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Monday Night at the Movies
The Bells of St. Mary's
The
Bells of St. Mary’s (1945)
tells the story of Father O’Malley and Sister Benedict working
together—sometimes clashing, sometimes harmonizing—to save a struggling
Catholic school. The film offers Catholic lessons on faith, perseverance,
charity, and the power of community love.
🎬 Movie Summary
Setting: An
inner-city Catholic parish school, St. Mary’s, run by nuns under Sister Mary
Benedict.
Main
Characters:
Father Charles “Chuck” O’Malley (Bing Crosby), a
progressive priest.
Sister Mary Benedict (Ingrid Bergman), a devoted and
traditional nun.
Conflict: The
school building is deteriorating and faces condemnation. Sister Benedict hopes
a wealthy businessman, Horace Bogardus, will donate his new building next door
to the parish. Father O’Malley is more pragmatic, considering closure.
Subplots:
Mary Gallagher, a struggling mother, enrolls her
daughter Patsy, who battles academic failure and shame.
Sister Benedict falls ill with tuberculosis and must
be transferred, though she is not told the full truth to preserve her spirit.
Bogardus, initially selfish, is moved to acts of
charity and ultimately donates his building to the school.
Resolution: Despite hardships, the school is saved, Patsy finds hope, and Sister Benedict departs with faith intact.
✝️ Catholic Lessons
Drawing
from Catholic spirituality and biblical principles, the film conveys several
enduring lessons:
Faith
and Providence:
Sister Benedict’s unwavering trust in God reflects Matthew 17:20—faith as small
as a mustard seed can move mountains. Her belief that God will provide teaches
reliance on divine providence.
Perseverance
in Mission:
The sisters’ determination to keep the school alive embodies Catholic teaching
on vocation—remaining steadfast in service despite obstacles.
Charity
and Conversion:
Bogardus’ transformation from selfishness to generosity illustrates the
Catholic call to conversion and the healing power of good works (cf. James
2:17).
Community
and Love:
The collaboration between Father O’Malley and Sister Benedict, despite
differences, shows how love and respect build unity. This echoes 1 Peter 4:8:
“Above all, love each other deeply”.
Education
as Formation:
The insistence on academic integrity (Patsy failing honestly rather than being
passed) highlights Catholic values of truth, discipline, and moral character in
education.
Suffering
and Redemptive Hope:
Sister Benedict’s illness and quiet acceptance reflect Catholic teaching on
redemptive suffering—bearing trials with faith and offering them to God.
🌟 Why It Endures
The
Bells of St. Mary’s remains
beloved because it blends warm humor, human struggle, and spiritual depth.
It portrays Catholic life not as rigid rules but as a living faith—where
perseverance, charity, and love transform both individuals and communities.
Copilot-In The
Bells of St. Mary’s, Father O’Malley and Sister Benedict embody the
Catholic conviction that faith, charity, and perseverance can redeem even the
hardest situations. The school is saved not by force, but by
conversion—Bogardus, the businessman, is moved to generosity, and a struggling
child finds hope through honest discipline. The film’s lesson is clear: God’s
providence works through human cooperation, and redemption is possible when
hearts are softened.
Yet,
as Bill O’Reilly points out in his Sunday reflection, Catholic preaching today
often emphasizes encouragement over warning. The Gospel itself reminds us that
many may choose paths that lead to damnation, though modern homilies rarely
dwell on Gehenna. O’Reilly contrasts this gentleness with the Puritan
fire-and-brimstone tradition, noting that while threats of hell once dominated
sermons, today’s Church leans toward mercy and invitation.
Still, the tension remains: if evil goes unpunished, if miscreants never repent—as O’Reilly highlights in his book Confronting Evil—then justice itself seems hollow. Catholic teaching insists that mercy and judgment are inseparable. The warmth of The Bells of St. Mary’s shows the Church at its most pastoral, but O’Reilly’s meditation reminds us that without the reality of final judgment, the story of salvation loses its moral weight.
Bill O'Reilly-At Mass on Sunday, the Gospel posited that a significant amount of people will go to hell, so they might want to wise up before it’s too late. Interestingly, a Gallup survey says about 60 percent of Americans believe in damnation, Evangelicals leading the league.
The priest sermonized about the prospect of Gehenna, but gently. These days, the Catholic Church rarely pounds home theological negativity, preferring to encourage good behavior from the pulpit.
It’s tough enough to get folks in the pews. Telling them a fire pit may await doesn’t make it easier.
The hell thing, of course, has been around since human beings harnessed fire to cook food and keep warm. Back at the first Thanksgiving time, the Puritan sermonizers spent hours threatening their flock with eternal suffering if their knee socks were too low. Plymouth was a tough place.
