Saturday, May 7, 2022

First Saturday

KENTUCKY DERBY-TRAIN DAY-COSMO DAY

Acts, Chapter 9, Verse 31

The church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria was at peace. It was being built up and walked in the FEAR of the Lord, and with the consolation of the Holy Spirit it grew in numbers.

The church was at peace because the apostles trusted in the power of God and accepted Saul as Paul. Saul was the major threat to the fledgling church until Christ stopped Saul in his tracks.

For those who do not fear God let us pray that Christ stops us knocks us to the ground and delivers us as He did Saul.

Christ chose Saul because he was a earnest man first.

The great need at this hour is manly men. We want not goody-goody piety; we have too much of it. We want men who will do right, though the heavens fall, who believe in God, and who will confess Him. Rev. W. J. Dawson.

Great men of the bible realize that we are both body and spirit. They took great care of the body and honored God with the use of it. Our examples are Moses, Sampson, David, Saint Joseph and even Jesus Himself.

The body of an athlete and the soul of a sage; these are what we require to be happy. Voltaire.

First Saturday

Five consecutive Saturdays in reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

The practice of the First Saturday devotion was requested by Our Lady of Fatima, who appeared to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal, multiple times starting in 1917. She said to Lucia, the oldest of the three children: “I shall come to ask . . . that on the First Saturday of every month, Communions of reparation be made in atonement for the sins of the world.” Years later she repeated her request to Sr. Lucia, the only one still living of the three young Fatima seers, while she was a postulant sister living in a convent in Spain: “Look, my daughter, at my Heart, surrounded with thorns with which ungrateful men pierce me at very moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. You at least try to console me and say that I promise to assist at the hour of death, with the graces necessary for salvation, all those who, on the first Saturday of five consecutive months, shall confess, receive Holy Communion, recite five decades of the rosary, and keep me company for 15 minutes while meditating on the 15 mysteries of the rosary, with the intention of making reparation to me.”

Conditions to Fulfill the First Saturday Devotion

There are five requirements to obtain this promise from the Immaculate Heart of Mary. On five consecutive first Saturdays of the month, one should:

1. Have the intention of consoling the Immaculate Heart in a spirit of reparation.

2. Go to confession (within eight days before or after the first Saturday).

3. Receive Holy Communion.

4. Say five decades of the Holy Rosary.

5. Meditate for 15 minutes on the mysteries of the Holy Rosary with the goal of keeping Our Lady company (for example, while in church or before an image or statue of Our Lady).

Read How to Make Your First Saturday Rosary Meditation According to Sr. Lucia

Why Five Saturdays?

Our Lord appeared to Sr. Lucia on May 29, 1930, and gave her the reason behind the five Saturdays devotion. It is because there are five types of offenses and blasphemies committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary:

1. Blasphemies against the Immaculate Conception

2. Blasphemies against Our Lady’s perpetual virginity

3. Blasphemies against her divine maternity, in refusing at the same time to recognize her as the Mother of men

4. Blasphemies of those who publicly seek to sow in the hearts of children, indifference or scorn or even hatred of their Immaculate Mother

5. Offenses of those who outrage Our Lady directly in her holy images

Never think that Jesus is indifferent to whether or not His mother is honored!

Kentucky Derby[1]

The Kentucky Derby is the most popular and oldest horse race in the world. The race is a 1.25-mile long, Grade 1 stakes horse race for three-year-old thoroughbreds on a dirt track. It is held annually at Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky. The Kentucky Derby, run on the first Saturday in May of every year, is the first leg of the elusive Triple Crown races. It is followed by the Preakness Stakes two weeks later in Baltimore, Maryland and the Belmont Stakes, 3 weeks after the Preakness in Elmont, New York. Meriweather Clark founded the Kentucky Derby, which was first held in 1875. Since then, the Derby has become a day of luxury and fashion and celebrities are often in attendance.

Kentucky Derby Facts & Quotes

· Over 160,000 spectators come to see the Kentucky Derby every year while millions of others watch it on TV.

· In Kentucky, the equine industry generated 3 billion dollars annually and creates 55,000 jobs.

· As of 2015, no woman trainer or jockey has won the Kentucky Derby. Many have run horses and ridden them, but none have won.

· Only 12 horses have ever been able to win the Triple Crown. The most recent was American Pharaoh in 2015. Prior to 2015, the Triple Crown hadn't been won since 1978.

