Saturday, February 28, 2026

Vinny’s Corner

I command you be strong and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD, your God, is with you wherever you go.

(Joshua 1:9)

· Saturday Litany of the Hours Invoking the Aid of Mother Mary

· Bucket List trip: Bali, Indonesia

· Spirit Hour: St. Romain Wine

· Try “Roasted Goose”

· Get an indulgence

· How to celebrate Feb 28th

o Start your day by embracing a bit of science with some online research on rare diseases. Educate yourself on the importance of awareness and support for those battling uncommon illnesses. Transition into a creative mode by designing a custom floral arrangement to brighten your space. Reflect on the symbolism of flowers while indulging in a decadent chocolate souffle. Take a moment to appreciate the beauty in the details.

o As the day progresses, find time for relaxation and rejuvenation; celebrate Public Sleeping Day with a cozy nap or simply by lounging in bed with a good book. Recharge your mind and body. As you awake refreshed, ponder the impact of proper rest on your overall well-being.

o Continue your journey by exploring your creativity through essay writing. Reflect on personal experiences or delve into topics that spark your curiosity. Embrace the power of self-expression.

o Embrace sustainability by participating in Skip the Straw Day. Enjoy your favorite beverage without single-use plastic, and contemplate the small changes that can make a big difference in environmental conservation.

o Conclude your day with a celebration of individuality and self-care.

Create a vegan lipstick look that makes you feel empowered and confident. Add a touch of uniqueness to your day and celebrate your personal style.

o Overall, let the diverse themes of the day inspire you to embrace knowledge, creativity, rest, expression, community, sustainability, and self-love. Celebrate the little moments in life and find joy in the unexpected.

Pilgrimage JERUSALEM

It’s the move every pilgrim makes:
from the place of calling (Galilee) to the place of surrender, sacrifice, and resurrection (Jerusalem).

It mirrors the Gospels, the liturgical year, and the inner journey of Lent.
So I’ll continue your pilgrimage guide in the exact same format you used.

Pilgrimage — Next Stage: Jerusalem

🏨 Where We Stay

Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center (Catholic, safe, central, excellent rooftop views)
Website: https://www.notredamecenter.org/

Directly across from the New Gate of the Old City

Easy walking to the Holy Sepulchre, Via Dolorosa, and Mount of Olives

Quiet, clean, and ideal for prayer

Alternative:
Casa Nova Jerusalem (Franciscan, simple, inside the Old City)

✝️ Where We Attend Mass

Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Search: Holy Sepulchre Mass Schedule (bing.com in Bing)

Secondary options:

Notre Dame Chapel

St. Anne’s Church (near Bethesda Pools)

Latin Patriarchate Cathedral

🗓️ Daily Itinerary & Symbolic Acts

March 1 – Arrival in Jerusalem

🌇 Symbolic Act: “Setting Your Face Toward the Cross”

Enter the Old City through the New Gate

Walk to the Holy Sepulchre for silent prayer

Offer your days in Jerusalem for deeper surrender
Mass: Holy Sepulchre
Stay: Notre Dame Center

March 2 – Mount of Olives

🌿 Symbolic Act: “Learning to Watch and Pray”

Visit the Mount of Olives overlook

Pater Noster Church

Dominus Flevit (Jesus weeps over Jerusalem)

Garden of Gethsemane & Church of All Nations
Mass: Gethsemane
Stay: Notre Dame

March 3 – Via Dolorosa

🕊️ Symbolic Act: “Walking in His Footsteps”

Begin at the Antonia Fortress

Walk the Stations of the Cross slowly

End at the Holy Sepulchre

Pray at Calvary and the Tomb
Mass: Holy Sepulchre
Stay: Notre Dame

March 4 – Mount Zion

🔥 Symbolic Act: “Receiving the Fire of the Spirit”

Upper Room (Cenacle)

Dormition Abbey

St. Peter in Gallicantu (Peter’s denial)
Reflect on courage, failure, and restoration
Mass: St. Peter in Gallicantu
Stay: Notre Dame

March 5 – Bethlehem

⭐ Symbolic Act: “Returning to the Beginning”

Church of the Nativity

Grotto of the Nativity

Shepherds’ Field
Offer your life again at the place where God became small
Mass: Church of the Nativity
Stay: Notre Dame

March 6 – Ein Karem

🌸 Symbolic Act: “Leaping for Joy”

Church of the Visitation

Church of St. John the Baptist
Reflect on vocation, joy, and the courage of Mary
Mass: Visitation
Stay: Notre Dame

March 7 – Free Day / Optional Desert Experience

🏜️ Symbolic Act: “Into the Wilderness”
Options:

Wadi Qelt (Jericho desert)

Monastery of St. George

Dead Sea float

Quiet prayer day at Notre Dame
Mass: Notre Dame Chapel
Stay: Notre Dame

March 8 – Departure

🌅 Symbolic Act: “Carrying the Cross Into Daily Life”

Final prayer at the Holy Sepulchre

Whisper: “Lord, lead me from this empty tomb into new life.”
Mass: Holy Sepulchre
Stay: Notre Dame (checkout)

💶 Cost Snapshot (Per Person)

Lodging (7 nights): $525–$875
Meals: $210–$315
Transport: $120–$200
Entrance Fees: $40–$80
Total: $895–$1,470

FEBRUARY 28 Saturday of The First Week of Lent-Ember Day

Deuteronomy, Chapter 5, Verse 4-6

Face to face, the LORD spoke with you on the mountain from the midst of the fire,while I was standing between the LORD and you at that time, to announce to you these words of the LORD, since you were AFRAID of the fire and would not go up the mountain: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt,out of the house of slavery.

