Wednesday, February 24, 2026

As we enter this Lenten season, I invite you to support and share the new Coffee with Christ audiobook, now available on Audible

Dara’s Corner-

· Spirit Hour: No food, only beer: Fasting like a 17th-century monk

· Bucket List trip: Graubünden, Switzerland

· Try The ultimate, decadent one-pot meal.

· National Clam Chowder Day

· How to celebrate Feb 25th

· Why not start your day with a hearty bowl of clam chowder? Whether you prefer it thick or thin, this classic dish is sure to warm your soul. Next up, take a moment to appreciate our furry friends by supporting World Spay Day. Consider volunteering at a local animal shelter or donating to a pet charity.

· As the day progresses, indulge in some chocolate-covered nuts for a sweet pick-me-up. These delicious treats are easy to make at home or can be found at your nearest convenience store. Balance out you’re snacking by celebrating Let’s All Eat Right Day with a balanced meal. Whip up a quick and healthy dish using ingredients you already have on hand.

· To end the day on a historical note, take a moment to commemorate Pistol Patent Day. Dive into the history of firearms or test your marksmanship skills at a shooting range. Remember to always handle guns safely and responsibly.

· With a mix of good food, community service, sweet treats, and a touch of history, you’re sure to have a unique and fulfilling day celebrating these odd holidays. Enjoy the adventure!

· Before you cozy up for the night, reflect on the achievements of grandmothers worldwide for Grandmother Achievement Day. Whip up a batch of peppermint patties or share a heartwarming story – celebrate the incredible women who paved the way.

🌍 Dara’s Corner: Aboard The World

Ordinary Time | February 25 – March 3, 2026
Theme: Awe, Reverence & the Grace of the Great South
Coordinates: Subantarctic Waters → Ross Sea Region → Antarctic Ice Edge

❄️ Day 1 — February 25 | Subantarctic Waters
Title: The First Breath of the South
• Ritual: Pilgrims step onto deck and breathe deeply, naming one place in their life that needs clearing
• Scripture: Job 37:10 — “By the breath of God ice is given…”
• Meal: Warm barley soup, seeded bread, chamomile tea
• Reflection: “The South teaches us to breathe again.”
• Hospitality Arc: Ask someone what they feel clearing within them

🌫️ Day 2 — February 26 | Nearing the Ice Belt
Title: The White Threshold
• Ritual: Pilgrims hold a small piece of paper and write one threshold they sense approaching, then fold it into a square
• Scripture: Isaiah 30:21 — “This is the way; walk in it.”
• Meal: Ginger broth, rice crackers, mint tea
• Reflection: “Thresholds are invitations disguised as uncertainty.”
• Hospitality Arc: Share with someone the threshold you sense

🧊 Day 3 — February 27 | Antarctic Ice Edge
Title: The Edge of Wonder
• Ritual: Pilgrims stand at the rail and name one wonder they have forgotten how to feel
• Scripture: Psalm 65:8 — “You make the gateways of the morning and evening shout for joy.”
• Meal: Hot vegetable stew, warm bread, lemon water
• Reflection: “Wonder is the soul remembering its childhood.”
• Hospitality Arc: Ask someone what last filled them with wonder

🌬️ Day 4 — February 28 | Ross Sea Approach
Title: The Silence That Speaks
• Ritual: Pilgrims sit in silence for five minutes, listening for what the silence is saying
• Scripture: 1 Kings 19:12 — “A sound of sheer silence.”
• Meal: Lentil stew, flatbread, ginger tea
• Reflection: “Silence is not empty—it is articulate.”
• Hospitality Arc: Offer someone the gift of unhurried presence

🌄 Day 5 — March 1 | Ross Sea Region
Title: The Continent of Truth
• Ritual: Pilgrims place a hand on their heart and name one truth they can no longer ignore
• Scripture: John 8:32 — “The truth will make you free.”
• Meal: Herb omelet, roasted tomatoes, hot tea
• Reflection: “Truth in the Great South feels sharper, cleaner, unavoidable.”
• Hospitality Arc: Share with someone a truth that has found you

❄️ Day 6 — March 2 | Near the Ross Ice Shelf
Title: The Shelf of Stillness
• Ritual: Pilgrims touch a cold railing or surface, naming one place in their life that needs stillness
• Scripture: Psalm 46:10 — “Be still, and know…”
• Meal: Chicken broth, steamed vegetables, warm lemon water
• Reflection: “Stillness is the doorway to wisdom.”
• Hospitality Arc: Ask someone where they long for stillness

🌅 Day 7 — March 3 | Antarctic Waters
Title: The Light of the Far South
• Ritual: Pilgrims watch the horizon—sunrise, sunset, or midday glow—naming one grace they hope to receive in this sacred place
• Scripture: Psalm 36:9 — “In Your light we see light.”
• Meal: Salmon, citrus salad, sparkling elderflower
• Reflection: “Light in the South is revelation softened by mercy.”

• Hospitality Arc: Share with someone the grace you’re seeking

I invite you to support and share the new "The Ice is Nice and Chee Chee is Peachy" audiobook, now available on Audible

February 25 Wednesday in the First Week of Lent

Lenten Ember Wednesday

Deuteronomy, Chapter 3, Verse 2

The LORD said to me; do not be AFRAID of him, for I have delivered him into your power with all his people and his land. Do to him as you did to Sihon, king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon.

Again, in Deuteronomy we are told to not be afraid of men. God is our strength; He is our success.

