11 bucket list trips in Europe that everyone should do in their lifetime
- Traditions passed down with Cooking, Crafting, & Caring -
July 10
Saint of the day:
Saint Amelia or Saint Amalberga
Dara’s
Corner-It’s okay to have a Pina Colada-just keep your self-control.
Self-control[1]
is the ability to regulate and alter your responses to avoid undesirable
behaviors, increase desirable ones, and achieve long-term goals. Research has
shown that possessing self-control can be important for health and well-being.1
Psychologists
typically define self-control as:
- The ability to control behaviors to avoid
temptations and achieve goals
- The ability to delay gratification and resist
unwanted behaviors or urges
- A limited resource that can be depleted
People
use various terms for self-control, including discipline, determination, grit, willpower, and fortitude. Some researchers believe that
self-control is partly determined by genetics,3 but it is also a skill you
can strengthen with practice.
Self-control
is one aspect of executive function, a set of abilities that helps people to
plan, monitor, and achieve their goals. People with attention-deficit attention
disorder (ADHD) often have characteristics linked to problems with executive
function.
FEAST OF THE SEVEN HOLY BROTHERS
Hosea,
Chapter 10, Verse 3
For
now they will say, “We have no king! Since we do not FEAR the LORD, the king—what could he do for us?”
Christ is the strength of the weak and the humble
confidence of those who trust in him. Christ says to us,
“My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.
(Jn. 10:27)
Short Explanation of the Lord’s Prayer[1]
Why does God wish us to pray to Him?
To remind us:
1. that all good things
come from Him, and that without Him we have nothing.
2. That we may confide in Him and try to make ourselves worthy of His divine grace, by thoughts pleasing to Him, and valuing more, and using better, the graces we receive.
Why is our prayers often not heard?
It is because we often ask for something that would be more hurtful than profitable to us.
When ought we
to pray?
We should pray at all times, but especially at,
1, morning, noon, and
night.
2, in time of great
temptation.
3, when receiving the
sacraments.
4, when about to
undertake anything important.
5, at the hour of death.
Which is the best of all prayers?
The Lord’s Prayer: but though we say it a hundred times, it will fail to produce its beneficial effects if we repeat it thoughtlessly, without thinking of its meaning or purpose.
Why does this prayer commence with “Our Father?”
To encourage us thereby to a child-like confidence in God. As our Father, Who loves all men, and is ever ready to help them.
Why do we say, “Who art in heaven,” since God is everywhere?
We say this to admonish us to lift up our hearts to heaven, our true home, where God has set up the throne of His kingdom.
What do we ask of God in this prayer?
In the first petition, “hallowed be Thy name,”
we pray that God may be known and loved by all men, and that His name may be
glorified by a Christian life.
In the second petition, “Thy kingdom come,” we
pray God to enter and rule in our hearts by His grace, to spread His Church
throughout the whole world, and after our death to award us eternal happiness.
In the third petition, “Thy will be done on
earth, as it is in heaven,” we offer ourselves entirely to God, and declare
ourselves ready to be subject to the dispositions of His holy will, as are the
angels in heaven, and pray to Him for grace to do this.
In the fourth petition, “give us this day our
daily bread,” we ask for all things which we need for the body, as food and
clothing, and for the soul, as grace and the divine word.
In the fifth petition, “forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive those that trespass against us,” we pray to God for
forgiveness, but only as far as we forgive those that injure us. We must
therefore remember that we shall not obtain forgiveness from God so long as we
have in our heart’s hatred against anyone.
In the sixth petition, “and lead us not into
temptation,” we acknowledge our frailty, and ask God to remove temptations from
us, or, if He permit us to fall into those which the world, the flesh, and the
devil prepare for us, to give us grace not to consent to them, but, by combating
and overcoming them, to gain the merit and the crown of justice.
In the seventh petition, “but deliver us from
evil,” we pray to God to preserve us from sin, and the occasions of sin; an
evil death and hell also from all temporal evils, so far as may be for the
salvation of our souls.
America
is now at the threshold of history
Like
Israel in Hosea’s time America has drifted into serious sin. According to John
Maxwell Israel while in captivity had no real leadership (much like America)
and had broken the “Law of Solid Ground.” The 6th irrefutable
law of leadership—The
Law of Solid Ground states that “trust is the foundation of leadership.”
