Monday, December 1, 2025

Monday Night at the Movies

December 2025 – Advent, Incarnation, and Eucharistic Hope

Dec 1 – Going My Way (1944)

Quick Answer: Going My Way (1944) is a warm musical drama about a young priest, Father O’Malley, who revitalizes a struggling parish through compassion, music, and modern methods. Its Catholic lessons emphasize mercy over judgment, the importance of community, respect for tradition while embracing renewal, and the transformative power of joy and pastoral care.

🎬 Film Summary: Going My Way

Plot Core: Father Charles “Chuck” O’Malley (Bing Crosby) arrives at St. Dominic’s parish in New York. His easygoing style clashes with the elderly, traditional Father Fitzgibbon.
Conflict: Fitzgibbon fears being replaced, while O’Malley secretly has been sent to lead the parish.
Resolution: Through kindness, music, and outreach, O’Malley wins over the youth (forming a boys’ choir), reconciles troubled parishioners, and eventually bonds with Fitzgibbon.
Emotional Climax: Fitzgibbon, longing to see his mother in Ireland after 45 years, is surprised when she arrives on Christmas Eve. The parish, despite hardship and even a fire, finds renewal in community and faith.

✝️ Catholic Lessons in Going My Way

The film is often praised for its pastoral theology in action. Here are the key Catholic lessons it embodies:

Mercy and Compassion Over Rigidity
- O’Malley’s approach contrasts with Fitzgibbon’s strictness. He shows that pastoral care means meeting people where they are, not condemning them.
- Catholic lesson: The Church thrives when mercy tempers law.
Community and Solidarity
- The parish survives eviction threats, youth delinquency, and even a fire by coming together.
- Catholic lesson: The parish is a family, and shared burdens strengthen faith.
Music as Evangelization
- The boys’ choir symbolizes how beauty and joy can draw hearts to God.
- Catholic lesson: Art and music are powerful tools of evangelization, echoing St. Augustine’s idea that “singing is praying twice.”
Respect for Tradition While Embracing Renewal
- Fitzgibbon represents tradition; O’Malley represents renewal. Their eventual friendship shows the Church’s need to balance both.
- Catholic lesson: Authentic renewal honors tradition while adapting to new needs.
Priesthood as Service, Not Power
- O’Malley hides his true role to protect Fitzgibbon’s dignity.
- Catholic lesson: Priests are servants of Christ’s flock, not managers of authority.
Joyful Witness
- O’Malley’s golf, humor, and songs show that holiness is not dour.
- Catholic lesson: Joy is a sign of authentic Christian life.

🌟 Why It Endures

Won 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture (1944).
Presented to Pope Pius XII after WWII, affirming its Catholic resonance.
Its sequel, The Bells of St. Mary’s, continued the theme of compassionate priesthood.

Dec 8 – The Bells of St. Mary’s (1945)
Dec 15 – It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Dec 22 – Becket (1964)
Dec 29 – Tree of the Wooden Clogs (1978)

DECEMBER

We turn our attention indoors with Advent prayers and preparations for the birth of Christ; for most of us, the indoors makes up the part of our environment in which we spend the most time. It is also the most unregulated and can be the most polluted part of the total environment –due to new home cleaning products and tighter ventilation. Consider a simpler home environment, where houseplants purify the air, where fresh air is plentiful, and where chemical products are limited and controlled. The yearly cycle of twelve months can make us more aware of our human environment and should help us as individuals and as a community to conduct a monthly examination of conscience.

Overview of December[1]

The liturgy of Advent focuses on remembering Christ's first coming at Bethlehem which then directs our mind to Christ's Second Coming at the end of time. The readings focus on the people of the Old Testament awaiting the Messiah, John the Baptist, heralding the way for Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary and her maternal preparations.

Advent and Christmas

The Advent season in the Northern Hemisphere is normally cold, dark and the days are short. Traditions such as Thanksgiving and Christmas have been established to help dispel the psychological fear that develops as a result of the darkness. However, in the Southern Hemisphere the days are long and warm.

This is a good time if you have the means to take a winter break and go to a warmer climate to give you a chance to create a brighter spirit. However, if this is not possible, we can greatly reduce our fears by getting some sun for 10 or 15 minutes a day. Try to walk at the brightest time of the day, or if you have a sun window to sit in the sun. This would also be a good time to pray. Through prayer the Holy Spirit strengthens us from the inside and the sun charges us from the outside.

