buddha, of Jesus and others who have taught us
down through the ages.
(Mr.
Aizpurua is an author of seven books, and, of numerous DVDs on biographies of famous
people and of culture, art, philosophy, and literature. He has a weekly radio
show, and is a university professor in Venezuela. Website: www.jonaizpurua.com/ )
HOME IS A CHILDREN’S FIRST SCHOOL
The home is the first school in the
lives of all children, the people who share it with them every day are the
closest example that children take for their life time example, both in words spoken and
in attitudes.
Good words and deeds, or bad words and actions are
a reflection of the example that adults
make. All children imitate adults because many times they do not know what is good or bad.
Often children suffer
punishment and scolding,
not realizing they are only imitating
the attitudes and words that adults say and do around them.
…So “Know thyself.” Educate your own thoughts, feelings and attitudes; that is our mission in life, and we have an even greater responsibility before God when you have
dependent children…
When a child who is in
our care does something wrong,
one needs to investigate patiently whether
someone who is around them said
or did something for why that child did wrong…
Speak clearly with the
child to know who did what,
and explain and educate why they should not do things and the pain it can
cause…If adults do not explain
why they should not do this or that, then the child
does not receive any explanation of
why not to do it again, because
they did not understand…
People living with children
should educate them and give the child the necessary time they need throughout their growth, because when they are tiny they
absorb everything around them
and thus need an adult aware of their responsibilities to God of the education that
children receive… discipline with love
(not with violence),
helping others, sharing, non-violence, love of God, love of nature, love of animals, brotherly love, etc.. These are learned
IN THE HOME…
Remember, that one day when you leave the spirit world you will be asked what you did with that child you were given? Think
on that…
(Excerpts from an anonymous article by the Ladies Heliosophic Group of
Guatemala City, School of Light and
Charity – translated from the Spanish by Yvonne Limoges.)
CHANGE
Spirit communication by Julie L. Harper
Everything is in constant flux, and circumstances
continually change by the type and degree of intent and attention extended by
your mind and heart.
For example, directed feelings, attitudes, actions, and
reactions deliver subsequent corresponding conditions.
Your sincere attention will bring assistance from the good
spirits who wish to aid your good desires.
Focus on what you cherish, to support and grow what you
love.
AFFLICTIONS OF LIFE - Kardec
“We
can ask God for earthly favors and He will concede them to us when they have a
serious purpose. But seeing that we judge their utility from our own point of
view and as immediate necessities, we do not always recognize the bad side of
what we ask.”
“God,
Who can see things in a better perspective than we can and only desires the
best for us, may refuse what we ask for, just as a father would refuse his
child what he knew would be prejudicial for him.”
“If
what we request is refused we should not be disappointed; on the contrary, we
should think that to be deprived of our wish is a test or expiation [making
amends], and that our recompense will be in proportion to the degree of
resignation shown towards what we have to put up with.”
(A preface to a prayer from The Gospel According to Spiritism – in the Collection of Spiritist Prayers
- translated from the French by Janet Duncan.)
BLESSINGS ARE YOURS
Spirit communication by Julie L. Harper
With awareness and gratitude, you will know that blessings
are yours.
Conditions either come as blessings that deliver happiness
or unfavorable circumstances to enable opportunity to learn and grow by error.
Teachings toward personal progression exist in all
circumstance, whether perceived as desirable or not.
Every situation is of God’s allowance, always making
gratitude an appropriate expression.
Your gratitude for happiness or for a learning opportunity
honors God, and this sentiment promotes acceptance of the Divine order which
may deliver comfort.
Each point-in-time holds potential for comfort when God’s benevolence
is praised, and faith is held that all is as it should be.
DIVINE PLANS
Anonymous
When it looks like things are not going
your way, know that there is always a Divine Plan that is best for
you.
If you put your trust in the Creator,
you will receive great
spiritual rewards in time.
Also, you may get what you want, just not in the way you thought.
(From the internet and
translated from the Spanish by Yvonne Limoges.)