Today reflect on how our labor can be slavery or it can be a joy. In the end you are responsible for your own happiness. The fire on the mountain was not an impediment to the Israel people coming to God; it was their excuse. The secret of success is finding out our vocation from God and following it. When we follow God’s guidance to the do the work he has intended for us, we are like the tree that Moses saw that brought him into the service of the Lord. We will burn but not be consumed! Then, when others see our work and wonder at our joy in slavery to the Lord they too will come to know that “His burden is light.” (Mt. 11-30)

Many years ago, I too—like Israel—was afraid of the fire and refused to go up the mountain. Yes, I was called to the priesthood, and yes, I was afraid. I made every excuse: I am not worthy… I want a wife… I want children. I turned away, and the life I thought would be a joy proved hollow. Yet the Lord did not abandon me. He never rebuked me; only I have rebuked myself. And still, He has drawn good even from what I shattered through selfishness. This is the challenge of the Cross: when we fall—and we will—we must rise, take it up again, and drink the cup the Lord has given us to the dregs. How committed are you to discovering and following Jesus?

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me. (Jn: 10:27)

Copilot’s Take

The people of Israel stood before the mountain and let fear become their excuse. They were not driven back by the fire of God but by the small, interior voice that whispered, “Stay where you are; do not climb.” That same pattern still governs the human heart. Evil rarely arrives as a dramatic force; it begins as hesitation, avoidance, or the quiet refusal to step toward the good. To confront evil, then, is not first to battle darkness “out there,” but to resist the temptation to remain spiritually motionless. It is to choose obedience over comfort, truth over self‑protection, and the upward path even when the fire of God feels overwhelming.

Those who confront evil faithfully do so not by theatrics or anger but by courage in small, hidden acts of fidelity. They walk toward the fire because they trust the One who calls them. They refuse to let fear dictate their vocation. They take up the Cross again after every fall, knowing that evil is defeated not by human strength but by perseverance in grace. When others see this quiet courage—this willingness to burn without being consumed—they discover that holiness is not reserved for the fearless but for the faithful. And in that witness, many find the strength to follow the Shepherd’s voice and climb the mountain themselves.

Saturday of The First Week of Lent-Ember Day

EPISTLE, i. Thess. v. 14-23.

BRETHREN: We beseech you, rebuke the unquiet, comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be patient towards all men. See that none render evil for evil to any man: but ever follow that which is good towards each other, and towards all men. Always rejoice. Pray without ceasing. In all things give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concern ing you all. Extinguish not the spirit. Despise not prophecies. But prove all things: hold fast that which is good. From all appearance of evil refrain yourselves. And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you in all things: that your whole spirit, and soul, and body, may be preserved blameless in the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel and Prayer the same as those of to-morrow.

Station "With St. Peter

And the Lord hath chosen thee this day

to be His peculiar people (1st lesson)

It is Ember Saturday. Oremus, flectamus genna! Let us pray, and in spirit kneel at the tomb of St. Peter, the great priest and supreme shepherd of Christ's flock, and let us listen with reverence to the words of his successor Pius XI "On the Priesthood," for on this day, in hundreds of cathedrals, apostolic hands will be laid on young levites, levites "who have chosen the Lord, this day, to be their God, and to walk in His ways and keep His ceremonies, and precepts and judgments, and obey His commands" (epistle).

"The human race has always felt the need of a priesthood: of men who have the official charge to be mediators between God and humanity, men who should consecrate themselves entirely to this mediation as to the very purpose of their lives; men who are set aside to offer to God public prayers and sacrifices in the name of human society. For human society as such is bound to offer to God public and social worship. It is bound to acknowledge in Him its supreme Lord and first beginning, and to strive towards Him as to its last end, to give Him thanks and to offer Him propitiation.

"The Apostle of the Gentiles perfectly sums up what may be said of the greatness, the dignity and the duty of the Christian priesthood: 'Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ and the dispensers of the mysteries of God.' The priest is the minister of Christ--an instrument, that is to say, in the hands of the divine Redeemer. He continues the work of the redemption in all its world-embracing universality and divine efficacy, that work which wrought so marvelous a transformation in the world. Thus the priest, as is said with good reason, is indeed 'another Christ'; for in some way, he is himself a continuation of Christ. 'As the Father hath sent Me, I also send you,' is spoken to the priest; and hence the priest, like Christ, continue to give 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will.'" (From the Encyclical Letter of His His Holiness Pope Pius XI.)

Let us pray, then, for all who in these days will be raised to this high and responsible position "that the God of peace may sanctify them in all things; that their whole spirit, and soul, and body, may be preserved blameless, for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (epistle); that the Lord may make them worthy laborers in His vineyard; that the Holy Spirit may fill them with Pentecostal fire and apostolic fortitude for the great work of "incorporating all things in Christ."

St. Peter, rock of the Church, bearer of the keys of God's kingdom, great priest of Jesus Christ, holy shepherd of His flock, bless those who are about to become fishers of men.

Prayer Source: Orate Fratres/Worship: A Review Devoted to the Liturgical Apostolate, The Liturgical Press

Bible in a year Day 241 Daniel and the Den of Lions

As we read the epic story of Daniel in the den of lions, Fr. Mike points out Daniel's valor and faithfulness in the midst of his powerless. We also learn the meaning of Daniel's vision of the four beasts and the ancient of days. Finally, Fr. Mike explains the prophetic significance of Jeremiah's vision of good and bad figs. Today's readings are Jeremiah 24-25, Daniel 6-7, and Proverbs 16:5-8.

Daily Devotions

· Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: Today's Fast: Binding and suppressing the Devils Evil Works

· Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

· Make reparations to the Holy Face

· Drops of Christ’s Blood

· Universal Man Plan

· Rosary

MARCH

The winds of March point to the power of God's Spirit working in us. We need to listen and respond to the gentle breezes of the Spirit; but will we, or will we be too distracted? The rebirth of spring reminds us of the energy of nature so that we ask ourselves whether we waste or wisely use energy –electricity, oil, gas, etc. Can we and should we continue to use nonrenewable fossil fuels, often with accompanying air pollution, at the rate we do? Or will the environmental ills we cause today call us in the future as a society to use wind and solar energy?

Overview of the Month of March[1]

The entire month of March is the liturgical season of Lent which is represented by the liturgical color violet or purple — a symbol of penance, mortification and the sorrow of a contrite heart. All saint days that are usually Memorials are shifted to Optional Memorials during the season of Lent.

