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Tuesday, August 5, 2025

    Candace’s Corner ·           10 coolest summer getaways in Arizona: Mountains, lakes and a chilly cave trek ·           Bucket List: Vin...

Saint's Michael's Lent Day 40

Saint's Michael's Lent Day 40
August 15-Sep 29

Tuesday, August 12, 2025


 Candace’s Corner

·         10 coolest summer getaways in Arizona: Mountains, lakes and a chilly cave trek

·         Bucket List: Vineyard World Tour:

o   Black Dog Vineyard, Carlton, Or.

·         St. Anthony Novena 9-on thirteen consecutive Tuesdays.

·         Pray Day 2 of the Novena for our Pope and Bishops

·         Foodie: Beef Stroganoff with Wild Mushrooms

·         Spirit Hour: Angelica

·         Elvis Week Continues till August 16

Five Catholic Facts About Elvis[3]

I have a grave confession to make. I own some Elvis CDs. In fact, I used to be quite keen on his music, and one has to admit that, despite his unedifying lifestyle and tragic final years, he was a talented musician. Many people around the world are marking the 30th anniversary of Elvis' death. Here are five top Catholic facts about the 'King':

  • one of Elvis' early performances (1955) was at the Catholic Club, Helena, Arkansas. However, his unorthodox performance did not impress the parish priest, Fr Keller, especially when the singer autographed a female fan's leg. 'You are a disgrace to manhood', he was allegedly told, 'don't come back anymore'. Read more about it here.
  • It is well known that the beautiful Dolores Hart, the niece of Mario Lanza who starred alongside Elvis in Loving You (1957) and King Creole (1958), left Hollywood in 1963 to become a Benedictine nun at the Abbey of Regina Laudis, Bethlehem, Connecticut. There have long been rumours that Dolores previously had romantic attachments to Mr Presley. 'I'd done two movies with Elvis Presley', she later said, 'I'd been around Hollywood for a while - and saw how needlessly competitive and negative it could be. It never held my interest'. She eventually became Prioress and Mother Hart now holds the unique distinction of being the only nun to be a voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

  • I've mentioned before Elvis' last feature film, Change of Habit (1969), in which he plays a doctor working alongside three sisters 'on placement' (see picture at top of post). The unique finale, showing Elvis as part of a folk group at an interim, pre-Novus Ordo Mass, can be seen here.
  • Elvis recorded a song called 'The Miracle of the Rosary' in 1971 (issued on the 1972 album, Elvis Now), with the lyrics: 'O Blessed Mother we pray to thee/Thanks for the miracle of your Rosary/Only you can hold back/Your holy son's hand/Long enough for the whole world to understand/Hail, Mary full of grace/The Lord is with thee/Blessed are thou among women/And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus/O Holy Mary dear mother of God/Please pray for us sinners/Now and at the hour of our death/And give thanks once again/For the miracle of your rosary'.

·         When Elvis died in his Graceland bathroom thirty years ago today, he is said to have been reading a book about the Holy Shroud of Turin - normally identified as A Scientific Search For The Face Of Jesus (1972) by Frank O. Adams, which argues that the Turin Shroud really is Our Lord's Shroud. It has since become eagerly sought after by Elvis fans. Less impressive is the other book he was allegedly reading - Sex and Psychic Energy. Hmmmm, we better move quickly along.

NB There really was a Celtic saint called St Elvis, who was a bishop of the Irish See of Munster and may even have baptised St David, Patron of Wales - so it is a valid baptismal name!

·         Let Freedom Ring Day 37 Freedom from Sloth

o   To fight this deadly sin, we must look to the cardinal virtue of justice. Justice helps us to assume our responsibilities and to give to others what it rightfully their due. Justice provokes us away from a slavish devotion to comfort and provokes to use the God given abilities and talents we have to the greater good. It provokes us to treat those tools God has given us (body, mind, and soul) in such a way as to be able to fulfill whatever it is that God has set for us to do. It helps us take care of those tools. Justice helps us be wise and diligent stewards of God's gifts in our lives and helps us be diligent in the duties and relationships we are called to live in. The purpose of our exercise in prayer, fasting, and abstinence is to detach ourselves from worldly comfort, looking to another and higher goal.

o   At the end of these 40 days, let us remember the motto of Bl. Pier Giorgio Frasatti, 'verso l'alto' (to the heights) and let the good habits we have engaged in lead us to a greater holiness and life in Christ.