Also spending some time exercising daily will definitely dispel our fears. We are both physical and spiritual and having a balance of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual activities will make us resilient to the darkness in the world. I find hiking a wonderful anecdote to the blues and fears.

It is also important to reach out to others. We can strengthen ourselves by being with and for others. No matter what your cultural background, this season will provide many ethnic opportunities to celebrate together. Think of the giant Redwoods, they are the largest trees in the world. These trees survive by intertwining their roots because the ground is so hard the Redwood cannot strike a taproot to hold itself up but by supporting each other they become the largest trees in the world.

Events and Feasts for December 2025

Hit the Slopes

Ice Fishing Season

Holiday Events

· November 28-January 11 San Antonio River Walk

· Christmas Village in Philadelphia

· North Pole Experience

· Glendale Glitters

· Arizona Parks

Winter Get away Season

Bahamas International Film Festival: Official BIFF Website Hobbit Tour every day (closed Christmas) New Zealand
GetYourGuide – Phoenix/Scottsdale Apache Trail Tour
Detours American West – Apache Trail Tour
iCruise – Caribbean Cruises December 2025
Cruise Critic – December 2025 Cruise Deals
Royal Caribbean – Holiday Cruise Deals

Dolly Steamboat – Canyon Lake Tours

Dec 3-First Wednesday-St. Joseph’s Chaste Heart

· St. Francis Xavier

Dec 4-Thu. Full Cold Moon

· National Christmas Tree

Dec 5-First Friday-Sacred Heart of Jesus

· Night-Shoes out for Cinder Claus and Gluevine

Dec 6-First Saturday-Immaculate Heart of Mary

· St. Nicholas

Dec 7 Second Sunday of Advent

· Ambrose, Memorial

· Pearl Harbor memorial

Dec 8-Mon. Immaculate Conception of Mary, Solemnity

Dec 9-Tue. St. Juan Diego

Dec 10-Wed. Our Lady of Loreto

Dec 12-Fri. Our Lady of Guadalupe (USA), Feast

· Begin the Nutcracker Season

Dec 13-Sat. St. Lucy

Dec 14-Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday

· Hanukkah 2025 – Begins at sundown Sunday, Dec. 14 and ends Monday, Dec. 22.

Dec 16-Tue.-Las Posadas- Antiphon “Golden Nights”

· 9 days before Christmas

Dec 17-Ember Wednesday-Fast Day

Dec 18-Thu. Expectation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Dec 19-Ember Friday-Fast Day

Dec 20-Ember Saturday-Fast Day

Dec 21-Fourth Sunday of Advent

· Winter Solstice

Dec 22-Mon. St. Thomas

Dec 24-Wed. Nativity of the Lord Midnite Mass

Christmastide begins with the First Vespers (Evening Prayer) of Christmas on December 24th and ends on the Sunday after Epiphany. Christmas and Easter are the only solemnities with octaves attached in the revised calendar. The Christmas octave differs from Easter in that it includes some major feasts: St. Stephen (December 26), St. John the Evangelist (December 27), the Holy Innocents (December 28) and St. Sylvester I (December 31). The octave closes on January 1, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.

The Reason for the Season

The month of December is filled with expectation and celebration. Preparation is the key word for the first 24 days of December. Everyone is getting ready for Christmas — shopping and decorating, baking and cleaning. Too often, however, we are so busy with the material preparations that we lose sight of the real reason for our activity.

Christmas is a Christian feast — and we must reclaim it as such! In the same way that a family eagerly prepares for a baby, so in Advent should we prepare for the coming of the Christ Child. We should keep Advent as a season of waiting and longing, of conversion and of hope and keep our thoughts on the incredible love and humility of our God in taking on the flesh of the Virgin Mary. Let us not forget to prepare a peaceful place in our hearts wherein our Savior may come to dwell.

The best person we can turn to for help during Advent is Mary, Christ's and our Mother. She awaited the day of His birth with more eagerness than any other human being. Her preparation was complete in every respect. Let's crown our preparation and borrow something of Mary's prayerfulness, her purity and whole-hearted submission to God's will.