A Time of Penance and Promise

Here and there in the stark March landscape, a few plants and trees are beginning to give evidence of the new life that winter’s frost and chill had concealed from our eyes. The Church’s vibrant new life has been obscured, too, by the austerity of the penitential season of Lent. But that life is indisputable, and it will burgeon forth on Easter as Christ coming forth from his tomb!

During this month we will continue our journey to the cross with our acts of penitence. We will reflect on our mortality ("Remember man thou art dust") and the shortness of life ("and to dust thou shall return"). We will heed the call, "Now is the acceptable time, now is “the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).” Just like Our Lord's earthly life every moment of our lives is leading up to the last moment—when for eternity we will either go to God or suffer the fires of hell. During this month we will go from the suffering of Good Friday to the joy of Easter Sunday. We will trade the purple of penance for the white of victory and resurrection.

Let us not tire of doing our good works and penance but continue with the enthusiasm of the catechumens on their way to Easter and Baptism. May our Lenten observance be a joyful journey — and not a forced march.

As the weeks of Lent progress let us not tire of doing our good works and penance but continue with the enthusiasm of the catechumens on their way to Easter and Baptism. May our Lenten observance be a joyful journey — and not a forced march.

Go to Joseph[2]

“This patronage must be invoked as ever necessary for the Church, not only as a defense against all dangers, but also, and indeed primarily, as an impetus for her renewed commitment to evangelization in the world and to re-evangelization,” wrote St. John Paul II in Redemptoris Custos (Guardian of the Redeemer).

John Paul II further said, “Because St. Joseph is the protector of the Church, he is the guardian of the Eucharist and the Christian family. Therefore, we must turn to St. Joseph today to ward off attacks upon the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and upon the family. We must plead with St. Joseph to guard the Eucharistic Lord and the Christian family during this time of peril.”

MARCH TIMETABLE

March Travel?[3]

· Daytona, Florida-Bike Week February 27-March 8- Rev up for a week of diesel and fun at Daytona Bike Week. The annual motorcycle rally attracts some of the fiercest bikers, clad in leather (and sometimes little else) to celebrate the freedom of the open road.

o Bike Week AZ April 8-12

· Las Fallas in Valencia, Spain March 1-19 Enjoy a high-spirited fiesta in Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city. The annual bash, held in commemoration of Saint Joseph, sees neighborhoods transformed into lively parties over a boisterous five-day period.

· Holi in India March 2^nd Celebrate Spring with a dash of color. The annual Holi festival in India inspires revelers to hit the streets, playfully throwing powdered colors on each other. Once your clothes are doused with all sorts of hues, you’ll understand why this is called a festival of colors.

· Patrick’s Day March 17^th Don your friendliest green for St. Patrick’s Day. Boston is the place to be, with the city’s official St. Patrick’s Day Parade drawing anywhere from 600,000 to 1 million people every year.

Iceman’s Calendar

· Mar. 1st Second Sunday of Lent

· Mar. 2nd-US Premiere of film Hong Kong 1933

· Mar. 3rd-Full Worm Moon

· Mar. 4th First Wednesday

· Mar. 6^th First Friday

· Mar 7^th- First Saturday

o St. Perpetua

· Mar 8^th Third Sunday of Lent

· Mar 15^th Fourth Sunday of Lent

· Mar 16^th Comedian Jerry Lewis

· Mar 17^th-St. Patrick’s Day

· Mar 19^th-Feast of St. Joseph

· Mar 20^th-Spring Begins

o National Cherry Blossom Festival

· Mar 22^nd-Fifth Sunday of Lent

o Passion Sunday

· Mar 25^th Annunciation

· Mar 29^th Palm Sunday

[1]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/overviews/months/03.cfm

[2]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12540

[3]https://www.travelchannel.com/interests/travels-best/photos/fun-things-to-see-and-do-in-february

Strange Affair (1945) — Overview

🎬 Basic Film Details

Director: Anthony Mann
Studio: Republic Pictures
Genre: Film‑Noir / Crime / Psychological Drama
Runtime: ~78 minutes
Stars:
- Erich von Stroheim as The Great Flamarion
- Mary Beth Hughes as Connie Wallace
- Dan Duryea as Al Wallace

This film sits at a fascinating crossroads: von Stroheim’s icy precision, Duryea’s trademark wounded swagger, and Hughes’ deceptively bright charm. Mann is still early in his noir evolution, but the psychological shadows are already deep.

🌍 Plot Summary

Set in the world of vaudeville touring acts, the story follows Flamarion, a disciplined, emotionally isolated sharpshooter whose act depends on absolute control — of his weapons, his timing, and the people around him.

His assistant Connie Wallace is dazzling, flirtatious, and hungry for escape. Her husband Al, also part of the act, is charming but alcoholic, unreliable, and increasingly in her way.

As the story unfolds:

Connie senses Flamarion’s loneliness and begins to draw him in.
Flamarion, who has lived a life of cold precision, experiences desire and vulnerability for the first time.
Connie manipulates him into believing that eliminating Al would free them both.
A staged “accident” during the act becomes the turning point — a moment of sin disguised as spectacle.
Connie abandons Flamarion once he has served her purpose, leaving him spiritually shattered.
The film circles back to a confessional frame: Flamarion recounting the story from a place of ruin, guilt, and clarity.

The film blends:

obsession
manipulation
moral blindness
the hunger for love
the cost of self‑deception

It’s a noir built not on shadows in alleys, but shadows in the human heart.

🕊️ Moral & Spiritual Resonance

1. The Danger of Self‑Deception

Flamarion believes he is immune to human weakness — until he isn’t.
His downfall begins the moment he convinces himself that desire can coexist with moral compromise.
It’s the classic noir warning: the lie you tell yourself is the one that destroys you.

2. The False Light of the Femme Fatale

Connie is not simply wicked; she is the embodiment of a spiritual counterfeit — a promise of freedom that leads to bondage.
Her allure exposes the places where Flamarion’s heart was unguarded.

3. Confession as the Path Back to Truth

The film’s framing device — Flamarion recounting his story after the collapse — mirrors the sacramental rhythm:
sin → consequence → clarity → confession.
His final honesty is the first moment of real freedom he’s ever known.

