ICEMANforChrist

This blog is based on references in the Bible to fear. God wills that we “BE NOT AFRAID”. Many theologians state that the eighth deadly sin is fear. It is fear and its natural animal reaction to fight or flight that is the root cause of our failings to create a Kingdom of God on earth. By “the power of the Holy Spirit” we can be witnesses and “communicators” of a new and redeemed humanity “even to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:7 8). This blog is dedicated to Mary the Mother of God.

Thursday, October 31, 2024

Another Pagan Holiday

Halloween

Rachel’s Corner

Keep your time with God sacred and important.

o How to celebrate Oct 31st

o Start your day by gathering some friends for a picnic in the park. Bring along some caramel apples to snack on and share some knock-knock jokes to keep the mood lighthearted.

§ Embrace the spirit of unity by discussing different cultures and traditions, like those celebrated during Diwali.

o After your picnic, take a stroll through a local museum or art gallery to appreciate the creativity and magic of human expression. Learn about historical figures who have made significant reforms in society, much like the founders of various movements being celebrated today.

o To keep the fun going, organize a scavenger hunt with clues related to different cities around the world. This activity will not only challenge your mind but also promote teamwork and camaraderie.

o Cap off your day by watching a magic show or learning a few tricks of your own. Channel your inner magician and amaze your friends with simple yet impressive illusions. As the evening approaches, put on your favorite costume and join a Halloween party or simply host a small gathering at home.

Best Place to visit in October: Big Sur, California

I can’t get enough of this breathtaking stretch of coastline along the iconic Highway One, renowned for offering one of the most scenic road trips in the world.

I personally think the scenery here is seriously jaw-dropping and is home to twisty roads, stunning cliffs, rocky shores, a handful of gorgeous sandy beaches and superb ocean views all backed by thick redwood forests.

Big Sur is very crowded in the summer, so I personally prefer to visit this month instead. There are far fewer tourists, better rates on accommodation and the weather is still warm and pleasant.

I really enjoyed the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park for Instagram-worthy views and the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery to watch the cute and entertaining (but noisy!) elephant seals!

Visitors Center Address: 47555 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920
Location: between Carmel in the north and San Simeon in the south (90 miles).
Map Location
Average temperatures – 64 to 75

My highlights…

Spotting the cute sea lions at Point Lobos Natural Reserve.
Taking a gorgeous shot of the Instagram-worthy Keyhole Arch which is located on the magnificent Pfeiffer Beach.
Driving over the iconic Bixby Creek Bridge and admiring the breathtaking views! It’s honestly one of the those trip of a lifetime kind of moments!

Dinner Menu

OCTOBER 31 Thursday

ALL HOLLOWS EVE

2 Chronicles, Chapter 20, Verse 29

And the FEAR of God came upon all the kingdoms of the surrounding lands when they heard how the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel.

Fear is a natural response to the unknown and to powers beyond comprehension. After experiencing our Lord for forty days after the resurrection and seeing him leave again and without the Holy Spirit’s presence the disciples were heartbroken but He promised them that He would send the Holy Spirit saying it is better for us that He leaves us so we may receive power from on high. The first gift of the Holy Spirit is the gift of Holy fear; to respond to God’s love as a son or daughter rather than a servant. We are given the ability via the Holy Spirit to make and keep commitments.

All Hallows Eve[1]

Halloween or All Hallows' Eve is not a liturgical feast on the Catholic calendar, but the celebration has deep ties to the Liturgical Year. The three consecutive days — Halloween, All Saints Day and All Souls Day — illustrate the Communion of Saints. We, the Church Militant (those on earth, striving to get to heaven) pray for the Church Suffering (those souls in Purgatory) especially on All Souls Day and the month of November. We rejoice and honor the Church Triumphant (the saints, canonized and uncanonized) in heaven. We also ask the Saints' intercession for us. In England, saints or holy people are called "hallowed," hence the name "All Hallow's Day." The evening, or "e'en" before the feast became popularly known as "All Hallows' Eve" or even shorter, "Hallowe'en." Since it was the night before All Saints Day, "All Hallows Eve" (now known as Hallowe'en), was the vigil and required fasting, many recipes and traditions have come down for this evening, such as pancakes, boxty bread and boxty pancakes, barmbrack (Irish fruit bread with hidden charms), colcannon (combination of cabbage and boiled potatoes). This was also known as "Nutcrack Night" in England, where the family gathered around the hearth to enjoy cider and nuts and apples. Halloween is the preparation and combination of the two upcoming feasts. Although the demonic and witchcraft have no place in a Catholic celebration, some macabre can be incorporated into Halloween. It is good to dwell on our certain death, the Poor Souls in Purgatory, and the Sacrament of the Sick. And tied in with this theme is the saints, canonized and non-canonized.