Kentucky Derby Top Events and Things to Do

· Attend the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Kentucky. Be careful though, tickets are very expensive and must be purchased far in advance for the event.

· Enjoy a good movie about horses and horse racing. Some of our picks are: The Cup (2011), The First Saturday in May (2007), Racing Stripes (2005), Seabiscuit (2003), The Derby Stallion (2005), Secretariat (2010) and Dreamer (2005).

· Book a horseback riding class at a local stable. Try to get a feel for what it would be like to race that fast.

· Plan a Triple Crown Party. Be sure to send out invitations for the Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont. Pick favorite horses and see who wins the home derby. During the celebration it would be a good idea to also pray for the pope who wears the triple crown of the church. The Triple Crown (the tiara) represents the pope's three functions as "supreme pastor", "supreme teacher" and "supreme priest". The gold cross on monde (globe) surmounting the tiara symbolizes the sovereignty of Jesus.[2]

Bless the Animals and the Simple[3]

One day while, Mitch, a Protestant was at the track playing the ponies and all but losing his shirt noticed a Catholic priest who stepped out onto the track and blessed the forehead of one of the horses lining up for the 4th race. Lo and behold, that horse – a very long shot – won the race.

Before the next race, as the horses began lining up, Mitch watched with interest the old priest step onto the track. Sure enough, before the 5th race the horses came to the starting gate. The priest made a blessing on the forehead of one of the horses. Mitch made a beeline for a betting window and placed a small bet on the horse blessed by the priest. Again, even though it was another long shot, the horse the priest had blessed won the race. Mitch collected his winnings, and anxiously waited to see which horse the priest would bless for the 6th race.

The priest again blessed a horse. Mitch bet big on it, and it won. Mitch was elated. As the races continued the priest kept blessing long shot horses, and each one ended up coming in first. By and by, Mitch was pulling in some serious money. By the last race, he knew his wildest dreams were going to come true. He made a quick dash to the ATM, withdrew all his savings, and awaited the priest's blessing that would tell him which horse to bet on. True to his pattern, the priest stepped onto the track for the last race and blessed the forehead of an old nag that was the longest shot of the day. Mitch also observed the priest blessing the eyes, ears, and hooves of the old nag. Mitch knew he had a winner and bet every cent he owned on the old nag. He then watched dumbfounded as the old nag come in dead last and then dropped dead. Mitch, in a state of shock, made his way down to the track area where the priest was. Confronting the old priest, he demanded, 'Father! What happened? All day long you blessed horses and they all won. Then in the last race, the horse you blessed lost by a Kentucky mile. Now, thanks to you I've lost every cent of my savings – all of it!'. The priest nodded wisely and with sympathy. 'Son,' he said, 'that's one of the problems with you Protestants; you can't tell the difference between a simple blessing and the Sacrament of Last Rites.'

Train Day[4]

They cross thousands of miles across the countryside all over the world, transporting goods and passengers to places far-flung, and bringing back the same to their point of origin. Two gleaming lines of silver lay their path, as they move through cities and forests, mountains and plains to bring everything to those who need it, whether it’s cargo or people. Of course, we’re talking about trains, those powerful machines that inspired so much of history and have done amazing things for economies and industry all over the world. Train Day commemorates these wonderful machines and the role they play in our lives.

History of Train Day

The history of Train Day is the history of trains, and that history goes back farther than you might suspect. Railroads were actually a progression from wagonways, which were essentially railroads powered by horse, and have a history going back over 2000 years. The reason wagonways (and of course railways) came into existence was one of simple practicality, you could transport larger loads over a greater distance with prepared paths! The first ‘ways’ weren’t even created with metal rails, they were instead created with wooden rails, and in the distance, path even cut-stone tracks. By being carefully prepared you could increase the amount a single horse could haul from one ton to nearly 13 tons! That’s a huge improvement in cargo capacity and a huge boon to those who have to move a lot of it a goodly distance. Of course, with wooden rails they had to be often replaced and so it became common practice to cover them with a thin metal plate to help the wood last. The industrial revolution changed all that, and metal rails are here to stay! And then in 2008 Amtrak established Train Day to help celebrate the history of the locomotive.