In the modern world, miscreants are running wild seemingly without restraint. None of the 15 horrendous human beings profiled in my book “Confronting Evil” repented. Not one.
To me, it just doesn’t stack up that a person can consistently harm others with no final judgment or consequence. I hope that is not the case.
Because if it is, we are all living in a meaningless world without true justice. And that would be a hell of a thing.
See
you this evening for the No Spin News.
Christopher’s Corner
· Eat waffles and Pray for the assistance of the Angels
· Monday: Litany of Humility
o National Donair Day calls for a hearty meal that satisfies your cravings. You can try making your own at home or support a local eatery that serves this tasty treat.
o Plant a tree, start a compost bin, or simply take a walk in nature and soak in the greenery around you.
o National Lard Day might seem a bit unconventional, but you can still join in on the fun by trying out a recipe that incorporates this ingredient. Whether it’s frying up some crispy treats or adding a dollop to your baking, embrace the day’s theme in your culinary adventures.
§ Lard or Tallow?
o Up next is National Health Savings Account Day. Take a moment to review your health finances and see if there are ways to save or optimize your healthcare spending. It may not sound glamorous, but a little financial check-up can go a long way in the long run.
o Lastly, embrace the beauty of Immaculate Conception by taking a moment to appreciate the wonders of life and the world around you. Reflect on the day’s journey through time, delicious treats, gratitude for hard work, environmental consciousness, culinary experiments, financial health, and soothing sounds. It’s been a day filled with odd and unexpected celebrations, but isn’t that what makes life interesting?
🕯️ Bucket List Trip [3] – Part 7: USA 70-Degree Year Journey
Dates: December 8–14, 2025
Theme: Pilgrimage by the Sea
Route: San Diego → La Jolla → Mission San Luis Rey → Balboa Park → Coronado
Style: Coastal pilgrimage, Advent reflection, Eucharistic hospitality
Climate Alignment: Daily highs 68–72°F
💰 Estimated Cost Overview
Category | Estimated Cost |
Lodging (6 nights) | $600 (mid-range hotel or retreat house) OR ~$420 (military lodging) |
Food (daily meals) | $210 |
Fuel/Transit | $80 (local drives, trolley passes) |
Symbolic extras | $75 |
Total Estimate | $965 (civilian) / $785 (military) |
🛏️ Lodging Options
Civilian: Hotel del Coronado (optional splurge), mid-range hotels near Balboa Park or La Jolla.
Military:
Navy Gateway Inns & Suites – Naval Base San Diego
Navy Lodge North Island (Coronado)
🌠 Day 1 – Monday, December 8 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception)
Location: Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá / Immaculate Conception Parish (Old Town) / The Immaculata Catholic Church (USD)
Symbol: Marian Tide
Ritual Prompt: “Mary’s light flows like the sea—pure, patient, prepared.”
Attend Mass for the Immaculate Conception
Reflect on coastal waters as symbols of purity
🥗 Foodie Stop: Casa Guadalajara (~$25)
🏞️ Day 2 – Tuesday, December 9
Location: La Jolla Cove
Symbol: Shore of Wonder
Ritual Prompt: “Wonder is the tide that draws us outward.”
🍲 Foodie Stop: Oscar’s Mexican Seafood (~$20)
🕊️ Day 3 – Wednesday, December 10
Location: Mission San Luis Rey, Oceanside
Symbol: Pilgrim’s Rest
Ritual Prompt: “Rest is holy—it renews the pilgrim’s strength.”
Visit the “King of the Missions”
Quiet prayer in the historic chapel
🥘 Foodie Stop: Local Tap House Oceanside (~$25)
🏛️ Day 4 – Thursday, December 11
Location: Balboa Park
Symbol: Garden of Cultures
Ritual Prompt: “Culture is a garden—diverse, rooted, radiant.”
Explore museums and gardens (San Diego Museum of Art, Botanical Building)
🍷 Foodie Stop: Café Sevilla (~$30)
🌌 Day 5 – Friday, December 12 (Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe)
Location: Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, San Diego
Symbol: Guadalupe’s Mantle
Ritual Prompt: “Mary’s mantle shelters the pilgrim people.”
Attend Guadalupe Mass and procession
Offer roses at Marian shrine
🧺 Foodie Stop: Las Cuatro Milpas (~$20)
🌲 Day 6 – Saturday, December 13
Location: Coronado Island
Symbol: Bridge of Light
Ritual Prompt: “Light crosses—uniting shores, uniting hearts.”
