Sunday, January 18, 2026

Claire’s Corner Try “Aligot”

· Spirit hour: In honor of St. Canute an Aquavit Fizz

· Carnival Time begins in Catholic Countries.

Growing up under the “Iceman,” life was always “fun” and it was always “real,” but it wasn’t always “real fun.” One summer he loaded my younger brothers and sisters into the family vehicle and pointed it toward Philmont, the legendary Scout training center. I was the oldest; my youngest brother was maybe seven — still at the age where adventure and catastrophe look exactly the same.

Somewhere along the way they stopped at a McDonald’s. Back then, McDonald’s sold CDs at the counter, and my siblings grabbed one for the road. Out in that stretch of country there were no rest stops, no gas stations, no toilets — just trees, rocks, and the long, empty road to New Mexico.

Then it happened.

The CD spun up the familiar children’s tune — the theme from Winnie the Pooh. But the Iceman, feeling the unmistakable pressure of nature’s call, didn’t sing the lyrics as written. He improvised. Loudly. With conviction.

“Really got to poop… really got to poop… really, really, really, really, really got to poop…”

The wilderness echoed with it. The kids howled. The Iceman powered through the miles with the determination of a man racing both time and biology. And somehow, they made it to Philmont before disaster struck.

That evening, at the community meal, everyone bowed their heads for prayer. Silence settled over the hall.

And then my youngest brother — sweet, innocent, seven-year-old comic timing — began softly singing the Iceman’s bathroom‑themed rendition of Winnie the Pooh.

The Iceman, legendary in many ways, was not legendary for blushing. But that night, he came close.

· How to celebrate Jan 18th

o Begin your day by channeling the carefree spirit of Winnie the Pooh.

Wear something yellow, grab a jar of honey, and head to your local park for a picnic. Embrace the simple joys of nature and indulge in some delicious honey treats.

o Next, treat yourself to a fancy cup of gourmet coffee. Hit up a local cafe or cozy up at home with some special brews. Take a moment to savor the rich flavors and aromas, finding a moment of bliss in every sip.

o Now, it’s time to celebrate Michigan with a virtual tour of the Great Lakes state. Explore online resources to learn about Michigan’s unique history, culture, and natural beauty. Test your knowledge with a fun quiz or plan a future road trip to experience Michigan in person.

o Feeling adventurous? Whip up a batch of Peking duck at home. Follow a simple recipe and impress yourself with your culinary skills. Gather your loved ones for a homemade feast or savor the delicious meal solo.

o As the day winds down, focus on your health with Women’s Healthy Weight Day. Take a brisk walk, try out a new workout routine, or prepare a nutritious meal. Invest in your well-being and feel empowered in your journey towards a healthier lifestyle.

o Wrap up your day by expanding your vocabulary on Thesaurus Day. Challenge yourself to use new words throughout your conversations or written communications. Dive into a thesaurus to discover a treasure trove of synonyms and elevate your language game.

· 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

🌅 Around the World in Perfect Weather: Week 4

Western Australia — “Desert Light & Indian Ocean Clarity”

January 18–24, 2026

📍 Base: Perth, Western Australia

January is warm, dry, and luminous — ideal for beaches, desert formations, and contemplative coastal walks.

Jan 18 – Arrival in Perth (2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time)

• Flight: Queenstown → Sydney → Perth (typical $420–$620 per person)
• Mass: St. Mary’s Cathedral, Perth – Sunday Mass at 11:00 AM
• Lodging: Holiday Inn Perth City Centre (~$145/night)
• Meals: ~$75/day (Aussie café brunch + seafood dinner)
• Symbolic Act: Journal on “Light in the West” — the sun setting over the Indian Ocean as a symbol of God’s presence at the world’s edge.

Jan 19 – Cottesloe Beach Clarity (Monday)

• Visit: Cottesloe Beach – turquoise water + iconic pines
• Mass: St. Mary’s Cathedral – Daily Mass at 8:00 AM
• Lodging: Holiday Inn Perth (~$145/night)
• Meals: ~$70/day (beach café lunch + fish & chips supper)
• Symbolic Act: Collect a small piece of sea‑smoothed shell as a reminder of gentleness.

