NIC’s Corner
Blessed be the Lord, who
daily loads us with benefits, the God of our Salvation (Psalm 68:19)
·
desert ridge marketplace is pleased to present villa fleur: a lavish pop-up
experience specially crafted to celebrate spring.
o
villa
fleur will captivate guests transcending them into an eclectic atmosphere of
rich prints and bold textures, striking visuals and lush florals. set under
romantic lighting, guests will settle into parlor-style seating designed to
ignite the senses while enjoying chef-driven fare and elixirs and a
state-of-the-art projection show designed exclusively for villa fleur. this
rare journey is available for a limited time from March 14 – May 11.
·
Catholic Activity:
Religion in the Home for Preschool: May
·
Bucket
List trip: Copenhagen
·
Spirit
Hour: Moscato Wine
·
Foodie:
Chicken
Kiev
·
Get
an indulgence
Fun things to do.
Beware of others’ butts when in the
water!
Wine. Dine.
Unwind. Retail therapy and aromatherapy are both on the agenda during this
circuit of Greater Phoenix’s plentiful people pleasures.
Day
1: Phoenix spa day
Rejuvenate after your travels with a day at one of Phoenix’s premier destination spas, such as the Alvadora Spa or the Joya Spa .
Let the elements
of the desert heal and rejuvenate with a spa treatment inspired by the local
landscape.
Day
2: Retail therapy
Stroll beneath
the palms in a sprawling shopper’s paradise at Biltmore Fashion Park or
Kierland Commons, and splurge on couture at Scottsdale Fashion Square.
Take home a
thoughtful gift from a local boutique such as MADE Art Boutique, downtown’s
Bunky Boutique or one of these other shops selling local goods.
Day
3: Wine tours, scotch tastings, craft beer
Tour and taste
your way through Arizona’s wineries on a short-day trip from Phoenix.
If you’re not a
fan of reds and whites, just browse the shelves of Westin Kierland’s extensive
Scotch Library, or hop on a ride with Arizona Brewery Tours to explore
Phoenix's craft beer scene.
The Scotch
Library at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
Day
4: A day by the pool and fine dining
Don’t leave
America’s sunniest metropolis without spending a little time poolside. From
serene settings to wild water parks, we've got a resort pool to fit your style.
Cap your getaway
with fine fare just steps away from your pool chair at Phoenix resort
restaurants such as Prado Restaurant and Mbar at the Omni Scottsdale Resort
& Spa at Montelucia and elements at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, A
Gurney's Resort & Spa.
MAY 9 Friday of the Third Week of Easter
1
Maccabees, Chapter 12, Verse 28
As this little soap opera
continues, we last see that Jonathan took care of the Greek Apollonius. In many
ways this little ditty is like the gang warfare in Chicago or LA. Amazingly the
area is about the same size. As the story continues, we see more betrayal.
Demetrius forms an alliance with Ptolemy to take Alexander’s turf and
add it to Egypt’s. Then, begins the all-out turf war, cross and double cross
with no real winners; Jonathan then saw that the time was
right, he chose men and sent them to Rome to confirm and renew the friendship
with the Romans. He also sent letters to the Spartans and
other places to the same effect. He is hedging his bet. Now we come to this
verse where Demetrius sends a large army to attack Jonathan. Jonathan is
prepared for this and when Demetrius’ army discovers how prepared they are they
flee by a rouse. Clever little cowards: like all bullies when confronted they
exit stage left. It seems that men haven’t really changed much since the days
of Jonathan Maccabee. Perhaps this is why it is not included in the protestant
bible who wants to see we are in need of God’s help. We must admit our
failures; repent and strive to live our baptismal vows.
Renewal of Baptismal Promises[1]
V.
Do you reject Satan?
R.
I do.
V.
And all his works?
R.
I do.
V.
And all his empty promises?
R.
I do.
V. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
R.
I do.
V. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the
Virgin Mary was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now
seated at the right hand of the Father?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
R.
I do.
V. God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a new
birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and forgiven all our sins. May he also keep
us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever.
R.
Amen.
(This
is a family service that is directed by one of the parents. The family members
renew their baptismal vows and sprinkle themselves with the Easter water,)
Let us remember that with our
ladies’ help we can live up to these promises.