🍷 Hospitality Pairing

A noir like this calls for something intimate, shadowed, and emotionally honest — a meal that mirrors the film’s themes of illusion, desire, and revelation.

Meal

Dark mushroom ragout over buttered noodles — earthy, rich, and slightly smoky
Roasted beets with vinegar and herbs — a visual echo of blood and consequence
A small square of bittersweet chocolate — desire with an edge

Drink

A dry, tannic red (Cabernet or Syrah) — structured, brooding, uncompromising
Or a non‑alcoholic option: black tea with a twist of lemon — sharp, cleansing, clarifying

Symbolic Touch

Dim the lights and place a single object on the table — a metal utensil, polished and cold — a quiet nod to Flamarion’s gun, the instrument of both his pride and his downfall.

Friday, February 27, 2026

NIC’s Corner-Try Legendary Pizza Recipes

· Religion in the Home for Preschool: February

· Spirit Hour: Burgundy Wine or Kahlua

· Writer John Steinbeck born 1902-1968

· Bucket List trip: Chesa Grischuna

· How to celebrate Feb 27th

o Rise and shine! Start your day with a hearty breakfast to fuel the adventures ahead. Whip up some toast, bacon, eggs, and a steaming cup of coffee – celebrate The Big Breakfast Day in style. As you savor each bite, consider the importance of protein in your diet. Pack a protein-packed snack for an on-the-go boost later in the day to honor National Protein Day.

o Feeling nostalgic? Throw it back with some retro tunes playing in the background. Dress in your favorite vintage outfit and groove to the music – Retro Day is all about embracing the past. Take a moment to appreciate the simpler times and maybe even challenge your friends to a retro-themed trivia game.

o In the midst of the fun, don’t forget to indulge your taste buds with some delicious chili. Whether you prefer it mild or spicy, National Chili Day is the perfect excuse to whip up a big pot and share with your loved ones. Pair it with a glass of Kahlua to toast to friendship and good times on National Kahlua Day.

o Feeling adventurous? Explore the outdoors and embark on a polar bear plunge to mark International Polar Bear Day. Embrace the cold water and revel in the refreshing feeling afterwards. As you dry off, why not whip up a batch of strawberry smoothies to celebrate National Strawberry Day? It’s a refreshing way to cap off your chilly adventure.

o As the day winds down, wind up your creativity with a fun Pokemon-themed craft. Create your favorite Pokemon out of paper or clay to commemorate National Pokemon Day. Unleash your inner artist and let your imagination run wild.

o To end the day on a sweet note, treat yourself to a warm slice of khachapuri, a traditional Georgian cheese bread, on Khachapuri Day. Indulge in this cheesy delight and savor the unique flavors.

o And there you have it – a jam-packed day celebrating a medley of weird national holidays. So go forth and make the most of these offbeat celebrations!

Nic’s Rich/Poor Tour

💎 Jordan

vs Sri Lanka

Crossroads of Covenant / Island of Resilience

Jordan and Sri Lanka sit at the very center of the world’s economic ladder — not wealthy, not destitute, but suspended between stability and struggle. Jordan is a desert kingdom shaped by covenant, hospitality, and the weight of biblical geography. Sri Lanka is a wounded island, recovering from crisis after crisis, yet carrying a deep spiritual resilience that refuses to die. Together they form the hinge of the global pilgrimage — the middle point where the world’s story turns.

🇯🇴 Jordan — Stable, Pressured, and Historically Sacred

GDP per capita (PPP): ~$13,000–$14,000 (2024)

🧮 Why Jordan Sits at the Center

Resource‑poor but politically stable

Massive refugee burden from Syria, Iraq, and Palestine

Tourism anchored in sacred geography (Jordan River, Mount Nebo, Petra)

Strategic location between conflict zones

Economy balanced between aid, services, and remittances

✝️ Christian Landscape

Ancient roots: early desert monasticism, baptismal sites

Small minority: ~2–4% Christian

Catholic presence: Latin, Melkite, and Maronite communities

Interfaith coexistence: Christians as bridge‑builders

Pilgrimage: Bethany Beyond the Jordan

⚠️ Challenges

Water scarcity

Economic stagnation

Youth unemployment

Refugee pressure on parishes

🌿 Pilgrimage Cue

Jordan is a crossroads of covenant

— a land where God has spoken for millennia, and where the Church survives quietly through hospitality, memory, and steadfastness.

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka — Wounded, Devout, and Spiritually Resilient

GDP per capita (PPP): ~$13,000–$14,000 (2024)

🧮 Why Sri Lanka Sits at the Center

Post‑crisis recovery after economic collapse

Tourism rebuilding

Agriculture and textiles anchor the economy

Ethnic and religious complexity

Large diaspora sending remittances

✝️ Catholic Landscape

~7% Catholic — unusually high for South Asia

Deep Marian devotion (Our Lady of Madhu)

Church as healer after civil war

Youthful parishes with strong devotional culture

Martyrdom: Easter 2019 bombings

⚠️ Challenges

Economic hardship

Political instability

Religious tensions

Migration draining young talent

🌿 Pilgrimage Cue

Sri Lanka is an island of resilience

— a Church that rises again and again, carrying wounds with dignity and turning suffering into intercession.

🕊️ Editorial Reflection

Jordan and Sri Lanka form the hinge of the world’s story — the midpoint between wealth and poverty, comfort and crisis, memory and rebuilding.

Jordan is a crossroads of covenant — ancient, steady, and quietly faithful.
Sri Lanka is an island of resilience — wounded, musical, and defiantly hopeful.

One preserves sacred memory.
The other embodies sacred endurance.
Both stand at the center of the global pilgrimage, reminding us that the middle of the world is not mediocrity but balance — the place where the extremes meet.

FEBRUARY 27 Friday of the First Week of Lent-Ember Day

Deuteronomy, Chapter 4, Verse 9-10

However, be on your guard and be very careful not to forget the things your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your heart as long as you live, but make them known to your children and to your children’s children, that day you stood before the LORD, your God, at Horeb, when the LORD said to me: Assemble the people for me, that I may let them hear my words, that they may learn to FEAR me as long as they live in the land and may so teach their children.

