This blog is based on references in the Bible to fear. God wills that we “BE NOT AFRAID”. Vincit qui se vincit" is a Latin phrase meaning "He conquers who conquers himself." Many theologians state that the eighth deadly sin is fear. It is fear and its natural animal reaction to fight or flight that is the root cause of our failings to create a Kingdom of God on earth. This blog is dedicated to Mary the Mother of God. "
The Housekeeper’s Daughter (1939), directed by Hal Roach, is a screwball blend of comedy, crime, and drama about a gangster’s moll (Joan Bennett) who seeks refuge with her mother, a housekeeper, and becomes entangled with a sheltered young reporter and a cynical newspaperman. Beneath its slapstick and crime satire, the film offers Catholic lessons on repentance, truth-telling, the dignity of humble service, and the dangers of moral compromise.
🎬 Film Summary
Production: Directed and produced by Hal Roach, based on Donald Henderson Clarke’s 1938 novel. Distributed by United Artists.
Cast Highlights:
Joan Bennett as Hilda Kreemhild (gangster’s moll seeking a new life)
Adolphe Menjou as Deakon Maxwell (cynical, womanizing crime reporter)
John Hubbard as Robert Randall (naïve son of the cultured Randall family)
George E. Stone as Benny (tragic flower vendor)
Victor Mature in his film debut as Lefty
Plot:
Hilda, weary of her gangster boyfriend Floyd, returns to her mother’s household.
Robert, the sheltered son, is inspired by Hilda to try journalism.
Benny, a simple flower vendor, accidentally poisons a showgirl while trying to protect her from Floyd.
Robert, aided by cynical reporter Deakon, unwittingly scoops the press with Benny’s confession.
Floyd’s gang targets Robert and Hilda, but Benny’s poisoned coffee and comic chaos (including fireworks mistaken for gunfire) bring the criminals down.
The film ends with Robert vindicated as a reporter and winning Hilda’s affection.
✝️ Catholic Lessons & Reflections
Though Hal Roach’s film is primarily a farce, its themes can be read through a Catholic lens:
Repentance & Conversion:
Hilda’s rejection of her gangster life echoes the call to turn away from sin. Her move to her mother’s house symbolizes returning to a place of purity and familial order.
Truth vs. Falsehood:
Robert’s accidental scoop highlights the tension between truth-telling and sensationalism. Catholic teaching emphasizes the moral duty of journalists to uphold truth rather than exploit scandal.
Dignity of the Humble:
Benny, though feeble-minded and tragic, embodies the Gospel’s concern for the “least of these.” His misguided attempts at justice remind us of the Church’s call to protect the vulnerable, even when their efforts are flawed.
Justice & Mercy:
The gangsters’ downfall through poisoned coffee is darkly comic, but it underscores the inevitability of justice. Catholic reflection would stress that true justice must be tempered with mercy, unlike Benny’s lethal solution.
Family & Stewardship:
The Randall household, with its housekeeper Olga, represents the dignity of domestic service. Catholic social teaching honors the sanctity of family life and the value of humble labor.
📊 Key Takeaways
Theme in Film
Catholic Lesson
Hilda leaves gangster life
Repentance and conversion from sin
Robert becomes a reporter
Duty to truth and integrity in vocation
Benny’s tragic mistake
Care for the vulnerable; mercy over vengeance
Gangsters destroyed
Justice is inevitable, but must be tempered
Olga’s household role
Dignity of humble service and family stewardship
In short: Hal Roach’s The Housekeeper’s Daughter may look like slapstick crime comedy, but beneath its chaos lies a moral parable: the call to leave sin behind, honor truth, protect the vulnerable, and uphold the dignity of family and service.
The 1940 Pride and Prejudice film (starring Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier) adapts Jane Austen’s novel into a witty costume comedy about the Bennet sisters navigating love, pride, and social expectations. From a Catholic perspective, the story highlights virtues such as humility, listening, respect for marriage, and gentleness—offering moral lessons about overcoming pride, honoring family, and practicing charity in relationships.