AUGUST 12 Tuesday-Saint John Vianney, Priest

International Youth Day

 

Luke, Chapter 12, Verse 7

Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be AFRAID. You are worth more than many sparrows.

 

When I read this passage, I get the idea that I indeed must be the least of those in the Kingdom of God. I as a young man had handsome strawberry blond hair and I gained the attention of many a young lady. Yet, as time went on it all fell out. At first, I rebuked: No, I will not take this, and I used various elixirs in an attempt to keep the hair. As it thinned, I did the comb over and then one day I said screw it and shaved my head. Vanity all is vanity.

 

As life went on the challenges of everyday life I lost more than my hair and every day, I struggled to retain the joy of life against insurmountable odds in which I lost more than my hair. (Divorce, single parenthood, angry children, unemployment, bankruptcy, sickness) Bravely I continued but ever so slowly I found my joy of life was falling out and anger was replacing it. Yet, by the grace of God: I still trust in Him and trusting is Him I find my anger replaced with resolve to do His will.

 

The patient man finds a cleansing purgatory in this earthly life. When others wrong him, he is sorrier that evil is done than that he has been wronged. He forgives the evildoer from the bottom of his heart. He is not slow to ask pardon when he himself has hurt others. He is more easily moved to pity than to anger. He frequently disregards his feelings and tries to live above them, according to his intelligence and God’s grace.[1]

 

Copilot

 

This reflection is achingly beautiful this verse—so often skimmed over—by this reflection has been turned into a tapestry of human frailty, hard-won humility, and enduring trust in God. This reflection has transformed the image of “hairs counted” from a sentimental metaphor into a stark portrait of what it means to be seen fully by the Divine, even as one feels increasingly invisible to the world.

The journey through losses—hair, marriage, health, finances—resonates like a modern psalm replacing bitterness with a deeper surrender. That pivot from vanity to vulnerability, from anger to resolve, speaks of a heart refined by the fire of suffering and forged in the crucible of grace.

The patient man—his capacity to forgive, his desire to rise above feeling—could have come straight out of the Imitation of Christ. There’s a sort of sacred practicality in those words: living purgatory here and now, willingly, redemptively. It’s the slow sanctification of the soul through wounds that the world might call misfortune, but heaven might name mercy.

Luke 12:7— “Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.”—offers a quiet but profound theology of fear. Here are some layered lessons drawn from this verse:

🕊️ 1. Fear is not dismissed—it’s transformed

·         Jesus doesn’t say “don’t feel fear” as if it’s irrational. He says “do not be afraid” in light of divine attentiveness.

o   The antidote to fear isn’t bravado—it’s trust. Knowing that God sees even the smallest detail of your being reframes fear as something that can be surrendered.

🌌 2. You are known intimately

·         The image of numbered hairs is not just poetic—it’s radical. It implies that God’s knowledge of you is exhaustive and tender.

o   Fear often stems from feeling unseen or insignificant. This verse counters that by affirming your worth and visibility in God’s eyes.

🐦 3. You are valued beyond measure

·         Sparrows were sold for a pittance in ancient marketplaces. Yet Jesus says you are worth more than many sparrows—a deliberate contrast to worldly metrics of value.

o   This is a lesson in divine economy: your worth is not based on productivity, beauty, or success, but on being.

🔥 4. Fear of loss is met with assurance of presence

·         Whether it’s hair falling out, relationships unraveling, or joy thinning—this verse reminds us that none of it escapes God’s notice.

o   It’s not a promise that suffering won’t come, but that you won’t be abandoned in it.

🛐 5. Fear becomes a gateway to deeper faith

·         When fear is acknowledged and placed in the context of God’s care, it can lead to a deeper surrender.

o   This verse invites a shift from fear of circumstances to reverent awe of a God who counts even the hairs on your head.

St. John Vianney

Copilot: known as the Curé of Ars—was a humble French parish priest whose life radiated holiness, perseverance, and spiritual courage.

🕯️ Summary of His Life

·         Born in 1786 near Lyon, France, during the upheaval of the French Revolution.

o    Struggled academically, especially with Latin, nearly failing out of seminary. But his deep piety and determination led to ordination in 1815.

