Posts
Rachel’s Corner Try an “Whole Goose for Michaelmas”
· Spirit hour: The Raven Cocktail in honor of St. Vincent
· Bucket List Trip: Museum of Egyptian Antiquities
·
do
a personal eucharistic stations of the cross.
· Dry January or Ginuary
· Plan winter fun:
o Soak in hot springs
o Hit the snow slopes
o Ride a snowmobile
o Go for a dog sled ride
o Ride a hot air balloon
o Start your day by snapping a shelfie at your local library, celebrating National Library Shelfie Day. Spice things up by adding hot sauce to your meals in honor of National Hot Sauce Day. Embrace plant-based living for Weedless Wednesday, opting for meatless meals. Take a moment to ponder your feline friend’s mysteries on National Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day. Indulge your sweet tooth with some blonde brownies to mark National Blonde Brownie Day.
o Wear polka dots to add a pop of fun for National Polka Dot Day. Reflect on life’s joys on Celebration of Life Day, perhaps by journaling or spending time outdoors. Throughout the day, dance to some polka
music to keep the celebratory mood going.
o Mix and match these activities to create a whimsical and enjoyable day. Cheers to embracing the joy in the little things and finding ways to make every day a celebration of life. So go forth and make the most of these quirky holidays!
Best Place to visit in January: Argentina
Things to do in Argentina as a family
Argentina, with its vast open expanses, agreeable climate, incredible adventure offerings and super friendly locals makes it the perfect place for a family vacation to suit all ages. We’ve done our research and scoped out the perfect family-friendly experiences and places to visit in Argentina to keep everyone entertained. This seven-night vacation is the right mix of adventure, culture and relaxation and is the perfect introduction to exploring South America.
You’ll start your tour of Argentina off in Buenos Aires, one of our favorite cities anywhere, where our team of expert guides will let you in on the best-hidden gems. Then we’ll take you south to Bariloche, one of Argentina’s most beautiful regions hidden in the middle of the Patagonian mountains. Here, you’ll kayak, hike and bike your way around this stunning wilderness with expert guides in tow as you bring the geography of Argentina to life. You’ll get a true sense of wilderness in this unique, luxury family adventure.
Thursday Feast
Thursday is the day of the week that our Lord gave himself up for consumption. Thursday commemorates the last supper. Some theologians believe after Sunday Thursday is the holiest day of the week. We should then try to make this day special by making a visit to the blessed sacrament chapel, Mass or even stopping by the grave of a loved one. Why not plan to count the blessing of the week and thank our Lord. Plan a special meal. Be at Peace.
Dinner Menu
🇮🇹 Week 3 – Ramstein → Aviano Air Base
Theme: Alpine Readiness, Eucharistic Stillness, NATO Vigilance, Mountain Clarity
Dates: Fri, Jan 23 – Thu, Jan 29
🇮🇹 Aviano Air Base – Alpine Readiness & Eucharistic Stillness
A week of mountain vigilance, alliance culture, chapel grounding, and Outdoor Rec in the Dolomites.
