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Rachel’s Corner
Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)
· do a personal eucharistic stations of the cross.
· How to celebrate Dec 4th
o Start your day by celebrating Extraordinary Work Team Recognition Day with your coworkers.
§ Take a moment to appreciate each other’s hard work and dedication.
· Maybe bring in some cookies to share as a sweet treat.
o As you head out for the day, wear your favorite pair of brown shoes with pride.
§ It’s the little things that can make the day special.
o During your lunch break, take a stroll outside and observe the wildlife around you.
§ Use this time to reflect on the importance of conservation efforts on World Wildlife Conservation Day.
· Maybe snap a few pictures of any animals or plants you come across.
o After work, unwind with a glass of Cabernet Franc to celebrate Cabernet Franc Day.
§ Pair it with some delicious cheese or chocolate for a simple yet indulgent treat.
· Play a game of dice with your family or friends to keep the fun going.
o As the evening rolls around, gather around the fireplace or some candles for Carols by Candlelight.
§ Sing some holiday tunes and enjoy the warm glow.
· Take a moment to write out your wishes for the upcoming year on Santa’s List Day.
o Before you call it a night, take a few moments to appreciate the beauty of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting.
§ Reflect on the joy and magic of the holiday season.
· Lastly, before you drift off to sleep, make sure your packages are well protected on Package Protection Day.
Best Place to visit in December: Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City is a gateway to some of the best skiing in the U.S., with nearby resorts like Snowbird, Alta Ski Area and Deer Valley Resort opening for the 2024-2025 season between late November and early December. When you're not hitting the slopes, head to Temple Square to see hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights create a holiday wonderland around the iconic Salt Lake Temple. Stroll through Christkindlmarkt SLC (Dec. 4 to 7) at This is the Place Heritage Park for holiday gifts or catch a performance of Ballet West's "The Nutcracker" (Dec. 6 to 28), a beloved tradition celebrating its 80th anniversary this year.
Thursday Feast
Thursday is the day of the week that our Lord gave himself up for consumption. Thursday commemorates the last supper. Some theologians believe after Sunday Thursday is the holiest day of the week. We should then try to make this day special by making a visit to the blessed sacrament chapel, Mass or even stopping by the grave of a loved one. Why not plan to count the blessing of the week and thank our Lord. Plan a special meal. Be at Peace.
Dinner Menu
Let’s go with Larnaca, Cyprus – “Salt and Resurrection” for your November 27 hop from Souda Bay. It’s fresh, symbolically layered, and seasonally resonant—perfect for Advent’s threshold.
🇨🇾 Larnaca, Cyprus – Salt and Resurrection
A week of Lazarus light, monastic clarity, and Mediterranean exile
1. Lodging with Legacy
Stay where salt winds meet sacred ground
· Andreas Papandreou Air Base – Space-A Info
· Hotel Opera Larnaca – steps from St. Lazarus Church
· Rise Street Art Hotel – urban hospitality with rooftop views
2. Salt and Resurrection – Seven-Course Ritual Meal
A symbolic Cypriot supper rooted in exile, healing, and Eucharistic joy
1. Grilled halloumi with mint – monastic clarity and fire
2. Olive tapenade with carob bread – desert mercy and ancestral depth
3. Kolokassi (taro root stew) – hidden strength and slow healing
4. Sheftalia (grilled sausage parcels) – wrapped witness and communal joy
5. Tahini salad – bitterness transformed
6. Loukoumia (Cyprus delights) – sweetness preserved in dust
7. Rosewater mahaleb pudding – resurrection in fragrance and light
3. Symbolic Adventures
1. Church of St. Lazarus – resurrected witness and civic anchor
2. Larnaca Salt Lake – exile, flamingos, and baptismal stillness
3. Hala Sultan Tekke – Muslim pilgrimage and shared mercy
4. Kamares Aqueduct – Roman flow and civic endurance
4. Cultural Pilgrimage
· Larnaca Fort & Medieval Museum – defense and devotion
· Pierides Museum – layers of Cypriot civilization
· Larnaca Art Workshops – icons, exile, and creative repair
5. Nature & Reflection
· Cape Greco National Park – cliffs, caves, and Eucharistic wind
· Finikoudes Beach – sunset mercy and communal joy
· Lefkara Village – lace, legend, and Marian hospitality
6. Sacred Anchors
· Stavrovouni Monastery – True Cross and desert silence
· Agios Minas Monastery – iconic clarity and rural witness
· Panagia Angeloktisti – angel-built and Eucharistic mystery
7. Firelight Finale
· Bonfires not permitted, but rose candles and rooftop vigils are welcome
· Ritual Act: Pour salt into a bowl, light a rose-scented candle, and name one exile that became resurrection
· Film Pairing: Of Gods and Men – monastic endurance and mercy in extremity
DECEMBER 4 Thursday in the First week of Advent
St. Barbara
John, Chapter 14,
Verse 1
“Do not let your
hearts be troubled. You have FAITH in
God; have faith also in me.