Copilot’s Take

Before Moses ever swings a sword, God names the enemy: Og, king of Bashan, the last of the giant kings who ruled the fortified cities of Ashtaroth and Edrei. Israel is about to face him in open battle on the eastern side of the Jordan, a confrontation that would have terrified any ordinary army. Og’s reputation was legendary—his iron bed alone symbolized a ruler whose size and strength were meant to intimidate. Yet right at the moment when fear would naturally rise, God speaks the decisive word: “Do not be afraid of him.”

By placing Og in the story this way, Scripture shows us that the threat is real, but the victory is already secured. The battle at Edrei becomes the stage where God teaches Israel—and us—that evil’s size is irrelevant when the Lord has already delivered the outcome. Remembering Sihon’s defeat becomes the key: past faithfulness becomes present courage. Lent invites us into that same posture. We confront what stands against us not by measuring the enemy, but by remembering the God who has already acted.

Meditation for Wednesday of the First Week of Lent[1]

The people of Nineveh are also our model for Lent. They did penance at the preaching of Jonah the prophet and obtained divine mercy and pardon. Christ is preaching penance to use today through his Church. Should we not also put on the sackcloth of self-denial and take on the fast to remedy our self-indulgence that we also may obtain forgiveness for ourselves? Nor should we forget to pray for a world which is drowning in the sin and vice of its own creation.

Before we arrive at the joy and glory of Easter we have first to go through forty days of Lenten journey. This period of preparation is designed by God. It is not merely a time of self-denial, of death to self, and of carrying the cross; it is a time of recovery of our real self, of a more real life, and of sharing in Christ's glory. God intends that we should accustom ourselves to live the Paschal rhythm of "death and life" to reclaim one's real self and to become ready to share in Christ's glory.

—St. Andrew Bible Missal

Wednesday in the First Week of Lent[2]

EPISTLE, m. Kings xix. 3-8.

IN those days came Elias to Bersabee of Juda, and left his servant there, and he went forward one day s journey into the desert. And when he was there, and sat under a juniper tree, he requested for his soul that he might die, and said: It is enough for me, Lord, take away my soul: for I am no better than my fathers. And he cast himself down and slept in the shadow of the juniper-tree: and behold an angel of the Lord touched him and said to him: Arise and eat. He looked and beheld there was at his head a hearth-cake, and a vessel of water: and he ate and drank, and he fell asleep again. And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said to him: Arise, eat: for thou hast yet a great way to go. And he arose, and ate, and drank, and walked in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights, unto the mount of God, Horeb.

GOSPEL. Matt. xii. 38-50.

At that time, some of the scribes and Pharisees answered Jesus, saying: Master, we would see a sign from Thee. Who answering said to them: An evil and adulterous generation seeketh a sign: and a sign shall not be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. For as Jonas was in the whale’s belly three days and three nights: so, shall the Son of man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation and shall condemn it: because they did penance at the preaching of Jonas. And behold a greater than Jonas here. The queen of the south shall rise in judgment with this generation and shall condemn it: because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon and behold a greater than Solomon here. And when an unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith: I will return into my house from whence I came out. And coming he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then he goeth, and taketh with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is made worse than the first. So, shall it be also to this wicked generation. As He was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold His Mother and His brethren stood without, seeking to speak to Him. And one said unto Him: Behold Thy Mother and Thy brethren stand without, seeking Thee. But He answering him that told Him, said: Who is My Mother, and who are My brethren? And stretching forth His hand towards His disciples, He said: Behold My Mother and My brethren. For whosoever shall do the will of my father, that is in heaven, he is My brother, and sister, and mother.

Prayer. Mercifully hear our prayers, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and against all our adversaries extend the right hand of Thy majesty. Amen.

What is the Ember-Days?

Days instituted to thank God, each season of the year, for the benefits received during that season, and to remind the faithful, each quarter of the year, of the duty of penance; also, to pray to God for deserving priests, for on those days the ordination of priests usually takes place. (Goffine’s Devout Instructions)

· The Ember Days are four series of Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays which correspond to the natural seasons of the year. Autumn brings the September, or Michaelmas, Embertide; winter, the Advent Embertide; Spring, the Lenten Embertide; and in summer, the Whit Embertide (named after Whitsunday, the Feast of Pentecost).

· The English title for these days, "Ember," is derived from their Latin name: Quatuor Temporum, meaning the "Four Times" or "Four Seasons."

· The Embertides are periods of prayer and fasting, with each day having its own special Mass.

· Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday were days of particularly devotion in the early church: Wednesday, as recalling the betrayal of our Lord, and Friday in memory of His Passion, Saturday was later added to these days of prayer and penance as a continuation of Friday, and as far back as the second century they were set apart as Stational days, that is as days of special religious service and fasting.

· The Ember Days, although the occasion of their institution is uncertain, are a reminder of these ancient days of devotion. Their purpose is to thank God for the fruits of the earth and other gifts of nature, to teach moderation in their use, and to assist the needy. From the time of Pope Gelasius in the fifth century it has been allowed to confer the diaconate and priesthood on the Saturdays of Ember weeks.

Ember Day Prayers[3]

Prayer: Antiphon: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all He hath done for thee.
V. Lord, Thou has been our refuge. R. From generation to generation.