What did they do in their lives that they were able to reach heaven?

How can we imitate them?

How can we, like these saints, prepare our souls for death at any moment?

For more information see Catholic Culture's Halloween page.

Also read from Catholic Culture's library:

· Halloween: Celebrate Like a Catholic by Jennifer Gregory Miller

· Halloween and All Saints Day by Father William Saunders

· Holyween: Reclaim The Celebration Of All Saints by Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.

· Catholics Give the Best Parties by Jeffrey Tucker

The Black Mass: A Parody of the Eucharistic Celebration[2]

The black mass is a ceremony during which the consecration to Satan occurs. The black mass is a parody of [the Catholic] Mass, in which one adores and exalts Satan. Usually it is officiated at night, because the darkness permits greater secrecy and usually the night before a great feast of the Holy Catholic Church. The most important is Halloween, which falls on the night between October 31 and November 1 of each year: it is considered the magic New Year.

Therefore, it is necessary to understand the extreme danger for our children and youth who participate in the feast of Halloween on that date.

The black mass is a parody of [the Catholic] Mass, in which one adores and exalts Satan. Usually it is officiated at night, because the darkness permits greater secrecy and because during the night fewer people are found at prayer, which disturbs the ritual. During the celebration, the words and the external signs of the Eucharistic liturgy are used, but always in a contrary sense, in order to manifest opposition to God. There is always a satanic priest officiating who wears blasphemous vestments, an altar represented by a nude woman, possibly a virgin, on whom very serious acts of profanity of the Eucharist (usually stolen from a church), are performed, with words of consecration proclaimed in a contrary sense and an overturned crucifix. Only members of the satanic sect, who are sworn to secrecy, may participate. Nonmembers are never permitted to attend unless it is hoped that, having already been seduced by the perversions and the illusion of power, they may decide to enter the sect.

In general, the black masses are celebrated by small groups of ten or at most fifteen of the “faithful.” Once the ritual is concluded, the woman who functions as the altar is raped in turn by all the participants: first by the one who exercised the “rites” of the priest, then by all the others. This woman may have freely accepted that role, or she may have been led there against her will; and aside from the physical violence, she often suffers the terrible consequences of the ritual: [diabolical] possession.

As in the Church, some of the official rites are required and are tied to particular feast days.

· The most important is Halloween, which falls on the night between October 31 and November 1 of each year: it is considered the magic New Year. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the extreme danger for our children and youth who participate in the feast of Halloween on that date.

· The second precedes our feast of the presentation of Jesus in the Temple on February 2. The night before, in fact, the magic spring begins.

· The summer magic is the third satanic “solemnity” and occurs on the night between April 30 and May 1. During the year [Satanists] often choose nights when the new moon is inaugurated, because it is particularly dark.

The officiator of these rites is usually someone who is consecrated to Satan, and although it is not stated, this person is also usually possessed by the devil. Often during these rituals, the Eucharistic hosts are profaned, [having been] stolen from tabernacles or taken by some of the faithful at Communion during Mass and not consumed.

A Grave Sin against Faith

On this topic the Catechism of the Catholic Church furnishes the best definition: “All practices of magic or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one’s service and have a supernatural power over others — even if this were for the sake of restoring their health — are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion” (no. 2117). The definition of magic tells us two things. Above all, it has ambition — through the utilization of evil spells, the evil eye, charms, magic filters, rituals, invocations, cursed foods and drinks ingested by the victims, crystal balls, et cetera — to modify and foretell the course of human events, and to utilize the preternatural (demoniac) powers to make a person fall in love, be cured of an illness, be dismissed from a job, kill someone, provoke atmospheric events, et cetera. In other words, magic is a practice used to do evil things and to influence people and the reality created by the devil. This is also valid for the rites that are commonly called “white magic” and that are done for the “good” —please do not be charmed. It is not magically delicious.