Day 1 – Fri, Jan 23 – Arrival & Base Orientation
Lodging:
Mountain View Lodge (dodlodging.net in Bing) (bing.com in Bing)
Evening:
Walk through Piazza Duomo, Pordenone
Orientation at Aviano Fitness Center (31 FSS)
Day 2 – Sat, Jan 24 – Cathedral & Dolomite Recreation
Morning:
Cathedral of St. Mark, Pordenone (Eucharistic clarity)
Afternoon Outdoor Rec:
Dolomites
ski/snowshoe trip via Aviano Outdoor Recreation
(31fss.com in Bing) (bing.com in Bing)
Evening:
Bowling or intramural sports (31 FSS)
Day 3 – Sun, Jan 25 – Sunday Mass & Alpine Witness
Catholic Mass:
Aviano Chapel (31st Fighter Wing Chapel)
(31fss.com in Bing) (bing.com in Bing)
Afternoon:
Alpine civic witness in Belluno — civic squares & mountain overlooks
Evening:
Base Community Center resilience night
Day 4 – Mon, Jan 26 – Fitness & Friulian Culture
Morning:
Workout at Aviano Fitness Center
Afternoon:
Visit Udine Castle & Civic Square
Dinner:
Friulian frico with local white wine pairing (Friuli is Italy’s white‑wine fortress)
Day 5 – Tue, Jan 27 – Fortress Airfields & Outdoor Rec
Morning:
Aviano Air Park (aircraft displays)
Outdoor Rec:
Dolomites winter hike or Cortina
trip
(31fss.com in Bing) (bing.com in Bing)
Evening:
Bowling league
Day 6 – Wed, Jan 28 – Monastic Clarity & Civic Witness
Morning:
Visit Abbey of Rosazzo (Benedictine clarity)
Afternoon:
Civic witness in Trieste — waterfront, civic squares, port culture
Evening:
Community Center resilience
Day 7 – Thu, Jan 29 – Firelight Finale
Ritual Act:
Rooftop or balcony vigil at Mountain View Lodge
Pour wine into a chalice, light a candle, and name one “mountain” God turned into a path.
Final workout:
Aviano Fitness Center
🔑 Key Links (Clean & Embedded)
Mountain View Lodge (Aviano Lodging)
(dodlodging.net in Bing) (bing.com in Bing)
Aviano Outdoor Recreation
(31fss.com in Bing) (bing.com in Bing)
Aviano Chapel (31st Fighter Wing)
(31fss.com in Bing) (bing.com in Bing)31 FSS Main Hub
(31fss.com in Bing) (bing.com in Bing)
January 22 Day of Prayer for Unborn
Children
Vincent of Saragossa
Psalm 56, Verse 3-5
My foes treat me harshly all the day; yes, many are my attackers. O Most High, when I am AFRAID, in you I place my trust. I praise the word of God; I trust in God, I do not fear. What can mere flesh do to me?
No,
we must be in the world but not of
the world. Christ in His Sermon on the Mount taught us how our lifestyle is to
be.
Be not afraid but be brave in the
world loving even the loveless.
Do not become prideful and self-important
but show humility; reverence and respect to all: for they are created
by the hand of God.
Do not envy the wicked; but let your desire
be to be kind remembering they must
account for themselves before God; respect and be loyal to them.
Let your anger be at injustice,
showing patience, compassion, and forgiveness to the sinner.
Be temperate and do all things in moderation; do
not greedily take things to yourself but share your wealth with those
in need. Remember to show true charity by helping them with their
troubles thus empowering them to become greater; to pursue righteousness.
Do not become slothful or failing to resist
evil but be diligent to build the Kingdom of God; one day and one
person at a time: begin with yourself.
Do not be gluttonous; avoid excess and exclusivity
(the country club mentality) but be temperate; sacrifice, give up and
surrender to the Spirit of God.
Do not look on others as objects to be used
for lustful needs but see them as created by the hand of God;
your chase purpose is to help them achieve God’s dream for them.
Imagine the change
in the world if parents used this as the yardstick to train their children.
Copilot’s
Take
The
reflection outlines a pattern of Christian living that quietly but decisively
confronts evil. By calling for courage in place of fear, humility instead of
pride, kindness over envy, and justice without vengeance, it presents a way of
life that resists the corrosive forces that distort the human heart. Each
virtue becomes a direct countermeasure to a specific form of darkness: courage
confronts the evil of intimidation, humility disarms the evil of self‑exaltation,
kindness breaks the cycle of resentment, and righteous anger exposes injustice
without becoming its mirror.
Temperance
challenges the greed that fuels exploitation; diligence opposes the passivity
that allows evil to spread unchecked; sacrifice undermines the culture of
excess that forgets the poor; and chastity confronts the reduction of persons
to objects. Together, these virtues form a shield and a strategy—an active
resistance to the patterns of sin that shape the world.
If such
virtues were taught consistently in the home, they would raise children who
instinctively recognize evil not only in dramatic forms but in the subtle
habits that erode dignity. They would learn to oppose evil not with hostility
but with holiness, not with force but with fidelity. In this way, the formation
of a household becomes a frontline of spiritual resistance, and the
transformation of society begins with the transformation of the smallest
community: the family.
