The Nation - News from Aug. 23, 1988

The Roman Catholic bishop of Lubbock, Tex., is asking that a panel of bishops be appointed to study the reports of miracles at a charismatic church in Lubbock where three parishioners claim to receive messages from the Virgin Mary. About 12,000 people gathered on the grounds of St. John Neumann Catholic Church on Aug. 15 to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption, after the parishioners said Mary indicated miracles would occur that day. During the Mass, hundreds reported seeing apparitions of Jesus and Mary, while others claimed that the sun appeared to dance in the sky and that silver-colored rosaries turned a golden hue. Bishop Michael Sheehan said in a statement that he is asking the National Conference of Catholic Bishops to assist him in preparing an investigation.