Israel’s leadership made false promises that had eroded the people’s confidence
in their leaders and people follow only in proportion to their trust in the
leader.
Americans
are a just people and fair people and our hearts go out to the world.
Yet
what are we to do?
Many years ago, while reviewing the CIA handbook I
noticed that economically all of the nations that have been giving us the most
trouble militarily were also on the list of those countries with the worst per
capita income: people who make less than 200 dollars a year. I thought rather
than do battle with these people would it not be better to bring the economic
power of America to these populaces and help them to improve their lives and
rid themselves of their gangs and dictators.
Thus,
bringing up their per capita income; what would the effect be on those who we
may have to embattle? I questioned would improving their lives in their own
country decrease our need to do battle?
I decided to do an experiment. With a little research
I invested in one of the stocks from one of the poorest countries: Zimbabwe.
After three months I sold my stock after doubling my money. My point is perhaps
we as American’s can do more by helping the downtrodden in building up their
own countries.
Feast of the Seven Holy Brothers[2]
Although there are passed down stories about the Seven Holy Brothers and their mother, the current Roman Martyrology only mentions the brothers by name (Felix, Philip, Vitalis, Martialis, Alexander, Silanus, and Januarius) and where they were buried. Older Acts include the mother named Felicitas or Felicity as also a martyr. We are including the older version of their martyrdom here:
Saint
Felicity was a noble Roman matron, distinguished above all for her virtue. This
mother of seven children raised her sons in the fear of the Lord, and after the
death of her husband, served God in continence, concerning herself only with
good works. Her good examples and those of her children brought a number of
pagans to renounce their superstitions, and also encouraged the Christians to
show themselves worthy of their vocation. The pagan priests, furious at seeing
their gods abandoned, denounced her. She appeared with her pious sons before
the prefect of Rome, who exhorted her to sacrifice to idols, but in reply heard
a generous confession of faith.
Wretched
woman, he said to her, how can you be so barbarous as to expose your children
to torments and death?
Have pity on these tender creatures, who are in the
flower of their age and can aspire to the highest positions in the Empire!
Felicity replied, My children will live eternally with Jesus Christ, if they
are faithful; they will have only eternal torments to await, if they sacrifice
to idols. Your apparent pity is but a cruel impiety. Then, turning to her
children, she said: Look towards heaven, where Jesus Christ is waiting for you
with His Saints! Be faithful in His love, and fight courageously for your souls.
The
Judge, taking the children one by one, tried to overcome their constancy. He
began with Januarius but received for his answer: What you advise me to do is
contrary to reason; Jesus, the Savior, will preserve me, I hope, from such
impiety. Felix, the second, was then brought in. When they urged him to
sacrifice, he answered: There is only one God, and it is to Him that we must
offer the sacrifice of our hearts. Use all artifices, every refinement of
cruelty, you will not make us betray our faith! The other brothers, when
questioned, answered with the same firmness. Martial, the youngest, who spoke
last, said: All those who do not confess that Jesus Christ is the true God,
will be cast into a fire which will never be extinguished.
When
the interrogation was finished, the Saints underwent the penalty of the lash
and then were taken to prison. Soon they completed their sacrifice in various
ways: Januarius was beaten until he died by leather straps capped with lead;
Felix and Philip were killed with bludgeons; Sylvanus was thrown headfirst from
a cliff; Alexander, Vitalis and Martial were beheaded. Felicity, the mother of
these new Maccabees, was the last to suffer martyrdom.
Let Freedom Ring-Day 4 “Freedom from Predation”
(See Character is Destiny for opposing virtue: SELF CONTROL)
My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, at a word from you the devil and his minions flee in terror. You are the source of all truth. You are the source of all strength. By the power of your Cross and Resurrection, we beseech you, O Lord; To extend your saving arm and to send your holy angels to defend us as we do battle with Satan and his demonic forces. Exorcise, we pray, that which oppresses your Bride, The Church, so that within ourselves, our families, our parishes, our dioceses, and our nation; We may turn fully back to you in all fidelity and trust. Lord, we know if you will it, it will be done.