Jan 20 – Rottnest Island Pilgrimage (Tuesday)

• Visit: Rottnest Island – ferry + beaches + quokkas
• Ferry: Rottnest Express (_{$70–$85 round trip)
• Mass: Early Mass at}_{St. Mary’s}_{• Lodging:}_{Holiday Inn Perth}₍$145/night)
• Meals: ~$75/day (island café + Perth dinner)
• Symbolic Act: Write a reflection titled “Joy in Small Things” inspired by the quokka’s perpetual smile.

Jan 21 – Pinnacles Desert Wonder (Wednesday)

• Visit: Pinnacles Desert, Nambung National Park – limestone spires in golden sand
• Tour: Pinnacles Day Trip (_{$110–$130)
• Mass: Early Mass at}_{St. Mary’s}_{• Lodging:}_{Holiday Inn Perth}₍$145/night)
• Meals: ~$70/day
• Symbolic Act: Reflect on “Desert Silence” — God’s voice in barren places.

Jan 22 – Fremantle Heritage Day (Thursday)

• Visit: Fremantle – port city, markets, maritime history
• Mass: St. Patrick’s Basilica, Fremantle – Daily Mass at 12:10 PM
• Lodging: Holiday Inn Perth (~$145/night)
• Meals: ~$70/day (Italian lunch + harbor dinner)
• Symbolic Act: Light a candle at St. Patrick’s for missionaries and seafarers.

Jan 23 – Kings Park & Swan River (Friday)

• Visit: Kings Park & Botanic Garden – one of the world’s largest inner‑city parks
• Mass: St. Mary’s Cathedral – Daily Mass at 8:00 AM
• Lodging: Holiday Inn Perth (~$145/night)
• Meals: ~$70/day (botanic café lunch + riverside supper)
• Symbolic Act: Write a reflection titled “Roots & Branches” under a eucalyptus tree.

Jan 24 – Farewell to Western Australia (Saturday)

• Visit: Swan River Foreshore Walk – sunrise reflection
• Mass: Saturday Vigil at St. Mary’s Cathedral
• Lodging: Holiday Inn Perth (~$145/night)
• Meals: ~$70/day (farewell supper with Margaret River wine)
• Symbolic Act: Leave a written prayer of gratitude at the river’s edge.

💰 Cost Snapshot (Jan 18–24 Western Australia Week)

Lodging (6 nights): ~$870
Meals (7 days): ~$490–$520
Tickets/Activities: ~$180–$220
Local Transport: ~$150–$180
Flight Queenstown → Perth: ~$420–$620 per person

➡️ Total per person: ~$2,110–$2,390 for the Western Australia week

January 18 Second Sunday after Epiphany

“Endurance” trapped in the ice-1915- “Sale of Pre-Sliced Bread Banned In U.S. (Law Rescinded March 8), WII, 1943.”-Winnie the Pooh

Genesis, Chapter 50, Verse 16-19

So they sent to Joseph and said: “Before your father died, he gave us these instructions: ‘Thus you shall say to Joseph: Please forgive the criminal wrongdoing of your brothers, who treated you harmfully.’ So now please forgive the crime that we, the servants of the God of your father, committed.” When they said this to him, Joseph broke into tears. ¹⁸ Then his brothers also proceeded to fling themselves down before him and said, “We are your slaves!” But Joseph replied to them: “Do not FEAR. Can I take the place of God?

So, Joseph now had his brothers within his power to crush them and he did not. No, Joseph wept and made peace with his brothers knowing the intent of God is that all men be free in mind, body and spirit. Joseph knew that only free men can sow their gifts before God and that “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Cor. 9:7-8) You cannot give what you do not own; therefore, each must be free to give back to God; Joseph is the precursor of Christ who fulfills the gospel of abundance proclaim by our loving God. Here Joseph was able to find the peace that only God can give by sincerely wanting God’s will. Joseph found this peace only by trusting and having courage to live entirely by God’s way.