Dec 25-Thu. Christmas

Dec 26-Friday in Octave of Christmas

· St. Stephen, Feast first Martyr

Dec 27-Saturday in Octave of Christmas

· St. John, Apostle, Feast-Blessing of Wine

Dec 28 Sunday Feast of the Holy Family

Dec 29 Monday in Octave of Christmas

Dec 30 Tuesday in Octave of Christmas

Dec 31 Wednesday in Octave of Christmas

· Sylvester I-New Years Eve

Christopher’s Corner-have a grateful heart

· Eat waffles and Pray for the assistance of the Angels

· Tecumseh died in Ohio near my sister’s home

· Monday: Litany of Humility

Drops of Christ’s Blood

🕯️ Bucket List Trip [3] – Part 6: USA 70-Degree Year Journey

Dates: December 1–8, 2025
Theme: Longing and Light
Route: Cornville → Sedona → Camp Verde → Jerome → Flagstaff (optional)
Style: Local pilgrimage, Advent reflection, and Eucharistic hospitality
Climate Alignment: Daily highs 60–68°F

💰 Estimated Cost Overview

Category	Estimated Cost
Lodging (7 nights)	$0 (home base)
Food (daily meals)	$160
Fuel (local drives)	$50
Symbolic extras	$60
Total Estimate	$270

🌠 Day 1 – Monday, December 1

Location: Cornville
Symbol: Flame of Hope
Ritual Prompt: “Hope is the first flame—fragile, faithful, enough.”

· Light second Advent candle

· Reflect on mercy and memory from the journey

· Write: “What do I hope for now?”

· 🧺 Foodie Stop: Simple home meal with wine and bread (~$20)

🏞️ Day 2 – Tuesday, December 2

Location: Sedona
Symbol: Path of Longing
Ritual Prompt: “Longing is holy—it leads us toward light.”

· Hike West Fork Trail or Bell Rock Loop

· Pause for silence and journaling

· 🥗 Foodie Stop: Seasonal café fare (~$20)

🕊️ Day 3 – Wednesday, December 3

Location: Camp Verde
Symbol: River of Waiting
Ritual Prompt: “Waiting is not empty—it flows with grace.”

· Visit Verde River Greenway

· Optional stop at Cliff Castle Chapel

· 🍲 Foodie Stop: Moscato Italian Restaurant (~$25)

🏛️ Day 4 – Thursday, December 4

Location: Jerome
Symbol: Watchtower of Advent
Ritual Prompt: “Advent watches—not passively, but prayerfully.”

· Visit Holy Family Church and hillside ruins

· Write: “What do I watch for?”

· 🥘 Foodie Stop: Clinkscale or Haunted Hamburger (~$25)

🌌 Day 5 – Friday, December 5

Location: Cornville
Symbol: Silence of the Season
Ritual Prompt: “Before the carol, there is silence. Before the feast, the fast.”

· Morning fast or quiet retreat

· Prepare altar with candle, salt, and stone

· 🧺 Foodie Stop: Soup and bread supper (~$15)

🌲 Day 6 – Saturday, December 6

Optional Excursion: Flagstaff
Symbol: Mountain of Light
Ritual Prompt: “Light climbs—through shadow, through snow.”

· Visit San Francisco Peaks or Nativity Chapel

· Optional snow prayer walk

· 🛏️ Optional Stay: Little America Hotel (~$120)

· 🍽️ Foodie Stop: Josephine’s Bistro (~$30)

🎶 Day 7 – Sunday, December 7

Location: Cornville
Symbol: Candle of Peace
Ritual Prompt: “Peace is not the absence—it is the presence.”

· Light third Advent candle

· Attend Mass or Eucharistic celebration

· Write blog post: “Peace in the Borderlands”

· 🍷 Foodie Stop: Vineyard brunch or home communion meal (~$25)

🧳 Day 8 – Monday, December 8 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception)

Location: Cornville
Symbol: Marian Light
Ritual Prompt: “Mary is the Advent flame—pure, patient, prepared.”

· Attend Mass or Marian devotion

· Close with a toast: “To the light that leads us home.”

🌟 7-Course Advent Meal: Longing and Light

1. Cornville Flame of Hope – Wine & Bread

· Dish: Rustic artisan bread with red wine pairing

· Recipe: Artisan bread

· Hope is the first flame—fragile, faithful, enough.