Power of Egypt[3]

The power of Egypt was the worship of demons back thousands of years ago. The occult still is around today and just as in the Holy Church, some official rites are required and are tied to particular feast days. The most important is Halloween, which falls on the night between October 31 and November 1 of each year: it is considered the magic New Year. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the extreme danger for our children and youth who participate in the feast of Halloween on that date. The second precedes our feast of the presentation of Jesus in the Temple on February 2. The night before, in fact, begins the magic spring. We need not fear but look with love to our Lord. Perhaps we could attend Mass this day and offer God our prayers and love.

Purgatory[4]

THE word Purgatory is sometimes taken to mean a place, sometimes as an intermediate state between Hell and Heaven. It is, properly speaking, the condition of souls which, at the moment of death, are in the state of grace, but which have not completely expiated their faults, nor attained the degree of purity necessary to enjoy the vision of God. Purgatory is, then, a transitory state which terminates in a life of everlasting happiness. It is not a trial by which merit may be gained or lost, but a state of atonement and expiation. The soul has arrived at the term of its earthly career; that life was a time of trial, a time of merit for the soul, a time of mercy on the part of God. This time once expired, nothing but justice is to be expected from God, whilst the soul can neither gain nor lose merit. She remains in the state in which death found her; and since it found her in the state of sanctifying grace, she is certain of never forfeiting that happy state, and of arriving at the eternal possession of God. Nevertheless, since she is burdened with certain debts of temporal punishment, she must satisfy Divine Justice by enduring this punishment in its entire rigor. Such is the significance of the word Purgatory, and the condition of the souls which are there. On this subject the Church proposes two truths clearly defined as dogmas of faith: first, that there is a Purgatory; second that the souls which are in Purgatory may be assisted by the suffrages of the faithful, especially by the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

The Triduum of Death:

The Forgotten Season of All Hallowtide[5]

For most people, Halloween is just a fun (or sinister) secular holiday that stands on its own. But it actually used to be an important part of a short liturgical season focused on death, Allhallowtide.

All Saints’ Day has been celebrated on November 1st since the first millennium. It was sometimes called Hallowmas (Hallow = holy/saint; mas = short for Mass), or All Hallows. Its origins were practical: With all the great martyrs and saints of the early Church, there weren’t enough days in the year to honor them all. All Hallows was a catch-all day.

The Vigil for this important feast was called All Hallows’ Eve, which got contracted to Halloween. It was often a day of fasting and praying in preparation for the great feast on All Hallows, which began in the evening with a Vigil Mass. There was also the popular belief (not of the Church) that the “veil” between our world and the spiritual realm of the dead was “thinnest” on this day.

In the 13th century, St. Odilo of Cluny popularized a feast for remembering and praying for all the dead, All Souls Day. While we ask the saints in heaven for their prayers, we pray for the rest of the faithful departed, in case they are suffering in purgatory.

This completed the triduum of death: All Hallows Eve, All Hallows, and All Souls.

These feasts were so important that, in the mid-15th century, Pope Sixtus IV expanded the triduum into a full octave, or 8-day observance. This expanded form of Allhallowtide lasted for centuries until 1955, when it was eliminated by Pope Pius XII as a part of a greater (pre-Vatican II) liturgical reform.

This is why Allhallowtide is not normally celebrated today even by traditionalist Catholics, since the Extraordinary Form of the Mass follows the 1962 Roman Missal.

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Day 140

III. The Final Purification, or Purgatory

1030 All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.

1031 The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. the tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:

As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come.

1032 This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: "Therefore Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin." From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God. The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead:

Let us help and commemorate them. If Job's sons were purified by their father's sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.