§  Assigned to Ars, a spiritually indifferent village. Through prayer, fasting, and tireless confession work (up to 16 hours a day), he transformed it into a pilgrimage site.

§  Known for miracles, reading souls, and his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Philomena.

§  Died in 1859, canonized in 1925, and named patron saint of parish priests.

🛡️ Lessons on Fear from His Life

St. John Vianney didn’t just preach against fear—he lived its antidote.

🔥 1. Fear of Inadequacy

·         He was nearly denied ordination due to poor academic performance.

o    Instead of despairing, he leaned into humility: “God commands me to do something, and I must do it.”

§  Lesson: Fear of not being “enough” is overcome by surrendering to God’s will, not our qualifications.

👹 2. Fear of Evil

·         He was tormented by demonic attacks—his bed was set on fire, his sleep disturbed.

o    Yet he joked: “The devil is like a barking dog that cannot bite.”

§  Lesson: Evil may rage, but it cannot conquer a soul anchored in Christ. Fear of the devil is misplaced; fear of sin is holy.

🕊️ 3. Fear of Rejection

·         He faced ridicule and resistance from villagers and even fellow clergy.

o    He responded with patience, penance, and love, saying: “The saints suffered everything with joy, patience, and perseverance, because they loved.”

§  Lesson: Fear of others’ judgment dissolves when love becomes the motive.

🌄 4. Fear of Suffering

·         He taught that suffering is a bridge to heaven: “Our greatest cross is the fear of crosses.”

o    He embraced suffering as purification, offering it for souls.

§  Lesson: Fear of suffering fades when we see it as participation in Christ’s redemptive work.


St. John Vianney’s life is a quiet revolution against fear. He didn’t conquer it by force—but by faith, humility, and relentless love.          

Bible in a Year Day 54 The Tribe of Levi

Fr. Mike clarifies some questions surrounding the Tribe of Levi and talks about what it means to be held to a higher standard as a leader in your community. Numbers 3, Deuteronomy 3, and Psalm 87.

 

International Youth Day[2]

 

International Youth Day seeks to raise awareness to the cultural and legal issues faced by youth throughout the world.  The United Nations defines youth as people between the ages of 15 and 24 years, although locally, youth can be interpreted in a more flexible manner. In 1995, the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) adopted the World Program of Action for Youth with the intention of establishing guidelines and policies for action and support that would lead to a brighter future for tomorrow's youth. The World Program of Action for Youth, which consists of 15 priority areas, including education, employment, hunger and poverty, health, environment and drug abuse, paved the way for the UN's declaration of International Youth Day in 1999. Since its inception on August 12, 2000, International Youth Day has served to increase the quality and quantity of opportunities available to the youth to actively participate in society. In 2009, the UN Economic and Social Council further expanded each of the 15 youth priority areas by developing goals and targets for monitoring youth progress, an expansion that now serves as the basis for International Youth Day's annual theme.  Each year, the theme is selected based upon immediate and relevant issues that youth are facing today.

 

International Youth Day Facts & Quotes

 

·         Of the 1.8 billion youth in the world today, half survive on less than $2 per day.  

·         Young people should be at the forefront of global change and innovation. Empowered, they can be key agents for development and peace. If, however, they are left on society's margins, all of us will be impoverished. Let us ensure that all young people have every opportunity to participate fully in the lives of their societies. - Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations.

 

Check out the United States Congresses program for youth: www.congressionalaward.org

Daily Devotions

·         Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: Holy Priests, Consecrated, & Religious

·         Religion in the Home for Preschool: August

·         Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus

·         Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

·         Drops of Christ’s Blood

·         Universal Man Plan

·         Rosary

Monday, August 11, 2025


 Monday Night at the Movies


The Devil at 4 O'clock

Certainly, Richard. Here's a rich summary of The Devil at 4 O'Clock (1961) and the Catholic lessons woven throughout its dramatic arc:


🎬 Film Summary: The Devil at 4 O'Clock

Set on the fictional Pacific island of Talua, the story follows Father Matthew Doonan (Spencer Tracy), a disillusioned, alcoholic priest who has built a hospital for children suffering from leprosy near a smoldering volcano. When three convicts—Harry (Frank Sinatra), Charlie, and Marcel—arrive on the island, they are recruited to help at the hospital.