2. Sedona Path of Longing – Seasonal Café Fare

· Dish: Harvest salad with roasted squash and spiced latte

· Recipe: Harvest salad

· Longing is holy—it leads us toward light.

3. Camp Verde River of Waiting – Moscato Italian

· Dish: Lemon & Herb Chicken Moscato

· Recipe: Chicken Moscato

· Waiting is not empty—it flows with grace.

4. Jerome Watchtower of Advent – Haunted Hamburger

· Dish: Angus beef burger with roasted chilies and cheddar

· Recipe: Southwest burger

· Advent watches—not passively, but prayerfully.

5. Cornville Silence of the Season – Soup & Bread

· Dish: Butternut squash soup with Irish soda bread

· Recipe: Butternut squash soup

· Before the carol, there is silence. Before the feast, the fast.

6. Flagstaff Mountain of Light – Josephine’s Bistro

· Dish: Shrimp Mac & Cheese with smoked gouda

· Recipe: Shrimp mac & cheese

· Light climbs—through shadow, through snow.

7. Cornville Candle of Peace – Opłatek & Vineyard Brunch

· Dish: Opłatek wafers shared with fruit, cheese, and wine

· Tradition: Families break and share opłatek wafers, offering blessings of peace and goodwill.

· Recipe/Source: Polish opłatek tradition

· Peace is not the absence—it is the presence.

✨ Closing Toast – Marian Light

· Dish: German Chocolate Gingerbread Cake

· Recipe: German chocolate gingerbread

· Mary is the Advent flame—pure, patient, prepared.

DECEMBER 1 Monday of the First Week of Advent

World AIDS Day-Death Before Dishonor

1 Corinthians, Chapter 4, Verse 21

Which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with LOVE and a gentle spirit?

Love demands we say it like it is. At times because God is a Father, he must disciple those he loves. We as children, like those that are gentle with us, yet there are times we must be corrected. Paul tells us that if we are to be true Christian’s we must follow the example of Christ who did not seek self-comfort’s but sacrificed all He had for the love of us. Therefore, seek a spiritual leader and honor the parent(s) who will challenge you. Who will not let you be less than you can be! A good spiritual leader teaches by example. Leadership is “caught” not “taught”.

Creditable Leadership[1]

Creditable leaders are not afraid and model Christ’s behaviors for all. They do this because they know the law of the picture and people do what they see. Leaders embody the principles they teach. Paul shows us that leadership requires the leader too:

1. Be on display and open for ridicule.

2. Be willing to play the fool in order to model the surrendered life.

3. Be able to endure the mocking of others without wavering.

4. Be willing to sacrifice luxuries.

5. Be hard working without retaliating against opposition.

6. Be fatherly and live an exemplary life for others.

7. Be encouraging of others to imitate your example.

Copilots Take

On December 1, the Monday of the First Week of Advent and World AIDS Day, Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 4:21 remind us that true leadership is both corrective and compassionate, a balance of the rod and the gentle spirit. Advent begins with this tension—discipline that shapes us and mercy that sustains us. Creditable leadership, as Paul models, is not about prestige but about sacrifice: being willing to endure ridicule, surrender comforts, and live visibly for others. On World AIDS Day, this call takes on a deeper resonance, for it challenges us to honor those who bore stigma and suffering by embodying Christ’s love with courage and dignity. To lead credibly is to stand in solidarity with the marginalized, to speak truth even when it costs, and to live as an example that others can imitate. Advent leadership is caught, not taught—it is hope made visible in the way we live, love, and wait for the coming light.

Monday in the First week of Advent[1]

Advent is the time for renewal or repentance for the coming of Christ. "Interior repentance is a radical reorientation of our whole life, a return, a conversion to God with all our heart, an end of sin, a turning away from evil, with repugnance toward the evil actions we have committed. At the same time, it entails the desire and resolution to change one's life, with hope in God's mercy and trust in the help of his grace. This conversion of heart is accompanied by a salutary pain and sadness which the Fathers called animi cruciatus (affliction of spirit) and compunctio cordis (repentance of heart)" (CCC, 1431). Today's Gospel (Matthew 8:5-11) of the Centurion and his servant illustrates both the invitation for all, from both East and West, to come to Christ. The Centurion gives us words for our heart for trust and mercy in his grace, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof: only say the word and my servant will be healed."