Let us Pray: Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that as year by year we devoutly keep these holy observances, we may be pleasing to Thee both in body and soul. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

In Honor of Christ's Betrayal and Passion

O God, Who for the world's Redemption was pleased to be born, circumcised, rejected by the Jews, betrayed by the kiss of traitor Judas, bound with chains, led like an innocent lamb to sacrifice, and shamefully presented before Annas, Caiphas, Pilate, and Herod, accused by false witnesses, beaten with whips, buffeted, insulted, spat upon, crowned with thorns, smitten with a reed, blindfolded, stripped of Thy garments, fastened with nails to the cross and lifted up on high, reputed among thieves, made to drink gall and vinegar and wounded by a lance; oh, by these most sacred sufferings, which, unworthy as I am, I thus commemorate, and by Thy holy cross and death, deliver me, Lord, from the pains of hell, and deign to lead me where Thou didst lead me where Thou didst lead the penitent thief, who was crucified by Thy side. Who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest, forever and ever. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc. five times.

Prayer for God's Blessing on our Labors

O Lord, graciously look down upon Thy servants and upon the work of their hands, and do Thou, Who givest food to every creature, bless and preserve the fruits of the earth, that the needy may be filled with good things and that all may praise the glory of Thy bounty. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Vocations to the Priesthood

Antiphon. Why stand ye all the day idle, go ye into my vineyard.
V. Ask the Lord of the harvest.
R. That He send laborers into His vineyard.

Let us Pray God, who willest not the death of the sinner, but rather that he be converted and live; grant, by the intercession of blessed Mary ever Virgin and of all saints, laborers for Thy Church, fellow laborers with Christ, to spend and consume themselves for souls. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer Source: Blessed Be God: A Complete Catholic Prayer Book by Charles J. Callan, OP, S.T.M, P. J. Kenedy & Sons, 1961

Preparing for Battle

Know Your Commander and Comrades

Our Commander, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Conqueror of hell and death, calls us to battle alongside Him against the Enemy so that we can have a share in His victory. To fight the good fight, however, we must know not only our adversary and his strategies; we must also know the comrades that our great Commander has given to us. Our comrades in arms are our Lady and the Saints. Just as Eve’s yes to the Enemy’s temptation brought death and the Devil’s domination into the world, so Mary’s yes to God opened the door for the ultimate victory of her Son over Satan.

Whenever the Enemy’s assaults on us seem to multiply, we should call on Mary not just as our Blessed Mother, but as a mighty warrior before whom the demon’s tremble. St. Bonaventure once put it: “Men do not fear a powerful, hostile army as much as the powers of hell fear the name and protection of Mary.”

We also have the aid of St. Michael and the Angels. “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him and delivers them” (Ps 34: 7).

We also have our fellow Christians. We must not focus so much on heavenly warriors that we forget our earthly comrades-in-arms. Our brother and sister soldiers in the battles of this life need our support, and we need theirs. We should be praying daily with them and for them, spiritual soldiers “vigilant in all perseverance and supplication for all” our fellow combatants (Eph 6: 18). We should be offering them encouragement and counsel when we find them weary or confused, tempted by the Devil’s lies, accusations, doubts, enticements, and provocations. Roman soldiers were taught to fight alongside comrades with their backs toward one another. That way, as they battled the enemy, they were protecting one another’s backs. One man’s sword was another man’s shield. If they didn’t fight in this way, they were exposed to mortal danger. The same is true in spiritual warfare. Wherever a fellow soldier is vulnerable to the Enemy’s onslaught, we must make up the difference with the shield of our faith. This is one important reason why Our Lord established the Church. His grace to conquer the Enemy comes to us through her worship, her sacraments, and her teaching.

Bible in a Year Day 238 Fall of Jerusalem

Fr. Mike walks us through the fall of Jerusalem, and the intense lament of Jeremiah as he watches the people of Israel fall into captivity. He also introduces us to the Prophet Daniel, and his incredible gift of discerning dreams and proclaiming God's Word. Today's readings are Jeremiah 20-21, Daniel 1-2, and Proverbs 15:25-28.

Daily Devotions

· Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: Today's Fast: The sanctification of the Church Militant.

· Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus

· Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

· Drops of Christ’s Blood

· Universal Man Plan

[1]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2025-03-12

[2]Goffine’s Devout Instructions

[3]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/prayers/view.cfm?id=1369

[4]Thigpen, Paul. Manual for Spiritual Warfare. TAN Books.

Love Affair (1939)

Starring: Irene Dunne, Charles Boyer, Maria Ouspenskaya, Lee Bowman
Director: Leo McCarey
Studio: RKO
Genre: Romantic Drama
Runtime: ~88 minutes
Release Year: 1939 — the same legendary year as Gone With the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, Stagecoach, and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

Plot Summary

Michel Marnet (Charles Boyer), a charming French painter-turned-playboy, and Terry McKay (Irene Dunne), a witty American singer, meet aboard an ocean liner crossing the Atlantic. Both are engaged to other people, both are trying to behave, and both fail beautifully.

Their flirtation deepens into something unmistakably real. During a stop in Madeira, Michel brings Terry to visit his grandmother (Maria Ouspenskaya), whose warmth, faith, and quiet wisdom reveal Michel’s better nature. Terry sees the man he could be; Michel sees the woman he should love.

They agree:
If they still feel the same in six months, they will meet at the top of the Empire State Building.
A test of love, maturity, and destiny.

But on the appointed day, Terry is struck by a car and left unable to walk. Ashamed to burden Michel, she disappears into a quiet life as a music teacher. Michel, believing she simply didn’t love him enough to come, returns to his old life—wounded, but proud.

Months later, in a Christmas‑season encounter, Michel visits Terry’s apartment. He finally discovers the truth when he sees the painting he donated to charity—now hanging on her wall. The realization breaks him open. The reunion is tender, restrained, and deeply earned.