Moses’ use of the word fear here not in the sense of “be terrified,” but rather “manifest reverence or awe.” Christ’s mission of love was to move our hearts from reverence or awe of pure love: A love in which the heart of the beloved longs to do good works secretly in emulation of the God that is good to saint and sinner alike. Our church often instructs us to increase in ourselves Faith, Hope and Charity.

Lord, teach me to be generous. Teach me to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost…to labor and not to ask for reward, except to know that I am doing your will. (Saint Ignatius, Prayer for Generosity)

Lord, let me not fear death with an empty fear, but with a wise and holy fear. An empty fear does not make men any better, but a wise and holy fear urges them to improve their lives. I will prepare for death by trying today to please you more and more in my thoughts, desires, words and actions. If I live this day as You desire, I shall be ready at any moment, and death will be nothing worse than Your loving call. Amen[1]

Copilot’s Take

Lent sharpens the soul by returning it to the things God has already shown us. What Moses calls “fear” is really the discipline of remembering—holding fast to the moments when God revealed Himself so clearly that they became anchors for a lifetime. That kind of reverence steadies a man. It keeps his heart from drifting into self‑reliance or forgetfulness, and it forms the quiet strength that Christ later perfects: the strength to do good unseen, to love without applause, to imitate the Father in the hidden places where holiness is actually forged.

A day like this—an Ember Day—presses that truth even deeper. It asks whether our lives still reflect the God we claim to remember. Holy fear becomes the interior posture that keeps us awake, honest, and ready. It is not dread but clarity: the awareness that every thought, word, and action can be shaped toward God if we choose it. When a man lives that way, death no longer threatens him; it simply meets him as the moment when the One he has tried to please finally calls him home.

Friday of the First Week of Lent-Ember Day[2]

BE merciful, O Lord, to Thy people, and as Thou makest them devout to Thee, mercifully refresh them with kind assistance.

EPISTLE. Ezech. xviii. 20-28.

Thus, saith the Lord God: The soul that sinneth, the same shall die: the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, and the father shall not bear the iniquity of the son: the justice of the just shall be upon him and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. But if the wicked do penance for all his sins, which he hath committed, and keep all My commandments, and do judgment and justice, living he shall live, and shall not die. I will not remember all his iniquities that he hath done in his justice which he hath wrought, he shall live. Is it My will that a sinner should die, saith the Lord God, and not that he should be converted from his ways, and live?

But if the just man turn himself away from his justice, and do iniquity according to all the abominations which the wicked man useth to work, shall he live? all his justices which he had done, shall not be remembered: in the prevarication, by which he hath prevaricated, and in his sin, which he hath committed, in them he shall die. And you have said: The way of the Lord is not right. Hear ye, therefore, O house of Israel: Is it My way that is not right, and are not rather your ways perverse?

For when the just turneth himself away from his justice, and committeth iniquity, lie shall die therein: in the injustice that he hath wrought he shall die. And when the wicked turneth himself away from his wickedness, which he hath wrought, and doeth judgment and justice: he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth and turneth away himself from all his iniquities which he hath wrought, he shall surely live, and not die, saith the Lord Almighty.

GOSPEL. John v. 1-15.

At that time there was a festival-day of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem a pond, called Probatica, which in Hebrew is named Bethsaida, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick, of blind, of lame, of withered, waiting for the moving of the water. And an angel of the Lord descended at certain times into the pond: and the water was moved. And he that went down first into the pond after the motion of the water, was made whole of whatsoever infirmity he lay under. And there was a certain man there, that had been eight-and-thirty years under his infirmity. Him when Jesus had seen lying, and knew that he had been now a long time, He saith to him: Wilt thou be made whole? The infirm man answered Him: Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pond. For whilst I am coming, another goeth down before me. Jesus saith to him: Arise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole: and he took up his bed and walked. And it was the Sabbath that day. The Jews therefore said to him that was healed: It is the Sabbath, it is not lawful for thee to take up thy bed. He answered them: He that made me whole, He said to me: Take up thy bed, and walk. They asked him therefore: Who is that man who said to thee: Take up thy bed, and walk? But he who was healed, knew not who it was. For Jesus went aside from the multitude standing in the place. Afterwards Jesus findeth him in the temple, and saith to him: Behold thou art made whole: sin no more, lest some worse thing happen to thee. The man went his way and told the Jews that it was Jesus Who had made him whole.

Ember Friday[3]

Have you ever heard about the Ember days, observed for most of the history of the Church prior to the late 20th century? If you haven’t, don’t feel bad. Like many traditional practices in the Church laden with deep meaning, Ember days have been chucked down the Catholic memory hole. But fear not! This is why God created the Internet: so, we can find all the neat things about Catholicism that are worth knowing and sharing.

Four times a year, the Church sets aside three days to focus on God through His marvelous creation. These quarterly periods take place around the beginnings of the four natural seasons that “like some virgins dancing in a circle, succeed one another with the happiest harmony,” as St. John Chrysostom wrote. These four times are each kept on a successive Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday and are known as “Ember Days,” or Quatuor Tempora, in Latin. The first of these four times comes in Winter, after the the Feast of St. Lucy; the second comes in Spring, the week after Ash Wednesday; the third comes in Summer, after Pentecost Sunday; and the last comes in Autumn, after Holy Cross Day.

Father Peter Carota at the blog Traditional Catholic Priest offers some additional historical information on Ember days:

The Ember days are true Catholic tradition dating actually dating back to the Apostles, (Pope Leo The Great claims it was instituted by the Apostles). Pope Callistus (217-222) in the “Liber Pontificalis” has laws ordering all to observe a fast three times a year to counteract the hedonistic and pagan Roman rites praying for:

By the time of Pope Gelasius, (492-496), he already writes about there being four times a years, including Spring. He also permitted the conferring of priesthood and deaconship on the Saturdays of Ember week. This practice was mostly celebrated around Rome, from Pope Gelasius’ time, they began to spread throughout the Church. St. Augustin brought them to England and the Carolingians into Gaul and Germany. In the eleventh century, Spain adopted them. It was not until Pope Gregory VII (1073-1085) that these Ember days were prescribed for the whole Catholic Church as days of fast and abstinence. He placed these “four mini-Lents” consisting of three days; Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

The purposes of these “mini-Lents” were to pray, fast and to thank God for the gifts He gives us through nature. They follow the four seasons of the year with the beauty and uniqueness of each particular season. They are here for us to teach us to use, with moderation, what God gives us through nature, and to also share these gifts with the poor.