Catechism
of the Catholic Church
Day 326 2534-2543
PART THREE: LIFE IN CHRIST
SECTION TWO-THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
CHAPTER
TWO-YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF
Article 10-THE
TENTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not covet ... anything that is your neighbor's....
Question:
Does DEI violate this commandment?
You shall not desire your neighbor's house, his field, or his
manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his ass, or anything that is your
neighbor's.
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
2534 The tenth commandment unfolds and
completes the ninth, which is concerned with concupiscence of the flesh. It
forbids coveting the goods of another, as the root of theft, robbery, and
fraud, which the seventh commandment forbids. "Lust of the eyes"
leads to the violence and injustice forbidden by the fifth
commandment. Avarice, like fornication, originates in the idolatry
prohibited by the first three prescriptions of the Law. The tenth
commandment concerns the intentions of the heart; with the ninth, it summarizes
all the precepts of the Law.
I.
The Disorder of Covetous Desires
2535 The
sensitive appetite leads us to desire pleasant things we do not have, e.g., the
desire to eat when we are hungry or to warm ourselves when we are cold. These
desires are good in themselves; but often they exceed the limits of reason and
drive us to covet unjustly what is not ours and belongs to another or is owed
to him.
2536 The tenth
commandment forbids greed and the desire to amass earthly goods without limit.
It forbids avarice arising from a passion for riches and their attendant power.
It also forbids the desire to commit injustice by harming our neighbor in his
temporal goods:
When the Law
says, "You shall not covet," these words mean that we should banish
our desires for whatever does not belong to us. Our thirst for another's goods
is immense, infinite, never quenched. Thus it is written: "He who loves
money never has money enough."
2537 It is not
a violation of this commandment to desire to obtain things that belong to one's
neighbor, provided this is done by just means. Traditional catechesis
realistically mentions "those who have a harder struggle against their
criminal desires" and so who "must be urged the more to keep this
commandment":
. . .
merchants who desire scarcity and rising prices, who cannot bear not to be the
only ones buying and selling so that they themselves can sell more dearly and
buy more cheaply.
those who
hope that their peers will be impoverished, in order to realize a profit either
by selling to them or buying from them.
physicians
who wish disease to spread.
lawyers who are eager for many important cases and trials.
2538 The tenth
commandment requires that envy be banished from the human heart. When the
prophet Nathan wanted to spur King David to repentance, he told him the story
about the poor man who had only one ewe lamb that he treated like his own
daughter and the rich man who, despite the great number of his flocks, envied
the poor man and ended by stealing his lamb. Envy can lead to the worst
crimes. "Through the devil's envy death entered the world":
We fight one
another, and envy arms us against one another.... If everyone strives to
unsettle the Body of Christ, where shall we end up? We are engaged in making
Christ's Body a corpse.... We declare ourselves members of one and the same
organism, yet we devour one another like beasts.
2539 Envy is a
capital sin. It refers to the sadness at the sight of another's goods and the
immoderate desire to acquire them for oneself, even unjustly. When it wishes
grave harm to a neighbor it is a mortal sin:
St.
Augustine saw envy as "the diabolical sin." "From envy are born
hatred, detraction, calumny, joy caused by the misfortune of a neighbor, and
displeasure caused by his prosperity."
2540 Envy
represents a form of sadness and therefore a refusal of charity; the baptized
person should struggle against it by exercising good will. Envy often comes
from pride; the baptized person should train himself to live in humility:
Would you
like to see God glorified by you? Then rejoice in your brother's progress and
you will immediately give glory to God. Because his servant could conquer envy
by rejoicing in the merits of others, God will be praised.
II. The Desires of
the Spirit
2541 The
economy of law and grace turns men's hearts away from avarice and envy. It
initiates them into desire for the Sovereign Good; it instructs them in the
desires of the Holy Spirit who satisfies man's heart.
The God of the promises always warned man against seduction by what from the
beginning has seemed "good for food . . . a delight to the eyes . . . to
be desired to make one wise."
2542 The Law
entrusted to Israel never sufficed to justify those subject to it; it even
became the instrument of "lust." The gap between wanting and
doing points to the conflict between God's Law which is the "law of my
mind," and another law "making me captive to the law of sin which
dwells in my members."