Cast Highlights

Irene Dunne (Terry McKay)

At her most luminous: warm, intelligent, emotionally transparent.
Dunne’s ability to play humor, heartbreak, and grace in the same breath is unmatched.

Charles Boyer (Michel Marnet)

Sophisticated, continental charm with a surprising moral depth.
Boyer’s transformation from playboy to man of honor is the film’s spine.

Maria Ouspenskaya (Grandmother Janou)

A tiny performance with enormous spiritual weight.
Her scenes in Madeira are the film’s soul—quiet, reverent, almost sacramental.

Lee Bowman (Kenneth Bradley)

Terry’s fiancé: decent, loyal, and painfully aware he’s not the one she loves.

Catholic & Moral Themes

This film is rich with spiritual resonance—Leo McCarey was a devout Catholic, and it shows.

1. Conversion Through Encounter

Michel’s visit to his grandmother is a moment of moral awakening.
Her home is a sanctuary—icons, simplicity, prayerfulness.
Terry sees Michel’s true self; Michel sees the life he’s meant for.

2. The Six‑Month Promise as a Moral Fast

Their agreement is essentially a period of purification:

No impulsiveness
No adultery
No shortcuts
A test of fidelity and maturity

It mirrors the Catholic idea that love must be disciplined, chosen, and proven.

3. Suffering as Hidden Sanctification

Terry’s accident is not melodrama—it’s a crucible.
She refuses to burden Michel, choosing sacrificial love over self‑interest.
Her hidden suffering echoes the Christian theme of redemptive love lived quietly.

4. The Final Scene as Revelation

Michel’s discovery of the painting is almost Eucharistic:

A hidden truth suddenly revealed
A moment of recognition
A reunion grounded in mercy, not pride

It’s a scene about seeing rightly—a deeply biblical theme.

Hospitality Pairing

You love pairings that match the film’s emotional arc and era. Here’s one that fits perfectly.

Cocktail: The French 75

Elegant, sparkling, slightly bittersweet—just like the film.
A 1930s classic with:

Gin
Lemon
Simple syrup
Champagne

It mirrors the shipboard glamour and the Parisian refinement of Michel’s world.

Meal: Madeira Chicken with Roasted Grapes

A nod to the pivotal Madeira sequence:

Warm, comforting, old‑world
Slightly sweet from the grapes
Earthy and tender, like Grandmother Janou’s home

This dish carries the film’s emotional center:
love revealed in a humble, sacred domestic space.

Dessert: Crêpes Suzette

A French dessert with theatrical flair—flambéed tableside in the 1930s.
Perfect for the film’s blend of romance and elegance.

Tuesday, February 23, 2026

As we enter this Lenten season, I invite you to support and share the new Coffee with Christ audiobook, now available on Audible

Candace’s Corner-

· Pray Day 3 of the Novena for our Pope and Bishops

· Tuesday: Litany of St. Michael the Archangel

· Bucket List trip: Kander Steg

· Spirit Hour: Geogian ChaCha

· Try[3]: Pecorino toscano

· Drops of Christ’s Blood

· How to celebrate Feb 24th

o Wake up and kick off your day by channeling your inner influencer with a trading card photoshoot. Gather your favorite trading cards, set up some creative shots, and capture your own unique collection in a fun and imaginative way. Get your artistic side flowing by arranging and displaying them in different patterns or designs.

o Next, dive into the kitchen and whip up a batch of homemade tortilla chips. It’s simple – just cut up some tortillas, season them to your liking, and bake them until crispy. They’re perfect for snacking on throughout the day or for serving with your favorite dips.

o As the afternoon rolls around, why not try your hand at mixing up some delicious cocktails? Check out some bartending tutorials online and experiment with crafting your own signature drink. Invite a friend over (or enjoy solo), and toast to your newfound mixology skills.

o In the evening, cozy up with a classic TV show or movie marathon. Celebrate all things mysterious by watching episodes of Twin Peaks or indulge in a film featuring doppelgängers and otherworldly elements. It’s the perfect way to unwind and embrace the weirdness of the day.

o Round off your festivities by preparing a meal sans coriander for International I Hate Coriander Day. Explore new recipes or adapt some of your favorites to exclude the divisive herb. Share your culinary creations on social media to join the anti-coriander movement.

o Finally, wind down your day by honoring Edward Dickinson Baker Day.

Take a moment to read up on his life and accomplishments, or simply raise a glass in tribute to this historical figure. Reflect on the day’s eclectic celebrations and the joy found in embracing the unexpected.

Candace’s Worldwide Vineyard Tour — Sonoma County

Theme: Clarity, Purification, and the First Steps of Lent

🗓️ LITURGICAL CALENDAR

Tue Feb 24 — Tuesday after Ash Wednesday

Wed Feb 25 — Wednesday after Ash Wednesday

Thu Feb 26 — Thursday after Ash Wednesday

Fri Feb 27 — Friday after Ash Wednesday

Sat Feb 28 — Saturday after Ash Wednesday

Sun Mar 1 — 1st Sunday of Lent

Mon Mar 2 — Monday of the 1st Week of Lent

🌿 OVERVIEW

Sonoma is quieter, earthier, and more contemplative than Napa — the perfect landscape for the first movements of Lent: purification, simplicity, and interior clarity.

🍇 DAILY OUTLINE

TUESDAY • FEB 24

Location: Sonoma Plaza

(sonomavalley.com)
Focus: Beginning the Fast
Act: Walk the historic mission square; choose one Lenten intention to carry for 40 days.
Prompt: What is God inviting me to release?