Copilot’s Take

In a world where evil often begins by shrinking our freedoms—whether through the fear that once ruled Joseph’s brothers, the ice that trapped Shackleton’s Endurance, or even the wartime ban on pre‑sliced bread that reminded Americans how quickly the ordinary can be taken away—God keeps teaching the same lesson: abundance is His signature, not scarcity. Joseph refuses to crush his brothers because he refuses to live in fear’s economy; he chooses the wide-hearted freedom of a man who knows God alone is judge. Shackleton’s men survived because they trusted more than they panicked. And even Winnie‑the‑Pooh, in his gentle, honey-seeking simplicity, becomes a small parable of Gospel endurance: the childlike steadiness that does not cling, does not fear, and does not imagine the world as a place of rationed grace. All three—Joseph, Shackleton, and Pooh—reveal that confronting evil is not about matching its force but about refusing its terms, choosing instead the courage, freedom, and cheerful generosity that God Himself pours into those who trust Him.

ON KEEPING THE LORD'S DAY HOLY[1]

CHAPTER II

DIES CHRISTI

The Day of the Risen Lord
and of the Gift
of the Holy Spirit

The first day of the week

21. It was for this reason that, from Apostolic times, "the first day after the Sabbath", the first day of the week, began to shape the rhythm of life for Christ's disciples (cf. 1 Cor 16:2). "The first day after the Sabbath" was also the day upon which the faithful of Troas were gathered "for the breaking of bread", when Paul bade them farewell and miraculously restored the young Eutychus to life (cf. Acts 20:7-12). The Book of Revelation gives evidence of the practice of calling the first day of the week "the Lord's Day" (1:10). This would now be a characteristic distinguishing Christians from the world around them. As early as the beginning of the second century, it was noted by Pliny the Younger, governor of Bithynia, in his report on the Christian practice "of gathering together on a set day before sunrise and singing among themselves a hymn to Christ as to a god". And when Christians spoke of the "Lord's Day", they did so giving to this term the full sense of the Easter proclamation: "Jesus Christ is Lord" (Phil 2:11; cf. Acts 2:36; 1 Cor 12:3). Thus, Christ was given the same title which the Septuagint used to translate what in the revelation of the Old Testament was the unutterable name of God: YHWH.

Second Sunday after Epiphany[2]

Christ manifests His divinity and His mystical union with the Church with His first miracle at the Wedding of Cana.

THE Introit the Church invites us to thank God for the incarnation of His only begotten Son: “Let all the earth adore Thee, and sing to Thee, O God; let it sing a psalm to Thy name, shout with joy to God, all the earth, sing ye a psalm to His name, give glory to His praise”.

Prayer.

Almighty and everlasting God, “Who dost govern all things in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the prayers of Thy people, and grant us Thy peace in our days”. Amen.

EPISTLE.

Rom. xii. 6-16.

Brethren: We have different gifts, according to the grace that is given us: either prophecy, to be used according to the rule of faith, or ministry in ministering, or he that teacheth in doctrine, he that exhorteth in exhorting, he that giveth with simplicity, he that ruleth with carefulness, he that showeth mercy with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Hating that which is evil, cleaving to that which is good: loving one another with the charity of brotherhood: with honor preventing one another: in carefulness not slothful: in spirit fervent: serving the Lord: rejoicing in hope: patient in tribulation: instant in prayer; communicating to the necessities of the saints: pursuing hospitality. Bless them that persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that rejoice, weep with them that weep: being of one mind one towards another: not minding high things, but consenting to the humble. Be not wise in your own conceits.

What lesson does the Apostle give us in this epistle?

That we should hate that which is evil, and love that which is good; that we should love one another, and practice works of mercy; that we should be solicitous and fervent, as in the service of God. We should cooperate with the grace of God, and pray instantly.

PRACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUPERIORS.

They must expect a severe judgment who seek office only for the sake of emolument, caring little for their duty, and regarding bribes and presents rather than justice.

Aspiration.

O God, give us Thy grace to follow faithfully what St. Paul teaches us of humility and charity, that we may have compassion on all who are in need, and not exalt ourselves above our neighbors, but, humbling ourselves with the humble, may merit, with them, to be exalted. Amen.

GOSPEL. John ii. 1-11

At that time there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee, and the Mother of Jesus was there. And Jesus also was invited, and His disciples, to the marriage. And the wine failing, the Mother of Jesus saith to Him: They have no wine. And Jesus saith to her:

Woman, what is to Me and to thee?