Walk Coronado Bridge or beach
Optional stay at Hotel del Coronado OR Navy Lodge North Island (~$200 civilian / ~$70 military)
🍽️ Foodie Stop: Peohe’s Coronado (~$40)
🎶 Day 7 – Sunday, December 14 (Gaudete Sunday)
Location: St. Joseph Cathedral, Downtown San Diego / Our Lady of the Rosary (Little Italy) / St. Anne Catholic Church / St. Catherine Laboure Catholic Church
Symbol: Candle of Joy
Ritual Prompt: “Joy is the Advent flame—bright, breaking, bold.”
Attend Gaudete Sunday Mass at Cathedral or parish of choice
Light the rose candle at liturgy
Write blog post: “Gaudete by the Sea”
🍷 Foodie Stop: Bernardo Winery Brunch (~$30)
🍽️ Christopher’s Corner – One Table, Seven Courses
1. Waffles & Angels (Appetizer)
Make a small batch of Belgian waffles.
Serve with honey or fruit.
Pray for angelic assistance as you begin.
2. Litany of Humility (Soup)
Prepare a simple lentil soup or broth.
Pray the Litany of Humility while it simmers.
Symbol: warmth and grounding.
3. Drops of Christ’s Blood (Fish + Wine)
Cook a light fish dish (salmon or cod) with a red wine reduction sauce.
Symbol: Christ’s sacrifice paired with the sea’s offering.
4. Donair Day (Entrée)
Make a Halifax donair with pita, spiced beef, and sweet garlic sauce.
Symbol: hearty strength, communal hospitality.
5. Lard or Tallow (Salad/Side)
Bake lard biscuits or fry potatoes in tallow.
Symbol: humble provision, earthy tradition.
6. Healthy Dessert (Stewardship)
Prepare a fruit parfait with yogurt and granola.
Symbol: prudence and care for the body.
7. Immaculate Conception (Digestif/Closing)
End with a toast: wine,
cider, or sparkling juice.
Attend or stream Mass if possible.
Symbol: purity, preparation, and Marian devotion.
DECEMBER 8 Monday-Immaculate Conception (Solemnity)
Acts,
Chapter 11, Verse 23-24
When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he
rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain FAITHFUL
to the Lord in firmness of heart, for he was a good man,
filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.
And a large number of people was added to the Lord.
The church grows
because of the grace of God established a principle that Christ accepts all
whether gentile or Jew as long as they remain faithful to the beatitudes and
the teachings of the church with a firmness of heart. Antioch and Syria were
the seedbed of the saints and martyrs in this time as it is now. Be firm.
Copilot’s Take
On December 8, the
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the Church celebrates Mary as the pure
vessel of grace, conceived without sin, who’s unwavering “yes” to God became
the foundation of salvation history. Acts 11:23–24 reminds us that the Church
grows not by human effort alone but by the grace of God, and Barnabas, filled
with the Holy Spirit, rejoices to see this grace alive in Antioch, urging the
faithful to remain firm in heart. Mary embodies this same firmness—her fidelity
to God’s call is total, her heart steadfast, her life a witness to the
universality of Christ’s embrace of Jew and Gentile alike. Just as Antioch
became a seedbed of saints and martyrs, Mary’s immaculate beginning became the
root of holiness for all generations. The message of this day is clear: rejoice
in grace, remain faithful, and be firm in heart, following Mary’s example and
Barnabas’s encouragement, so that the Church may continue to grow in holiness
and unity.
Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed
Virgin Mary
DECEMBER 8. ON this and the
following eight days the Church celebrates, with particular solemnity, the
immaculate conception of the ever-blessed Virgin Mary, who, from all eternity,
was chosen to be the daughter of the heavenly Father, the spouse of the Holy
Ghost, the Mother of the divine Redeemer, and, by consequence, the queen of
angels and of men. The consideration of these prerogatives convinced the most
enlightened fathers and teachers of the Catholic Church that she was conceived
immaculate, that is, without original sin. It is very remarkable that among the
shining hosts of saints who have, in every century, adorned the Church no one
wrote against this belief, while we find it confirmed by the decisions of the
holy fathers from the earliest times. Pope Pius IX., forced, as it were, by the
faith and devotion of the faithful throughout the world, finally, on December
8, 1854, sanctioned, as a dogma of faith falling within the infallible rule of
Catholic traditions, this admirable prerogative of the Blessed Virgin. It is,
therefore, now no longer, as formerly, a pious belief, but an article of the
faith, that Mary, like the purest morning light which precedes the rising of
the most brilliant sun, was, from the first instant of her conception, free
from original sin.