Give us the perseverance for this mission, we pray. Amen
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception ... pray for us
St. Joseph ... pray for us
St. Michael the Archangel ... pray for us
(the patron of your parish) ... pray for us
(your confirmation saint) ... pray for us
"Freedom from Predation"
by Fr. Bill Peckman
The Devil is the ultimate predator. St. Peter warns his readers, "Stay sober and alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8) The devil is always looking for any opening in which he can pounce and destroy. He uses everything from occult practices to our concupiscence (our predilection to sin) to gain a beachhead. He will also teach us how to follow him as predators ourselves.
We live in a society that encourages predation. From the mobster who shakes down the local merchant for protection to the sex trafficker and pornographer to the predatory interest charged in so many loans to the endless scams used to bilk people out of money to the common bullying (cyber and otherwise) to those engaged in domestic violence, our society is full of predators looking for their mark, looking for their next meal. Many hide behind the cover of darkness, anonymity, or even behind the law.
Our Church has been rocked over the past half century by predation. The most obvious examples have stemmed from the scandals in which clerics preyed on their own flocks for sexual gratification, heinously even preying on the lambs of their flock. Others have preyed on their flock through financial malfeasance by defrauding their parishes or dioceses of funds. Many are also complicit in withholding from their flocks the means by which to stave off predation. In abandoning their flocks to the wolves, they are every bit as guilty as the wolves they allowed access to their flocks.
Certainly, we can extend these behaviors to the most basic building block of the Church known as the domestic church or the family. In these places we can see domestic violence, molestation, and other nefarious abuses of power that have their roots in the diabolic. From all levels of the Church the demonic mimicking of the predatory behaviors of the Devil must be purged.
All predatory behavior stems from selfishness: its needs or wants are so very important that any and all means to satisfy them must be done. For a predator, its satiation is of far greater value than your happiness, security, or life. While a predator may be infatuated by their prey, they cannot love their prey for they mean to eventually destroy their prey or discard their prey when they have taken all they want.
What force could possibly stand up against such an insatiable beast?!
We look to Christ the Good Shepherd for our answer! Christ does not prey on His flock. No, He places Himself between His flock and that which would destroy His flock. He stands in that breech, sacrificing Himself for the salvation of the flock. Jesus tells us, "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep" (John 10:11).
Why?
Because He loves them. You cannot love someone and prey on them at the same time. Hence, the virtue we cultivate to conquer any and all desires to be a predator is the theological virtue of love. Love, divine love (or agape) is completely selfless. Instead of focusing on one's own desires and satiation, one instead looks to the good of others even when in doing so incurs suffering or sacrifice. Love, because it is of God, chases away the devil and his minions. It helps us to, as St. Paul says of himself, to be 'poured out like an oblation' (II Timothy 4:6)
Prayer of Reparation
My Lord and my God, we have allowed the temptation of the
devil to move our hearts to prey on those we deem weaker or disposable. We have
stilled our tongues in the face of such evil. We have been too fearful to stand
out in our culture, allowing selfish desires to suffocate your love that is to
dwell within us. In our fear, we have allowed the ancient foe to advance. We
turn to you Lord, in our sorrow and guilt, and beg your forgiveness for our
selfishness and silence. We beg for the grace of your goodness to teach us to
shepherd rightly those you place in our care and the courage to stand
in the breech between them and the demonic. Help us to love as you love. We
know, Lord, if you will it, it will be done. Trusting in you, we offer our
prayer to you who live and reign forever.
Amen.
Prayer of Exorcism
Lord God of Heaven and Earth, in your power and goodness,
you created all things. You set a path for us to walk on and a way to
an eternal relationship. By the strength of your arm and Word of your mouth; Cast
from your Holy Church every fearful deceit of the Devil; Drive from us
manifestations of the demonic that oppress us and beckon us to selfishness and
predation. Still the lying tongue of the devil and his forces so that we may
act freely and faithfully to Your will. Send your holy angels to cast out all
influence that the demonic entities in charge of predation have planted in your
church. Free us, our families, our parish, our diocese, and our country from
all trickery and deceit perpetrated by the Devil and his hellish legions. Trusting
in your goodness Lord, we know if you will it, it will be done in unity with
Your Son and the Holy Spirit, One God for ever and ever. Amen.
Litany
of Humility
O
Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
Hear me.