My hour is not yet come. His Mother saith to the waiters: Whatsoever He shall say to you, do ye. Now there were set there six water-pots of stone, according to the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three measures apiece. Jesus saith to them: Fill the water-pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And Jesus saith to them: Draw out now and carry to the chief steward of the feast. And they carried it. And when the chief steward had tasted the water made wine, and knew not whence it was, but the waiters knew who had drawn the water: the chief steward calleth the bridegroom, and saith to him: Every man at first setteth forth good wine, and when men have well drank, then that which is worse; but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.

Why was Jesus present at the wedding with His Mother and disciples?

1. In order there to reveal His majesty, and by that means to establish and confirm the belief in His divinity.

2. To show that marriage is pleasing to God.

3. To let us understand how pious the bridegroom and bride were.

4. To teach us that those pleasures are permitted which are in accordance with reason and Christianity, and neither sinful nor leading to sin.

Why did Mary intercede for the bride and bridegroom when the wine was failing?

She was sorry for them, for she is the tender-hearted mediatrix of the afflicted and destitute. Besides, the number of the guests had been considerably increased by the presence of Jesus and His disciples, so that the wine was not sufficient for all.

What is the meaning of the words, “Woman, what is that to Me and to thee?”

According to the idiom of the Hebrew language, they mean as much as, Mother, be not anxious; I will provide the wine as soon as the hour appointed by My Father is come. Jesus did not mean to rebuke His Mother, but He thus gave her and all who were present, to understand that He had not received the power of working miracles as the son of woman, but that He possessed it as the Son of God and should use it according to the will of His Father.

Lent is a month away[3]

The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time is exactly 31 days before Ash Wednesday. The Church has entered Tempus ad Annum, "The Season Throughout the Year," most commonly referred to as "Ordinary Time" and will soon enter the six-week period of Lent culminating in the heart of the Liturgy and the Liturgical Year: Easter, the Paschal Feast. Although not a liturgical season of the Church, the weeks after Christmas are unofficially known as "Carnival," a season of balls, parades, parties and rich food. There is no set beginning as Carnival begins on various dates all over the world. Rio de Janeiro and Venice begin two and a half weeks before Ash Wednesday. Most Americans are familiar with the South Louisiana Mardi Gras which begins on Epiphany.Regardless of when Carnival begins or how it is celebrated, the celebration intensifies the closer it gets to the beginning of Lent and comes to screeching halt on Ash Wednesday.

The word "carnival" literally means "farewell to meat." In earlier times in the Church, Lenten fasting, and abstinence had more stringent rules. Foods such as meat, butter, cheese, milk, eggs, fat, and bacon were all forbidden in Lent, so Carnival was a time to indulge and use up (and not waste) these foods. While Lent doesn't have the formerly strict regulations, the word carnival in a broad sense is also saying farewell to fleshly or worldly pleasures (even if they are mere indulgences and not sinful) before our Lenten penances and mortifications.

Carnival's Spiritual Connections

For centuries, all over the world, this has been known as a time for preparing for Lent. "Preparing for Lent" is an odd way to describe what goes on during Carnival, but it does have religious connections. Perhaps some have forgotten the original intention, but Carnival is a time of mental and physical preparation for the Lenten time of self-denial. This is a time for family, food and fun before we face Ash Wednesday and fill our days with prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

Although it seems like such a secular and materialistic celebration, without the spiritual grounding there can be no Carnival. As Josef Pieper explains:

Wherever festivity can freely vent itself in all its possible forms, an event is produced that leaves no zone of life, worldly or spiritual, untouched.... There are worldly, but there are no purely profane, festivals. And we may presume that not only can we not find them, but that they cannot exist. A festival without gods is a non-concept, is inconceivable. For example, Carnival remains festive only where Ash Wednesday still exists. To eliminate Ash Wednesday is to eliminate the Carnival itself. Yet Ash Wednesday is obviously a day in Christendom's liturgical year (Josef Pieper, 1963, pp 33-34).

And Bernard Strasser elaborates on this spiritual connection:

These carnival days in particular contain a remarkable lesson of spirituality for us. According to their origin and the Church's intention they are anything but days of thoughtless conviviality, and certainly not of dissolute merrymaking. They are not a carryover from pagan times, of which the Church was unable to destroy the memory and observance. Rather are they an integral part of the Church year, with the significant task of illustrating graphically the first part of the Church's sermon text for this season: "You are fools, all of you who seek your final end in earthly things! I your Mother will during the coming weeks of Lent show you where true happiness may be found, Who it is that brought it, and how He merited it for us" (Carnival and Ashes, Orate Fratres: A Liturgical Review, Vol. XVII, No. 4, 146).