🎬 Pride and Prejudice (1940) Movie Summary
Setting & Characters: Early 19th-century England, focusing on the Bennet family with five daughters. Elizabeth Bennet (Greer Garson) and Mr. Darcy (Laurence Olivier) are central figures.
Plot Highlights:
Wealthy bachelors Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy arrive, sparking excitement among the Bennets.
Elizabeth clashes with Darcy’s pride and is misled by Wickham’s false story.
Mr. Collins, the pompous cousin, proposes to Elizabeth but is rejected; he later marries her friend Charlotte.
Darcy proposes to Elizabeth, but she refuses due to misunderstandings and his interference in Jane and Bingley’s romance.
Lydia elopes with Wickham, threatening the family’s honor. Darcy intervenes, arranging their marriage and revealing Wickham’s past misconduct.
Elizabeth realizes Darcy’s true character and her own pride. Their reconciliation culminates in mutual love and respect.
Tone: MGM’s adaptation emphasizes comedy of manners, witty dialogue, and romantic tension, with lavish costumes and a lighter touch compared to the novel’s sharper satire.
✝ Catholic Lessons & Virtues
Drawing from Catholic reflections on Austen’s themes:
Theme
Catholic Insight
Film Example
Humility vs. Pride
Pride blinds us; humility opens us to truth.
Elizabeth and Darcy both must shed pride to see each other rightly.
Listening in Love
True love requires attentiveness and self-giving.
Darcy listens to Elizabeth’s rebuke, reforms, and acts for her family’s good.
Marriage as Vocation
Marriage is honorable, meant for mutual growth and virtue.
Contrast between Darcy–Elizabeth’s respectful union and Collins–Charlotte’s utilitarian match.
Respect for Parents
Honoring parents despite flaws reflects the Fourth Commandment.
Jane and Elizabeth remain respectful even when Mrs. Bennet is embarrassing.
Gentleness & Charity
Christian love is patient, kind, and selfless.
Jane embodies gentleness; Darcy shows charity by rescuing Lydia.
Justice & Mercy
Catholic teaching calls for fairness and generosity.
Darcy’s intervention with Wickham shows mercy and justice combined.
🌟 Takeaway
The 1940 Pride and Prejudice film, though lighter than Austen’s novel, still conveys Catholic lessons on humility, listening, respect, and charity. Darcy’s transformation models repentance and self-giving love, while Elizabeth’s journey shows the importance of discernment and humility. Together, they embody a vision of marriage as a sacrament rooted in virtue and mutual respect.
Candace’s Corner
·It is nine days before Christmas. Today start a Christmas Novena with your family or someone you love.
oYou wake up to a day filled with the unexpected. Start by enjoying a breakfast of chocolate-covered treats – get creative with fruits, pretzels, or even bacon. Embrace your inner child by organizing a silly toy scavenger hunt, incorporating old favorites or thrift store finds. Use this as an opportunity to declutter and donate toys to a local charity. As the day progresses, attend or host a mock protest against a ridiculous cause, channeling the spirit of rebellion. Invite friends over for a themed costume party where each guest embodies an outlandish character, like a larger-than-life doll or a cartoon dinosaur. Reflect on the reconciliations in your own life, reaching out to mend fences or simply appreciating those who bring positivity. End the day with a reflective moment, pondering the irony and humor in celebrating such unconventional holidays. Embrace the absurdity and make the most of this delightfully nonsensical day.
🍇 Candace’s Worldwide Vineyard Tour
oCyprus Theme: Vineyard Peace, Eucharistic Flame Dates: December 16 – December 23, 2025 Base: Limassol & Troodos Mountains (Commandaria wine region) Seasonal Note: Mild island climate, ancient vines, Eucharistic flame among terraced hills.
Consistent-he lived steadily while moving among them.
Contrite-he acted humbly and willingly showed his weakness.
Courageous-he didn’t shrink from doing the right thing.
Convictional-he communicated his convictions boldly.
Committed-he left for Jerusalem, willing to die for Christ.
