Friday, February 9, 2024

- February 03, 2024

MARRIAGE WEEK-PIZZA DAY

Psalm 128, Verse 1-4:

¹ Blessed are all who FEAR the LORD, and who walk in his ways. ² What your hands provide you will enjoy; you will be blessed and prosper: ³Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your home, your children like young olive plants around your table.⁴ Just so will the man be blessed who fears the LORD.

Those who fear the Lord work to not react to their feelings but act from the principle of God’s unconditional love to empower others even at personal cost. They practice the three cardinal virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. The act of blessing works both ways and bless’ all; both those who receive and those who give.

This psalm is a statement that the ever-reliable God will bless the reverent. God’s blessing is concrete: satisfaction and prosperity, a fertile spouse and abundant children. The perspective is that of the adult male, ordinarily the ruler and representative of the household to the community. The last verses extend the blessing to all the people for generations to come.[1]

National Marriage Week-Woman in Marriage[2]

Woman's nature is admirably adapted to her functions as wife and mother. The responsibilities of the family develop her powers and mature her spiritually, mentally, and physically.

Spiritually, a woman becomes mature through surrender, through finding the particular role in which she can accomplish her total dedication to God. The young woman who has found her vocation in life in marriage and is wholly given to her task of bringing her family to God is a mature person whatever her age. She will have that air of serenity and peace which are the sign of the basic fulfillment of her being. The woman who has never surrendered wholeheartedly to any purpose outside herself remains immature all her life, like a bud which never unfolds itself. In marriage, woman can develop a spirit of selflessness which makes her dedication deeper and richer with the years. Her service to her family both expresses her love of God and increases her power of loving. The woman who has no outlet for her love, no one for whom she can spend herself, is apt to become hard, bitter, selfish, because she has no one but herself to consider. The woman who is constantly concerned with the needs of her family can unfold the qualities of love, tenderness, and unselfish devotion which make her truly great and truly happy.

Mentally, a woman's mind matures under the stimulus of the varied practical activities she performs for those she loves. In the concrete, living experience of the family, she can develop sound judgment and a keen insight into human nature. Lombroso's observation can readily be verified. "The mother of a large family who has had no time to study, having been occupied with her children and her household, has more life, more breadth of ideas, than the old maid of the same age who has done nothing else than to potter about at universities and libraries." The responsibilities of her family life exercise all woman's mental powers. Her intuition and powers of observation are called into play constantly to discover the unexpressed desires of her family, particularly the needs of the helpless child. She has need of her intuition, too, as well as her tact, to help her solve the hundred problems of human relations and practical affairs that arise in the course of her day. Providing for the family helps to develop woman's natural ingenuity and inventiveness. It is to the ingenuity of women intent on meeting the needs of their families that we owe the discovery of many of the most important arts: horticulture, for example, the creative arts of weaving, pottery, basketry; the domestic arts of food preparation and preservation; the uses of medicinal herbs in healing.

Physically, too, marriage and childbearing represent a development and completion for the normal woman, giving her new beauty and vitality. The mother of a large family experiences a physical fulfillment with the birth of each child which gives her fresh vigor and health. Dr. Alexis Carrell observes that women attain their full development as a rule only after the birth of several children. He writes in Man the Unknown: "Women who have no children are not so well balanced and become more nervous than the others. The importance to woman of the generative function has not been sufficiently recognized. Such function is indispensable to her optimum development. It is therefore absurd to turn women against maternity."

National Pizza Day[3]

National Pizza Day is dedicated to appreciating pizza, a baked flatbread that is topped with tomato sauce and cheese. Many toppings and sauces can be added to pizzas, including vegetables, meats and seafood. Pizza was invented in Naples, Italy around the 10th century, and has since grown to become one of the most popular foods in America. In 1905, America’s first pizzeria, Lombardi’s, opened in New York. Since then, pizza consumption in America has increased greatly and many pizza chains, such as Pizza Hut, Domino’s and Papa John’s have emerged. The origin of National Pizza Day is not well understood although accounts of National Pizza Day began to emerge around the 2000s.