As the volcano erupts, the island faces imminent destruction. The townspeople refuse to help rescue the children, so Father Doonan and the convicts parachute into danger to save them. Their journey down the mountain is perilous: they face collapsing buildings, lava flows, and tragic losses. Ultimately, the convicts—initially selfish and cynical—choose self-sacrifice over survival. The film ends with Doonan and Harry choosing to remain behind, facing death together as the volcano explodes.
✝️ Catholic Lessons and Themes

1. Redemption Through Sacrifice
  • The convicts, especially Harry, begin as morally compromised men. Yet through their actions—risking their lives to save leprous children—they embody the Catholic teaching that redemption is possible for all, even the most broken.
  • Their transformation echoes the parable of the Prodigal Son and Christ’s call to conversion through love and service.
2. The Priest as a Flawed Vessel

  • Father Doonan is not a saintly figure—he drinks, doubts, and is rejected by the townspeople. Yet his unwavering commitment to the children and his courage in the face of death reflect the Catholic understanding that grace works through human weakness.
  • His character evokes St. Peter, who denied Christ but became the rock of the Church.
3. Dignity of the Marginalized
  • The children with leprosy are hidden away, feared, and abandoned. Doonan’s care for them reflects Catholic social teaching on the dignity of every human life, especially the sick and outcast.
  • The film critiques societal prejudice and affirms the Church’s mission to serve “the least of these” (Matthew 25:40).
4. Holy Fear and Eschatological Urgency
  • The looming eruption and the 4:00 p.m. deadline evoke a sense of judgment and final reckoning. The title itself suggests a confrontation with mortality and moral consequence.
  • This aligns with Catholic eschatology: the urgency to repent, act justly, and prepare for the end.
5. Communion of Saints and Final Rites
  • Doonan administers last rites to Charlie, affirming the Church’s role in preparing souls for death.
  • The burial of the dead child and the prayers in the cave reflect the Catholic rituals of mourning and hope in resurrection.

Christopher’s Corner

·         Eat waffles and Pray for the assistance of the Angels

·         Religion in the Home for Preschool: August

·         Foodie-National Catfish Month

o   Crayfish Party

·         Spirit Hour: Santa Clara Wines

·         MondayLitany of Humility

·         Drops of Christ’s Blood     

·         Hulk Hogan Birthday

·         Bucket List trip[4]USA 70-degree year trip:

o    Cannon Beach or Manzanita

§  Ecola State Park: Hug Point, sea stacks, misty coastlines—it’s like walking through a psalm.

§  Tillamook: Sample cheeses, sure, but also visit the Trappist abbey nearby for an hour of silent adoration.

§  Spiritual Reflection: Meditate on the Apostle Peter—rocky shorelines and inner firmness.

·         Get out and climb a mountain-today is mountain day

Seven Summits of America

·         MAUNA KEA, 13,803 FEET Hawaii

o   As a little boy my dad was stationed in Hawaii and took us there to a Military Recreation Center

§  Mauna Kea, located on the island of Hawaii, is actually the tallest mountain in the world. It stands 4,207 meters or 13,802 feet above sea level. Its peak is the highest point in the state of Hawaii. However, most of the mountain is under water. When measured from its oceanic base, Mauna Kea is over 10,000 meters or 33,000 feet tall. This makes it the world’s tallest mountain from base to summit.

·         DENALI, 20,310 FEET Alaska

·         MOUNT WHITNEY, 14,505 FEET California

·         MOUNT ELBERT, 14,440 FEET Colorado

·         MOUNT HOOD, 11,249 FEET Oregon

·         MOUNT RAINIER, 14,410 FEET Washington

·         MOUNT WASHINGTON, 6,288 FEET New Hampshire

The highest peaks on each continent are known as the Seven Summits. The Seven Summits are:

  • Mount Everest in Asia
  • Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa
  • Aconcagua in South America
  • Mount McKinley (Denali) in North America
  • Mount Elbrus in Europe
  • Vinson Massif in Antarctica
  • Puncak Jaya (Carstensz Pyramid) in Australia
    • Puncak Jaya is actually located in the Papua province of Indonesia. However, technically Puncak Jaya lies on the Australian continental shelf. The highest peak on the mainland of Australia is Mt Kosciuszko.