WEDNESDAY • FEB 25

Location: St. Francis Solano Mission
(missionscalifornia.com) (missionscalifornia.com in Bing)
Focus: Return to simplicity
Act: Light a candle in the mission chapel.
Prompt: Where do I need to return to the basics?

Vineyard: Gundlach Bundschu
(gunbun.com)
Prompt: What needs pruning in my life?

THURSDAY • FEB 26

Location: Benziger Family Winery
(benziger.com)
Focus: Organic purification
Act: Biodynamic tram tour.
Prompt: What part of my interior life needs detox?

FRIDAY • FEB 27

Location: Francis Ford Coppola Winery
(thefamilycoppola.com)
Focus: Story and sacrifice
Act: Walk the memorabilia gallery; reflect on the cost of creating something meaningful.
Prompt: What sacrifice is God asking of me this Lent?

SATURDAY • FEB 28

Location: Jordan Vineyard & Winery

(jordanwinery.com)
Focus: Beauty and discipline
Act: Estate hike + tasting.
Prompt: Where does beauty call me to greater discipline?

SUNDAY • MARCH 1 — FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

Mass: St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, Sonoma
(stleosonoma.org)
Vineyard: Rodney Strong Vineyards
(rodneystrong.com)
Focus: Temptation and strength
Act: Write down your primary Lenten intention for the next 40 days.

MONDAY • MARCH 2

Location: Chateau St. Jean
(chateaustjean.com)
Focus: Beginning the Lenten journey
Act: Quiet tasting in the gardens.
Word to Carry: Resolve.

February 24 Tuesday-St. Matthias the Apostle

Deuteronomy, Chapter 2, Verse 25

This day I will begin to put a FEAR and dread of you into the peoples everywhere under heaven, so that at the mention of your name they will quake and tremble before you.

This verse sounds a bit like in the beginning with Adam and Eve when God puts the fear of man into all creatures. It appears that men that are devoid of any connection with God who are nothing more than mere animals have a deathly fear of God’s own. These worldly creatures may see God’s people as clinging to their guns and their Bibles but in truth they have a fear of God’s people. Often this fear is expressed in stubbornness in mind, obstructionism and obstinacy in heart.

Copilot’s Take — Confronting Evil

Evil always trembles before a man who walks with God, but it rarely admits that openly. Instead, it hides behind the same masks you named—stubbornness, obstruction, and a kind of animal defensiveness that lashes out because it cannot comprehend holiness. When God places His fear upon a people, it is not to make His servants intimidating; it is to expose the spiritual poverty of those who have built their lives on sand. The world calls God’s men “dangerous,” “extreme,” or “backwards,” not because they are any of those things, but because evil cannot stand the presence of someone who refuses to bow to its illusions.

Confronting evil today begins with recognizing this dynamic. The resistance you meet is not always personal—it is often the recoil of a heart that senses judgment simply by being near someone who lives in the light. Evil’s first strategy is always the same: make the faithful doubt themselves. Make them question their mission. Make them shrink. But the moment a man understands that the world’s trembling is not a sign of his failure but of God’s presence, he stops negotiating with darkness. He stands firm, speaks plainly, and moves forward without apology.

The people of God do not conquer by intimidation; they conquer by fidelity. And fidelity is the one thing evil cannot imitate, counterfeit, or withstand. When a man refuses to be moved by the world’s fear of him, he becomes the kind of man through whom God can move mountains.

Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle

The feast of Saint Matthias^{^[1]}was included in the Roman Calendar in the 11th century and celebrated on the sixth day to the Calends of March (24 February usually, but 25 February in leap years). In the revision of the General Roman Calendar in 1969, his feast was transferred to 14 May, so as not to celebrate it in Lent but instead in Eastertide close to the Solemnity of the Ascension, the event after which the Acts of the Apostles recounts that Matthias was selected to be ranked with the Twelve Apostles.

OF[2] this apostle nothing certain is known beyond what is contained in the epistle. In the Introit of the Mass the Church sings: “To me Thy friends, O God, are made exceedingly honorable; their principality is exceedingly strengthened. Lord, Thou hast proved me and known me; Thou hast known my sitting down and my rising up.”

Prayer. O God, Who didst associate blessed Matthias to the company of the apostles, grant, we beseech Thee, that, by his intercession, we may ever experience Thy tender mercy towards us.

Prayer to St. Matthias.

O St. Matthias, glorious apostle and martyr of Jesus Christ, who, by the special providence of God, wast added to the eleven apostles in the room of the traitor, I humbly beseech thee to obtain for us the grace of Him Who chose thee from all eternity, that, assisted thereby, we may, after thy example, keep the commandments of God, practice good works, and thus merit to be numbered with the elect. Amen.

Mass of St. Matthias the Apostle

OF this apostle nothing certain is known beyond what is contained in the epistle.

In the Introit of the Mass the Church sings: " To me Thy friends, O God, are made exceedingly honorable; their principality is exceedingly strengthened. Lord, Thou hast proved me and known me; Thou hast known my sitting down and my rising up.”

Prayer.

O God, Who didst associate blessed Matthias to the company of the apostles, grant, we beseech Thee, that, by his intercession, we may ever experience Thy tender mercy towards us. Amen.

EPISTLE. Acts i. 15-26.