National Pizza Day Facts & Quotes

· According to a study done in 2013 by food delivery provider Foodler, 37% of North American consumers order plain cheese pizza, 52% order meat toppings and the three most ordered pizza toppings are: pepperoni, mushrooms and onions.

o According to gross sales earned by pizza chains, the top five American pizzerias are:
1) Pizza Hut, gross sales of $13.4 Billion
2) Domino’s, gross sales of $8.9 Billion
3) Little Caesars, gross sales of $3.4 Billion
4) Papa John’s, gross sales of $3.3 Billion
5) Papa Murphy's, gross sales of $7.85 Million

· If I could eat whatever I wanted every day, I would have Domino's pizza with pasta carbonara inside every slice. And at night, I would have Neapolitan ice cream until I felt absolutely toxic. And then I would drift off telling myself, 'It's going to be O.K... It's going to be O.K. you're going to train in the morning'. - Robert Downey, Jr., Actor

National Pizza Day Top Events and Things to Do

· Visit your favorite pizzeria. Most pizzerias will offer discounts and specials to celebrate National Pizza Day.

· Make your own pizza at home from scratch. Make the dough, perhaps gluten-free or whole wheat, make the sauce using tomatoes and spices, grate the cheese and finally cover it up with all of your favorite toppings.

· Try a pizza with unique toppings. Here are some of our favorites:
1) Chicken Tikka Masala Pizza
2) Beer Battered Fried Calamari Pizza
3) Butternut Squash and Sage Pizza
4) Fried Chicken Pizza
5) Brown Butter Lobster and Spinach Pizza with Bacon and Fontina

Catechism of the Catholic Church

PART THREE: LIFE IN CHRIST

SECTION TWO-THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

IN BRIEF

2075 "What good deed must I do, to have eternal life?" - "If you would enter into life, keep the commandments" (Mt 19:16-17).

2076 By his life and by his preaching Jesus attested to the permanent validity of the Decalogue. 2077 The

gift of the Decalogue is bestowed from within the covenant concluded by God with his people. God's

commandments take on their true meaning in and through this covenant.

2078 In fidelity to Scripture and in conformity with Jesus' example, the tradition of the Church has always

acknowledged the primordial importance and significance of the Decalogue.

2079 The Decalogue forms an organic unity in which each "word" or "commandment" refers to all the others.

taken together. To transgress one commandment is to infringe the whole Law (cf Jas 2:10-11).

2080 The Decalogue contains a privileged expression of the natural law. It is made known to us by divine.

revelation and by human reason.

2081 The Ten Commandments, in their fundamental content, state grave obligations. However, obedience

to these precepts also implies obligations in matter which is, in itself, light.

2082 What God commands he makes possible by his grace.

Fitness Friday

Recognizing that God the Father created man on Friday the 6^th day I propose in this blog to have an entry that shares on how to recreate and renew yourself in strength, mind, soul and heart.

Being a catholic during the Carnival season does not mean you cannot have fun but it also requires that you use prudence and reason-maintain your backbone.

Your Posture says a lot about you-stand tall have an erect bearing.