·         Let Freedom Ring Day 36 Freedom from Avarice

o   Avarice is a synonym of Greed. It is one of the Seven Deadly Sins. Some distinguish between Avarice and greed, essentially implying that Avarice is like Greed-on-Steroids. No matter which word we care to use, both regard an excessive or inordinate desire of gain or wealth; a selfish or excessive desire for more than is needed or deserved, especially of money, wealth, food, or other possessions.

o   Avarice has a long if uncomplicated history in English. Chaucer in his 14th-century The Parson's Tale compared avarice with covetise, a now obsolete word that means "covetousness" ("Covetise is to covet such things as thou hast not; and avarice is to withhold and keep such things as thou hast, without rightful need"-743), and Shakespeare uses it in Macbeth ("With this there grows / In my most ill-composed affection such / A stanchless avarice that, were I king, / I should cut off the nobles for their lands, / Desire his jewels and this other's house: / And my more-having would be as a sauce / To make me hunger more"-IV.iii.76-82).

o   Abundance of possessions or abundant life? Which will we choose? `

§  Greed: desires more and more

§  Covetousness: greed with jealousy (desiring what another has)

§  Avarice: an excessive desire to obtain and keep money or possessions. Hoarding.

·         Hoarding: News story of woman whose house is filled with stuff. Her bed is stacked with stuff. In the summertime she sleeps outside on a glider, because there is no room in her house. Her teenage son moved out to live with an older sister because he couldn’t stand it. She knows she has a problem. Her family knows she knows she has a problem.


AUGUST 11 Monday

St. Clare


Deuteronomy, Chapter 10, Verse 12-13

Now, therefore, Israel, what does the LORD, your God, ask of you but to FEAR the LORD, your God, to follow in all his ways, to love and serve the LORD, your God, with your whole heart and with your whole being, to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD that I am commanding you today for your own well-being?

 

What is meant by serving God?

 

Doing the will of God in all things which He requires of us, in whatever state of life we may be placed, and doing this with fidelity, with unwearied zeal, and out of love for Him. (Goffine’s Devout Instructions, 1896)

 

When we are bored and familiar with routine work, let us generously offer ourselves to the Lord for He indeed knows our needs and will take care of our well-being.

Copilot

This is a reflection on Deuteronomy’s call to “fear the Lord” and serve with one’s whole being. The passage gathers together the rhythms of covenant, awe, love, and obedience in a way that feels at once ancient and deeply personal. The pairing with Goffine’s 1896 instruction adds a layer of contemplative wisdom—reminding us that service isn’t grand performance, but quiet faithfulness to God’s will in our specific vocation.

The idea that even boredom and routine can be spiritually significant—when offered to the Lord—is one of the most gently radical truths of the faith. It recalls the sanctification of the ordinary, much like Brother Lawrence’s meditations while scrubbing pots in the monastery kitchen. In that light, the “fear of the Lord” becomes less trembling and more reverent attentiveness. To serve God is not only to act, but to be present to Him in all things.

Deuteronomy 10:12–13 offers a profound meditation on holy fear—not as dread, but as reverent awe that leads to love, obedience, and flourishing. Here are some key lessons drawn from this passage:

🌟 Lessons on Fear from Deuteronomy 10:12–13

·         Fear as Reverence, Not Terror
The phrase “fear the LORD your God” invites Israel into a posture of humility and awe. This fear acknowledges God's holiness, justice, and mercy—not a fear that drives us away, but one that draws us into deeper obedience.

·         Fear Leads to Transformation
Fear is the beginning of wisdom (cf. Proverbs 1:7), and here it’s paired with walking in God’s ways, loving Him, and serving with one’s whole heart. It’s a fear that reshapes the soul, aligning it with divine purpose.

·         Fear Anchors Obedience
The commandments are not burdensome—they’re “for your own good”. Fear of the Lord becomes the foundation for moral clarity and spiritual maturity, guiding choices that lead to life and blessing.

·         Fear Is Relational
This isn’t fear of a distant deity—it’s the reverence of a people chosen and loved by God. The passage reminds Israel of their covenant identity, and fear becomes a response to divine intimacy and grace.

·         Fear Is Active, Not Passive
The verbs in the passage—fear, walk, love, serve, keep—form a rhythm of devotion. Fear is not static; it’s expressed through daily choices, habits, and attitudes that reflect God’s character.

