NIC’s (Not In Church)
My soul rests in God alone, from whom comes my salvation.
God alone is my rock and salvation, my fortress; I shall never fall.
Palm 62:2-3
§ Foodie Cheat: 15 Most Popular Foods in Brunei
· Spirit Hour: Bloody Mary
· Get an indulgence
· 30 DAY TRIBUTE TO MARY 8th ROSE: Mary's Visitation Gives Charity
o 30 Days of Women and Herbs – Frauendreissiger-Ivy (Hedera helix)
o MEDICINAL PLANTS Day 8 ANTIBIOTIC PROPIERTIES-Revealed by Heaven to Luz De María
§ RAW GARLIC Scientific name: Allium sativum Family: Liliaceae
§ After the message from the blessed Mother on June 3, 2016, Luz de María had a vision in which she was given the following indications as natural remedies for the illnesses that are approaching. Our Mother told me that true plagues will come and that we should ingest a raw clove of garlic every morning, or oil of oregano; these two are excellent antibiotics. If oil of oregano is not available, oregano can be boiled to make an infusion; however, the Oil of Oregano is a better antibiotic. Blessed Virgin Mary, 06.03.2016
Bucket List trip: Rich vs Poor Tour: 10-Brunei vs. 203-Niger
🇧🇳 Why Brunei Ranks High in Per Capita Income
Brunei consistently ranks among the top countries globally in terms of GDP per capita, thanks to its small population and vast oil and gas reserves. In 2023, its GDP per capita was approximately $82,963, placing it in the top tier worldwide. While it may not be exactly ranked 10th, it often appears in the top 30 depending on the metrics used (e.g., purchasing power parity, nominal GDP, etc.).
Key contributors to this wealth include:
- 🛢️ Oil and gas exports: The backbone of Brunei’s economy.
- 👥 Low population: Around 450,000 people, which amplifies per capita figures.
- 💰 No income tax: Citizens and many expats enjoy tax-free salaries.
- 🏥 Subsidized healthcare and education: Funded by state revenues.
🙏 Quality of Life for a Catholic Expat in Brunei
Brunei is a Muslim-majority country governed by a conservative Islamic monarchy, and while it’s peaceful and safe, religious expression outside Islam is regulated. Here's what a Catholic expat might expect:
🕊️ Religious Freedom & Practice
- Catholicism is permitted, but public proselytizing or visible religious symbols outside churches is restricted.
- There are a few Catholic churches, such as the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption in Bandar Seri Begawan.
- Mass is held regularly, but religious activities are confined to designated spaces.
🏡 Lifestyle & Comfort
- High standard of living: Clean air, low crime, and good infrastructure.
- Affordable healthcare: Public hospitals are modern and subsidized; private care is also available.
- Housing: Comfortable and reasonably priced, often subsidized or provided by employers.
- English is widely spoken, making daily life manageable without fluency in Malay.
🌿 Social & Cultural Integration
- Social life is quiet: Alcohol is banned, nightlife is limited, and cultural events are modest.
- Nature and serenity: Expats enjoy lush rainforests, beaches, and national parks.
- Respectful coexistence: While Islamic customs dominate, expats are generally treated with warmth and hospitality.
⚖️ Challenges
- Sharia law applies, but non-Muslims are largely exempt from its stricter provisions.
- Limited religious visibility: Wearing crosses or holding public religious events may be discouraged.
- Cultural sensitivity is essential: Discretion and respect for local norms are key to a peaceful experience.
🇳🇪 Why Niger Ranks 203rd in Per Capita Income
Niger’s ranking near the bottom of global per capita income lists—203rd according to the CIA World Factbook—is a reflection of its extreme poverty, limited industrial development, and challenging geography. In 2024, its GNI per capita (PPP) was approximately $1,990, and its nominal GNI per capita was even lower, around $620.
📉 Key Factors Behind the Low Ranking
- Landlocked and arid: Over 80% of Niger is desert, limiting agriculture and infrastructure.
- Subsistence economy: Most people rely on farming and livestock, with minimal industrial output.
- Rapid population growth: One of the highest fertility rates globally strains resources.