Jesse Tree[2]

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

[1]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2021-11-29

[2]http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=545

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 10

On this 10^th day, find peace in the serving Christ as King of the Universe

Copilot:

Finding peace in serving Christ as the King of the Universe is a profound and fulfilling spiritual pursuit. Here are some ways to embrace this devotion:

Acknowledge Christ’s Sovereignty

1. Daily Worship: Start each day by acknowledging Christ’s sovereignty through prayer and worship. Recognize His ultimate authority and love in your life.

2. Scripture Reflection: Meditate on passages that highlight Christ’s kingship, such as Colossians 1:16-20 and Revelation 19:16.

Serve with a Purpose

1. Acts of Service: Engage in acts of service with the intention of honoring Christ. Whether it's helping the needy, volunteering, or simply showing kindness, do it with a heart full of reverence.

2. Love Others: Treat others with love and respect, seeing Christ in everyone you encounter.

Cultivate Inner Peace

1. Prayer and Meditation: Spend quiet time in prayer and meditation, seeking Christ’s peace and guidance in your heart.

2. Gratitude: Practice gratitude for the blessings and challenges in your life, recognizing Christ’s presence in all circumstances.

Live Out Your Faith

1. Obedience to His Teachings: Strive to follow Christ’s teachings in your daily life. Make decisions that reflect His values of love, compassion, and justice.

2. Community Involvement: Participate in church activities and community groups that foster a sense of belonging and shared purpose in serving Christ.

Bible in a Year Day 153 The Decline of Solomon

Today, as we hear about the decline of Solomon, Fr. Mike points out how the consequences of our decisions can have ramifications far beyond ourselves. The readings are 1 Kings 11, Ecclesiastes 10-12, and Psalm 9.

World AIDS Day[3]

World AIDS Day serves to remember those who have died from AIDS and to bring about awareness of HIV/AIDS through education and publicly held events. HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune system and makes it progressively more difficult to fight infections and diseases. Once HIV advances and becomes so severe that the body's immune system is too weak to fight off many infections and diseases, it is called AIDS. There is currently no cure for HIV or AIDS and if left untreated by antiretroviral medication, patients' immune systems fail leading to death. World AIDS Day is also an opportunity for people to show their support for people living with HIV. World AIDS Day is one of the eight WHO Global Health Days. The day was created by the World Health Organization in 1988. Since its inception over two decades ago, the world has managed to halt and reverse the spread of HIV. According to the WHO, the occurrence of new cases has decreased 35% between 2000 and 2015, while AIDS-related deaths have decreased by 24% over the same time frame, all thanks to antiretroviral treatments and widespread AIDS education and awareness. World AIDS Day is observed on December 1st of each year.

World AIDS Day Facts

· The Red Ribbon is the universal symbol of support for those living with HIV/AIDS.

· The AIDS Memorial Quilt Project allows friends and family members of someone who has died from AIDS to construct a quilt panel and have it placed in the quilt. The quilt travels and is displayed throughout the US.

· The first case of what is now known as AIDS was reported in the US in June 1981.

· According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than a million people in the United States are living with HIV infection, and almost 1 in 5 are unaware of their infection.

· According to World Health Organization, AIDS has claimed over 39 million lives globally.

World AIDS Day Top Events and Things to Do

· Wear a Red Ribbon, an international symbol of AIDS support.

· Learn the facts of how HIV is transmitted so you can be better prepared. Remember, HIV is spread through body fluids such as blood, semen, rectal and vaginal fluids and breast milk.

· Get involved in a fundraising effort to support research into HIV/AIDS treatment. Many fundraisers are done in the form of HIV/AIDS day walks.

· Watch a movie or documentary about HIV/AIDS. Some popular suggestions: Dallas Buyers Club (2013), Philadelphia Story

(1993), Longtime Companion (1990), The Age of AIDS (2006) and AIDS, Inc (2007).

· Get tested if unsure of your infection status. Local pharmacies sell HIV home test kits, or you can find free testing sites in most areas.

Cyber Monday[1] (another secular event)

This Christmas season when you make out your gift list try to give a gift to those you love that truly helps them to prosper!