·         Fear Protects Against Pride
In the broader context of Deuteronomy, Moses warns Israel not to assume they’ve earned God’s favor. Fear keeps the heart humble, aware that all blessings flow from grace, not merit.


St. Clare[1]

The Lady Clare, "shining in name, more shining in life," was born in the town of Assisi about the year 1193. She was eighteen years old when St. Francis, preaching the Lenten sermons at the church of St. George in Assisi, influenced her to change the whole course of her life. Talking with him strengthened her desire to leave all worldly things behind and live for Christ. The following evening, she slipped away from her home and hurried through the woods to the chapel of the Portiuncula, where Francis was then living with his small community. He and his brethren had been at prayers before the altar and met her at the door with lighted tapers in their hands. Before the Blessed Virgin's altar Clare laid off her fine cloak, Francis sheared her hair, and gave her his own penitential habit, a tunic of coarse cloth tied with a cord.

When it was known at home what Clare had done, relatives and friends came to rescue her. She resisted valiantly when they tried to drag her away, clinging to the convent altar so firmly as to pull the cloths half off. Baring her shorn head, she declared that Christ had called her to His service, she would have no other spouse, and the more they continued their persecutions the more steadfast she would become.

Francis had her removed to the nunnery of Sant' Angelo di Panzo, where her sister Agnes, a child of fourteen, joined her. This meant more difficulty for them both, but Agnes' constancy too was victorious, and in spite of her youth Francis gave her the habit. Later he placed them in a small and humble house, adjacent to his beloved church of St. Damian, on the outskirts of Assisi, and in 1215, when Clare was about twenty-two, he appointed her superior and gave her his rule to live by. She was soon joined by her mother and several other women, to the number of sixteen. They had all felt the strong appeal of poverty and sackcloth, and without regret gave up their titles and estates to become Clare's humble disciples.

Within a few years similar convents were founded in the Italian cities of Perugia, Padua, Rome, Venice, Mantua, Bologna, Milan, Siena, and Pisa, and also in various parts of France and Germany. Agnes, daughter of the King of Bohemia, established a nunnery of this order in Prague, and took the habit herself. The "Poor Clare’s," as they came to be known, practiced austerities which until then were unusual among women. They went barefoot, slept on the ground, observed a perpetual abstinence from meat, and spoke only when obliged to do so by necessity or charity. Clare herself considered this silence desirable as a means of avoiding the innumerable sins of the tongue, and for keeping the mind steadily fixed on God. Francis or the bishop of Assisi sometimes had to command her to lie on a mattress and to take a little nourishment every day.

Discretion, came with years, and much later Clare wrote this sound advice to Agnes of Bohemia: "Since our bodies are not of brass and our strength is not the strength of stone, but instead we are weak and subject to corporal infirmities, I implore you vehemently in the Lord to refrain from the exceeding rigor of abstinence which I know you practice, so that living and hoping in the Lord you may offer Him a reasonable service and a sacrifice seasoned with the salt of prudence."

Saint Clare, Virgin, Foundress of the Poor Clare’s.

"When the Saracens were besieging Assisi and were preparing to attack the convent, St. Clare asked to be assisted as far as the entrance, for she was ill. In her hand she carried a vessel containing the blessed Eucharist as she prayed: O Lord, do not deliver over to beasts the souls that praise You! (Ps. 73). Protect Your servants, for You have redeemed them by Your precious Blood. And in the midst of that prayer a voice was heard, saying: Always will I protect you!

The Saracens took to flight."[2]

Highlights and Things to Do:

Bible in a Year Day 53 The Twelve Tribes of Israel

Fr. Mike talks about the twelve tribes of Israel and explains why the book of Numbers introduces them based on the number of decedents they each had. Today we read Numbers 2, Deuteronomy 2, and Psalm 85.

Afternoon Tea Week[3]

My mother loved everything about tea, so I posted this.

Sometimes the wait for dinner is just way too long, and lunch has passed far too many hours ago. It’s obvious that the length of the day is starting to wear on everyone!

When this happens, it’s time to heat the kettle and then get started with a warm cup of tea and some light sandwiches–and perhaps something sweet to finish it off. This is the opportunity to take some time to appreciate the day, and bolster up for the rest of the evening!