Raising
Children Who Can Stand in the World
St.
Vincent of Saragossa[1]
I became acquainted with Saint Vincent during a time I was suffering with
a half inch burst in the last disk in my back. I was almost paralyzed, and the
pain was intense with a burning sensation below the knee on my left leg. I was
considering treatment using a VAC-D table that was then a new treatment, yet I
was hesitant. After reading the story of St. Vincent I asked for his help with
my struggle-it then occurred to me to go get stretched on the rack, which VAC-D
resembles as St. Vincent was. After 25 treatments my disk has now been healed
and I have recovered to 90% before the rupture. I thank the intersession of St.
Vincent.
Vincent
of Saragossa was one of the Church's three most illustrious deacons, the other
two being Stephen and Lawrence. He is also Spain's most renowned martyr.
Ordained deacon by Bishop Valerius of Saragossa, he was taken in chains to
Valencia during the Diocletian persecution and put to death. From legend we
have the following details of his martyrdom. After brutal scourging in the
presence of many witnesses, he was stretched on the rack; but neither torture
nor blandishments nor threats could undermine the strength and courage of his
faith. Next, he was cast on a heated grating, lacerated with iron hooks, and
seared with hot metal plates. Then he was returned to prison, where the floor
was heavily strewn with pieces of broken glass. A heavenly brightness flooded
the entire dungeon, filling all who saw it with greatest awe.
After
this he was placed on a soft bed in the hope that lenient treatment would
induce apostasy, since torture had proven ineffective. But strengthened by
faith in Christ Jesus and the hope of everlasting life, Vincent maintained an
invincible spirit and overcame all efforts, whether by fire, sword, rack, or
torture to induce defection. He persevered to the end and gained the heavenly
crown of martyrdom.
Day of
Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children
Roe vs. Wade[2]
January
22 is the anniversary of Roe v. Wade and the day established by the
Church of penance for abortion, has been formally named as the “Day of Prayer
for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children.” On this day your parish, school
or religious formation program may celebrate the Mass for Giving Thanks to God
for the Gift of Human Life. This Mass, found in our newly translated Missal,
may now be used on occasions to celebrate the dignity of human life. In
addition to this special Mass on this day, perhaps your parish, school or
religious formation program could encourage traditional forms of penance, host
pro-life and chastity speakers, lead informative projects that will directly
build up the culture of life, show a pro-life film, raise funds for local
crisis pregnancy centers or offer additional prayer services.
Attend Mass today.
Celebration
of Life Day[3] is when we take a
step back and truly appreciate our children and grandchildren. Granted, some
may do this on an everyday basis, but it’s an opportunity to look at our young
ones’ lives from a different angle, think about what it is that makes them truly
special, and of course, to lavish treats upon them if we so wish, be it an ice
cream or a trip to Disneyland. It can be easy to forget that our children and
grandchildren are people in their own right. You’ve helped them to discover
themselves over the years, but you can’t take all the credit. Their life
choices are ultimately down to them; sometimes they’ll do you proud, and other
times, as is the case with us all, they’ll make mistakes. So be the one who’s
there to offer congratulations, or encouragement to pick themselves up when
they fall. And above all else, as cheesy as it may sound, show that you love
them.
Life First[4] 9 Days for Life
Day Seven:
Intercession: May those who long to welcome a child into their family be filled with trust in God’s loving plan.
Prayers: Our Father, 3 Hail Mary’s, Glory Be
Reflection: It can be very difficult and painful when the Lord doesn’t answer our prayers in the way we hope. A couple that finds themselves unable to bring a child into the world through their loving union can experience this disappointment very deeply. During such times of trial, we may wonder why we face the particular challenges that we do. Yet even though suffering is often shrouded in a sense of mystery, we believe that the Lord loves us with great tenderness and compassion that is beyond our imagination. Knowing this, we can trust that “all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Rom 8:28).