Of course, over the centuries there have been abuses of extremes, and the Church has counterbalanced by providing spiritual balance, such as encouragement for Shriving (confessions), Eucharist Adoration, especially the Forty Hours devotion before Ash Wednesday.

There is a juxtaposition of Carnival and Lent. As Pieper mentioned that Carnival festivity "leaves no zone of life, worldly or spiritual, untouched," similar to our observance of Lent. The Church gives us this time to reexamine and reorder all aspects of our life. We can see the contrast of Carnival indulgence and Lenten fasting not just in foods, but all areas of life.

Balancing Family Fun Time

Maria von Trapp in Around the Year with the Trapp Family recognized Carnival as a time for family celebration. She suggested using this time of "merry-making" for dancing, singing, games, parties and gatherings with family and friends. Perhaps some of her suggestions seem subdued and old-fashioned for a very electronically connected generation, but her emphasis was to enjoy the togetherness. Our attention is focused outward nurturing family connections and friendships, with opportunities in practicing dancing and music. The opposite is true in the season of Lent: it is a season to reduce social activities, to turn off the extra noise and visuals (electronics) and to turn inward to talk to and listen to God.

In the modern world our lives are not as connected to the days and the seasons of nature except as inconvenience or enjoyment. Many of us are also disconnected to the rhythm of the Liturgical Year, with its contrasting seasons and feasts. Maria von Trapp explained this so beautifully:

Nobody could stand a Thanksgiving Day dinner every day of the year. There can only be mountains if there are also valleys. It is a pity that the Reformation did away not only with most of the sacraments and all of the sacramentals, but also, unfortunately, with the very breath of the Mystical Body — that wonderful, eternal rhythm of high and low tide that makes up the year of the Church: times of waiting alternate with times of fulfillment, the lean weeks of Lent with the feasts of Easter and Pentecost, times of mourning with seasons of rejoicing. Modern man lost track of this. Deep down in the human heart, however, is imbedded the craving to celebrate, and, in a dumb way, the other craving to abstain, perhaps to atone. In general, these cravings are no longer directed in seasonal channels, as they are for the Catholic, or even for the aborigine who participates in some tribal religious belief.....

It should be our noble right and duty to bring up our children in such a way that they become conscious of high tide and low tide, that they learn that there is "a time to weep, and a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance." The rhythm of nature as it manifests itself in the four seasons, in day and night, in the individual's heartbeat and breathing — this rhythm we should learn to recognize, and to treat with more reverence. Modern man has become used to turning day into night and night into day according to his whim or pleasure. He has managed to lose contact completely with himself. He has lost the instinct for the right food and drink, stuffing himself with huge quantities of the wrong things and feeding himself sick. But worst of all, and this sounds almost ridiculous, in the process of growing up he forgot the right kind of breathing....

Again, it is our faithful friend, Holy Mother Church, who leads her children first back to nature in order to make them ready to receive supernatural grace. "Gratia supponit naturam."

Looked upon in this light, the weeks of Carnival are a most necessary time for the individual as well as for families and communities. This period is set aside for us to "let off steam," "to have a good time." And for this we need company. Therefore, Carnival is most obviously the season for parties and family get-togethers...with the avowed intention of having that good time together. Carnival is the time to be social, to give and to receive invitations for special parties. It is the time to celebrate as a parish group... (Maria von Trapp, Around the Year with the Trapp Family, Carnival or Mardi Gras).

Mrs. Trapp shared different activities that her family enjoyed, such as folk dancing, singing folk songs, and playing games. Growing up my family enjoyed similar ideas, even though we weren't as musical as the Trapp Family. We loved to learn songs in rounds or harmony to sing together. Other ideas: taking hikes that end singing around a campfire, and Bunco parties, which any age can enjoy. Our local homeschool group just had a sock-hop open to all ages, and checkers and chess tournaments on cold winter days. Some gatherings can be quiet, like family movie nights with popcorn. And don't forget just nurturing mothers with little social gatherings, maybe with themes like a little craft or recipe exchange or just coffee or wine and adult conversation. I have hosted socials where my friends and family come to learn and practice writing pysanky (Ukrainian Easter eggs). Later in Lent we have quiet times where we work on our eggs as meditative work, but during Carnival time it's more of a fun social gathering. The object is to enjoy this time with others.