- Political instability and security issues: Ongoing threats from extremist groups and regional conflicts hinder development.
- Limited education and healthcare: Low literacy rates and poor access to medical care reduce productivity and quality of life.
✝️ Quality of Life for a Catholic Expat in Niger
Living in Niger as a Catholic expat is possible, but it comes with significant challenges. The country is predominantly Muslim (over 98%), and while religious freedom is constitutionally protected, the reality is shaped by poverty, limited infrastructure, and security concerns.
🕊️ Religious Life
- Catholic presence: There are small Catholic communities, especially in Niamey, with churches and missions.
- Freedom of worship: Practicing Catholicism privately or within designated churches is generally tolerated.
- Interfaith relations: Peaceful coexistence is common, though public religious expression should be discreet.
🏥 Health & Safety
- Healthcare is limited: Even in Niamey, hospitals lack equipment and trained staff.
- Medical evacuation insurance is essential: Many expats rely on care in neighboring countries for serious issues.
- Sanitation and disease risks: Cholera, malaria, and waterborne illnesses are prevalent.
🏡 Daily Life
- Niamey is the best option: It offers international schools, expat communities, and basic amenities.
- Electricity and water: Often unreliable, especially outside major cities.
- Transportation: Roads are poorly maintained; travel at night is discouraged due to safety concerns.
🤝 Expat Community
- NGOs and diplomatic missions: Most expats work in aid, development, or diplomacy.
- Support networks: Social events and cultural exchanges help build community among foreigners.
⚖️ Summary: A Catholic Expat’s Experience in Niger
Aspect | Experience in Niger |
Religious Practice | Possible but discreet; small Catholic community |
Safety | Moderate to high risk; avoid travel at night |
Healthcare | Severely limited; evacuation insurance needed |
Community | Strong expat networks in Niamey |
Comfort | Basic amenities; frequent power/water outages |
Spiritual Life | Quiet, resilient, and deeply intentional |
🏁 Brunei vs. Niger: Which Is Better?
If you're weighing Brunei against Niger in terms of quality of life, economic opportunity, and Catholic expat experience, the contrast is stark. Brunei offers a high-income, peaceful, and well-developed environment, while Niger faces significant developmental challenges.
💰 Economic Comparison
Metric | Brunei | Niger |
GDP per capita (2022) | $38,795 | $608 |
GNI per capita (PPP) | ~$82,000 | ~$1,000 |
Life expectancy | ~75.6 years | ~61.6 years |
Literacy rate | ~97.6% | ~37.3% |
Electricity access | 100% | ~19% |
Internet access | ~98% | ~22% |
Infant mortality | 10.5 per 1,000 births | 66.8 per 1,000 births |
✝️ Catholic Expat Experience
Aspect | Brunei | Niger |
Religious freedom | Limited public expression; churches allowed | Tolerated; small Catholic missions exist |
Safety | Very safe, low crime | Moderate to high risk; terrorism concerns |
Healthcare | Modern and subsidized | Severely limited; evacuation often needed |
Community | Small but active Catholic presence | Missionary and NGO-based communities |
Comfort | High standard of living | Basic amenities; frequent outages |
Spiritual life | Quiet, structured, respectful | Resilient, humble, and mission-driven |
🏆 Verdict
Brunei is objectively “better” in terms of infrastructure, income, safety, and comfort. It’s ideal for a Catholic expat seeking peace, structure, and a quiet life of reflection. Niger, on the other hand, offers a more raw and challenging experience—one that may appeal to missionaries or those called to serve in hardship.
If you're discerning between the two for spiritual or lifestyle reasons, it comes down to this:
- Brunei: A sanctuary of order and serenity.
- Niger: A crucible of service and sacrifice.
o Rise and shine! You could start your themed day by whipping up a delicious batch of burgers for breakfast. Get creative with your toppings and enjoy a hearty start to your day.
o After breakfast, why not head out to a local bakery or try your hand at baking your own National Pecan Torte? Indulge in the sweet, nutty flavors and treat yourself to a slice of this decadent dessert.
o For lunch, celebrate National Bao Day by visiting a nearby Asian restaurant or making your own steamed buns at home. Fill them with your favorite savory fillings and savor every bite.
o In the afternoon, take a stroll through a botanical garden or park to enjoy the beauty of nature on Daffodil Day. Take in the sights and sounds of the outdoors, and don’t forget to snap a few photos of the vibrant daffodils in bloom.
o As the day winds down, relax with a refreshing peach smoothie in honor of National Eat a Peach Day. Blend up some fresh peaches with yogurt and honey for a tasty treat to enjoy while unwinding.