So, what does this mean for you?

Well, because of the changes in Church law, not a whole lot. At least not officially. The mandatory observation of Ember days was excised from Church practice during the pontificate of Pope Paul VI. But as a voluntary practice, there is much that is salutary in observing the Ember days of the Church.

I don’t know about you, but as a typically indulgent American, I’ve never been very good at fasting. Lately, I’ve noticed more and more people are advocating fasting as a countermeasure in today’s troubling times. This is the first year I will be observing these fasts, and I’ve got to tell you, I’m already pretty famished and a bit punchy. But the way I see it, there’s no point in continuing to put off the inevitable penance that I’m going to have to do for being a big, fat sinner. To say nothing about making reparations for the increasingly hostile darkness of a world steeped in its own sins. Fasting isn’t going to get easier at some point in the future when I get “holier.” In fact, I’m guessing the latter isn’t going to happen until I master the former. I don’t think there’s ever been a time where fasting and penance are more needed than right this moment. We can’t rely on others to do it for us. Gotta cowboy up and put our mortification where our mouth is. What do you say? Who will be hungry with me?!

What Is Lent?[4]

Lent is the penitential season of approximately 40 days set aside by the Church in order for the faithful to prepare for the celebration of the Lord’s Passion, Death and Resurrection. During this holy season, inextricably connected to the Paschal Mystery, the Catechumens prepare for Christian initiation, and current Church members prepare for Easter by a recalling of Baptism and by works of penance, that is, prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

Even in the early Church, Lent was the season for prayerful and penitential preparation for the feast of Easter. Though the obligation of penance was originally only imposed on those who had committed public sins and crimes, by medieval times all the faithful voluntarily performed acts of penance to repair for their sins.

Ash Wednesday is the clarion call to “Repent and believe the gospel” (Mk 1:15). For the next forty days, the faithful willingly submit to fasting and self-denial in imitation of Our Lord’s forty-day fast in the desert. It is in these dark and still nights, these desert-times, that the soul experiences its greatest growth. There, in the inner arena, the soul battles the world, the flesh and the devil just as Our Lord battled Satan's triple temptation in the desert. His battle was external, for Jesus could not sin; our battle is interior, but with a hope sustained by the knowledge of Christ’s Easter victory over sin and death.

His victory is our renewal, our “spring” — which is the meaning of the Anglo-Saxon word, “lengten” or Lent. In this penitential season we have the opportunity to make an annual spiritual “tune-up”, a 40-day retreat with Our Lord. Have we allowed worldly cares and the “daily drama” to obscure our call to holiness? Have self-love and materialism eroded our relationship with God? Then let us renew our efforts, and through our Lenten observance, discipline the body and master it as we “follow in the footsteps of the poor and crucified Christ” (St. Francis of Assisi). Activity Source: Original Text (JGM & MG) by Jennifer Gregory Miller and Margaret Gregory

Worship Him and give Him all your heart, mind, soul and will!

Grace at Meals[5]

Part and parcel of the breakdown of a family begins when the family no longer shares a communal meal. The strongest families are those who meet daily for the breaking of the bread and have an established time of the day when everyone is expected to eat together whether that meal is a breakfast, lunch or supper. When we “say grace” before (or after) our meals, we transform our family or lone meals into “sacraments” of God’s banquet. A meal shared in this manner is shared with God himself. In this way every meal, then, is a celebration of God’s creation and his providence.

Traditional Grace before meals

“Bless us, O Lord, and these, thy gifts, which we are about to receive from thy bounty. Through Christ, our Lord, Amen

The Devil and Temptations[6]

There are many and varied ways in which sin and evil are presented to us in an attractive way.

Freeing My Own Self from the Power of Evil

· Through his passion, death, and resurrection, Jesus has broken the power of the Evil One. When the influence of evil is perceived in one's own life, it most frequently comes about from personal sin. Family members suffer because of the sin of an individual member of the family. It is through the sacred power that the Lord has placed in his Church that the evil of sin is conquered.

· Through medicine, psychology and other human means, suffering can often be alleviated. But Jesus in his Church, has given us basic helps that are often neglected.

· In our day the Sacrament of Reconciliation has fallen into disuse. There exists a power in this sacrament to break the power of the Evil One and sin that is not possible otherwise.

· Our faith in the Eucharist is weakened. In this sacrament is the power and presence of Jesus Himself. Persons who have actually needed exorcism from the power of the Evil One have been cured by sitting in church in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, an hour each day, for one or two months. These were very difficult cases.

· Our Blessed Mother has been designated by God as the one who crushes the head of the serpent (Gen. 3:1s). The Rosary is a very powerful means of protection and salvation. Many sons and daughters have been saved from the power of sin and the loss of faith through the perseverance of their parents in saying the Holy Rosary.

Posture and Prayer^{^[7]}

We are composed of body and soul, “every part of the body is an expressive instrument of the soul. The soul does not inhabit the body as a man inhabits a house, it lives and works in each member, each fiber, and reveals itself in the body’s every line, contour and movement.” Our bodies communicate respect or contempt. By our gestures and the way, we comport ourselves we confirm his presence. We are “ensouled” bodies as much as we are embodied souls. We should always move as the Church directs us: sit, stand, bow, kneel, strike the breast, make the Sign of the Cross, all in due time. The scriptures speak of several postures of prayer: 1) Standing 2) Kneeling 3) bowing 4) prostrating.