Christ is the way, the truth and the life: to follow
Him and to strive to be Saints of God is our faith.
Copilot’s Take
On December 4, in the first week of Advent, the Church honors St.
Barbara, whose steadfast witness reminds us of Christ’s words in John 14:1: “Do
not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.”
Advent is a season of waiting, but not of fear — it is a time to anchor our
hearts in trust, knowing that Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. St.
Barbara’s courage in holding fast to her faith despite persecution becomes a
living Advent symbol: she shows us that true discipleship means confidence in
God’s promises even when the world is uncertain. As we prepare for the coming
of Christ, we are invited to let go of anxiety, to walk in His way, and to
strive toward the holiness of the saints, carrying peace and hope into our
daily lives.
Feast of St. Barbara [1]
Barbara (from Nicomedia)
was the daughter of a pagan noble who worshipped false gods. Because of her
striking beauty, her father enclosed her in a tower to hide her from the snares
of men. Barbara vowed virginity, and during an absence of her father had a
third window added to her quarters in honor of the Blessed Trinity; at the same
time, she also adorned her bath with the sign of the holy Cross. Upon his
return her father was so angered over these changes that a miracle was needed
to save her life. She was presented before the magistrate, subjected to much
torturing, and finally her own father wielded the sword that severed her head.
Immediately God's vengeance struck him dead. The holy virgin is highly honored
both in the East and the West as patroness of artillery men and of miners. She
is especially invoked for preservation from sudden death. She is one of the
"Fourteen Holy Helpers."
In the past, the following prayer to St. Barbara was often
recited:
Saint Barbara, thou noble bride,
To thee my body I confide
As well in life as at life's end.
Come, aid me when I breathe my last,
That I may, ere here all is past,
Receive the Blessed Sacrament!
Barbara
Branches
St.
Barbara, one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, is the patron saint of artillerymen,
miners, and a happy death. Though her feast on December 4 obviously belongs to
the cycle of saints and not to the temporal cycle of Advent, there is a custom
observed in her honor that ties into the meaning of the Advent season. A Barbara
branch is the name given to a twig that is broken from a fruit tree
(especially cherry), placed in a bowl of water, and kept in a warm, well-lit
part of the house, such as the kitchen. According to legend, if the Barbara
branch blooms on or before Christmas Day, good luck will come to the person
whose branch it is. Aside from this harmless superstition, Barbara branches are
reminiscent of the image from Isaiah of Christ as a Flower from the root
of Jesse (Is. 11.2; the Epistle for Advent Ember Friday); they can thus be
instructive in teaching children the meaning of Advent and Christmas. They are
also used as the Saint's tribute to the Christ Child in the manger, lovingly
placed in the crèche when they have blossomed.
Things to Do
·
Celebrating
for the Feast of St. Barbara. See also Painting
Angels, Saints and Their Symbols for a
description of St. Barbara's symbols.
·
Have a St.
Barbara's Party, Syrian Style.
·
Further reading:
-
Story
of St. Barbara for Children
-
Encyclopedia
of Catholic Saints
-
Short
Biography and History by Father Weiser.
