Wednesday, January 31, 2024
February 19th Online Deliverance Prayer Session
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SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Psalm 111, verse 5
He gives food to those who FEAR him, he remembers his covenant forever.
This is probably a reference to the manna in the desert, which elsewhere is seen as a type of the Eucharist. In the Gospel of John Christ states, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” So the disciples said to one another, “Could someone have brought him something to eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work. (John 4: 32-34). We like our Lord should have the same desire to build the Kingdom of God; to create a New Jerusalem in our home, at our work and in our communities. Our Lord asks that we prepare ourselves for the work by eating the food he gives us which is the new covenant. We need this food to create a change in us from the old man to become sons of God in and through Christ which is the new covenant of His blood. Those who love him frequent Mass and take the food He gives us through His Priests. For this is real food indeed. It is not food to give pleasure to the body, but it is intended by God to give joy to the soul. According to the late Bishop Fulton Sheen, "You can quickly become tired of pleasures, but you can never tire of joys." Joy comes by finding God. You cannot satisfy a soul with husks![1]
St.
John Bosco was the founder of the Salesian Society, named in honor of St.
Francis de Sales, and of the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians. His
lifework was the welfare of young boys and girls, hence his title,
"Apostle of Youth." He had no formal system or theory of education.
His methods centered on persuasion, authentic religiosity, and love for young
people. He was an enlightened educator and innovator. Don Bosco decided to go
ahead fearlessly with his educational mission stating,” “Timid souls refrained
from making any kind of fresh start for fear of the coming storm.”
Things to
Do
·
St. John Bosco at a young age learned how to
juggle and do other tricks to attract children to him. This provided
opportunities for him to give catechesis to these children. Think of different
activities that you could do to attract children—perhaps juggling, putting on
puppet shows, storybook time—and use that opportunity to teach a virtue,
catechism lesson, or just to be a good example. Good clean fun or a wholesome
activity is a lesson in itself in a world where there is so much corruption.
·
If you feel brave, try cooking the stuffed raw
peppers suggested for today. Mama Margaret probably cooked Peperoni farciti
à la Piemontaise (peppers stuffed with boiled rice), a speciality from
Turin, for St. John Bosco's boys.
·
Read this article from Catholic Culture's
library, Don Bosco, Seeker of Souls.
Catechism
of the Catholic Church
PART THREE: LIFE IN CHRIST
SECTION ONE-MAN'S VOCATION LIFE IN THE
SPIRIT
CHAPTER THREE-GOD'S SALVATION: LAW AND
GRACE
Article 2-GRACE AND JUSTIFICATION
III. Merit
You are
glorified in the assembly of your Holy Ones, for in crowning their merits you
are crowning your own gifts.
2006 The term "merit"
refers in general to the recompense owed by a community or a society for the
action of one of its members, experienced either as beneficial or harmful,
deserving reward or punishment. Merit is relative to the virtue of justice, in
conformity with the principle of equality which governs it.
2007 With regard to God, there
is no strict right to any merit on the part of man. Between God and us there is
an immeasurable inequality, for we have received everything from him, our
Creator.
2008 The merit of man before
God in the Christian life arises from the fact that God has freely chosen to
associate man with the work of his grace. the fatherly action of God is first
on his own initiative, and then follows man's free acting through his collaboration,
so that the merit of good works is to be attributed in the first place to the
grace of God, then to the faithful. Man's merit, moreover, itself is due to
God, for his good actions proceed in Christ, from the predispositions and
assistance given by the Holy Spirit.
2009 Filial adoption, in making
us partakers by grace in the divine nature, can bestow true merit on us as a
result of God's gratuitous justice. This is our right by grace, the full right
of love, making us "co-heirs" with Christ and worthy of obtaining
"the promised inheritance of eternal life." The merits of our
good works are gifts of the divine goodness. "Grace has gone before
us; now we are given what is due.... Our merits are God's gifts."
