NIC’s Corner Tomorrow is Pearl Harbor Day
I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me. (Philippians 4:13)
· Iceman’s 40 devotion
· Operation Purity
· How to celebrate Dec 6th
o Wake up and start your day with a refreshing bowl of gazpacho—a perfect way to celebrate National Gazpacho Day.
§ After breakfast, take a moment to appreciate the hard work of miners around the world on National Miners’ Day by learning about the industry or supporting organizations that promote miner safety.
o For lunch, utilize your microwave oven to whip up a quick and easy meal in honor of National Microwave Oven Day.
§ While waiting for your food to heat up, take a moment to thank your local bartender on National Bartender Day by leaving a generous tip the next time you pop by your favorite bar.
o Need quick cash? Celebrate National Pawnbrokers Day by decluttering your home and selling unwanted items to your local pawn shop.
§ Later in the day, embrace your inner fashionista by participating in Faux Fur Friday. Dig out any faux fur items you have in your closet and strut your stuff.
o For a fun and quirky activity, celebrate Put On Your Own Shoes Day by treating yourself to a new pair of kicks or simply appreciating the shoes you already own. Show appreciation for salespeople on National Salesperson Day by shopping at local stores or online shops run by hardworking sales staff.
o Get into the holiday spirit by decorating a mitten tree in your community for Mitten Tree Day. Donate mittens, gloves, or winter wear to spread warmth and cheer during the holiday season.
o Wrap up the day by celebrating St. Nicholas Day with small acts of kindness, such as leaving a treat for your loved ones or donating to charity in the spirit of giving.
Introduction to Judith[1]
Whatever the reasons, the rabbis did not count Judith among their scriptures, and the Reformation adopted that position. The early Church, however, held this book in high honor. The first-century Pope, St. Clement of Rome, proposes Judith as an example of courageous love (1 Corinthians 55). St. Jerome holds her up as an example of a holy widow and a type of the Church and, in another place, describes Mary as a new Judith. The Council of Trent (1546) included Judith in the canon; thus, it is one of the seven deuterocanonical books. as God acted through Moses’ hand, so God delivers “by the hand of a female,” Judith. Like Jael, who drove a tent peg through the head of Sisera, Judith kills an enemy general. Like Deborah, Judith “judges” Israel in the time of military crisis. Like Sarah, the mother of Israel’s future, Judith’s beauty deceives foreigners, with the result that blessings rebound to Israel. Her Hebrew name means “Jewish woman.” Her exploits captured the imagination of liturgists, artists, and writers through the centuries.
DECEMBER 6 First Friday
feast of saint Nicholas
Judith, Chapter 1,
Verse 11
But all the inhabitants of the
whole land made light of the summons of Nebuchadnezzar, king of the Assyrians,
and would not join him in the war. They were not AFRAID of him, since he was only a single opponent. So they sent
back his envoys empty-handed and disgraced.
It seems that Nebuchadnezzar, king of the Assyrians is a legend in his own mind! The people did not respect the authority of the king and his power was not taken seriously. This does not look like it will turn out well. Let us examine ourselves; have we made light of God’s grace that has been given us and shunning our duties by refusing to join Him in war with evil? These are troubled times.
Prayers to Be Said in Time of Trouble[2]
Look down, O Holy Father, from Thy
sanctuary in heaven, Thy dwelling-place, and behold this sacred victim which
our great High Priest, Thy holy, innocent, and well-beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus
Christ, offers to Thee for the sins of us His brethren, and let not Thy wrath
be kindled on account of the manifold transgressions of the world. Behold the
voice of the blood of our brother, Thy first-born Son, Jesus, cries to Thee
from the cross. Give ear, O Lord, be appeased; O Lord, hearken, and do; tarry
not for our own sake, O our God, for Thy name is invoked upon this house and
city, and upon all Thy people; and deal with us according to Thy infinite
mercy, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
V. That Thou
wouldst vouchsafe to bring us to true penance.
R. We
beseech Thee, hear us.
V. That Thou
wouldst vouchsafe to defend this house and city, and all Thy people, to keep
them in peace; to guard, preserve, and look down on them with Thy most tender
pity.
R. We
beseech Thee, hear us.
V. Through
the holy mysteries of man’s redemption.
R. Let Thy
mercies quickly prevent us, O Lord, and spare Thy people.
V. Through
the merits and intercession of Thy blessed Mother, and of all the saints.
R. Let Thy
mercies, etc, as above.
V. Holy
Mary, conceived without original sin, and all angels and saints, intercede for
us to Our Lord.
R. That the
mercies of our Lord may quickly prevent us; and that He may spare His people,
that so we may rejoice with Him forever and. ever. Amen.