From
the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From
the desire of being loved,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From
the desire of being extolled,
From
the desire of being honored,
From
the desire of being praised,
From
the desire of being preferred to others,
From
the desire of being consulted,
From
the desire of being approved,
From
the fear of being humiliated,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From
the fear of being despised,
From
the fear of suffering rebukes,
From
the fear of being calumniated,
From
the fear of being forgotten,
From
the fear of being ridiculed,
From
the fear of being wronged,
From
the fear of being suspected,
That
others may be loved more than I,
Jesus,
grant me the grace to desire it.
That
others may be esteemed more than I,
Jesus,
grant me the grace to desire it.
That,
in the opinion of the world, others may increase
and
I may decrease,
Jesus,
grant me the grace to desire it.
That
others may be chosen, and I set aside,
Jesus,
grant me the grace to desire it.
That
others may be praised, and I go unnoticed,
Jesus,
grant me the grace to desire it.
That
others may be preferred to me in everything,
Jesus,
grant me the grace to desire it.
That
others may become holier than I,
provided
that I may become as holy as I should,
Jesus,
grant me the grace to desire it.
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Day 26
185 Whoever says "I
believe" says "I pledge myself to what we believe." Communion in
faith needs a common language of faith, normative for all and uniting all in
the same confession of faith.
186 From the beginning, the
apostolic Church expressed and handed on her faith in brief formulae normative
for all. But already very early on, the Church also wanted to gather the
essential elements of her faith into organic and articulated summaries,
intended especially for candidates for Baptism:
This synthesis of faith was not
made to accord with human opinions, but rather what was of the greatest
importance was gathered from all the Scriptures, to present the one teaching of
the faith in its entirety. and just as the mustard seed contains a great number
of branches in a tiny grain, so too this summary of faith encompassed in a few
words the whole knowledge of the true religion contained in the Old and the New
Testaments.
187 Such syntheses are called
"professions of faith" since they summarize the faith that Christians
profess. They are called "creeds" on account of what is usually their
first word in Latin: credo ("I believe"). They are also called
"symbols of faith".
188 The Greek word symbolon
meant half of a broken object, for example, a seal presented as a token of
recognition. The broken parts were placed together to verify the bearer's
identity. The symbol of faith, then, is a sign of recognition and communion
between believers. Symbolon also means a gathering, collection or summary. A
symbol of faith is a summary of the principal truths of the faith and therefore
serves as the first and fundamental point of reference for catechesis.
189 The first "profession
of faith" is made during Baptism. The symbol of faith is first and
foremost the baptismal creed. Since Baptism is given "in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit", The truths of faith
professed during Baptism are articulated in terms of their reference to the
three persons of the Holy Trinity.
190 and so the Creed is divided
into three parts: "the first part speaks of the first divine Person and
the wonderful work of creation; the next speaks of the second divine Person and
the mystery of his redemption of men; the final part speaks of the third divine
Person, the origin and source of our sanctification." These are
"the three chapters of our [baptismal] seal".
191 "These three parts are
distinct although connected with one another. According to a comparison often
used by the Fathers, we call them articles. Indeed, just as in our bodily
members there are certain articulations which distinguish and separate them, so
too in this profession of faith, the name "articles" has justly and
rightly been given to the truths we must believe particularly and
distinctly." In accordance with an ancient tradition, already
attested to by St. Ambrose, it is also customary to reckon the articles of the
Creed as twelve, thus symbolizing the fullness of the apostolic faith by the
number of the apostles.
192 Through the centuries many
professions or symbols of faith have been articulated in response to the needs
of the different eras: the creeds of the different apostolic and ancient
Churches, e.g., the Quicumque, also called the Athanasian Creed; The
professions of faith of certain Councils, such as Toledo, Lateran, Lyons,
Trent; or the symbols of certain popes, e.g., the Fides Damasi or the
Credo of the People of God of Paul VI.
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.
·
Devotion to the 7 Joys and Sorrows of St.
Joseph
·
Do the St.
Joseph Universal Man Plan.
·
Total Consecration
to St. Joseph Day 4
Daily Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Restoring
the Constitution
·
Novena
to Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Day 4
·
Litany of the Most Precious
Blood of Jesus
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Rosary
[1] Goffine’s Devout Instructions,
1896
[2]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2023-07-10
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