Cyber Monday seeks to sell massive quantities of goods through online stores at a sale price. Marketing companies created the term Cyber Monday as a catchphrase to persuade people to shop online. In 2014, Cyber Monday sales were a record 2.68 billion dollars, making it one of the biggest shopping days of the year. Cyber Monday is not an official holiday, but it is an international day recognized by consumers. The term Cyber Monday developed naturally overtime as online sales following Thanksgiving spiked. This was seen as an opportunity to brand the new shopping occasion; much the same way black Friday was years earlier. Cyber Monday was first originally held November of 2005. The day it is held varies from year to year, but it is always held the Monday following Thanksgiving in the US.

Cyber Monday Facts & Quotes

Since 2010, Cyber Monday has been the highest online spending day in the year in the US. Sales numbers on Cyber Monday have gradually increased by at least $100 million each year since the term was first coined. According to a survey by the National Retail Federation, 90% of online shoppers surveyed said low prices were the most important part of their shopping experience on Cyber Monday. The top 3 products purchased online on Cyber Monday are: Apparel, books/DVDs/Videos/Games and Consumer electronics. You may have heard of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. There's another day you might want to know about: Giving Tuesday. The idea is pretty straightforward. On the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, shoppers take a break from their gift-buying and donate what they can to charity. – Bill Gates, creator of Microsoft.

Cyber Monday Top Events and Things to Do

Buy something! You can buy just about anything online these days, so treat yourself or a loved one to something you have been saving up for. Chances are it is at a reduced price on Cyber Monday! Fill your online shopping cart with all the things you were thinking of buying at all retail shops. Total up the cost of all the things you were going to buy, and instead of buying them, donate that exact amount of money to a charity of your choice. Spread awareness on social media by using the hashtag#CyberMonday, #CyberDeals and #DealsDealsDeals. Promote your favorite retailers over social media using their hashtags and by reposting their posts. Save your money today and wait until Giving Tuesday tomorrow to donate it all or use it to purchase items for donation.

[1]http://www.wincalendar.com/Cyber-Monday

Walt Disney Day[1]

Animation can explain whatever the mind of man can conceive. This facility makes it the most versatile and explicit means of communication yet devised for quick mass appreciation.

The name Disney is known all over the world and is the brand name of characters and stories that are cherished and beloved the world over. Behind all of this wonder, the voices of Mickey Mouse and the seemingly endless parade of characters that the company put out was the vision of one man, Walter Elias Disney. Known to his friends, which he would consider all of us, as Walt. Walt Disney Day celebrates this incredible man and the joy and laughter he brought to the world. It is perhaps no mistake that Walt Disney was born in 1901, right at the turning of the century. He would go on to turn the entire world around, changing the face of cinema and entertainment through the introduction of his incredible cast of animated characters. Born in Chicago, Walt would move multiple times throughout his life, first in 1906 to a family farm in Missouri, again in 1911 to Kansas City where he would attend grammar school. His career as an artist and illustrator would get its start in 1919 when he returned from World War I during which he served as part of the Red Cross. It would be 1928 before Mickey Mouse came into the world, the result of a sketch being done while he was on a bus. It quickly became the centrepiece of the Disney Empire, which would grow rapidly to become one of the most important names in family entertainment in the world. 90 years later Disney is a name known around the world for its beloved characters, exciting theme parks, and most recently it’s ownership of Star Wars.

How to celebrate Walt Disney Day

The best way to celebrate Walt Disney Day is to get in and watch as many Disney films as you can cram into a single day, especially if you’ve never seen them before. If you’re one of those who grew up with Walt Disney as the heart of your childhood experience, then this is a perfect opportunity to take a walk down memory lane. Get together a bunch of themed food and sweets and enjoy your day with a group of friends, because Disney has always been about family.

5 Disney movies with religious messages[2]

Disney movies are a well-known and well-loved part of most people's childhood. These stories talk and teach us things, like believing in ourselves and follow our dreams. Recently, the stories inspired courage and kindness, as well as forms of "true love." But viewers may have missed something; these popular Disney stories have religious messages.

1. Snow White is a Christian princess.

Released in 1937, the first animated story Disney made is actually about a Christian princess. It may not be explicit, but Snow White was shown briefly, praying with her head bowed down and hands clasped, asking for God's blessing to the seven dwarfs that had shown kindness to her.