Standing gives the expression to the prayers of our heart. Standing is a sign of vigilance and action acknowledging that we are the warriors of God, as a soldier on duty. A Knight always stood in the presence of the King or Judge. Standing was a sign of deference and trust. We acknowledge that none of our weapons or self-defenses can repel Him for He alone is all powerful and all knowing. We are vulnerable in His presence. Military officers know that comportment has serious consequences. Soldiers tend to live up, or down to the way they carry themselves. That’s why there are strict rules about how a soldier should stand when at attention. Bad posture is bad for the spine and communicates disrespect for us and others. Standing expresses the filial liberty given us by the risen Christ, who has freed us from the slavery to sin.

Bowing or genuflecting is an act of showing recognition of our God. It is adoration. In bowing or genuflecting we show our faith in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the sacrament of the altar. To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

Kneeling is the prayer posture of mothers, rulers, lepers, and Jesus himself. Kneeling is the side of worship that is at rest and is quiet; “I bow my knees before the Father”. (Eph. 3:14) Kneeling expresses the recognition of our humility before the Almighty Lord (Phil 2:10). Kneeling is associated with reverence, submission and obeisance. Kneeling renders a person defenseless and unable to flee and shows a trust in a power beyond the merely human.

Sitting-We spend a lot of time in church sitting; by this position we show our receptiveness and our willingness to listen and take the Word of God.

In prostration a person lies face down upon the ground. We are connected to the earth from which we came. Prostrations are reserved for most solemn moments, such as the ordination of a bishop or priest. Remember our Lord prostrated Himself in the garden of Gethsemane. The posture indicates the candidate’s inadequacy for the task to which he has been called. Recall our Lord asking the Father to take to cup…but not my will but thine. Our body expresses self-emptying.

Stations of the Cross and Soup Supper

Using red lentils can remind us of the martyrdom of St. Polycarp or any other martyr.

Catholic Recipe: Red Lentil Soup

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 c red lentils
8 c Meat stock
2 md Size onions
2 tb Butter
1/2 tb Flour
1 c Milk
3 Egg yolks
1 tb Salt
1/2 ts Black pepper
6 Slices of bread
2 tb Oil

Origin: Turkey

DIRECTIONS

1- Wash the lentils. Put them in meat stock and 1 cup of water. Cook for 35-40 minutes until they are tender. Pass them through a sieve.

2- Melt the butter in another saucepan. Add chopped onions and fry them lightly for 7-8 minutes. Add flour. Brown for 1 minute more. Add them to the meat stock with the lentil puree. Add salt and pepper and let simmer.

3- Beat the egg yolks with cold milk. Add to the boiling soup mix well. Turn the heat off as soon as it starts boiling. Serve with bread cubes fried in oil.

Recipe Source: Recipes from Various Websites

Fitness Friday

Recognizing that God the Father created man on Friday the 6^th day I propose in this blog to have an entry that shares on how to recreate and renew yourself in strength, mind, soul and heart.

Being a catholic during the Carnival season does not mean you cannot has fun but it also requires that you use prudence and reason-maintain your backbone.

Your Posture says a lot about you-stand tall have an erect bearing.

FM 20-21: War Department Field Manual, 1946

Posture Training

GENERAL

PRINCIPLES OF POSTURE TRAINING. There is no one “best posture” for all men because the physical architecture of individuals differs according to the bony structure they inherit. Therefore, to develop the best posture for each member of any given group certain general principles must be applied intelligently to the group as a whole as well as to each man. These principles are:

To teach the characteristics of good posture.
b. To provide an opportunity to “feel” or practice good posture.
c. To have the men practice proper posture until it feels more comfortable than poor posture.
d. To motivate the men to acquire it as a habit.

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD POSTURE. The first step in posture training is to teach what good posture is. Many men have a misconception as to what constitutes good posture. For example, they arch the lower back, thrust out the chest and retract the shoulders in an exaggerated manner, or they spring their knees backward. The characteristics of good posture are head balanced and erect, chest held high without tension, abdomen flat, shoulders back and relaxed, lower back only slightly curved, and knees straight but not stiff. Instructors should explain and demonstrate the position of the various parts of the body in proper posture.

TRAINING FOR GOOD POSTURE. The men must be provided with opportunities to feel and to practice good posture. Many individuals feel more natural while maintaining a bad posture. Certain muscle groups must have special training to maintain good posture without undue fatigue. The exercises below will provide this training. The emphasis upon proper posture must not be confined to physical training periods only. A good military bearing must be insisted upon until the men assume it from habit.

MOTIVATING GOOD POSTURE. Regardless of the amount of exercise and instruction they get; men habitually assume good posture only if they want to. That is why motivation is so important.

At the beginning, a short talk should be given, illustrated if possible, on reasons for cultivating good posture. Good posture has many values for the soldier. First, a soldier is often judged by his appearance – the man with good posture looks like a soldier, he commands attention. Secondly, it is an accepted psychological fact that good posture is associated with good morale – a man with a good posture feels better and is more positive. A man with poor posture cannot feel as positive, consequently he may develop a negative and discouraged attitude. Thirdly, good posture permits the body to function most efficiently. This is because the opposing muscle groups balance, thus maintaining the bony structure in a balanced position. The correct bony alignment provides for the correct positions of the internal organs. The correct positions of the organs assist them in the performance of their various functions. Less strain and tension is placed upon bones, muscles, ligaments and organs.

The instructors should always be excellent examples of good posture. They must be enthusiastic about it and “sell it” to the men. Men with excellent posture should be complimented. They should be reminded when they exhibit poor posture. This should be done without nagging, and with humor, if possible.

Visual aids should be utilized. A few pictures of good posture and a few signs at familiar places will remind the men to emphasize good posture. These help to motivate many of the men.

Posture judgments help to motivate the men. The four posture silhouettes above are highly valid standards by which to make such judgments. It takes a few minutes to judge 100 men, especially if they are inspected in small groups. They should also be judged occasionally when off guard. Announcing the platoon with the best average posture may stimulate friendly rivalry.

POSTURAL EXERCISES

GENERAL. The ten exercises below are designed to develop the postural muscles. All of these exercises have SLOW CADENCE and two-count movements. They are especially valuable for use in the “strength course.”