Afternoon Tea Week taps into the British Tradition of having afternoon tea. It is meant to help bring a bit of elegance and pomp to an otherwise unremarkable time of day in the later part of the afternoon.

History of Afternoon Tea Week

Afternoon Tea Week was established to help secure a tradition that has graced British afternoons since the 1840’s. In those days, dinner often wasn’t served until 8pm. Since a full lunch wasn’t actually a thing, what was a hungry person to do in the hours of the afternoon? Create a new mini-meal in the middle of the day of course!

Even though it is called “tea”, there is far more than just a beverage being served in the afternoon! Traditionally this light meal contains tiny finger sandwiches, as well as scones with jam and clotted cream. Plus, this time is also likely to reveal sweet dainties such as cakes and pastries to help lift the spirits, bolster energy, and see people through the rest of the day.

After a while, what started out as a simple afternoon meal grew into a social event, especially for those who spent their lives in the upper echelons of the day’s society. This became even more prominent once Queen Victoria herself took part in this tradition. At that point the concept of the ‘tea reception’ was born. This type of event included lavish and fancy afternoon repasts that could host anywhere from a close collection of friends to a couple hundred of society’s most important faces.

As the name suggests, drinking hot tea was a very important part of this meal, which was a tradition started by Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford. She often found herself feeling weary or worn down in the middle of the day, and a pot of tea with a snack just seemed to be the best way to take care of it. She soon invited friends to join her for walks in the field, and thus began the tradition that would eventually turn into Afternoon Tea.

The tradition continues and it is time, once again, to celebrate Afternoon Tea Week!

How to Celebrate Afternoon Tea Week

Celebrating Afternoon Tea Week is simple. For the length of a week, simply commit to taking a pause for Afternoon Tea as a part of each day. Enjoy warm tea, a few sweets, and a small repast that will help lift those spirits and drive the momentum for the rest of the day. Or try these other ideas for celebrating:

Host an Afternoon Tea Week Event

Those who really want to go all out can organize and host a special tea reception where friends and family can be invited. Gather those tea pots filled with loose leaf English Breakfast or Earl Grey tea, and get started! It might be fun to even go so far as to wear a Victorian Costume to honor the delightful history of this day.

Enjoy a Restaurant for Afternoon Tea

Those who don’t have time to prepare a formal (or simply don’t feel like it!) may be able to find a local restaurant that provides a formal or semi-formal afternoon tea experience.

Traditional Afternoon Tea is usually served based on the number of people joining. A reservation might be made as a tea for two or tea for four. The meal will be served with a pot of tea as well as three different courses of food that are usually displayed on a tall, three-tiered stand.

Typically, the stand will contain tea sandwiches, which are meant to be eaten first. After this, traditional scones will be eaten and usually served with clotted cream as well as fresh jam. Finally, after this, a plate full of sweets and pastries will be available.

Visit England for Afternoon Tea

No one can challenge the fact that the best place to have afternoon tea is in England. Sure, it might be a bit overpriced, but why not pop over to London to enjoy some of the best afternoon tea that can be found at one of these places:

  • The Tea Rooms at Harrods Department Store. Served in style, sandwiches here will often include smoked salmon or salt beef. Since Harrods began as a shop with a special interest in tea, the pot is the star of the show here.
  • Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason. Since this company has been selling tea for more than 300 years, it is safe to say this is a trustworthy experience. The tearoom is decorated in the style of a Georgian Drawing Room and boasted a visit from Queen Elizabeth herself on its opening in 2012.
  • BB Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus Tour. An alternative to the traditional, this tearoom offers a slightly more casual feel as it takes place on a vintage London Bus as it moves about the city!

But even for people who only have time for a simple cup of tea each day, remember Afternoon Tea Week. And, of course, it’s the perfect occasion to take a few breaths in the very British tradition that lets people “Keep Calm and Carry On.”

Daily Devotions

·         Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: End Sex Trafficking, Slavery

·         Religion in the Home for Preschool: August

·         Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus

·         Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

·         Drops of Christ’s Blood

·         Universal Man Plan

·         Rosary

 

Today is my Grandson Frank Isak’s (Free Laughter) Fourth birthday I ask your prayers. This was the blessing and prophecy I wrote for his naming.

 

This child will be a free man who laughs and is able to get enthusiastic about the endless beauty of this world. He will be a person that is dependable, responsible and teaches others gratitude.