Captivated-he showed that a surrendered man doesn’t have to survive.
Copilot’s Take
Paul’s exhortation in Acts 20:20 is a reminder that
leadership in Advent is not about efficiency or external achievement but about
the inner disposition of the heart. Each quality listed—consistent, contrite,
courageous, convictional, committed, captivated—maps beautifully onto the
Advent journey:
Consistency: Advent’s daily rhythm of prayer and novena practice steadies the soul,
teaching leaders to walk faithfully even in small steps.
Contrition: The humility of Mary and Joseph seeking shelter in Las Posadas mirrors
Paul’s willingness to show weakness. True leadership admits dependence on God.
Courage: Advent requires courage to hope in the unseen, to proclaim Christ’s
coming in a world that resists waiting.
Conviction: Paul’s boldness is echoed in the prophets of Advent who cry out,
“Prepare the way of the Lord.”
Commitment: His journey to Jerusalem reflects the pilgrim’s path of
Advent—committed to reaching Bethlehem, no matter the cost.
Captivation: To be captivated by Christ is to surrender survival instincts and
embrace the mystery of Emmanuel, God-with-us.
So, the “heart before doing” principle becomes an
Advent discipline: leaders prepare room in their hearts before they prepare
room in their homes, churches, or communities.
Here
is a wonderful description of the tradition of the nine-day custom Posadas,
that commemorates the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
·Banuelos are the big crisp fried cakes that
Mexicans have for Christmas Eve supper. They are eaten either plain, with
cinnamon and brown sugar syrup, or sometimes with honey. But before supper
there is the traditional Misa de Gallo, or Mass of the Cock, at the
village church. And for nine consecutive nights before that, there are the
posadas to commemorate the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to
Bethlehem and their search for lodgings.
·The
word, posada, means an inn. To the humble Mexican the re-enactment of
the Holy Family's quest for lodgings is a ritual of deep religious
significance. The posadas, which start on the sixteenth of December and end on
Christmas Eve, take place at different houses each night. Since Christmas, to
the Mexican, is a community rather than a family affair, relatives and friends
in a neighborhood often club together to defray posada expenses. The climax of
each is the breaking of the Pinata.
·Pinatas
are pottery jars, filled with trinkets, candies, and miniature toys. The jars
are ingeniously decorated with bright paper to represent birds of paradise,
dancing girls in gaudy ruffled skirts, or clowns with grotesque costumes and
chalk white faces. Since Christmas is not a time for gift-giving, pinatas, with
their bright baubles and inexpensive trifles, are as important to Mexicans as
Christmas trees to their neighbors, north of the Rio Grande.
·Posada
ceremonies begin after dark on December 16. They start with a procession of
pilgrims, led by two children. With poles on their shoulders, the little ones
support a platform. with figures of Joseph, the Virgin riding a small burro,
and a number of protecting angels. Green branches and paper stars adorn the
platform. Each member of the procession has a lighted candle. As the pilgrims
approach the door of the house assigned to the first posada, they chant
traditional verses in which Joseph wakens the master of the place and asks for
lodgings for Mary. From behind closed doors the master threatens beatings
unless the company moves on. Once more Joseph pleads for admittance. At first,
the owner of the house scoffs, but finally, convinced of his guests' identity,
he joyously opens the door and bids the pilgrim’s welcome. Then everyone kneels
before the Nacimiento, or miniature manger — often loaned to, the host for the
evening — and offers prayers and Christmas hymns. When the religious ritual
ends, there are refreshments. Then the children start a gay little song:
"Scatter the
candies, scatter the sweets, for we are children who want to eat."
·Generally,
the pinata is suspended by a long rope or pulley cord hung from a tree in the
patio. Each child in turn is blindfolded, given a stout stick, and told to
break the jar. But just as Lola or Jose is about to hit, a yank on the rope
takes the pinata out of reach. This tantalizing performance continues for some
time while everyone — except the blindfolded victims shouts, jeers, and claps.
Finally, the pinata is shattered. With shouts and whoops, the guests drop to
all fours and dart about after the booty, scattered in every direction.