2. Simba is The Prodigal Son.

The youngest son in the parable is just like Simba, King Mufasa's son who just enjoys the life of a prince. But once he realizes the part he played in his father's death, he runs away and lives with animals eating grubs. Discarding the "Hakuna Matata" lifestyle, he goes back home to face the responsibilities waiting for him.

3. Rapunzel, in Tangled, symbolizes our humanity.

Like many of the characters in the Bible, the trapped princess was able to live through the darkness in her life and find the light that sets her free. Every year following her kidnapping by the witch, who represents the devil, her parents lit up the sky through lanterns helping her find her way back home. And like God, they never got tired of doing it.

4. God's grace in Cinderella.

We might think of this heroin as not exactly the type to look up to: most the time she just lets everyone tell her what to do. She may not have deserved the happy ending she got, because she relied solely on her fairy godmother. However, the point of God's grace is it's undeserved, as depicted in the Bible stories.

5. The Hunchback of Notre Dame involves God the most.

This could be a bit of an exaggeration, as described in crosswalk.com. But remember, the beginning of the story tells of the villain wanting to kill a baby but stopped by the Church, one way the Holy Spirit works. The heroine later sings to God, how prayer should really be. Believing he's better than others, the villain constantly clashes with his faith. Whether it is intentional or not, aren't we glad Disney incorporates God and Christianity in its stories? These scenes are rarely seen in movies, so you might want to do a re-watch. You'll never see your favorite movies the same again.

[1]https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/walt-disney-day/

[2]https://www.catholic.org/news/hf/faith/story.php?id=59303

Death Before Dishonor: Tecumseh’s Grateful Heart

Gratitude is the foundation of character. It shapes judgment, sustains courage, and anchors honor. In Character is Destiny, John McCain points to the Shawnee war chief Tecumseh as a man who never lost his gratitude, even in the face of tragedy and defeat.

Tecumseh was a visionary leader, a fearless warrior, and a steadfast protector of his people. Though he ultimately lost his struggle to defend Native lands from American expansion, he taught both friend and foe how to live with honor. Even his adversary William Henry Harrison recognized Tecumseh’s integrity: he did not tolerate cruelty, torture, or harm to innocents.

As a youth, Tecumseh faltered once—fleeing his first battle. But when he later witnessed the burning of a captured settler, he was horrified. Though too young to intervene, he denounced the atrocity and vowed never again to remain silent in the face of injustice. That vow became the compass of his life.

Raised by his older brother Chiksika, Tecumseh learned to hunt, fight, and revere the memory of their father, a warrior who embodied the creed of death before dishonor. Tecumseh grew into a tall, sinewy figure, commanding in presence, skilled in arms, and gifted in oratory. His leadership drew tribes together, his words inspiring loyalty and respect even among enemies.

His most famous address to his people became a code of honor:

· Live without fear of death.

· Respect others’ beliefs, and demand respect for your own.

· Perfect and beautify your life, serving your people.

· Prepare a noble death song for the day you cross the great divide.

· Salute friend and stranger alike.

· Abuse no one and nothing, for abuse blinds the spirit.

· When death comes, meet it with courage, not regret.

On October 5, 1813, at the Battle of the Thames, Tecumseh lived his creed. When British allies fled, he cast aside his officer’s jacket and sword, charging into the fight. A musket shattered his leg, yet he urged his braves to leave him. Surrounded, he sang his death song and fell—dying like a hero going home.

Tecumseh’s life reminds us that gratitude repels despair. To see life as a gift, even amid suffering, is to possess a strength greater than fear. His example endures: honor rooted in gratitude, courage unbroken by defeat, and a death embraced without dishonor.

Daily Devotions

· Today's Fast: Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: Today's Fast: End to Abortion

· Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

· Make reparations to the Holy Face

· Drops of Christ’s Blood

· Rosary

[1] John Maxwell, The Maxwell Bible.

[2]https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/33-days-to-eucharistic-glory/33EG.html?srsltid=AfmBOopIHMivIR422BjtUtJ2KZm8-MrVMEJFtxZYH7ZkFuXRwdu5G1Qi#longDescription

[3]https://www.wincalendar.com/World-Aids-Day