-
Read about the German custom of St. Barbara's Twig, where every
member of the family puts a small cherry or peach branch into water so that it
will blossom on Christmas. If you have a young lady in your home desiring
marriage, the custom of St. Barbara's Cherry Twigs will have St. Barbara pick
the right husband for young unmarried girls. An alternative idea to this custom
would be forcing Amaryllis or other bulbs to bloom for Christmas. Start the
bulbs today!
·
St. Barbara is the patron of artillerymen. Offer your rosary or
say a prayer for all our enlisted men and women who are in harm's way. This
page provides the Legend of
St. Barbara and the explanation why she is the patron of artillerymen. Read
the Ballad of St.
Barbara by G. K. Chesterton.
·
Read about Barbórka, Miners Day, which is celebrated in Poland and other
European countries.
33 days to Christmas-Start the 33 days to
Eucharistic Glory[2]
Want to start a small group? Download our 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory Study Guide
Day
13
On
this 13th day, develop the strength not to yield and maintain purity
of mind and body.
Copilot:
Developing the strength to resist
temptation and maintain purity of mind and body is a continuous and rewarding
journey. Here are some practical steps and spiritual practices to help you stay
committed to this path:
Spiritual Practices
- Daily Prayer: Start and end your day with prayer, asking
for God's strength and guidance to stay pure in thought and action.
- Scripture Reading: Reflect on passages that encourage
purity and strength. Verses like Philippians 4:13 and Psalm 51:10 can be
particularly uplifting.
- Confession and Eucharist: Regular participation in the
sacraments can provide grace and reinforcement of your commitment to
purity.
Practical Steps
- Mindfulness and Meditation: Practice mindfulness to
become more aware of your thoughts and actions. Meditation can help you
focus on positive and pure thoughts.
- Accountability Partners: Find a trusted friend or mentor
with whom you can share your journey. They can provide support,
encouragement, and accountability.
- Healthy Boundaries: Set and maintain boundaries that
protect your mind and body from negative influences. This might include
limiting exposure to certain media or environments.
Lifestyle Habits
- Exercise and Nutrition: Maintain a healthy lifestyle
through regular exercise and a balanced diet. Physical well-being can
positively influence mental and spiritual health.
- Hobbies and Interests: Engage in activities and hobbies
that uplift you and keep your mind occupied with positive pursuits.
Community Involvement
- Faith Community: Be active in your faith community,
participating in group prayers, study sessions, and service activities.
- Volunteer Work: Serving others can provide a sense of
purpose and fulfillment, helping you stay focused on positive values.
Example Prayer for Strength and
Purity
Here’s a prayer to help you seek
strength and purity:
Dear Lord,
Grant me the strength to resist temptation and
maintain purity of mind and body. Fill me with Your grace and help me to stay
focused on Your will. Guide my thoughts, words, and actions so that they
reflect Your holiness. Surround me with supportive friends and mentors who can
help me on this journey. May Your presence give me the courage and resolve to
live a pure and righteous life.
Amen.
Jesse
Tree[3]
Jesse Tree Scriptures (The Symbols Are Only
Suggestions)
December 1 Creation: Gen.
1:1-31; 2:1-4 Symbols: sun, moon, stars, animals, earth
December 2 Adam and Eve:
Gen. 2:7-9, 18-24 Symbols: tree, man, woman
December 3 Fall of Man: Gen.
3:1-7 and 23-24 Symbols: tree, serpent, apple with bite
December 4 Noah: Gen.
6:5-8, 13-22; 7:17, 23, 24; 8:1, 6-22 Symbols: ark, animals, dove,
rainbow
Bible in a Year Day 156 Jesus casts out demons
As we continue to read about Jesus' ministry, Fr. Mike focuses today on Jesus'
power to cast out demons and reminds us that there is an ongoing spiritual
battle for our souls. Today's readings are Mark 5-6 and Psalm 21.
Daily Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St.
Joseph by joining them in fasting: Today's Fast: Increase of the faithful
·
Religion in the home: Preschool for December
·
Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Make reparations to the Holy Face
·
Rosary