In those days Peter rising up in the midst of the brethren said (now the number of persons together was about an hundred and twenty) : Men, brethren, the Scripture must needs be fulfilled which the Holy Ghost spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was the leader of them that ap prehended Jesus: who was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. And he indeed hath possessed a field of the reward of iniquity, and being hanged burst asunder in the midst: and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem: so that the same therein. field was called in their tongue, Haceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. For it is written in the book of Psalms: Let their habitation become desolate, and let there be none to dwell And his bishopric let another take. Wherefore of these men who have companied with us, all the time that the Lord Jesus came in and went out among us, beginning from the rection. baptism of John until the day wherein He was taken up from us, one of these must be made a witness with us of His resurrection. And they appointed two, Joseph, called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And praying, they said: Thou, Lord, Who knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two Thou hast chosen to take the place of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas hath by transgression fallen, that he might go to his own place. And they gave them lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

GOSPEL. Matt. xi. 25-30.

At that time Jesus answered and said: I confess to Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to little ones. sight. Yea, Father: for so hath it seemed good in Thy All things are delivered to Me by My Father. And no one knoweth the Son, but the Father: neither doth anyone know the Father, but the Son, and he to whom it shall please the Son to reveal Him. Come to Me, all you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you. Take up My yoke upon you, and learn of Me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: and you shall find rest to your souls. For My yoke is sweet and My burden light. foolishness. The wise and prudent referred to in this gospel are the proud scribes and Pharisees, who, in their imaginary wisdom, would not receive the incarnate and suffering Son of God, but despised and rejected Him; in general, they represent also all who in their pride would measure everything by their own understanding, and to whom, consequently, the mysteries of faith seem The little ones are the apostles, who, although taken from a low condition of life, without a learned education, but rather ignorant, were enlightened by God to know the deepest mysteries, because they had docile and humble hearts, desirous of salvation. Thus God gives grace to the humble, while the proud go away empty. To those who bear His yoke, and follow Him, Christ promises peace of mind, temporal and eternal happiness; and, indeed, we must confess that as often as we are disquieted and discontented the cause of it is our selfishness and want of submission to the will of God, our pride and vanity. Learn, then, to love to be meek and humble, if you would enjoy peace, here or here after.

Prayer to St. Matthias.

O St. Matthias, glorious apostle and martyr of Jesus Christ, who, by the special providence of God, wast added to the eleven apostles in the room of the traitor, I humbly beseech thee to obtain for us the grace of Him Who chose thee from all eternity, that, assisted thereby, we may, after thy ex ample, keep the commandments of God, practice good works, and thus merit to be numbered with the elect. Amen

Lenten Calendar

Read: Lent is a time many often rededicate themselves to prayer. Check out these 9 ways to pray. . . from USCCB’s We Are Salt and Light for ideas on how to expand your prayer life this season.

Pray: Try one of the 9 ways to pray from the article that you have never tried before.

Act: If you found you liked one of the 9 ways to pray from above to be helpful to you, share your experience with a loved one.

Preparing for Battle[1]

Know Your Battle

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. EPHESIANS 6: 10– 13

The ordinary activity of demons is subtle and occurs within our thought life. They plant ideas within our minds seeking to influence our reason, memory, and imagination— and ultimately, our will. They use various methods to tempt us.

First, the demons tempt through deception. (The Devil is the father of lies)
Second, demons tempt through accusation.
Third, the Devil tempts us through doubt as he seeks to diminish our faith. (Don’t hesitate in faith)
Fourth, demons tempt us through enticement. (Don’t take the bait)
Finally, demons can tempt us through provocation. (Don’t give into vexations)

We should always remember that not all temptations come directly from Satan and his minions. Many of them arise simply from our own weakness and the habits of sin we have developed.

Leadership and fasting[2]

The practice of fasting that pleases God and goes further than going without food. God does not delight in our denying ourselves but in us turning eyes from ourselves to others and begin to loosen the chains that bind others. God is calling us to live from His values and ethics not ours. Fasting is good in that it redirects our focus and helps us to bring the body back under the control of the mind and spirit, but we must not fast while continuing to harbor destructive thoughts, assumptions and attitudes. Consider what God expects from the “Fasted life.”

1. Liberate the oppressed.

2. Share with the needy

3. Shelter the homeless

4. Clothe the naked

5. Stop judging and accusing others

Confession[3]

In the beginning God asks Adam, where are you?

Adam had sinned and so he hid from God. After Cain killed Able God asked him,

“Where is your brother? …

Yet again according to catholic tradition Saint Peter was fleeing from crucifixion in Rome at the hands of the government, and along the road outside the city he meets the risen Jesus and this time it is Peter who asks the question in Latin

"Quo vadis?" “Where are you going?”

to which Jesus replies, "Romam eo iterum crucifigi" ("I am going to Rome to be crucified again"). Peter thereby gains the courage to continue his ministry and returns to the city, to eventually be martyred by being crucified upside-down. Confession is our own turning like Peter around to walk with our Lord: to carry our cross with Him and to suffer with Him if need be. Confession is something you do with your mouth and with your mind, heart and actions. Confession should always be individual, spoken and specific. It is customary for devout Catholics to go to confession frequently and the saints have recommended that we go at least once a month. Yet in recent years some parishes have seen a decline in the number of confessions. It is not that we are having a decline in sin; it is because our hearts have become worldly. Will we have the hearts to see our Lord as He passes us by and even say to Him “Quo Vadis”: have we become so worldly that we have lost a sense of sin? Has our no-fault culture convinced us to keep walking in the opposite direction of our Lord thinking “I’m OK, you’re OK, no matter what choices we have made? Yes, God loves us just the way we are, but he loves us too much to keep us fat, dumb and happy. We need to experience his forgiveness so that we can heal and grow. “It is better to confess one’s sins than to harden one’s heart.” (Pope St. Clement I)

1. Build fraternity with other Catholic men. Catholic friendship among men has a dramatic impact on their faith lives. Men who have bonds of brotherhood with other Catholic men pray more, go to Mass and Confession more frequently, read the Scriptures more often, and are more active in the Faith. Proverbs tells us: “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (27:17). I call on each of our priests and deacons to draw men together in their parishes and to begin to rebuild a vibrant and transforming Catholic fraternity. I call on laymen to form small fellowship groups for mutual support and growth in the faith. There is no friendship like having a friend in Christ.