2543 "But
now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from law, although the
law and the prophets bear witness to it, the righteousness of God through faith
in Jesus Christ for all who believe." Henceforth, Christ's faithful "have
crucified the flesh with its passions and desires"; they are led by the
Spirit and follow the desires of the Spirit.
Fitness
Friday[2]
APFT Aquatic Exercises
Source: Department of the Army Field Manual,
FM 21-20 Physical Fitness Training
Side Leg-Raises. Stand in
chest to shoulder-deep water with either side of the body at arm’s length to
the wall of the pool, and grasp the edge with the nearest hand. Raise the
outside leg sideward and upward from the hip. Next, pull the leg down to the
starting position. Repeat these actions. Then, turn the other side of the body
to the wall, and perform the exercise with the other leg. DURATION: 30 seconds
(15 seconds per leg).
Leg-Over. Stand in
chest-to shoulder-deep water, back facing the wall of the pool. Reach backward
with the arms extended, and grasp the pool’s edge. Next, raise one leg in front
of the body away from the wall, and move it sideward toward the other leg as
far as it can go. Then, return the leg to the front-extended position, and
lower it to the starting position. Repeat these actions with the other leg, and
continue to alternate legs. DURATION: 30 seconds ( 15 seconds per leg).
Rear Leg Lift. Stand in
chest-to shoulder-deep water with hands on the pool’s edge, chest to the wall.
Raise one leg back and up from the hip, extend it, and point the foot. Then,
pull the leg back to the starting position. Alternate these actions back and forth
with each leg. DURATION: 20 seconds (10 seconds each leg).
Alternate Toe Touch. Stand in waist-deep water. Raise the
left leg as in kicking while touching the elevated toe with the right hand. At
the same time, rotate the head toward the left shoulder, and push the left arm
backward through the water. Alternate these actions back and forth with each
leg and opposite hand. DURATION 2 minutes.
Side Straddle Hop. Stand in waist deep water with
hands on hips and feet together. Jump sideward and land with feet about two
feet apart. Then, return to the starting position, and repeat the jumping
action. DURATION 2 minutes.
Stride Hop. Stand in waist-deep water with hands on hips
and feet together. Jump, moving the left leg forward and right leg backward.
Then, jump again moving the right leg forward and left leg backward. Repeat
these actions. DURATION 2 minutes.
The Bounce. Stand in waist-deep water with hands on hips
and feet together. Jump high with feet together. Upon landing, use a bouncing
motion, and repeat the action. DURATION: 1 minute.
Rise on Toes. Stand in chest-to shoulder-deep
water with arms at sides and feet together. Rise up using the toes. Then, lower
the body to the starting position. Repeat the action. DURATION: 1 minute.
Side Bender. Stand in waist-deep water with the left arm
at the side and the right arm extended straight overhead. Stretch slowly,
bending to the left. Recover to the starting position, and repeat the action.
Next, reverse to the right arm at the side and the left arm extended straight
overhead. Repeat the stretching action to the right side. DURATION: 1 minute.
Walking Crawl. Walk in waist- to chest-deep water. Simulate the overhand crawl stroke by reaching out with the left hand cupped and pressing the water downward to the thigh. Repeat the action with the right hand. Alternate left and right arm action. DURATION: 2 minutes.
Bouncing. Stand in chest-deep water, arms at sides. Bounce on the left
foot while pushing down vigorously with both hands. Repeat the action with the
right foot. Alternate bouncing on the left and right foot. DURATION: 2 minutes.
Bounding in Place with Alternate Arm Stretch, Forward. Bound in place in
waist-deep water using high knee action. Stretch the right arm far forward when
the left knee is high and the left arm is stretched backward. When the position
of the arm is reversed, simulate the action of the crawl stroke by pulling down
and through the water with the hand. DURATION 1 minute.
Poolside Knees Up, Supine. Stand in chest-to shoulder-deep water, back against the wall
of the pool. Extend the arms backward, and grasp the pool’s edge. With feet
together, extend the legs in front of the torso, and assume a supine position.
Then with the legs together, raise the knees to the chin. Return to the
starting position, and repeat the action. DURATION: 2 minutes (maximum effort).
Twisting Legs, Supine. Stand in chest-to shoulder-deep water, back against the wall
of the pool. Extend the arms backward, and grasp the pool’s edge. With feet
together, extend the legs in front of the torso, and assume a supine position.