2010 Since the initiative
belongs to God in the order of grace, no one can merit the initial grace of
forgiveness and justification, at the beginning of conversion. Moved by the
Holy Spirit and by charity, we can then merit for ourselves and for others the
graces needed for our sanctification, for the increase of grace and charity,
and for the attainment of eternal life. Even temporal goods like health and
friendship can be merited in accordance with God's wisdom. These graces and
goods are the object of Christian prayer. Prayer attends to the grace we need
for meritorious actions.
2011 The charity of Christ is
the source in us of all our merits before God. Grace, by uniting us to Christ
in active love, ensures the supernatural quality of our acts and consequently
their merit before God and before men. the saints have always had a lively
awareness that their merits were pure grace.
After
earth's exile, I hope to go and enjoy you in the fatherland, but I do not want
to lay up merits for heaven. I want to work for your love alone.... In the
evening of this life, I shall appear before you with empty hands, for I do not
ask you, Lord, to count my works. All our justice is blemished in your eyes. I
wish, then, to be clothed in your own justice and to receive from your love the
eternal possession of yourself.
Every Wednesday is
Dedicated to St. Joseph
The Italian culture has
always had a close association with St. Joseph perhaps you could make
Wednesdays centered around Jesus’s Papa. Plan an Italian dinner of pizza or
spaghetti after attending Mass as most parishes have a Wednesday evening Mass.
You could even do carry out to help restaurants. If you are adventurous, you
could do the Universal Man Plan: St. Joseph style. Make the evening a family
night perhaps it could be a game night. Whatever you do make the day special.
·
Do the St.
Joseph Universal Man Plan.
· Devotion to the 7 Joys and Sorrows of St. Joseph
Thru January 31
The Canadian Rockies is the place for adventure in January. Besides the predictable winter activities — skiing, snowshoeing, skating — Jasper in January hosts fat bike snow races, sleigh riding, dog sledding and ice climbing. And that’s just during the day, Jasper’s evenings offer wine and whiskey tasting, food-a-paloolza, live music, entertainment, kids’ scavenger hunts, plus stargazing and northern-light viewing with s’mores.
Daily Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Today's Fast: An End to Addictions
·
Carnival: Part Two, the Final
Countdown
·
Rosary
FEBRUARY
Soil under our feet goes unnoticed, though this first foot of soil is where most living organisms’ dwell. The health of the fragile skin of our earth is of utmost importance. Humility comes from the Latin word for soil, "humus." From and unto dust is the humbling message to each of us. Soil is rich and fertile but also prone to erosion and pollution.
Overview of February[4]
This year the
first half of February falls during the liturgical season known as Tempus
per Annum or Ordinary Time (formerly Time After Epiphany),
which is represented by the liturgical color green. Green is a symbol of hope,
as it is the color of the sprouting seed and arouses in the faithful the hope
of reaping the eternal harvest of heaven, especially the hope of a glorious
resurrection. The liturgical color green is worn during prayer of Offices and
Masses of Ordinary Time. The remaining days of February are the beginning of Lent. The liturgical color changes to violet or
purple — a symbol of penance, mortification and the sorrow of a contrite heart.
Though the
shortest month of the year, February is rich in Liturgical activity. It
contains a feast (Presentation of our Lord) that bridges two other seasons
(Christmas and Easter)! The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd harkens back to the
Christmas mystery of Light except that now, Christ, the helpless babe, is “the
Light of Revelation to the Gentiles who will save his people from their sins.”
Candles, symbolizing Christ our Light, will be carried in procession this day,
as will be the Paschal candle during the Easter Vigil Liturgy. In addition, the
faithful may receive in February three of the four major public sacramentals
that the Church confers during the liturgical year: blessed candles and the blessing
of throats and blessed ashes.