IV. Hell

1033 We cannot be united with God unless we freely choose to love him. But we cannot love God if we sin gravely against him, against our neighbor or against ourselves: "He who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him." Our Lord warns us that we shall be separated from him if we fail to meet the serious needs of the poor and the little ones who are his brethren. To die in mortal sin without repenting and accepting God's merciful love means remaining separated from him forever by our own free choice. This state of definitive self-exclusion from communion with God and the blessed is called "hell."

1034 Jesus often speaks of "Gehenna" of "the unquenchable fire" reserved for those who to the end of their lives refuse to believe and be converted, where both soul and body can be lost. Jesus solemnly proclaims that he "will send his angels, and they will gather . . . all evil doers, and throw them into the furnace of fire," and that he will pronounce the condemnation: "Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire!"

1035 The teaching of the Church affirms the existence of hell and its eternity. Immediately after death the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell, where they suffer the punishments of hell, "eternal fire." The chief punishment of hell is eternal separation from God, in whom alone man can possess the life and happiness for which he was created and for which he longs.

1036 The affirmations of Sacred Scripture and the teachings of the Church on the subject of hell are a call to the responsibility incumbent upon man to make use of his freedom in view of his eternal destiny. They are at the same time an urgent call to conversion: "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few."

Since we know neither the day nor the hour, we should follow the advice of the Lord and watch constantly so that, when the single course of our earthly life is completed, we may merit to enter with him into the marriage feast and be numbered among the blessed, and not, like the wicked and slothful servants, be ordered to depart into the eternal fire, into the outer darkness where "men will weep and gnash their teeth."

1037 God predestines no one to go to hell; for this, a willful turning away from God (a mortal sin) is necessary, and persistence in it until the end. In the Eucharistic liturgy and in the daily prayers of her faithful, the Church implores the mercy of God, who does not want "any to perish, but all to come to repentance":

Father, accept this offering

from your whole family.

Grant us your peace in this life,

save us from final damnation,

and count us among those you have chosen.

Diwali[6]

The Hindu’s in India celebrate its festival of lights today. Diwali is an ancient Hindu festival of lights, which represents the eternal triumph of light over darkness or the victory of good over evil. Diwali, which literally means row of lights in Hindi, is primarily celebrated in India. This celebration of light is India's most important holiday and marks the start of the New Year.

Seek the light of the adoration candle and visit Christ in the adoration chapel today and ask for the conversion of the world.

Daily Devotions

· Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: Today's Fast: End to Addictions.

· Tonight, would be a good night to renew your baptismal vows

· do a personal eucharistic stations of the cross.

· Religion in the Home for Preschool: October

· Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus

· Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

· Drops of Christ’s Blood

· Universal Man Plan

· Rosary

NOVEMBER

The Thanksgiving meal is a ritual. Whether we are from rural or urban backgrounds, we know the harvest time passes and the year draws to an end. Giving thanks to God is Eucharist, a heavenly banquet and the foretaste of things to come. We are not worthy receivers of this sacrament without the haunting knowledge of the poor nutrition for many in our country and famine in other countries.

Highlights of November[7]

The month of November is dedicated to the Souls in Purgatory, whose feast is celebrated on November 2. With the exception of the last two days, the entire month of November falls during the liturgical season known as Ordinary Time, which is represented by the liturgical color green. This symbol of hope 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. It is used in the offices and Masses of Ordinary Time. The last portion of the liturgical year represents the time of our pilgrimage to heaven during which we hope for reward. The last Sunday, which marks the beginning of Advent, the liturgical color changes to purple, representing a time of penance.