Let us pray.
Almighty and merciful God, may Thy most holy will be one at all times and in all things, according to Thy infinite and eternal mercy, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
First Friday Devotion[3]
Nine consecutive Fridays in reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Our Lord appeared to St.
Margaret Mary Alocoque (1647-1690), a French nun in the
Visitation Order, and gave her the special task to spread devotion to His Most
Sacred Heart at a time when religion was growing cold in the hearts of mankind.
He said to her:
“Behold this heart which, not withstanding the burning love
for men with which it is consumed and exhausted, meets with no other return
from most Christians than sacrilege, contempt, indifference and ingratitude,
even in the sacrament of my love [the Eucharist]. But what pierces my heart
most deeply is that I am subjected to these insults by persons especially
consecrated to my service.” Jesus asked for special prayers and practices to
make amends (reparation) for this great neglect to the proper reverence owed
to God. For those who did this faithfully, he made what St. Margaret Mary
referred to as the “Great Promise” which was the last and greatest of the Twelve Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
“I promise you in the unfathomable mercy of my heart that my
omnipotent love will procure the grace of final penitence for all those who
receive communion on nine successive first Fridays of the month; they will not
die in my disfavor [the grace of final repentance], or without having received
the sacraments, since my divine heart will be their sure refuge in the last
moments of their life.”
Conditions to Fulfill the First Friday Devotion
The specific conditions to receive the Great Promise of the
Sacred Heart of Jesus are:
1. Receive Holy Communion on nine consecutive first Fridays
of the month (this assumes that the person is in a state of grace, having made
a sacramental confession for any mortal sins prior to receiving communion).
2. Having the intention, at least implicitly, of making
reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for all the sinfulness and ingratitude
of men.
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/usa/best-places-to-visit-usa-december/
From the ninth century in the East and the eleventh century in the
West, Nicholas has been one of the most popular saints in Christendom and in
Christian art and is the patron of many countries, dioceses, churches, and
cities. He was a Greek bishop of Myra in Lycia (now Turkey). According to
folklore, he may have saved three girls from prostitution, restored to life
three children who had been killed, and saved three unjustly condemned men from
death. While some sources say that he may have been imprisoned during the
Diocletian persecution, there is no historical certainty that he suffered
persecution for his faith. Likewise, while some sources place him at the
Council of Nicaea in 325, it is uncertain if he attended. His charity to the
poor is commemorated in modern times by those who follow the tradition of
stuffing a boot or a stocking with gifts on his feast day. “Santa Claus” comes
from the Dutch form of his name, “Sinterklaas.” He is the patron saint of
sailors, merchants, and children.
Things
to Do[5]
·
Today is a good day to teach your children the
difference between Santa Claus and St. Nicholas. This story of the origin of Santa Claus will help you. Also learn all you can about St.
Nicholas.
·
Read St. Nicholas of Bari, ancestor of Santa Claus.
·
Choose some of the recommended activities — a
puppet show, a party, a visit from "St. Nicholas." Make sure to
include in all the activities the story of St. Nicholas, virtues to imitate,
and his significance in the Advent season. Read how different countries Celebrate the Feast of St. Nicholas.
·
To enhance your feasting, purchase a copy of the
CD by the Anonymous 4 Legends of St. Nicholas. This is medieval music, all in honor
of St. Nicholas, done by four female vocalists.
·
There are numerous recipes to enhance this
feast, anything from a soup to dessert, so have fun in the kitchen trying
different ones.
·
St. Nicholas did his charitable works secretly.
Suggest that your children do one hidden act of kindness in imitation of the
saint.
· From the Netherlands we have the most popular recipe, speculaas (or St. Nicholas Cookies; Speculaus; Speculatius; Kris Kringle Cookies; Dutch spice cookies). You can find tips for using special speculaas cookie molds by Gene Wilson. Try these sites for St. Nicholas Cookie cutters or molds: House on the Hill, HOBI Picture Cookie Molds, Rycraft, and St. Nicholas Center. You could also use Nativity Cookie Cutters, like these from Cookie Craft.
There are three stages of man: 1st you believe in Santa Claus; 2nd you don’t believe in Santa Claus and 3rd you become Santa Claus!