"The Light
of Revelation" shines more brightly with each successive Sunday of
Ordinary Time, until its magnificence–exposing our sinfulness and need for
conversion–propels us into the penitential Season of Lent. We prepare to accept
the cross of blessed ashes on Ash Wednesday (February 14) and plunge ourselves
into anticipating the major exercises of Lent–fasting, prayer,
almsgiving–laying our thoughts and prayers on the heart of our Mother Mary.
She, who offered her Son in the temple and on the Cross, will teach us how to
deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow after her Son.
Members of each family or domestic church have the opportunity to have the candles for their home altar blessed on Candlemas Day (February 2nd); and the next morning, on the Feast of St. Blaise, all might receive the Blessing of the Throats. Always a solicitous Mother, the Church offers this sacramental during the wintry month of February, and also sets aside the World Day of Prayer for the Sick on February 11, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.
February Travel?[5]
·
Take a Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride (All Month)
Enjoy a gorgeous winter
wonderland in Yellowstone and the surrounding areas. National Elk Refuge is
closed to vehicle traffic but not to horse-drawn sleighs. The open-air rides
offer a unique and amazing way to see elk, bison, eagles, foxes and other
wildlife species. Yellowstone
and the Jackson Hole
area offer a variety of other family activities including snow tubing, skiing,
snowmobiles and a year-round roller coaster.
·
Party in Quebec City Through February 11
For fabulous winter fun, head to the annual Winter Festival in Quebec City. Snow
rafting, ice canoe racing, a bartending competition, snow baths (clothing
optional), a snow sculpture competition and a masquerade ball are among the
many activities.
·
See Punxsutawney Phil's Prediction
o
February 2
Bundle up, grab some hot coffee and bring your lawn chair to Gobbler’s Knob
before dawn on Groundhog Day. Then watch as Punxsutawney Phil, the Seer of
Seers, the Prognosticator of Prognosticators reveals his end-of-winter
prediction.
·
Chill Out at Saranac Lake Winter
Carnival
o
February
2-11
Party Adirondack style. Since its start back in 1897, the Saranac Lake
Winter Carnival has grown into one of the oldest winter carnivals in
America. The 10-day event showcases plenty of winter magic, from an ice palace
made from blocks of ice to the coronation of a winter carnival king and queen.
·
February
11-Watch the Big Game
o
Welcome to Super Bowl LVIII!
§
Super Bowl LVIII will be played at Allegiant
Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, February 11, 2024. Throughout Super
Bowl Week, enjoy events such as Opening Night and Super Bowl Experience with
immersive experiences for fans of all ages.
·
March in a Mardi Gras Parade Through
February 13
Fat Tuesday — the day before Ash Wednesday — is the biggest party of the year
in cities like New Orleans
and Rio de Janeiro.
If you can’t make it to one of those places, try Mobile, Alabama; Nice, France; Venice Italy or Binche, Belgium.
·
Smell the Flowers at Tulipmania
Head to San Francisco’s iconic Pier 39 for Tulipmania.
You’ll see over 39,000 blooming tulips and other garden favorites. Guided tours
and gardening tips are provided by Pier 39’s landscaping experts. The tours
start at 10 a.m. daily at the Crab Statue in the Entrance Plaza and end with a
special treat from Trish’s Mini Donuts. The tulips typically begin blooming in
early February and last through mid-March.
·
Celebrate Valentine’s Day International Style
o
February
14
Many cultures celebrate Valentine’s Day, but they do it in a variety of ways.
In Germany, not only do people exchange chocolate and flowers, they also give
pigs (toy ones mostly) because they symbolize luck and lust. In Denmark, people
send one another poems and rhymes on stationery cut into the shapes of flowers
and snowdrops.
·
Attend a Horse Show
o
February
15-25
Visit the 64th annual Arabian Horse Show in Scottsdale,
Arizona to watch over 2,400 horses compete for a chance at winning the coveted
gold title. In between the competitions, there are plenty of kids’ activities
like an ice cream social, pony painting (ceramic ponies, not real ones), and
art contests. And the best part, kids 17 and under are free.