AUGUST 22 Thursday-Queenship of the
Blessed Virgin Mary
Acts, Chapter 5, Verse 11
And great FEAR came upon the
whole church and upon all who heard of these things.
The sin of Ananias and Sapphira did not consist in
the withholding of part of the money but in their deception of the community.
Their deaths are ascribed to a lie to the holy Spirit (Acts 5:3, 9, they
accepted the honor accorded them by the community for their generosity, but in
reality they were not deserving of it.
Is
not this a form of Virtue signaling or fraud?
As
today is the Queenship of Mary she stands in sharp contrast to these types of
fraud.
Copilot’s
View
This
reflection is beautifully woven-linking the sobering account of Ananias and
Sapphira with the radiant Queenship Mary creates a powerful contrast between
deception and divine transparency, between self-serving virtue signaling and
authentic surrender.
🌿 Fear and Fraud: Acts 5:11 in Light of Mary's
Queenship
The
fear that gripped the early Church in Acts 5:11 wasn’t just terror—it was awe,
a recognition of the seriousness of truth before God. Ananias and Sapphira’s
sin was not stinginess, but spiritual fraud: they wanted the glory of
generosity without the sacrifice. In today’s terms, yes—it’s a form of virtue
signaling. They curated an image of holiness while withholding the truth, and
in doing so, they lied not just to the community, but to the Holy Spirit
Himself.
Contrast
this with Mary:
·
She
held nothing back.
·
Her
fiat—"Be it done unto me according to thy word"—was total.
·
She
didn’t seek honor, yet was crowned Queen of Heaven.
·
Her
reign is one of humility, purity, and maternal intercession.
👑 The Queenship of Mary: A Call to Authentic
Consecration
Pope
Pius XII’s institution of this feast was more than liturgical—it was a
spiritual summons. To enthrone Mary in our homes is to dethrone pride,
deception, and self-will. It’s to say:
“I
want my life to reflect the truth, not a curated image.”
Here’s
a simplified guide to enthroning Mary in your home:
🕊️ Steps to Enthronement and Consecration
1.
Prepare
a sacred space:
2.
Place
a blessed statue or image of Mary.
3.
Adorn
with flowers and candles.
4.
Choose
a visible, prayerful spot.
5.
Gather
your family:
6.
If
possible, invite a priest.
7.
Otherwise,
the head of the household may lead.
8.
Prayers
to recite together:
9.
Act
of Contrition
10. 3 Hail Mary’s
11. 3 Glorias
12. Invocation (3x): “Mary Immaculate Queen: Triumph
and Reign.”
13. Act of Consecration (excerpt):
14. Mary Immaculate Queen, glorious
Queen of the Universe, most powerful Virgin, merciful Mother of a merciful God
and refuge of sinners, we consecrate ourselves to thy Royal and Immaculate
Heart...
🌌 Living Under Her Reign
To
enthrone Mary is to invite her virtues into our daily life:
·
Truth
over image
·
Sacrifice
over self-promotion
·
Mercy
over judgment
·
Silence
over spectacle
It’s
a quiet revolution of the heart—her Queenship can be a moment of recommitment:
to truth, to beauty, and to the reign of grace in your home.
Queenship
of the Blessed Virgin Mary[1]
On the 11th of October 1954, Pope Pius XII
established the Feast of the Queenship of Mary to be celebrated throughout the
world, and commanded that on that day each year, the world should renew its
consecration to her. In the future the Feast came to be celebrated on 22nd of
August. On the day of her Assumption, Mary our Mother was solemnly crowned by
Christ and received by the whole court of Heaven as Queen. What Christ has done
in Heaven and the Church has done on our behalf we should now do individually,
that is, we should recognize Mary's Queenship, enthrone her in our homes,
consecrate ourselves to her and, by this means, establish in our lives the
reign of Mary Immaculate Queen of the Universe.
