Saints, Feast, Family
- Traditions passed down with Cooking, Crafting, & Caring -
May 4
The month of Mary: A Marian Month
Saint of the day:
St. Florian
Patron Saint of chimneysweeps; firefighters; soap boilers; brewers; protector from floods, fires, battles & drowning
First Saturday
ST.
FLORIAN National Prayer-Derby-Star Wars
Holocaust Remembrance Day at
Sundown
Job, Chapter 33, Verse 7
Therefore, FEAR of me should not dismay you, nor should I weigh heavily upon
you.
Although
this is the young man Elihu speaking to Job and contradicting him, yet if we
just look at the verse alone; could it be Christ is speaking to our hearts? Are
you afraid to believe? Are you unsure of your ability to carry the burden of
true religious convictions? Assuage your fears and begin, yesterday was our
Lady’s commemoration of her assumption into heaven. She is the first of the
warrior saints to enter heaven. She is our mother and wants us to entertain the
same joys of eternal life.
First Saturday[1]
When Sister Lúcia experienced the Pontevedra apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, she heard her promise to grant great graces, especially at the hour of death, in particular the salvation of the soul, for the believer who for Five Consecutive First Saturdays of Month (5 Saturdays in 5 months) receives Holy Communion and practices the following exercises as an Act of Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Queen of Heaven:
· Sacramental confession
The confession can take place within eight days before or even after the Holy Communion is received, but the Holy Communion shall be received with dignity, in a state of Grace, keeping in mind that Jesus is physically present in the Eucharist (Transubstantiation). The Intention of making reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary may be kept to oneself; it is not necessary to notify the confessor priest.
· To receive Holy Communion
The Holy Communion has to be received within the 24 hours of the first Saturday of the Month. Attendance to Holy Mass is optional. Receiving Holy Communion as part of this devotion must be consciously intended as an Act of Reparation to the Immaculate Heart. The devotee need not tell anyone else, but keep it in mind. To avoid omitting the Intention every Saturday, the General Intention for the devotion of the Act of Reparation can be mentally or outspokenly stated before starting the First Saturdays (or in between).
If a person has a valid reason not to attend Mass (Masses not available on Saturdays, difficult mobilization, other major event), the devotee may consult a priest about receiving Communion privately or on another day with the intention of making this Communion as part of the devotion.
·
A 5-Decade Rosary
is recited
Saint Florian[2] is the patron saint of firefighters, and many things associated with either fire or
water. His feast day is celebrated today.
Saint
Florian was born in
the mid-third century A.D., perhaps around the year 250, somewhere around
current-day Austria. He rose through the Roman army ranks to become a
commander. Besides his duties to the military, he was charged with leading the
firefighting brigade of the day. Florian was a Christian in a time when the
Roman emperors were trying to eliminate Christianity throughout their realm. At
one point he was ordered to offer up a sacrifice to the Roman gods, something
in which he did not believe. Other stories state that he refused to participate
in the ongoing persecution of Christians, in which the army had been ordered to
participate.
In either case, Florian's
beliefs became known. When questioned, he again stated that he was a Christian.
The popular method of disposing of Christians in that day was to burn them to
death, and it was suggested that Florian suffer the same fate. He, however,
stated his intention to "climb to Heaven on the flames"
of the funeral pyre being prepared for him. The soldiers decided at that point
to dispense with him via another route: he was flogged, then flayed, then a
large stone was tied around his neck and he was thrown into the Ennis River to
drown. A faithful lady recovered and buried his body, which was later moved to
the Augustinian Abbey of St. Florian, near current-day Linz, Austria. In 1138
some of St. Florian's relics were given to King Casimir of Poland and
the Bishop of Cracow. Since his relics arrived in Poland, he has been regarded
as the patron saint of that country. Because of his association with fire, St.
Florian is the patron saint of firefighters and chimney sweeps and has been
invoked for protection from both fire and water. A statue of St. Florian
installed at the front of the main firehouse in Vienna, Austria survived a 1945
bombing with barely a scratch.
Please
pray the Stations
of the Cross for our firefighters from 911 and
The Yarnell Hill Firefighters;
which were lost in a wildfire near Yarnell, Arizona, ignited by lightning on
June 28, 2013. On June 30, it overran and killed 19 City of Prescott
firefighters, members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots.
It was the third deadliest U.S. wildfire since the 1991 East Bay Hills fire,
which killed 25 people; and the 2017 Northern California wildfires, which
killed over 40, the deadliest wildland fire for U.S. firefighters since the
1933 Griffith Park Fire, which killed 29; and the deadliest incident of any
kind for U.S. firefighters since the September 11, 2001, attacks, which killed
343. It is the sixth-deadliest American firefighter disaster overall and the
deadliest wildfire ever in Arizona.