Carnival is a season with a spiritual focus that encompasses the entire person. It provides contrasts with the spiritual and material, with feasting and fasting, and with Ordinary Time and Lent. We can embrace this time and find ways for merry making, focusing on family and friends to highlight those contrasts in preparation for Lent. Happy Carnival Time!

Bible in a Year Day 200 Egypt, Assyria, and Israel

Fr. Mike celebrates Day 200 of our journey by highlighting the relationship between Egypt, Assyria, and Israel according to the Lord's plan. We have a God who died for his enemies to make him his friends, and we see that foreshadowed in Isaiah, concerning the horrific acts of Assyria and Egypt. Today's readings are Isaiah 18-20, Nahum 1-2, and Proverbs 10:25-28.

January 18-Ice trapped the Endurance.

Antarctic explorers like Ernest Shackleton who wrote this famous advertisement for men of courage.

Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in event of success.

Loyalty-Sir Ernest Shackleton[4]

Sir Ernest Shackleton, like so many of his generation, were ultimate adventurers – part hero, part daredevil – fighting the elements and the odds, too far from civilization to call for help – laying it all on the line purely for the love of adventure. Shackleton led a doomed expedition to miraculous survival through the sheer force of his motivational leadership. In 1914, he set out with a crew of twenty-eight men on a quest to be the first to travel across the entire Antarctic continent by way of the South Pole. His ship, Endurance, became caught in ice and was crushed. After abandoning the ship, he and his men faced incredible hardship from a variety of brutal Antarctic conditions – from shifting weather to shifting ice, along with the trials of hunger, illness, and discouragement – for more than a year.

Yet every man got home safely when the entire expedition would have perished under weaker leadership. Incredibly, the only casualty was frostbitten toes on one man. He had passion for the adventure of the mission, but he also had passion for the men he led. When he was forced to abandon his doomed ship and realized he would not achieve his goal of reaching the South Pole en route to the other side, he kept his disappointment to himself while he shifted his priorities to the well-being of his men. He said to another leader, F.A. Worsley, “It is a pity [to miss the crossing], but that cannot be helped. It is the men we have to think about. “He put his men above himself.

He understood that the survival of them all might well depend on the quality of his leadership. He also realized that he could provide better leadership if he served as well as led. “Shackleton shared the physical labors as well as the watches…[He] would forego his own rations in order to feed the undernourished or the ill. And he often did so without anyone knowing it…Shackleton always put the needs of his men ahead of his personal comfort, and as a result he saved them all.” He realized that in order to survive they would have to stay healthy – mentally as well as physically.

When we are trying to survive, having fun is the farthest thing from our minds. It may even be seen as trivializing the suffering. But during harsh tribulation it is more important than ever to find something to enjoy. During hard times we need to find a source of joy in order to maintain a healthy perspective. As a leader, Shackleton accepted responsibility for maintaining the spirits as well as the health of his men. Yes, they were brave adventurers just as Shackleton was, well able to take care of themselves. Still, Shackleton knew that as a leader he could provide a unique kind of influence that would be empowering, energizing and uplifting. He continually sought out ways to boost morale. He set aside time for recreation. They improvised various forms of entertainment. Several of the men had chosen books among the possessions they salvaged, and they read aloud to each other. They played soccer on the ice. “Humor…played a role, with Shackleton telling stories or teasing his men. What Shackleton was doing was keeping his men alive inside; by encouraging them to read or sing, he was keeping their spirits from sagging or dwelling on the inhospitalities that in other circumstances might have overwhelmed them.” He Inspired Loyalty.

Shackleton’s passion for his mission and for his men, his passion for leadership, and his passion for motivation were a source of energy and courage during times of severe adversity. These virtues made him a leader that people wanted to follow. Even when his men may not have wanted to do something for themselves, they would do it for him. He inspired this kind of loyalty because he gave it to his men. They respected and trusted him because he respected and trusted them. They took care of him because he took care of them. They put him first because he put them first. He was a wonderful example of what a role model should be.