·In
this mingled atmosphere of religious fervor and childlike enjoyment, posadas
and pinata-breakings continue until Christmas Eve. Then the search for lodgings
ends and the Babe is born, with great rejoicing on the part of the pilgrims.
Shortly before midnight, they sing nine Ave Marias and address a song to the
Virgin, telling her that the night of her confinement is at hand.
·At
some posada’s small children, dressed as shepherds, stand at either side of the
Nacimiento on this last night. Two of the guests, acting the parts of godfather
and godmother, walk between the shepherds with an image of the Baby Jesus. As
the pilgrims kneel, they chant a litany to lull the Little One to sleep.
·At
midnight on Christmas Eve everyone surges into the churches to celebrate the
Mass of the Cock. After the service, whistles blow, fireworks explode, bells
ring, and magnificent processions form, for Jesus' birth is the occasion of
unbounded demonstration.
·In
the midst of the happy tumult families hurry home to, supper. For the poor
there are special holiday foods such as tonight bean soup, revoltijo, a
traditional dish made with shrimp, potatoes, chili, and prickly pears, and a
salad of nuts and fruits. Then come the Banuelos, the festal fried cakes
that are puffed, brown, and delicious.
Activity
Source: Feast-Day Cakes
from Many Lands by Dorothy Gladys Spicer, Holt,
Rinehart and Winston, 1960
May the coming of our humble Lord help us to focus on our
loyalties that are due to our God, Church, Nation, family and neighbors during
this season and our own journey of life!
🕊️ Monthly Novena for the 25th Day
A
Simple Family Devotion Honoring the Birth of Jesus From the Raccolta
💡 What Is This Novena?
This
is a short, meaningful prayer devotion that helps us remember the birth of
Jesus—not just at Christmas, but every month on the 25th. It’s perfect for
families, including those with small children, and can be prayed at home in
just a few minutes each day.
It’s
a way to keep the light of Christ alive in our homes all year long.
📅 When to Pray
·Start
on the 16th of each month
·Pray
daily through the 24th
·Celebrate
Jesus on the 25th with joy and thanksgiving
You
can pray together at the dinner table, before bedtime, or during a quiet moment
in the day.
🙏 Why It Matters
·Keeps
Jesus at the center of family life
·Teaches
children the story of Christ’s birth in gentle, daily steps
·Builds
a rhythm of prayer, gratitude, and hope
·Helps
us prepare spiritually for Christmas every month
🛐 Daily Novena Structure (16th–24th)
Each
day, pray the five offerings below. After each offering, say
the Gloria Patri:
Glory
be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
✨ The Five Offerings
1.The
Birth of Jesus ETERNAL FATHER, I offer to Thy honour and glory, and for my own salvation,
and for the salvation of all the world, the mystery of the Birth of our Divine
SAVIOUR. Gloria Patri
2.Mary
and Joseph’s Journey to Bethlehem ETERNAL FATHER, I offer to Thy honour and glory, and for my eternal
salvation, the sufferings of the most holy Virgin and of St Joseph in that long
and weary journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem… Gloria Patri
3.The
Stable and the Infant Jesus ETERNAL FATHER, I offer to Thy honour and glory, and for my eternal
salvation, the stable where JESUS was born, the hard straw which served Him for
a bed… Gloria Patri
4.The
Circumcision and First Shedding of Blood ETERNAL FATHER, I offer to Thy honour and glory, and for my eternal
salvation, the pain which the divine Child JESUS felt… Gloria Patri
5.The
Virtues of the Child Jesus ETERNAL FATHER, I offer to Thy honour and glory, and for my eternal
salvation, the humility, mortification, patience, charity, and all the virtues
of the Child JESUS… Gloria Patri
📖 Versicle & Response
V/. The
Word was made flesh.
R/. And dwelt among us.
🙏 Closing Prayer
O
GOD, whose only-begotten SON was made manifest to us in the substance of our
flesh; grant, we beseech Thee, that our souls may be inwardly renewed through
Him, whom our eyes have seen externally like unto ourselves. Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee for ever and ever. Amen.