Then, twist the legs slowly to the left, return to the starting position, and
twist the legs slowly to the right. Repeat this twisting action. DURATION: 1
minute (2 sets, 30 seconds each).
Scissor Kick. Float in chest- to shoulder- deep water on either side of
the body with the top arm extended, hand holding the pool’s edge. Brace the
bottom hand against the pool’s wall with feet below the water’s surface. Next,
assume a crouching position by bringing the heels toward the hips by bending
the knees. Then, straighten and spread the legs with the top leg extending
backward. When the legs are extended and spread, squeeze themback together
(scissoring). Pull with the top hand, and push with the bottom hand. The
propulsive force of the kick will tend to cause the body to rise to the water’s
surface. DURATION 1 minute (2 sets, 30 seconds each, maximum effort).
Push Away. Stand in chest-to shoulder-deep water facing the pool’s wall and at arm’s length from it. Grasp the pool’s edge, and bend the arms so that the body is leaning toward the wall of the pool. Vigorously push the chest back from the wall by straightening the arms. Then, with equal vigor, pull the upper body back to the wall. Repeat these actions. DURATION: 2 minutes (maximum effort).
Gutter
Push-Ups. Stand in chest to shoulder- deep water facing the pool’s wall.
Place the hands on the edge or gutter of the pool. Then, raise the body up and
out of the water while extending the arms. repeat this action. DURATION: 2
minutes (4 sets, 30 seconds each with 5-second rests between sets).
Front Flutter Kick. Stand in chest to shoulder-deep water facing the pool’s
wall. Grasp the pool’s edge or gutter and assume a prone position with legs extended
just below the water’s surface. Then, kick flutter style, toes pointed, ankles
flexible, knee joint loose but straight. The Iegs should simulate a whip’s
action. DURATION 1 minute (2 sets, 30 seconds each).
Running. Move in a running gait in chest-to shoulder-deep water with
arms and hands under the water’s surface. This activity can be stationary, or
the exerciser may run from poolside to poolside. Runners must concentrate on
high knee action and good arm movement. DURATION 10 to 20
The Engine. Stand in chest-to shoulder-deep water, arms straight and in
front of the body and parallel to the water with the palms facing downward.
While walking forward, raise the left knee to the left elbow, then return to
the starting position. Continuing to walk forward, touch the right knee to the
right elbow, and return to the starting position. Be sure to keep the arms
parallel to the water throughout the exercise. DURATION 1 to 2 minutes (2
sets).
PRAYERS AND TEACHINGS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
Prayer before Mass
Lord, Jesus Christ, I approach your banquet table in fear and trembling, for I am a sinner, and dare not rely on my own worth but only on your goodness and mercy. I am defiled by many sins in body and soul, and by my unguarded thoughts and words. Gracious God of majesty and awe, I seek your protection, I look for your healing, poor troubled sinner that I am, I appeal to you, the fountain of all mercy. I cannot bear your judgment, but I trust in your salvation. Lord, I show my wounds to you and uncover my shame before you. I know my sins are many and great, and they fill me with fear, but I hope in your mercies, for they cannot be numbered. Lord Jesus Christ, eternal King, God and man, crucified for mankind, look upon me with mercy and hear my prayer, for I trust in you. Have mercy on me, full of sorrow and sin, for the depth of your compassion never ends. Praise to you, saving sacrifice, offered on the wood of the cross for me and for all mankind. Praise to the noble and precious blood, flowing from the wounds of my crucified Lord Jesus Christ and washing away the sins of the whole world. Remember, Lord, your creature, whom you have redeemed with your blood. I repent my sins, and I long to put right what I have done. Merciful Father, take away all my offenses and sins; purify me in body and soul, and make me worthy to taste the holy of holies. May your body and blood, which I intend to receive, although I am unworthy, be for me the remission of my sins, the washing away of my guilt, the end of my evil thoughts, and the rebirth of my better instincts. May it incite me to do the works pleasing to you and profitable to my health in body and soul, and be a firm defense against the wiles of my enemies. Amen.
Daily
Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Today's Fast: Purity
·
Litany of the Most Precious
Blood of Jesus
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Make
reparations to the Holy Face
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