Shackleton dedicated South, the book he wrote about their extraordinary exploits, “To My Comrades.” In one especially moving passage he observed: “In memories we were rich. We had pierced the veneer of outside things. We had suffered, starved and triumphed, groveled down yet grasped at glory, grown bigger in the bigness of the whole. We had seen God in His splendors, heard the text that natures renders. We had reached the naked soul of man.” Sixty years after they had been rescued, the expedition’s first officer, Lionel Greenstreet, was asked how they had done it, how had they survived such a deadly misadventure. Greenstreet gave a one-word response:

“Shackleton.”

The Ice is Nice and Chee-Chee is Peachy

Over 100 years ago Roald Amundsen on March 7, 1912, announced his success in reaching the Geographic South Pole to the world. This is the story about the construction of the South Pole Station in Antarctica in 1973-4 by Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB71), also known as the ICE Battalion, which the author was a member of. The difficulties encountered in the construction of the station were monumental; enduring temperatures reaching 45 degrees below zero with wind chill factors reaching 80 below. This station was comprised of a 52-foot-high geodesic dome, weather balloon launch station and an observation tower for monitoring auroral phenomena. This Battalion was on the ICE for almost five months and worked around the clock to complete the project. This was an amazing fact when you consider that most of the construction was completed in freezing temperatures at a high altitude; for the South Pole is nearly two miles high by construction engineers less than 20 years old. The physical and mental stresses of working in this "frozen desert" took its tolls on these young men. This story chronicles the authors experience in this hostile environment, with bawdy engineers; humorous antics; hard drinking and temporary insanities and the authors faith journey amid the beauty and grandeur of the earth's last frontier: Antarctica. The title of the book is also the motto of the ICE Battalion—it refers to our mission and our R&R (rest and recreation) in Christchurch, New Zealand.

“THE ICE IS NICE AND CHEE-CHEE IS PEACHY”

Today’s menu is from Antarctica where Shackleton proved his medal.

Shackleton blended malt scotch Whiskey
Hoosh

“Sale of pre-sliced bread banned in U.S. (law rescinded March 8), WWII, 1943.”

Better than Sliced Bread.[5]

Around 1928, a Missouri jeweler named Otto F. Rohwedder invented the automatic bread-slicing machine and became the darling of American kitchens. Bakeries began advertising the pre-cut loaves as "the greatest forward step in the baking industry since bread was wrapped," prompting Americans to coin that immortal phrase: "The greatest thing since sliced bread."

But America's love of sliced bread wouldn't stop the government from later banning it.

Starting January 18, 1943—the midst of World War II—sliced bread was barred from American bakeries and homes. New baking regulations set by the Office of Price Administration had boosted flour prices, and the government wanted to prevent these costs from getting passed down to the consumer. By banning the use of expensive bread-slicing machines, the government was hoping bakeries could keep their prices low. Officials were also worried about the country's supply of wax paper—and sliced bread required twice as much paraffin wrapping as an unsliced loaf. (It prevented the slices from drying prematurely.)

The decision was extremely unpopular. On January 26, Sue Forrester of Fairfield, Connecticut wrote a letter to the editor of The New York Times complaining on behalf of the country’s housewives. "I should like to let you know how important sliced bread is to the morale and saneness of a household," Forrester wrote, saying she was forced to hand-cut more than 30 slices of bread every day for her family. It was a waste of American time and energy, she argued. It was also a waste of money: A good bread knife was difficult to find, let alone afford, during the war.

The rule was so disliked that nobody in the government apparently wanted to confess to having the idea. The ban was ordered by Food Administrator Claude R. Wickard, but the office of Price Administration blamed the idea on the agricultural department, which blamed the baking industry.

"The 'off-again-on-again' ban on sliced bread today has all the earmarks of a bureaucratic thriller," Illinois's Belvidere Daily Republican reported. "The mystery over 'whodunnit' in the first place is surprised only by the confusion in high places and the pointing of fingers at the next guy or anyone within pointing distance."