May the Farce Be with You[3]
May 4th has become commonly known as Star Wars Day. And
who could be surprised? The words, “May the 4th” seem to beg the rest of the
catchphrase be uttered. Regardless of whether you prefer Star Wars or Star
Trek, or if are even a sci-fi aficionado at all, the influence of George Lucas’
Star Wars on pop culture is undeniable.
The History of Star Wars Day
Star Wars, an epic space opera written
and directed by George Lucas, premiered in 1977 and became an almost instant
cult classic. Even today, almost 40 years later, Star Wars remains one of the
most financially successful films of all time. The franchise it began remains
the most successful one of all time, earning over 2.5 billion dollars since the
release of the first film. However, the money it’s earned over the years is
hardly the most impressive aspect of Star Wars. As famous film critic Roger
Ebert put it: “Like The Birth of a Nation and Citizen Kane, Star Wars was a
technical watershed that influenced many of the movies that came after.” Star
Wars was a real game-changer, beginning a new era of special effect-packed
motion pictures bursting with excitement, adventure and imagination that
appealed enormously to younger audiences as well as older ones. Many of today’s
most acclaimed film directors, such as Peter Jackson, Ridley Scott, Christopher
Nolan and James Cameron, cite Star Wars as a great influence on their careers.
Star Wars has also had enormous cultural impact on other areas besides
filmmaking, including politics–the Reagan Administration’s Strategic Defense
Program was mockingly nicknamed “Star Wars”. As recently as 2013, President
Barack Obama used the phrase “Jedi mind meld” to describe what some people were
expecting him to do on his opposition to make them accept his ideas. “May the
Fourth be with you” was first used by Margaret Thatcher’s political party to
congratulate her on her election on May 4th, 1979, and the saying quickly
caught on. However, the first celebration of May 4th took place much later, at
the Toronto Underground Cinema in 2001. This first official Star Wars Day’s
festivities included a costume contest and a movie marathon. Fans’ favorite
parodies of the franchise were also enjoyed, as were some of the most popular mashups
and remixes. Since then, Star Wars Day has gained popularity and is celebrated
by Star Wars Fans worldwide.
How to Celebrate Star Wars Day
The way you celebrate Star Wars day
will depend on how well you know this cultural phenomenon. If you are a
longtime fan of the franchise, you might want to get a group of friends
together and attend one of the many Star Wars events organized in different
parts of the world. Such events range from costume contests to museum exhibits
to tours of space centers. And if you’re not feeling up to going out, there’s
no reason why a Star Wars Day party organized by you at home should be any less
fun. Movie marathons with friends, Star Wars trivia games and even Star Wars
themed snacks (Death Star piñata, anyone?) will guarantee this day is full of
fun as well as being very educational. “Vadering” another person has also
become an extremely popular thing to do on this day, and the photos you take of
this are sure to bring a smile to your face for years to come. Because Star
Wars itself is such an enormous topic, the ways of celebrating the day
dedicated to it are virtually endless. So, choose one, have fun, and May the
4th be with you!
Kentucky Derby[4]
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.[5]
Bless the
Animals and the Simple[6]
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.'
·
Kentucky Derby-May 4th On your mark, get set … it’s off to Louisville for the granddaddy of
all horse races. In time-honored tradition, the 149th annual
Kentucky Derby -- the first leg of the Triple Crown -- kicks off the first
Saturday in May. Settle into your seat at Churchill Downs racetrack on Central
Avenue, sip a mint julep and enjoy the "Most Exciting 2 Minutes in
Sports."
o
Derby Day Turf Paradise Arizona
Catechism
of the Catholic Church
PART FOUR: CHRISTIAN PRAYER
SECTION ONE-PRAYER IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
CHAPTER THREE-THE LIFE OF PRAYER
Article
1-EXPRESSIONS OF PRAYER
III. Contemplative Prayer
2709 What is contemplative prayer? St. Teresa answers: "Contemplative
prayer [oracion mental] in my opinion is nothing else than a close sharing
between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with him who we
know loves us."
Contemplative prayer seeks him "whom my soul loves." It is
Jesus, and in him, the Father. We seek him, because to desire him is always the
beginning of love, and we seek him in that pure faith which causes us to be
born of him and to live in him. In this inner prayer we can still meditate, but
our attention is fixed on the Lord himself.
2710 The choice of the time and duration of the prayer arises from
a determined will, revealing the secrets of the heart. One does not undertake
contemplative prayer only when one has the time: one makes time for the Lord,
with the firm determination not to give up, no matter what trials and dryness
one may encounter. One cannot always meditate, but one can always enter into
inner prayer, independently of the conditions of health, work, or emotional
state. the heart is the place of this quest and encounter, in poverty ant in
faith.
2711 Entering into contemplative prayer is like entering into the
Eucharistic liturgy: we "gather up:" the heart, recollect our whole
being under the prompting of the Holy Spirit, abide in the dwelling place of
the Lord which we are, awaken our faith in order to enter into the presence of
him who awaits us. We let our masks fall and turn our hearts back to the Lord
who loves us, so as to hand ourselves over to him as an offering to be purified
and transformed.