How to Celebrate Train Day

The best way to celebrate train day is to go out and take a ride on a train! It doesn’t matter where it’s going, riding a train can be a fantastic and relaxing experience. Some towns have steam trains that are part of their history and still in operation, and dinner trains are always a nice experience. Or, if you’re planning on taking a trip, rather than taking a car or plane, take a train for a relaxing ride across the country. Train Day is a great chance to go out and see the world and experience these amazing vehicles.

Must Take Train Trips[5]top ten count down

10. VIA Rail's Canadian

Country: Canada

The Canadian is considered as one of the best trains in Canada, and it indeed is your window to the vast nation of Canada. The train runs between Toronto and Vancouver and covers the distance of 4,466 km in four nights and five days. The train takes the travelers through the varied terrains of the vast Canadian country. Running through waterfalls, golden prairie fields, and the Canadian Rockies, the train gives the traveler a glimpse of the vastness and diversity of Canada. The train has Prestige, sleeper plus, and economy class to suit every budget. It is equipped with state-of-the-art amenities and elegant lounges and spacious compartments.

9. Rocky Mountaineer

Country: Canada

This train follows the historic Canadian Pacific route. The Rocky Mountaineer takes you through the Canadian Rockies into Western Canada. The train journey is filled with some of the most memorable views. From lava cliffs to canyons, the train takes you through some of the best Canadian landscapes. More than likely you will even spot some wildlife on the side as well including bighorn sheep and even an occasional grizzly or a black bear! The best view is seen from the Gold-leaf rail carriages, where the passengers are seated in a glass dome atop the train.

8. Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

Country: United States of America

It is one of the best-preserved heritage railroads in the world. The narrow-gauge rail track is just 3 feet wide and operates at a distance of 45.2 miles. The train connects the towns of Durango and Silverton in the state of Colorado. This is a historic route that was taken by the Denver and Rio Grande Railway and was used for the transportation of gold and silver mined in the San Juan Mountains. This train still uses a steam driven locomotive and has been in operation without interruption since 1881.

7. California Zephyr

Country: United States of America

One of the longest railroad journeys in the Unites States, the Zephyr connects the cities of Chicago and San Francisco. The train takes the passengers through arguably one of the most scenic train routes in North America. It cruises along the Rockies and the beautiful Sierra Nevada. The train crosses as many as seven states. Some of the highlights that the train goes through include Moffat tunnel, the Rockies, Sierra Nevada, Glenwood Canyon, Winter Park and San Pablo Bay.

6. Coast Starlight

Country: United States of America

The Coast Starlight is one of the few train tracks that runs almost entirely along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. The train connects the cities of Los Angeles and Seattle. It eases through many cities including Santa Barbara, Sacramento, and San Francisco. The route is breathtaking. From the snow-clad mountains to lush forests and serene coastline makes up a view that stays with you for a long time. The train itself is not quite as luxurious as some other trains on this list, but the sheer view makes for it and then some more!

5. The Grand Canyon Railway

Country: Unites States of America

The train offers the iconic view of the Grand Canyon like no other. The breathtaking cliffs of the south tip of the Grand Canyon and the desert land of Arizona makes one of the best traveling experience. The train itself is also quite exclusive. The passenger cars are vintage 1920s Pullman cars while the café on board dates back to 1950s. The 130-mile route is studded with numerous spots that make you gaze in wonder and awe.

5. Denali Star

Country: The United States of America

The picturesque route from Anchorage to Fairbanks in Alaska is best explored from this beautiful train. The specially designed double-decker dome shapes cars offer the best views of the majestic state of Alaska. The view of Mount McKinley is one of the things that you will never forget from this train. The route is also quite frequently visited by wildlife including the massive Grizzly Bears and Moose.

4. Hiram Bingham Orient-Express

Country: Peru

The alluring Machu Pichu can be reached aboard the Hiram Bingham. The train itself is a 1920s-style locomotive that chugs along the high plains and cruises through the agricultural terraces to reach the Inca Citadel. The train 3-and-a-half-hour-long journey takes you through the best views of Peru's Urubamba River. The train takes the travelers to an elevation of 7500 feet above the sea level. It can cause altitude sickness, and oxygen is available just in case.

3. Rhine Valley Line

Country: Germany

The most beautiful train trip that you can take in Germany, the Rhine Valley line offers postcard views of the German land. The train tracks overlooking river takes you from Mainz to Koblenz in less than three hours. The train takes you through the beautiful castles and fortresses. This is truly one of the best train rides in Europe. Although the distance is quite short (62-miles), there is no scarcity of some gorgeous vistas.