Acts of Reparation (Choose one.)
·
Smile.
Ask God today for the grace to be extra joyful and share Christ’s love with
those who need encouragement the most today.
·
Offer
the Prayer for Those
Hoping to Conceive or Adopt a Child, and spend some time reflecting on the
accompanying excerpt from Psalm 145.
·
Offer
some other sacrifice, prayer, or act of penance that you feel called to do for
today’s intention.
Bible in a
Year Day 204 Zephaniah's Warnings
As we begin reading the Book of Zephaniah, Fr. Mike draws
our attention to the first five accusations Zephaniah declares against the
people of Judah; idolatry, lack of prayer, poor leadership, superstitions, and
lack of belief in God's judgment. Today we read Isaiah 28-29, Zephaniah 1-2,
and Proverbs 11:9-12.
Daily Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Today's Fast: Increase
in the Religious and Consecrated Life.
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Make reparations to
the Holy Face
·
Rosary
[4]http://www.usccb.org/about/pro-life-activities/january-roe-events/nine-days-of-prayer-penance-and-pilgrimage.cfm
🎬 His Private Secretary (1933)
(Classic film clarity + moral resonance + hospitality pairing)
⭐ Core Facts
- Director: Phil Whitman
- Stars:
- Evalyn Knapp (Marion Hall)
- John Wayne (Dick Wallace)
- Reginald Barlow (Mr. Wallace)
- Genre: Pre‑Code romantic comedy
- Studio: Screencraft Productions (Poverty Row)
- Runtime: 60 minutes
- Budget: $9,000; Box Office: $95,000
📘 Plot Summary (Clean, Tight, and Thematically Focused)
Act I — The Playboy Meets the Preacher’s Granddaughter
Dick Wallace, a wealthy, carefree young man, falls for Marion Hall, the granddaughter of a small‑town minister. His father disapproves, assuming any woman Dick likes must be a gold digger.
Theme: Character vs. class prejudice.
Act II — Fired for Mercy
Dick refuses to collect a debt from Marion’s grandfather and is fired by his own father. Instead of returning to his old life, he buys the town’s only garage to stay near Marion.
Moral tension: Mercy costs something—but it reveals who a man truly is.
Act III — A Secret Marriage and a Closed Heart
Dick and Marion marry quietly. Mr. Wallace refuses to meet her, convinced she is after the family fortune.
Pre‑Code twist: A woman proving her worth through competence, not propriety.
Act IV — The Secretary Who Saves the Family
Marion takes a job in Mr. Wallace’s office under her maiden name after he fires his secretary. Her humility and skill soften his heart. With the help of the meek office manager, a three‑way reconciliation unfolds.
Ending: A restored family, a humbled son, and a father who finally sees virtue where he expected vice.
✝️ Catholic Moral Reading (Tailored to Your Framework)
1. Humility as the Path to Reconciliation
Marion never argues her innocence—she embodies it.
- Lesson: Humility disarms suspicion more effectively than self‑defense.
2. Mercy Over Profit
Dick’s refusal to collect the debt mirrors the Gospel’s preference for mercy over gain.
- He loses his job but finds his vocation.
3. Conversion Through Responsibility
Dick’s transformation from playboy to provider echoes the Catholic idea that love demands maturity, sacrifice, and stewardship.
4. The Father’s Heart Softened by Witness
Mr. Wallace is converted not by argument but by encountering goodness in action.
- A small cinematic echo of the father in the Prodigal Son—slow to trust, but quick to embrace once truth is revealed.
🍸 Hospitality Pairing (In Your Style)
Cocktail: “The Secretary’s Highball”
A simple, Depression‑era drink that matches the film’s small‑town honesty.
- Bourbon
- Ginger ale
- Lemon twist
Theme: Straightforward, unpretentious, quietly uplifting—like Marion herself.
Snack Pairing: The Parson’s Plate
A nod to the minister’s home and the film’s moral center.
- Sliced apples
- Sharp cheddar
- Warm bread with butter
Symbolism: Modesty, nourishment, and the quiet strength of virtue.