2712 Contemplative prayer is the prayer of the child of God, of
the forgiven sinner who agrees to welcome the love by which he is loved and who
wants to respond to it by loving even more. But he knows that the love he
is returning is poured out by the Spirit in his heart, for everything is grace
from God. Contemplative prayer is the poor and humble surrender to the loving
will of the Father in ever deeper union with his beloved Son.
2713 Contemplative prayer is the simplest expression of the
mystery of prayer. It is a gift, a grace; it can be accepted only in humility
and poverty. Contemplative prayer is a covenant relationship established by God
within our hearts.9 Contemplative prayer is a communion
in which the Holy Trinity conforms man, the image of God, "to his
likeness."
2714 Contemplative prayer is also the pre-eminently intense time
of prayer. In it the Father strengthens our inner being with power through his
Spirit "that Christ may dwell in (our) hearts through faith" and we
may be "grounded in love."
2715 Contemplation is a gaze of faith, fixed on Jesus. "I
look at him and he looks at me": this is what a certain peasant of Ars
used to say to his holy cure about his prayer before the tabernacle. This focus
on Jesus is a renunciation of self. His gaze purifies our heart; the light of
the countenance of Jesus illumines the eyes of our heart and teaches us to see
everything in the light of his truth and his compassion for all men.
Contemplation also turns its gaze on the mysteries of the life of Christ. Thus,
it learns the "interior knowledge of our Lord," the more to love him
and follow him.
2716 Contemplative prayer is hearing the Word of God. Far from
being passive, such attentiveness is the obedience of faith, the unconditional
acceptance of a servant, and the loving commitment of a child. It participates
in the "Yes" of the Son become servant and the Fiat of God's lowly
handmaid.
2717 Contemplative prayer is silence, the "symbol of the
world to come" or "silent love." Words in this kind of
prayer are not speeches; they are like kindling that feeds the fire of love. In
this silence, unbearable to the "outer" man, the Father speaks to us
his incarnate Word, who suffered, died, and rose; in this silence the Spirit of
adoption enables us to share in the prayer of Jesus.
2718 Contemplative prayer is a union with the prayer of Christ
insofar as it makes us participate in his mystery. the mystery of Christ is
celebrated by the Church in the Eucharist, and the Holy Spirit makes it come
alive in contemplative prayer so that our charity will manifest it in our acts.
2719 Contemplative prayer is a communion of love bearing Life for
the multitude, to the extent that it consents to abide in the night of faith.
the Paschal night of the Resurrection passes through the night of the agony and
the tomb - the three intense moments of the Hour of Jesus which his Spirit (and
not "the flesh [which] is weak") brings to life in prayer. We must be
willing to "keep watch with (him) one hour."
PRAYERS AND TEACHINGS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
Cinco de Mayo
Phoenix Festival Arguably one of the grandest Cinco
celebrations in the Valley -- both in size and scope -- this two-day block
party on Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3, in the heart of downtown Phoenix
will boast huge lineup of live entertainment and distractions aplenty. To go
along with its mix of mariachi groups, traditional musicians, vibrant vendors,
folklorico dancers, lucha libre wrestlers, and amateur boxers, the
festival's main stage will feature a diverse mix of music and some pretty
well-known artists -- including Ginuwine, Sir Mix-A-Lot, Keize Montoya, and
Fayuca on Saturday, followed by gigs from Tower of Power, Jay Perez, La
Sucursal de la Cumbia, Soul Persuasion, and the Latino Rebel Band on Sunday.
General admission is $5 at the door before 5 p.m., $15 at the door or online
after 5 p.m., and free for kids 12 and under. Gates open at 2 p.m. on Saturday,
May 2; and at noon on Sunday.
Location: St. John Vianney
Catholic Church
Our SJV Hispanic community is hosting a Kermés in
celebration of Cinco de Mayo! This is a fundraiser for our Parish! There will
be lots of Mexican food and drinks for sale, so come join us outdoors, in the
parking lot, for the Fiesta!!
catching freedom?
Arizona’s most
exclusive and only Kentucky Derby Party with LIVE thoroughbred horse
racing and on-site private betting is coming to Turf Paradise on May 4th.
The Stella Artois Derby DayClub presented by Sanderson Lincoln
features VIP and luxury tables, live thoroughbred racing, DJs, champagne,
quintessential Mint Juleps made with Woodford Reserve— and of course the
Kentucky Derby itself. The Stella Artois Derby DayClub is a sister event
of The Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships, which returns to
WestWorld of Scottsdale on October 26, 2024.
Daily
Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Today's Fast: An
increase of the faithful
·
Litany of the Most Precious
Blood of Jesus
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Make
reparations to the Holy Face
[6]http://www.catholicconvert.com/blog/2008/02/21/the-priest-the-protestant-the-horse-races/
Comments
Post a Comment