FM 20-21: War Department Field Manual, 1946

Posture Training
GENERAL
PRINCIPLES OF POSTURE TRAINING. There is no one “best posture” for all men because the physical architecture of individuals differs according to the bony structure they inherit. Therefore, to develop the best posture for each member of any given group certain general principles must be applied intelligently to the group as a whole as well as to each man. These principles are:
a. To teach the characteristics of good posture.
b. To provide an opportunity to “feel” or practice good posture.
c. To have the men practice proper posture until it feels more comfortable than poor posture.
d. To motivate the men to acquire it as a habit.
CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD POSTURE. The first step in posture training is to teach what good posture is. Many men have a misconception as to what constitutes good posture. For example, they arch the lower back, thrust out the chest and retract the shoulders in an exaggerated manner, or they spring their knees backward. The characteristics of good posture are head balanced and erect, chest held high without tension, abdomen flat, shoulders back and relaxed, lower back only slightly curved, and knees straight but not stiff. Instructors should explain and demonstrate the position of the various parts of the body in proper posture.
TRAINING FOR GOOD POSTURE. The men must be provided with opportunities to feel and to practice good posture. Many individuals feel more natural while maintaining a bad posture. Certain muscle groups must have special training to maintain good posture without undue fatigue. The exercises below will provide this training. The emphasis upon proper posture must not be confined to physical training periods only. A good military bearing must be insisted upon until the men assume it from habit.
MOTIVATING GOOD POSTURE. Regardless of the amount of exercise and instruction they get; men habitually assume good posture only if they want to. That is why motivation is so important.
a. At the beginning, a short talk should be given, illustrated if possible, on reasons for cultivating good posture. Good posture has many values for the soldier. First, a soldier is often judged by his appearance – the man with good posture looks like a soldier, he commands attention. Secondly, it is an accepted psychological fact that good posture is associated with good morale – a man with a good posture feels better and is more positive. A man with poor posture cannot feel as positive, consequently he may develop a negative and discouraged attitude. Thirdly, good posture permits the body to function most efficiently. This is because the opposing muscle groups balance, thus maintaining the bony structure in a balanced position. The correct bony alignment provides for the correct positions of the internal organs. The correct positions of the organs assist them in the performance of their various functions. Less strain and tension is placed upon bones, muscles, ligaments and organs.
b. The instructors should always be excellent examples of good posture. They must be enthusiastic about it and “sell it” to the men. Men with excellent posture should be complimented. They should be reminded when they exhibit poor posture. This should be done without nagging, and with humor, if possible.
c. Visual aids should be utilized. A few pictures of good posture and a few signs at familiar places will remind the men to emphasize good posture. These help to motivate many of the men.
d. Posture judgments help to motivate the men. The four posture silhouettes above are highly valid standards by which to make such judgments. It takes a few minutes to judge 100 men, especially if they are inspected in small groups. They should also be judged occasionally when off guard. Announcing the platoon with the best average posture may stimulate friendly rivalry.
POSTURAL EXERCISES
GENERAL. The ten exercises below are designed to develop the postural muscles. All of these exercises have SLOW CADENCE and two-count movements. They are especially valuable for use in the “strength course.”
EXERCISE 1
Starting Position. Attention.
Movement:
(1) Swing arms forward and upward to full stretch overhead and at the same time rise high on toes.
(2) Swing arms sideward and downward slowly and press back hard. At the same time retract chin and let heels drop to the ground. Avoid an exaggerated arch in lower back.
EXERCISE 2
Starting Position. Trunk leaning forward about 60°, arms hanging downward loosely from shoulders.
Movement:
(1) Swing arms sideward and backward vigorously, retracting chin forcefully and flattening upper back. Hold this position momentarily.
(2) Recover to starting position.
EXERCISE 3
Starting Position. Standing, fingertips touching shoulders, arms in front of chest, and elbows downward.
Movement:
(1) Move upper arms outward and backward, with elbows hugging sides. Hold the position a full second while trying to force arms further around and back. At same time, retract head and attempt to stretch upward.
(2) Recover to starting position.
EXERCISE 4
Starting Position. Kneeling on the mat, trunk bent sharply forward, hands behind head.
Movement:
(1) Still leaning forward, straighten upper back and press elbows and head backward. At the same time pull in chin.
(2) Recover to starting position.
EXERCISE 5
Starting Position. Sitting on the floor, knees raised, trunk bent forward, and arms stretched forward.
Movement:
(1) Still leaning forward, swing arms upward and backward. At the same time pull in chin.
(2) Recover to starting position.
EXERCISE 6
Starting Position. Lying face down on the floor, with elbows at sides and fingertips on shoulders.
Movement:
(1) Rotate arms outward and pull elbows in hard to sides. At the same time pull in chin and lift head about 6 inches from the floor. Hold this position a full second.
(2) Recover to starting position.
EXERCISE 7
Starting Position. Bending forward about 45°, elbows horizontally sideward from shoulders, forearms bent forward, palms down, thumbs just in front of shoulders.
Movement:
(1) Straighten elbows and swing arms slowly but hard sideward and backward. At the same time retract head.
(2) Recover to starting position.
EXERCISE 8
Starting Position. Leaning slightly forward, elbows bent, and fingertips touching shoulders.
Movement:
(1) Make small circles about a foot in diameter, elbows circling upward and backward. Press arms backward and retract head. Movement is slow.
(2) After completing sufficient repetitions, recover to starting position.
EXERCISE 9
Starting Position. Leaning slightly forward, arms horizontally at sides, palms up.
Movement:
(1) Make small circles about a foot in diameter, hands circling upward and backward. Press arms backward and retract head. Movement is slow.
(2) After completing sufficient repetitions, recover to starting position.
EXERCISE 10
Starting Position. Arms overhead.
Movement:
(1) Pull arms slowly downward until fists are beside shoulders. Pull as though chinning.
(2) Recover to starting position.