Iceman’s Calendar-February
·
Arizona
Renaissance Festival All Month
o
Saturdays,
Sundays, and Presidents Day Monday from February 3 - March 31 ~~ 10:00am to
6:00pm
·
Go Back in Time
to The Old West in Tombstone
o Just like the Arizona Renaissance Festival, Tombstone, Arizona, beckons visitors to step back in time during February. However, instead of transporting you back to a mystical medieval era, Tombstone brings visitors to the rough and tumbling times of the Old West.
o For those seeking a reprieve from the cold and yearning for breathtaking hikes, Saguaro National Park is an excellent choice. With average winter temperatures soaring into the high 60s, it stands out as a premier destination to thaw out and partake in outdoor adventures in February. Upon entering the vast 143-square-mile park, you’ll be captivated by the towering saguaros. Some of these cacti reach an impressive 50 feet and live a lifespan of up to 125 years. The park is divided into two distinct sections: East Saguaro, characterized by its mountainous terrain and abundant hiking and backpacking trails, and the West side, home to a denser Saguaro Forest.
· Wickenburg, Arizona
o
75th
Annual Gold Rush Days & Senior Pro Rodeo
§
FEBRUARY 9-11, 2024
·
Check
out Yarnell-St. Joseph of the mountains.
·
Feb. 1-St.
Brigid
·
Feb. 2-MASS
Candlemas
·
Feb. 3-St.
Blasé Blessing of throats
·
Feb. 4-Sexagesima-Start Novena
to Holy Face to end on Shrove Tuesday
·
Feb 5- St.
Agatha.
·
Feb 7-First
Wednesday
·
Feb 8-Carnival
Thursday
·
Feb 9-Carnival
Friday
·
Feb10 Carnival
Saturday
o
§ 📍
St. Patrick Roman Catholic Parish, 100 Higgins hill, Bisbee, AZ
·
Feb 11-Quinguagesima
·
Feb 12-Shrovetide
Monday
·
Feb 13-Shrove
Tuesday
·
Feb 14-Ash
Wednesday
·
Feb 18-First
Sunday of Lent
·
Feb 19-Presidents
Day
·
Feb 21 FAST Ember
Wednesday
·
Feb 22 Washington’s
Birthday
·
Feb 23 FAST Ember
Friday
·
Feb 24 St.
Matthias
o FAST
Ember
Saturday
·
Feb 25 Second
Sunday of Lent
· Feb 29 Leap Day
THE RACCOLTA[6]
3-THREE
OFFERINGS
Pope Leo XII. of blessed memory, by an autograph rescript, dated Oct. 21, 1823, granted to all faithful Christians—
i. The Indulgence of 100 days, for every time that they shall devoutly recite the following three offerings to the Most Holy Trinity, to obtain a good death,
ii. The Plenary Indulgence, to those who shall recite them every day for a month; to be gained at the end of the said month, on any one day when, having Confessed and Communicated, they shall pray according to the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff.
THE OFFERINGS.
i. We offer to the Most Holy Trinity the merits of Jesus Christ, in thanksgiving for the Precious Blood which Jesus shed in the garden for us; and by His merits we beseech the Divine Majesty to grant us the pardon of all our sins.
Pater, Ave. Gloria.
ii. We offer to the Most Holy Trinity the merits of Jesus Christ, in thanksgiving for His most precious death endured on the cross for us; and by His merits we beseech the Divine Majesty to grant us the pardon of all our sins.
Pater, Ave. Gloria.
iii. We offer to the Most Holy Trinity the merits of Jesus Christ, in thanksgiving for His unspeakable charity, by which He descended from heaven to earth to take upon Himself our flesh, and in It to suffer and die upon the cross; and by His merits we beseech the Divine Majesty to bring our souls to the glory of heaven after our death.
Pater,
Ave. Gloria.
FEBRUARY 1 Thursday
FEAST
OF ST. BRIGID
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