Aids in Battle[4] The Word of God useful for our warfare with evil

These biblical passages provide aids in warfare for those who will ponder and act upon the truths they teach us. Recite them as battle cries in the heat of the conflict. Call on Jesus Christ, our Champion when the battle is fierce, turn your eyes to our victorious commander and place your confidence in Him.

· To this end the Son of God appeared that He might destroy the works of the Devil. 1 Jn 3: 8

· Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

· That at the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven, on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.

· Disarming the Principalities and Powers, He displayed them openly, leading them away in triumph by force of [the Cross]. Col 2: 15

· Now has come the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God.

Preparing for Battle^{^[5]} Know Your Weapons

The weapon of Eucharistic adoration

Outside of Mass, the other great refuge from the Devil and his wiles is prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. St. John Bosco used to tell the boys who were under his care:

· Listen: There are two things the Devil is deathly afraid of: fervent Communions and frequent visits to the Blessed Sacrament.

· Do you want Our Lord to grant you many graces? Visit him often.

· Do you want Him to grant you only a few? Visit Him only seldom.

· Do you want the Devil to attack you? Rarely visit the Blessed Sacrament.

· Do you want the Devil to flee from you? Visit Jesus often.

· Do you want to overcome the Devil? Take refuge at Jesus’ feet.

· Do you want to be overcome by the Devil? Give up visiting Jesus.

· Visiting the Blessed Sacrament is essential, my dear boys, if you want to overcome the Devil. Therefore, make frequent visits to Jesus. If you do that, the Devil will never prevail against you.

Confession and Holy Communion^{^[6]}

One of the Precepts of the Church is to receive the sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion at least once a year, during Lent or Paschaltide. Catholics once dedicated the three days prior to Lent as a special time to go to confession. Shrovetide arose from the desire to prepare for the holy asceticism of the Great Fast. Once Lent begins, however, confession should still be sought out: since Lent is a time for frequent and frank examinations of conscience, confession is a sacrament that should be liberally taken advantage of during this time.

Guardian Angels[7]

Our lives always are better if we work with God rather than against him. To this end God has assigned an angel to protect churches and persons for indeed we are the true temples of God. We should be particularly attentive to our own guardian angels, since they are specifically assigned to our care. Our guardian angels want to help us cooperate with the will of God, and they want to keep us from sin. They help us to comfort others-and they want to keep us safe and from causing harm to others. They are our best friend in that they always want what’s best for us even if it does not coincide with the things, we desire the most and they will undoubtedly help us, especially when we ask them. Learn to ask for what you need. Our angel helps us to answer Gods call for holiness. As we are the sanctuary of the Holy Spirit our angel is charged with protecting our temples and keeping us pure for the presence of God. We must learn to speak to the angels.

No evil shall befall you, no affliction come near your tent for he commands his angels with regard to you, to guard you wherever you go. With their hands they shall support you, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You can tread upon the asp and the viper, trample the lion and the dragon. (Ps.91:10-13)

Ember Days[8]

One question that comes up repeatedly is why are the Ember Days only Wednesday, Friday and Saturday?

Is there any rhyme or reason to these days?

In the days of the early church, Mass was originally only on Sundays. Gradually other days were added, the development can be seen in connection with the Roman Station Churches, as I wrote about last year in Roman Pilgrimage: Station Churches. The Ember Days fall on the days that had assigned stational churches, originally Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Station churches for Thursdays were a much later addition and are not included in the Ember Days.

Unique Character of the Spring or Lent Ember Days

The Lent Ember Days fall on the Wednesday, Friday and Saturday during the first week of Lent. There are four major intentions of the Quarterly Ember Days, but each set of days has a different flavor according to the corresponding liturgical season.

The Lent Ember Days were the last ones added to the liturgical calendar, and they have a slightly different character than the other three. Since the Lenten season already had fasting and abstinence, observing Ember Days in Lent only added a little extra in penance to the already formerly strict laws of Lent.

The focus of the Lenten Ember Days:

1. Consecration of the New Season. The other Ember Days marked thanksgiving for different harvests, but the Lent Ember Days did not. Instead, this was a time of consecrating the new spring to God and asking blessing on the upcoming growing season. This was also a time of thanksgiving for the gift of light. Instead of harvest offerings on Ember Wednesday, flowers were usually presented and blessed. The symbol of the Lenten Ember Days is the Paschal and baptismal candles. (I have not found any evidence, but I conjecture that perhaps the wax harvest from the honeybee might have been featured during these Lenten Ember Days? It would seem to be a logical connection.)

2. Days of Spiritual Renewal. Holy Mother Church provides us so many opportunities to redirect, refresh and renew. The Lenten Ember Days blends with the season of Lent, providing reminders to continue and persevere in the spirit of conversion and penance.

3. Praying for Priests. The Church no longer regularly ordains priests during the Quarterly Ember Days, but this is a special time, particularly Ember Saturday, to pray for priests and for seminarians, particularly the ones who are about to be ordained within the year.