The rule also apparently took everybody by surprise. (Or, as the Daily Republican put it, "[B]akers were caught with their wrappers down, so to speak.") According to the Chicago Tribune, "[T]he governmental ban on the sale of sliced bread, effective yesterday, caught hundreds of Chicago housewives by surprise and sent them scurrying to hardware stores to raid depleted supplies of bread knives."

The ban applied to everybody except hotels, restaurants, and railroad dining cars, which were awarded a 60-day reprieve to prepare. Bakeries that refused to abide by the regulation and continued using their bread slicers faced steep fines. The New York Area Supervisor of the Food Distribution Administration, John F. Conaboy, warned bakeries that the government was "prepared to take stern measures if necessary."

But even the law's biggest proponents couldn't seem to get behind it. Emil Fink, a prominent baker and member of the New York City Bakers Advisory Committee, pushed hard for the bread-slicing ban. But one year later, Fink was in court—for slicing bread. According to The New York Times, a U.S. Attorney chastised the bakery-owner: "[Fink] called upon the Government to enforce the regulation rigidly and, at that very time, his bakery was violating the law." Fink was fined $1000.

According to a February 1943 report in the Harrisburg Telegraph, the ban wasn't even saving money—in fact, bakers in the area saw sales drop as much as 5 or 10 percent. "While all bakers have varied reasons for the prevailing decrease, they all agree that the absence of sliced bread is at least playing some part in the drop," the paper reported.

Not only did the rule fail to save money, it didn't even save that much wax paper. On March 8, 1943, the ban was rescinded, prompting jubilant headlines across the country. As The New York Times trumpeted: "Sliced Bread Put Back on Sale; Housewives' Thumbs Safe Again."

Daily Devotions/Practices

· Today's Fast: Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: Conversion of Sinners

· Religion in the Home for Preschool: January

· Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

· Drops of Christ’s Blood

· Universal Man Plan

· Rosary

[1]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=419

[2]Goffine’s Devout Instructions, 1896.

[3]https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/carnival-part-one-season-contrasts/

[4]http://www.tillerleadership.com/past-and-present/sir-ernest-shackleton

[5]https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/569606/time-us-government-banned-sliced-bread

Christmas Holiday (1944) — Deanna Durbin, Gene Kelly, and the Darkness Beneath the Tinsel

🎬 Plot in Clean Lines

On Christmas Eve, Army officer Charlie Mason is stranded in New Orleans by bad weather. Seeking a simple night out, he’s taken to the Maison Lafitte nightclub, where he meets singer Jackie Lamont — who soon reveals her real name: Abigail Manette.

In a long, sorrowful flashback, Abigail recounts her marriage to Robert Manette (Gene Kelly), a charming Southern aristocrat whose inherited instability and violence slowly surface. When Robert murders a bookie, his domineering mother tries to cover it up. Abigail refuses to lie, and Robert is sentenced to life in prison — but both he and his mother blame her.

Wracked with guilt, Abigail flees her old life and becomes a nightclub hostess.
Robert escapes prison, finds her, and dies in a police shootout — in her arms.
Christmas dawns with no sentimentality, only the faintest suggestion that Abigail may finally begin again.

✝️ Catholic Moral Reading

This film is practically designed for your devotional sensibility — guilt, confession, misplaced loyalty, and the possibility of redemption even in the ruins.

1. The False Burden of Guilt

Abigail carries a guilt that is not hers.
Catholic moral theology is clear: you cannot be guilty for another’s sin.
Her journey is the slow unlearning of a lie — a liberation that mirrors the sacramental truth that confession frees, but only when the sin is real.

2. The Corrupting Power of Family Idolatry

Mrs. Manette is a study in disordered love:
a mother who worships her son’s image more than his soul.
Her refusal to face truth becomes a generational curse — a reminder that love without truth becomes tyranny.

3. The Noir Nativity

The film takes place on Christmas Eve, but the “holy night” is inverted:

a nightclub instead of a stable
a fallen woman instead of a virgin
a fugitive instead of a newborn king

And yet, grace still breaks in.
Abigail’s final release from Robert’s shadow is a kind of midnight Mass — a quiet annunciation that new life is possible even after devastation.

4. Redemption Through Truth, Not Sentiment

Noir rejects easy sentimentality, and so does the Gospel.
Abigail’s path is not about feeling better — it’s about seeing clearly.
Truth is the doorway to mercy.