Food and Drink[6]
It should always be remembered that like Lent, Advent is a period of penitence and sacrifice. Prior to the 1917 Code of Canon Law, in fact, the Roman church observed a fast (albeit one much less demanding than the Lenten fast), and prior to Vatican II it continued to require fasting during the Advent Embertide. It is therefore a salubrious custom to practice some kind of abstinence (e.g. giving up a favorite food) during Advent as a sober reminder of the season. Yet because it anticipates the Nativity, Advent cannot help but be suffused with joy as well. Traditional treats, especially on St. Nicholas Day (December 6) and during the "Golden Nights" (December 16 to 24), have long been a part of Advent observance. These hints of celebration have nothing to do with the ungodly bacchanalia of the annual Christmas party at the office or on the block and can therefore be made part of a holy preparation for the Lord.
· Cookies: traditional treat during Advent, especially on St. Nicholas Day and during the octave before Christmas. Springerles or Peppernuts (Pfeffernusse) are popular in Germany, Diples ("folds," for the infant Jesus' swaddling clothes) in Greece, and Speculaas cookies (on St. Nicholas Day) in the Netherlands.
· Drinks: there are special holiday drinks to toast the imminent arrival of the Christ Child. Eggnog and Rum pots are especially popular during the Octave before Christmas or the Golden Nights (see Customs), while Swedish mulled wine or Bishop's wine is drunk on St. Nicholas Day (December 6).
·
Fruitcake: alcoholic content and heavy
texture, fruitcakes are the preferred winter treat for many adults. Again, the
kind of fruitcake will various according to nationality. Do not use this
as a frienemy gift!
On the eve of the St. Nicholas party the treats served are the exchange of gifts, genuine Dutch cookies and Bishopwyn (bishop's wine). For children the wine is grape juice. But the grownups welcome the mulled Bishopwyn. With the people of the Netherlands, let us toast his memory with Bishopwyn and tell the beautiful legends of the charity of St. Nicholas. To give gifts in secret so that people would render him no thanks was surely a saintly act.
INGREDIENTS
·
1
bottle of Claret
·
6
cloves
· 4 inches stick cinnamon
DIRECTIONS
Break cinnamon into small pieces. Simmer wine and spices for about five minutes. Strain wine. Serve hot.
Recipe Source: Family Advent
Customs by Helen McLoughlin, The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minnesota,
1954, 1979
33 days to Christmas-Start the 33 days to Eucharistic Glory[1]
Want to start a small group? Download our 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory Study Guide
Day 10
On this 10th day, find peace in the serving
Christ as King of the Universe
Copilot:
Finding peace in serving
Christ as the King of the Universe is a profound and fulfilling spiritual
pursuit. Here are some ways to embrace this devotion:
Acknowledge Christ’s
Sovereignty
1.
Daily Worship: Start
each day by acknowledging Christ’s sovereignty through prayer and worship.
Recognize His ultimate authority and love in your life.
2.
Scripture Reflection:
Meditate on passages that highlight Christ’s kingship, such as Colossians
1:16-20 and Revelation 19:16.
Serve with a Purpose
1.
Acts of Service: Engage
in acts of service with the intention of honoring Christ. Whether it's helping
the needy, volunteering, or simply showing kindness, do it with a heart full of
reverence.
2.
Love Others: Treat
others with love and respect, seeing Christ in everyone you encounter.
Cultivate Inner Peace
1.
Prayer and Meditation:
Spend quiet time in prayer and meditation, seeking Christ’s peace and guidance
in your heart.
2.
Gratitude: Practice
gratitude for the blessings and challenges in your life, recognizing Christ’s
presence in all circumstances.
Live Out Your Faith
1.
Obedience to His
Teachings: Strive to follow Christ’s teachings in your daily life. Make
decisions that reflect His values of love, compassion, and justice.
2. Community Involvement: Participate in church activities and
community groups that foster a sense of belonging and
shared purpose in serving Christ.
[1]https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/33-days-to-eucharistic-glory/33EG.html?srsltid=AfmBOopIHMivIR422BjtUtJ2KZm8-MrVMEJFtxZYH7ZkFuXRwdu5G1Qi#longDescription
Catechism
of the Catholic Church
Day 177
The celebration of Confirmation
1297 The consecration
of the sacred chrism is an important action that precedes the celebration of
Confirmation, but is in a certain way a part of it. It is the bishop who, in
the course of the Chrism Mass of Holy Thursday, consecrates the sacred chrism
for his whole diocese. In some Eastern Churches this consecration is even
reserved to the patriarch:
The Syriac
liturgy of Antioch expresses the epiclesis for the consecration of the sacred
chrism (myron) in this way: "[Father . . . send your Holy Spirit] on us
and on this oil which is before us and consecrate it, so that it may be for all
who are anointed and marked with it holy myron, priestly myron, royal myron,
anointing with gladness, clothing with light, a cloak of salvation, a spiritual
gift, the sanctification of souls and bodies, imperishable happiness, the
indelible seal, a buckler of faith, and a fearsome helmet against all the works
of the adversary."