4. Reflecting the Spirit of the Season. Each set of Ember Days reflect the season of the Liturgical Year in which they occur. The Lenten season focuses on our conversion of our hearts, and also a focus on the supernatural life we receive at baptism, whether it be as a catechumen or a renewal of baptismal promises.

[1]Thigpen, Paul. Manual for Spiritual Warfare. TAN Books.

[2] Maxwell, John. The Maxwell Leadership Bible.

[3] Hahn, Scott, Signs of Life; 40 Catholic Customs and their biblical roots. Chap. 28. Confession.

[4]Thigpen, Paul. Manual for Spiritual Warfare. TAN Books.

[5]Thigpen, Paul. Manual for Spiritual Warfare. TAN Books.

[6] http://www.holytrinitygerman.org/septlentcustoms.html

[7] Hahn, Scott, Signs of Life; 40 Catholic Customs and their biblical roots. Chap. 5. Guardian Angels

[8]https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/lenten-ember-days/

Bible in a Year Day 237 Water from the Temple

Fr. Mike guides us through the last two chapters of Ezekiel, explaining the biblical significance of the water flowing from the right side of the temple, and how it foreshadows Christ's passion. He also emphasizes the imagery of the clay and the potter in Jeremiah, signifying how our lives are meant to be open for God to mold and shape, according to his will. Today's readings are Jeremiah 18-19, Ezekiel 47-48, and Proverbs 15:21-24.

Litany of Trust — Tuesday, February 24

Petition: From the fear that I am invisible… deliver me, Jesus.

One of evil’s most subtle tactics is to whisper that our presence does not matter—that our efforts disappear, our sacrifices go unnoticed, and our voice carries no weight. This lie isolates the heart and tempts us to believe that even God has overlooked us. But the truth is older and stronger: the Lord sees what others miss, remembers what others forget, and honors what others dismiss.

Hagar learned this in the wilderness when despair convinced her she was unseen. Yet there, in the place she least expected, she encountered the God who calls Himself the One who sees me. The lie of invisibility was confronted by the truth of divine attention.

St. Joseph lived this same mystery. His life unfolded in silence and hiddenness, without applause or recognition, yet God entrusted him with the protection of the Holy Family. Evil cannot manipulate a heart that serves without needing to be seen; hidden holiness is its own defiance.

Jesus, let the lie that invisibility means insignificance be confronted by Your truth. Heal the wounds left by neglect, silence, or dismissal. Teach us to trust that You see every act of fidelity, every hidden offering, every quiet obedience. Let us live with the confidence of those who know they are held in Your gaze—fully known, fully loved, never forgotten.

Jesus, I trust in You.

Daily Devotions

· Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: Today's Fast: An end to the use of contraceptives.

· Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus

· Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

· Drops of Christ’s Blood

· Universal Man Plan

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Matthias

[2] Goffine’s Devout Instructions, 1896

[3] Sheraton, Mimi. 1,000 Foods To Eat Before You Die: A Food Lover's Life List (p. 800). Workman Publishing Company. Kindle Edition.

Algiers (1938)

Starring: Charles Boyer, Hedy Lamarr, Sigrid Gurie, Joseph Calleia, Alan Hale
Director: John Cromwell
Studio: United Artists
Genre: Crime, Romance, Melodrama
Runtime: 95 minutes
Source Material: Adapted from the 1937 French film Pépé le Moko

Plot Summary

Pépé le Moko (Charles Boyer) is a notorious jewel thief hiding in the Casbah of Algiers, a maze of alleys and rooftops where French police cannot reach him. He is protected by the locals, adored by his gang, and trapped by his own legend.

Into this world walks Gaby (Hedy Lamarr), a Parisian socialite whose elegance and loneliness awaken in Pépé a longing for the life he left behind. Their attraction is immediate, dangerous, and impossible.

Inspector Slimane (Joseph Calleia), patient and cunning, understands Pépé’s heart better than Pépé does. He knows that the thief’s desire for beauty, freedom, and the memory of Paris will be his undoing.

The film builds toward a tragic inevitability: Pépé’s attempt to escape the Casbah for love leads him into Slimane’s trap, and ultimately to a heartbreak that has become one of cinema’s iconic finales.

Cast Highlights

Charles Boyer delivers one of his defining performances — suave, melancholy, and fatalistic.
Hedy Lamarr, in her American debut, is luminous; her quiet presence reshaped Hollywood’s idea of exotic beauty.
Joseph Calleia gives a masterclass in understated villainy — or perhaps moral clarity.
Alan Hale adds warmth and humor as the affable American tourist.

Catholic & Moral Themes

1. The Illusion of Freedom

Pépé believes he is free in the Casbah, but he is imprisoned by his own reputation.
A classic meditation on how sin promises liberty but delivers confinement.

2. The Ache for Home

Gaby represents Paris — civilization, beauty, memory, and the life Pépé forfeited.
This longing mirrors the human heart’s desire for the Father’s house.

3. The Cunning of Evil vs. the Patience of Grace

Slimane is not a caricatured villain; he is patient, observant, and almost pastoral in his understanding of Pépé’s weaknesses.
It’s a reminder that the enemy rarely attacks head‑on; he waits for the moment when desire blinds judgment.

4. Tragic Love and the Cost of Desire

Pépé’s love for Gaby is real but disordered — rooted in nostalgia, not virtue.
It becomes a meditation on how even good desires, when misaligned, can lead to ruin.

5. The Final Scene: A Cry of the Heart

Without spoiling it explicitly, the ending is a raw portrayal of despair when hope is placed in the wrong kingdom.
A powerful contrast to Christian hope, which never ends in the street outside the ship but in resurrection.