MATERIAL
WEALTH
Written by Yvonne
Limoges
Being born rich or having acquired great riches
can be the very worst of trials on earth because of the seduction it may have over
humans in the acquiring of unnecessary material goods and the potential for instilling
selfishness and pride.
Nevertheless, a full accounting of its use by
the persons who have it will have to be made upon return to the spirit world on
how those riches were used. Were they used for purely selfish reasons, or were
they also used to help others in need?
There can also be long time repercussions due
to the law of cause and effect of their use that can play out in future
existences. So, be rich in spirit!
TRUE
PROPERTY – a spirit communication
“The
only true property that Man can own is that which may be taken with him on
leaving this world. What is found on arrival on Earth and that which is left
behind on parting, is enjoyed only while living here. Therefore, as humanity is
forced to abandon all worldly possessions, it can be inferred that it has no
real ownership of riches, only their temporary usage. “
“What then constitutes true property? Nothing which is for the use of the body,
but everything which is for the use of the soul, such as intelligence,
knowledge and moral qualities.”
“This
is what man brings and takes with him, which no one can take away and which
will be far more use in the next world [spirit world] than in the present one. It
is up to him to be richer on departure than he was on arrival in this world,
seeing that his future position will depend solely on what qualities have been gained in the present life.”
“When
someone travels to a distant country they take as part of their luggage only
those things which will be useful to them in that place; they do not worry
about those things which will be of no use. Proceed in a like manner in
relation to your future life and provide yourselves with all that can be of use
to you there.” – spirit of “Pascal,” in Geneva,
1860.
(Kardec’s The
Gospel According to Spiritism, Ch. 16, translated from the French by Janet
Duncan.)
POINTS TO PONDER
Written by Narciso Trevilatto
Our
responsibilities are increased in accordance with our knowledge…
May
God give us the strength to conquer our vices and pride…
We
have a conscience…but, our degree of pride, selfishness and feelings vary unto
the infinite! Those more conscientious and sentimental are likely to comprehend
and forgive more…
We arrive at greater
happiness by providing it to others. May peace be with all of us!
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
A Spiritist should be a
responsible citizen by being active for the betterment of society, so educate
yourself now and don’t forget to vote in November! – Y.L.
*************************************
Yvonne Limoges, Director and Editor
Spiritist Society of Florida
5042 22 Avenue North,
St. Petersburg, Florida 33710
Website:
www.spiritistsocietyfl.com
Yvonne
Crespo Limoges es la Directora de la Sociedad Espírita de Florida fundada por
su padre en St. Petersburgo, Florida. Este es el sitio web oficial de la Sociedad:: www.spiritistsocietyfl.com
Yvonne tiene una experiencia de más de 45 años en la práctica de Espiritismo.
Ella es una Espírita de la cuarta y de la quinta generación norteamericana. Yvonne
es médium espiritista. Además, es la
editora del boletín mensual de la Sociedad Espiritista de La Florida, donde ella
lleva a cabo sus reuniones, así como,también, dirige las clases de estudio y el
desarrollo de la mediumnidad.
Yvonne, además, escribe, traduce, y presenta artículos sobre temas espíritas y escribe, además, literatura para su publicación en
revistas espíritas, espiritualistas y parapsicológicas que se publican en todo
el mundo. Su grupo está en correspondencia frecuente con estos grupos afines.
Ha ofrecido conferencias en varios Congresos y Conferencias Espíritas,
Spiritualualistas y de temática parapsicológica. .
La obra de Espiritismo Clásico “Memorias del Padre Germán” copiado y anotado
por la famosa poeta y escritora Espírita Amalia Domingo Soler de España, fue
traducido por primera vez al Inglés, así como La Guia Practica, de Miguel
Vives, traducido del español original por Edgar Crespo (ambos editados por
Yvonne) y se han publicado. Estos libros están disponibles en www.amazon.com .
Yvonne es miembro de hace mucho tiempo de la Academia de Espiritualidad y
Estudios de la Conciencia, Inc. (anteriormente la Academia de Religión e
Investigación Psíquica) donde formó parte de su Junta Directiva en el periodo
2006-2009 www.aspsi.org/