2. The Ghan

Country: Australia

This is perhaps the longest train trip on this list. The Ghan takes you across the continent of Australia from Adelaide to Darwin. The two-day mammoth journey through the natural landscapes and wilderness of central and northern Australia offers some of the best views of the desert in the central part to the lush tropical climates of the northern territory. The train offers both Platinum and Gold class accommodations. Although the Platinum level is significantly more expensive, it offers private cabins and bathrooms.

1. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Country: Italy

This is perhaps the most gorgeous train you will ever see. The interiors of the cars were designed by famous artists such as Rene Lalique. It is arguably one of the most celebrated trains in the entire world. The train carries the passengers in the classic pre-modern era style. The glamorous cars and the delicious meals add to the overall experience of cruising through Europe’s most beautiful landscapes.

Cosmo Day[6]

Cosmopolitans are probably one of the most famous cocktails out there, where people can go out at night and enjoy and fun night dancing, laughing, and singing in clubs. If you love cosmos, then you’ll love Cosmopolitan Day. This drink has been making the rounds for a while, and it highlights the 90’s as one of the best drinks of its time. Let’s check out Cosmopolitan Day! Although the day itself is coined by freelancer writer, Jace Shoemaker-Galloway, who writes about non-traditional holidays, the history of the Cosmo itself is very murky. According to Vinepair.com, the first tracked origins of the cosmo go back to the late nineteenth century, where a cocktail known as the Daisy emerged as a drink with a recipe that called for spirit, sweetener and citrus. Although this isn’t exactly a cosmo, a more direct line for its origins comes from 1968, when Ocean Spray wanted to advertise cranberry juice to adults. They named the drink “The Harpoon” and it called for an ounce of vodka, an ounce of cranberry and a squeeze of lime, which was close to the Cosmo recipe but missed the Cointreau and/or Triple Sec.

Although legends differ that the Cosmo came from the gay subculture of Miami Beach, Florida and Provincetown, Massachusetts, the formal invention of the drink is credited to a bartender named Toby Cecchini, who made the drink while working at the famous Odeon in Manhattan’s Tribeca neighborhood in 1987. Its popularity spread into celebrity culture, where it ended up in The Rainbow Room, where Madonna is pictured drinking it at a Grammy after party. However, it was brought into mainstream culture by the famous Tv Show Sex and the City, where it appeared multiple times throughout the show, creating a cultural impact on the U.S.

How to Celebrate Cosmopolitan Day

Want a Cosmo? Here’s an amazing recipe you can easily make at home. In a cocktail shaker, mix 1 1/2 ounces vodka (or citrus vodka), 1-ounce Cointreau orange liqueur, 1/2-ounce lime juice (fresh), and 1/4-ounce cranberry juice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass dipped in sugar, then garnish with an orange peel and voila! Cosmo’s can be as strong or tame as you like it, but because it has vodka in it, it isn’t exactly the most innocent drink out there as far as cocktails go. You can also hashtag #CosmopolitanDay on your social media and share you drinking your fancy cocktail with your friends.

Catechism of the Catholic Church

PART ONE: THE PROFESSION OF FAITH

SECTION TWO I. THE CREEDS

CHAPTER TWO-I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST, THE ONLY SON OF GOD

ARTICLE 2 "AND IN JESUS CHRIST, HIS ONLY SON, OUR LORD"

IN BRIEF

452 The name Jesus means "God saves". the child born of the Virgin Mary is called Jesus, "for he will save his people from their sins" (Mt 1:21): "there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

453 The title "Christ" means "Anointed One" (Messiah). Jesus is the Christ, for "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power" (Acts 10:38). He was the one "who is to come" (Lk 7:19), the object of "the hope of Israel" (Acts 28:20).

454 The title "Son of God" signifies the unique and eternal relationship of Jesus Christ to God his Father: he is the only Son of the Father (cf Jn 1:14, 18; 3:16, 18); he is God himself (cf Jn 1:1). To be a Christian, one must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (cf Acts 8:37; 1 Jn 2:23).

455 The title "Lord" indicates divine sovereignty. To confess or invoke Jesus as Lord is to believe in his divinity. "No one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit'" (I Cor 12:3).

Today’s Events

· Sedona, Arizona Cinco de Drunko

· Derby Day Turf Paradise Arizona