The national holiday (USA) of Thanksgiving also falls on the last Thursday of November. The tradition of eating goose as part of the Martin's Day celebration was kept in Holland even after the Reformation. It was there that the Pilgrims who sailed to the New World in 1620 became familiar with this ancient harvest festival. When, after one year in America, they decided to celebrate a three days' thanksgiving in the autumn of 1621, they went in search of geese for their feast. We know that they also had deer (a present from the Indians), lobsters, oysters, and fish. But Edward Winslow, in his account of the feast, only mentions that "Governor Bradford sent four men on fowling that so we might after a more special manner rejoice together, after we had gathered the fruit of our labors." They actually did find some wild geese, and a number of wild turkeys and ducks as well. The Pilgrim Fathers, therefore, in serving wild turkeys with the geese, inaugurated one of the most cherished American traditions: the turkey dinner on Thanksgiving Day. They also drank, according to the ancient European tradition, the first wine of their wild-grape harvest. Pumpkin pie and cranberries were not part of the first Thanksgiving dinner in America but were introduced many years afterward. The second Thanksgiving Day in the New World was held by the Pilgrims two years later, on July 30, 1623. It was formally proclaimed by the governor as a day of prayer to thank God for their deliverance from drought and starvation, and for the safe arrival from Holland of the ship Anne. In 1665 Connecticut proclaimed a solemn day of thanksgiving to be kept annually on the last Wednesday in October. Other New England colonies held occasional and local Thanksgivings at various times. In 1789 the federal Congress authorized and requested President George Washington to proclaim a day of thanksgiving for the whole nation. Washington did this in a message setting aside November 26, 1789, as National Thanksgiving Day. After 1789 the celebration reverted to local and regional observance for almost a hundred years. There grew, however, a strong desire among the majority of the people for a national Thanksgiving Day that would unite all Americans in a festival of gratitude and public acknowledgment for all the blessings God had conferred upon the nation. It was not until October 3, 1863, that this was accomplished, when President Abraham Lincoln issued, in the midst of the Civil War, a Thanksgiving Proclamation. In it the last Thursday of November was set apart for that purpose and made a national holiday.

Since then, every president has followed Lincoln's example, and annually proclaims as a "Day of Thanksgiving" the fourth Thursday in November. Only President Franklin D. Roosevelt changed the date, in 1939, from the fourth to the third Thursday of November (to extend the time of Christmas sales). This caused so much consternation and protest that in 1941 the traditional date was restored."

November Travel and Events[8]

Deer Hunting Season

Notorious to some, delectably yummy to others, deer-hunting season begins with a bang -- sorry, Bambi -- come November. That’s because the month is prime deer-mating season: Male bucks are often so distracted by the urge to mate they may not detect the sound of Grandpa Earl’s carbine locking and loading off in the distance. Head to states like Kentucky, New Hampshire and Minnesota for the HUNT.

Grand Canyon (Arizona)

Take advantage of off-season travel to popular landmarks such as the Grand Canyon. the 1.2-million-acre park sees half its summer crowds. Enjoy cooler temperatures (in the 70s), as well as the deepening colors of aspen, oak and birch trees that adorn this national treasure.

October 29-November 2, The Day of the Dead

Families decorate the graves of loved ONES THROUGHOUT Mexico as part of this annual national holiday. A blend of pre-Columbian and Catholic traditions, Day of the Dead may sound notoriously spooky to outsiders. But to those who celebrate it, the day offers a way to reflect and share in treasured memories of loved ones through acts of commemoration, including making altars.

o MURAL MARIGOLD PROJECT-Sedona, Arizona

o October 30 - November 2, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to paint their tributes on our 26-foot-long remembrance wall. This is an opportunity to remember your loved ones & create something lasting with others. Paints and brushes will be provided on-site with the murals from the previous years on display for your viewing and inspiration. Mural painting will continue daily on the Calle Independence from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. until Saturday, November 2nd, 2024. inspiration.

November 1st & 2^nd Breeders' Cup

Wondering where to travel in November? Start by taking in two days of action-packed thoroughbred horse races. The annual Breeders’ Cup World Championship kicks off this month at Keeneland racetrack, Lexington, Kentucky. Better grab your tickets fast, though; attendance is usually much higher than other stake races in North America.

o Breeders’ Cup Watch Party

o The Breeders’ Cup is coming to K O’Donnell’s Sports Bar & Grill this Saturday! Do yourself a favor, and instead of wasting time on google trying to find the best place to watch the Breeder’s Cup in Scottsdale, head over to K O’Donnells and enjoy Arizona’s best off-track betting bar. We offer an experience like no other. We have 12 TV’s on-site that are dedicated to OTB along with our other 70+ TVs that will be watching the action. We open early on Saturday morning for Breeders Cup fans to come in and enjoy the east coast races and some brunch.