How to Enthrone
Mary Immaculate Queen in Your Home and
Consecrate Your Family to Her a
statue or picture may
be blessed; If convenient, ask a priest to perform the ceremony, otherwise the
head of the family can do it. Prepare
her altar with flowers and candles, giving her an honored place in your home
where all will see her and often pray to her. Recite
together kneeling:
Act
of Contrition; 3 Hail Mary’s; 3 Gloria’s; 3 times the invocation: Mary Immaculate Queen: Triumph and Reign. followed by
the
Act of Consecration
O Mary Immaculate Queen, glorious Queen of the Universe, most powerful Virgin,
merciful Mother of a merciful God and refuge of sinners, we consecrate
ourselves to thy Royal and Immaculate Heart.
It is through thee that Jesus Christ our King has come into the world to save
it. It is also through thee that He is to reign over the world.
In order to obtain this great benefit for ourselves and all mankind, we come to
thy feet to consecrate to thee our persons, our lives, all that we are, all
that we have, all that we love. Keep us, enlighten us, dispose of us, reign
over us.
May all hearts and all homes willingly proclaim thee as their Immaculate Queen.
O Mary Immaculate Queen, look down upon this distressed and suffering world.
Thou knowest our misery and our weakness. O Thou who art our Mother, saving us
in the hour of peril, have compassion on us in these days of great and heavy
trial.
Jesus has confided to thee the treasure of His Grace, and through Thee He wills
to grant us pardon and mercy. In these hours of anguish, therefore, thy
children come to Thee as their hope.
We recognize thy Queenship and ardently desire thy triumph. We need a Mother
and a Mother's Heart. Thou art for us the luminous dawn which dissipates our
darkness and points out the way to life. In thy clemency obtain for us the
courage and the confidence of which we have such need.
Most Holy and Adorable Trinity, Thou Who didst crown with glory in Heaven the
Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Savior, grant that all her children on earth
may acknowledge her as their Sovereign Queen, that all hearts, homes, and
nations may recognize her rights as Mother and as Queen. Amen.
MARY IMMACULATE QUEEN
Triumph and Reign!
Imprimi potest:
+ Michael Epus Galviensis, 4 June 1966
Bible in a Year Day 64 Consequences for Sin
Fr. Mike explains why God would give the
Israelites such drastic consequences for their sin, and how it reveals his
divine plan and infinite mercy. Today's readings are Numbers 15, Deuteronomy
13-14, and Psalm 96.
Fitness
Friday
12 Best Types of Fish to Eat[2]
Fish is a healthy,
high-protein food, especially important for its omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential fats that our
bodies don’t produce on their own. Omega-3 fatty acids play an essential role
in brain and heart health. Omega-3s have been shown to decrease inflammation and reduce the risk of heart disease. They’re important for prenatal
development in babies, too. The American
Heart Association (AHA)Trusted Source recommends
eating fish at least 2 times a week, particularly fatty fish like salmon, lake
trout, sardines, and albacore tuna, which are high in omega-3s. Yet, there are
some risks associated with eating fish on a regular basis. Contaminants such
as mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs) find their way into ground, lake, and ocean water from our household and
industrial waste, and then into the fish who live there.
The Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and FDA have issued combined guidelines for women
of childbearing age, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and children. They
advise these groups avoid fish with higher levels of mercury contamination,
which usually include:
·
shark
·
swordfish
·
king
mackerel
·
tilefish
The following 12 superstar
fish have made it onto our “best fish” list not only for having great nutrition
and safety profiles but because they’re eco-friendly — being responsibly caught
or farmed, and not overfished.
2.
Cod
3.
Herring
4.
Mahi-mahi
5.
Mackerel
6.
Perch
8.
Sardines
9.
Striped bass
10. Tuna
11. Alaskan pollock
12. Char
Daily Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Increase
of Vocations to the Holy Priesthood.
·
Religion
in the Home for Preschool: August
·
Litany of the Most Precious
Blood of Jesus
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Rosary