EXERCISE 1

Starting Position. Attention.
Movement:

Swing arms forward and upward to full stretch overhead and at the same time rise high on toes.

Swing arms sideward and downward slowly and press back hard. At the same time retract chin and let heels drop to the ground. Avoid an exaggerated arch in lower back.

EXERCISE 2

Starting Position. Trunk leaning forward about 60°, arms hanging downward loosely from shoulders.
Movement:

Swing arms sideward and backward vigorously, retracting chin forcefully and flattening upper back. Hold this position momentarily.

Recover to starting position.

EXERCISE 3

Starting Position. Standing, fingertips touching shoulders, arms in front of chest, and elbows downward.
Movement:

Move upper arms outward and backward, with elbows hugging sides. Hold the position a full second while trying to force arms further around and back. At same time, retract head and attempt to stretch upward.

Recover to starting position.

EXERCISE 4

Starting Position. Kneeling on the mat, trunk bent sharply forward, hands behind head.
Movement:

Still leaning forward, straighten upper back and press elbows and head backward. At the same time pull in chin.

Recover to starting position.

EXERCISE 5

Starting Position. Sitting on the floor, knees raised, trunk bent forward, and arms stretched forward.
Movement:

Still leaning forward, swing arms upward and backward. At the same time pull in chin.

Recover to starting position.

EXERCISE 6

Starting Position. Lying face down on the floor, with elbows at sides and fingertips on shoulders.
Movement:

Rotate arms outward and pull elbows in hard to sides. At the same time pull in chin and lift head about 6 inches from the floor. Hold this position a full second.

Recover to starting position.

EXERCISE 7

Starting Position. Bending forward about 45°, elbows horizontally sideward from shoulders, forearms bent forward, palms down, thumbs just in front of shoulders.
Movement:

Straighten elbows and swing arms slowly but hard sideward and backward. At the same time retract head.

Recover to starting position.

EXERCISE 8

Starting Position. Leaning slightly forward, elbows bent, and fingertips touching shoulders.
Movement:

Make small circles about a foot in diameter, elbows circling upward and backward. Press arms backward and retract head. Movement is slow.
(2) After completing sufficient repetitions, recover to starting position.

EXERCISE 9

Starting Position. Leaning slightly forward, arms horizontally at sides, palms up.
Movement:

Make small circles about a foot in diameter, hands circling upward and backward. Press arms backward and retract head. Movement is slow.

After completing sufficient repetitions, recover to starting position.

EXERCISE 10

Starting Position. Arms overhead.
Movement:

Pull arms slowly downward until fists are beside shoulders. Pull as though chinning.

Recover to starting position.

Bible in a year Day 240 Remaining Humble

Fr. Mike touches on Proverbs 16:3, which is about giving everything in our lives to the service of the Lord. He also emphasizes how important it is to humble ourselves before the Lord, so to avoid becoming like the false prophets Jeremiah talks about today. Today's readings are Jeremiah 23, Daniel 4-5, and Proverbs 16:1-4.

Daily Devotions

· Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: Today's Fast: Protection of Life from Conception until natural death.

· Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

· Make reparations to the Holy Face

· Drops of Christ’s Blood

· Universal Man Plan

· Rosary

[1] Paone, Anthony J., S.J. My Daily Bread, Confraternity of the Precious Blood.

[2]Goffine’s Devout Instructions

[3]https://onepeterfive.com/ember-days-ember-days-embertide-catholics/

[4]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=1010

[5] Hahn, Scott, Signs of Life; 40 Catholic Customs and their biblical roots. Chap. 14. Grace at Meals.

[6]http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=5299

[7] Hahn, Scott, Signs of Life; 40 Catholic Customs and their biblical roots. Chap. 10. Posture.

Sundown (1941) — Overview

🎬 Basic Film Details

Director: Henry Hathaway
Studio: United Artists
Genre: Wartime adventure / espionage drama
Runtime: ~90 minutes
Stars:
- Gene Tierney as Zia
- Bruce Cabot as Bill Crawford
- George Sanders as Major Coombes
- Harry Carey as Dewey

This was early in Gene Tierney’s career—just before Laura (1944) would make her iconic. Here she’s luminous, mysterious, and commanding in a role that mixes exoticism with moral gravity.

🌍 Plot Summary (Clean, Clear, Devotional‑Ready)

Set in British East Africa during WWII, the story centers on a remote outpost where British officers discover that Nazi agents are smuggling arms to local tribes, hoping to stir rebellion and destabilize the region.

Into this tense environment steps Zia (Gene Tierney)—a striking, enigmatic woman of mixed heritage who seems to know more about the arms trade than she initially reveals. Her loyalties are unclear, and her presence unsettles both the officers and the local political balance.

As the plot unfolds:

Zia’s past is revealed to be deeply tied to the region’s tribal politics.
The British officers—especially Bruce Cabot and George Sanders—struggle to discern friend from foe.
A climactic confrontation exposes the Nazi plot and forces Zia to make a sacrificial, identity‑defining choice.

The film blends:

espionage
colonial tension
wartime urgency
personal redemption

It’s atmospheric, morally layered, and visually striking—especially the desert cinematography.

🕊️ Moral & Spiritual Resonance

1. Identity and Truth
Zia’s struggle with her heritage mirrors the human struggle to reconcile past, present, and calling. Her eventual clarity becomes a kind of conversion moment—choosing truth over survival.

2. Courage in the Shadows
Much of the film’s drama happens in hidden motives and quiet decisions. It’s a reminder that moral courage often happens long before the battle begins.

3. Light in the Desert
The desert setting becomes symbolic: barren, exposed, purifying. Characters are stripped down to their essentials. It’s a Lenten landscape—testing, revealing, refining.

🍷 Hospitality Pairing

Given the film’s setting and tone, here’s a pairing that fits your ritual‑hospitality framework:

Meal

North African–inspired lentil stew with warm spices (cumin, coriander, cinnamon)
Flatbread brushed with olive oil
Dates or dried apricots for a simple, desert‑evocative sweetness