A
special devotion that can be performed during Advent to prepare for the coming
of the Infant Savior. It can be adapted for adults and/or children and applied
as is appropriate to your state in life.
·6th
day, December 16th. THE HAY—MeeknessPrepare
a soft little bed of Hay for the Divine Infant by practicing this beautiful
virtue. Do not yield to anger today; and speak very kindly to such as are
repulsive to you. When tempted to speak harshly, say this little prayer
instead. O Jesus meek and humble of Heart, make my heart like unto Thine.
On this 25th day the reception of the Eucharist
provides increased charity and compassion of others and compels us to action
Copilot:
The Eucharist profoundly impacts Catholics by
increasing their charity, compassion, and prompting them to take action. Here’s
how it happens:
1.Union with Christ: The
Eucharist unites believers with Jesus, who embodies perfect charity and
compassion. This intimate connection inspires them to imitate His love and
kindness.
2.Reflection on Christ's Sacrifice: Reflecting
on Jesus' selfless sacrifice encourages believers to act selflessly and
generously in their own lives, motivated by His example of ultimate love.
3.Receiving Grace: The grace
received during the Eucharist strengthens the soul, enabling believers to act
with greater love and compassion towards others.
4.Transformation of Heart: The
Eucharist transforms the heart, fostering a deeper empathy and desire to serve
those in need, reflecting Christ’s love.
5.Encouragement to Serve: The
Eucharist is a call to action, reminding believers of their mission to serve
others and build the Kingdom of God through acts of charity.
6.Community Bonding: Sharing in
the Eucharist with fellow believers fosters a sense of community and mutual
support, encouraging collective efforts in charitable actions.
7.Recognition of the Body of Christ: By
recognizing Christ in the Eucharist, believers are prompted to see and serve
Him in others, especially the poor and marginalized.
8.Renewed Commitment: Regular
participation in the Eucharist renews the commitment to live out the teachings
of Jesus, including the call to love and serve others.
9.Motivation for Social Justice: The
Eucharist inspires a commitment to social justice, prompting believers to
advocate for the dignity and rights of all individuals.
10.Spiritual Nourishment: The
spiritual nourishment received empowers believers to overcome selfish
tendencies and act with greater generosity and kindness.
11.Reflection and Examination: The
process of preparing for the Eucharist involves self-examination, helping
believers identify areas where they can grow in charity and compassion.
12.Hope and Encouragement: The
Eucharist offers hope and encouragement, motivating believers to persevere in
their charitable efforts, even when faced with difficulties.
13.Living Witness: Receiving
the Eucharist compels believers to be living witnesses of Christ’s love,
translating their faith into concrete actions of charity and compassion.
By continually receiving the Eucharist, Catholics
are spiritually strengthened and inspired to live out their faith through acts
of love, charity, and compassion, making a tangible difference in the world.
Bible in a Year Day 168 Wicked Kings
Fr. Mike highlights the wickedness and unfaithfulness of king Ahab, king
Jehoram and king Azaiah. We learn that their selfish and disobedient actions
have severe consequences. Today's readings are 1 Kings 21, 2 Chronicles 21-22,
and Song of Solomon 7.
Litany of Trust
“Deliver
me, Jesus-from the belief that I have to earn your love.”
Copilot Comment: The words “Deliver me, Jesus, from the belief that I
have to earn your love” strike at the very heart of our human struggle. So
often we measure ourselves by achievement, productivity, or worthiness, as
though God’s love were a prize to be won. Yet the Gospel reveals something
radically different: love is gift, not wage. Christ’s love precedes our
effort, sustains our weakness, and redeems our failures.
To pray this petition is to renounce the lie that divine affection
depends on performance. It is to rest in the truth that we are loved because we
are His, not because we are flawless. In hospitality, devotion, and daily life,
this trust reshapes how we welcome others—no longer demanding they prove themselves
but offering the same unearned love we have received.
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