1298 When
Confirmation is celebrated separately from Baptism, as is the case in the Roman
Rite, the Liturgy of Confirmation begins with the renewal of baptismal promises
and the profession of faith by the confirmands. This clearly shows that
Confirmation follows Baptism. When adults are baptized, they immediately
receive Confirmation and participate in the Eucharist.
1299 In the
Roman Rite the bishop extends his hands over the whole group of the
confirmands. Since the time of the apostles this gesture has signified the gift
of the Spirit. the bishop invokes the outpouring of the Spirit in these words:
All-powerful
God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
by water and
the Holy Spirit
you freed
your sons and daughters from sin
and gave
them new life.
Send your
Holy Spirit upon them
to be their
helper and guide.
Give them
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit
of right judgment and courage,
the spirit
of knowledge and reverence.
Fill them
with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence.
We ask this
through Christ our Lord.
1300 The
essential rite of the sacrament follows. In the Latin rite, "the sacrament
of Confirmation is conferred through the anointing with chrism on the forehead,
which is done by the laying on of the hand, and through the words: 'Accipe
signaculum doni Spiritus Sancti' [Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy
Spirit.]." In the Eastern Churches, after a prayer of epiclesis the
more significant parts of the body are anointed with myron: forehead, eyes,
nose, ears, lips, breast, back, hands, and feet. Each anointing is accompanied
by the formula: "The seal of the gift that is the Holy Spirit."
1301 The sign
of peace that concludes the rite of the sacrament signifies and demonstrates
ecclesial communion with the bishop and with all the faithful.
III.
The Effects of Confirmation
1302 It is
evident from its celebration that the effect of the sacrament of Confirmation
is the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on
the day of Pentecost.
1303 From this
fact, Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace:
- it roots us more deeply in the divine filiation which makes us cry,
"Abba! Father!";
- it unites us more firmly to Christ;
- it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us;
- it renders our bond with the Church more perfect;
- it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the
faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of
Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross:
Recall then
that you have received the spiritual seal, the spirit of wisdom and
understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, the spirit of
knowledge and reverence, the spirit of holy fear in God's presence. Guard what
you have received. God the Father has marked you with his sign; Christ the Lord
has confirmed you and has placed his pledge, the Spirit, in your hearts.
1304 Like
Baptism which it completes, Confirmation is given only once, for it too
imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual mark, the "character,"
which is the sign that Jesus Christ has marked a Christian with the seal of his
Spirit by clothing him with power from on high so that he may be his witness.
1305 This
"character" perfects the common priesthood of the faithful, received
in Baptism, and "the confirmed person receives the power to profess faith
in Christ publicly and as it were officially (quasi ex officio)."
Fitness Friday-Aztec
Fitness
On Thursday December
12th we celebrated Mary’s appearance to the Aztec’s where she told
them God does not demand blood sacrifice and converted 9 million Aztecs. The
Aztecs were great warriors and had incredible fitness.
Aztec Jaguar
Warriors
Due to the foremost importance of military conquests in the
Aztec Empire, the elite warriors were among the most respected members of
society. They were granted lands by the emperor and their status was on par
with landed nobility. Becoming a warrior of distinction was also one of the
surest ways of upward social mobility for the common people. The Order of the
Aztec Jaguar Warriors was the order of the elite warriors and rigorous training
was required for a male member of Aztec society to become a Jaguar Warrior.
If men would go to such lengths to
be a Jaguar warrior, we as Christ’s redeemed must ardently strive for:
THE VIRTUES OF A
SOLDIER OF CHRIST
Jesse Tree[7]
Jesse
Tree Scriptures (The Symbols Are Only Suggestions)
December 1 Creation: Gen. 1:1-31; 2:1-4 Symbols: sun,
moon, stars, animals, earth
December 2 Adam and Eve: Gen. 2:7-9, 18-24 Symbols:
tree, man, woman
December 3 Fall of Man: Gen. 3:1-7 and 23-24 Symbols:
tree, serpent, apple with bite
December 4 Noah: Gen. 6:5-8, 13-22; 7:17, 23, 24; 8:1, 6-22 Symbols:
ark, animals, dove, rainbow
December 5 Abraham: Gen. 12:1-3 Symbols: torch, sword,
mountain
December 6 Isaac: Gen. 22:1-14 Symbols:
bundle of wood, altar, ram in bush mountain
Daily
Devotions
·
Unite in
the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: Today's Fast: Authentic Feminism
·
Religion
in the home: Preschool for December
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Make
reparations to the Holy Face
·
Rosary
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