In the Introit of the
Mass the Church sings: "Hail, holy parent, who as a happy mother brought
forth the King Who rules heaven and earth from eternity to eternity."
" My heart hath uttered a good word, I speak my works to the King."
Prayer.
We beseech Thee, O Lord, to bestow on Thy servants the gift of heavenly
grace, that, for those to whom the Blessed Virgin's maternity was the beginning
of salvation, the votive solemnity of her immaculate conception may procure
increase of peace. Amen.
EPISTLE. Prov. viii. 22-35.
The Lord possessed Me in the
beginning of His ways, before lie made anything from the beginning. I was set
up from eternity, and old before the earth was made. The depths were not as
yet, and I was already conceived, neither had the fountains of waters as yet
sprung out: the mountains with their huge bulk had not as yet been established:
before the hills I was brought forth: He had not yet made the earth, nor the
rivers, nor the poles of the world. When He prepared the heavens, I was present:
when with a certain law and compass He enclosed the depths: when He established
the sky above, and poised the fountains of waters: when He compassed the sea
with its bounds, and set a law to the waters that they should not pass their
limits: when He balanced the foundations of the earth, I was with Him forming
all things; and was delighted every day, playing before Him at all times;
playing in the world, and My delights were to be with the children of men. Now,
therefore, ye children, hear Me: Blessed are they that keep My ways. Hear
instruction and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth Me,
and that watcheth daily at My gates, and waiteth at the posts of My doors. He
that shall find Me shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord.
Explanation.
This lesson is, in the literal
sense, a eulogy on the divine and uncreated wisdom, which before all things was
in God; through which all things were made, disposed, and preserved; which
rejoices in its works, and calls upon all its creatures, especially on men, to
render to it love and obedience. Most of what is here said is also to be
applied to Mary, of whom it may with truth be said that, as the holiest and
most admirable of all creatures, she occupies the first place in the heart of
God. Therefore the Church also refers to her those words of the wise man:
" I came out of the mouth of the Most High, the first born of all
creatures."
GOSPEL. Luke i. 26-28.
And in the sixth month the angel
Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin
espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David, and the
virgin's name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full
of grace: the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
33 days to
Christmas-Start the 33 days to Eucharistic Glory[1]
Want to start a small
group? Download our 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory Study Guide
Day 17
On this 17th day, to have a mind filled
with victory through humble obedience to your will.
Copilot:
To
cultivate a mind filled with victory through humble obedience to God's will,
consider these spiritual practices and reflections:
Daily Spiritual Practices
- Prayer for Guidance: Start your day with
a prayer asking God for the wisdom to understand His will and the humility
to follow it. Prayers like the Prayer of Surrender or St. Ignatius' Prayer
for Generosity can be particularly powerful.
- Meditation on Scriptures: Reflect on
passages that emphasize victory through obedience and humility. For
example, Philippians 2:5-11 describes Christ's humility and obedience,
leading to ultimate victory.
Strengthening Obedience and Humility
- Sacraments: Regular participation in the
sacraments, especially the Eucharist, provides grace and strength to
follow God's will.
- Spiritual Reflection: Spend time
reflecting on areas in your life where you can grow in humility and
obedience. Consider keeping a journal to document your thoughts and
progress.
Reflecting on Victory through Obedience
- Acts of Service: Engage in acts of
service and kindness, seeing them as opportunities to practice humility
and obey God's call to love others.
- Gratitude Practices: Cultivate a mindset
of gratitude by acknowledging the victories and blessings in your life,
both big and small, that come from following God's will.
Example Prayer for Humble Obedience
Here’s a
prayer to help you seek victory through humble obedience:
Heavenly Father, Grant me the grace
to humbly obey Your will in all things. Fill my mind with the wisdom to
understand Your guidance, And the strength to follow it with a humble heart.
May Your will be done in my life, Leading me to victory through faith and trust
in You. Amen.
Catechism of the Catholic Church
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
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
December
5 Abraham: Gen. 12:1-3 Symbols: torch, sword, mountain
December
6 Isaac: Gen. 22:1-14 Symbols: bundle of wood, altar, ram in bush
December
7 Jacob: Gen. 25:1-34; 28:10-15 Symbols: kettle, ladder
December 8 Joseph: Gen. 37:23-28; 45:3-15 Symbols:
bucket, well, silver coins, tunic
Daily Devotions
·
Today's Fast: Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Today's Fast: Protection
of Traditional Marriages.
·
Today is Lost and found day
pray for the lost that they may be found.
·
Religion
in the home: Preschool for December
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Make
reparations to the Holy Face
·
Rosary
