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Candace’s Corner
· Foodie:
o Wrap up your day by pampering yourself with some chicken dishes in honor of National Chicken Lady Day, trying out new recipes or visiting a local eatery.
§ Whip up a simple recipe to honor National Easy-Bake Oven Day, indulging in a sweet treat without breaking the bank
· Peck it
· Spirit Hour: Monk’s Rope
· Pray Day 2 of the Novena for our Pope and Bishops
· Election Day-Vote Life
· Will Roger’s born 1879
o You wake up on a random day, deciding to embrace the unexpected with a touch of creativity. Start by celebrating Use Your Commonsense Day; declutter your space and make practical decisions throughout the day.
o Take a break to enjoy the outdoors on Recreation Day Tasmania, engaging in budget-friendly activities like hiking or picnicking.
o While outdoors, fly a flag in solidarity with Flag Day in Panama, celebrating unity and diversity.
o Reflect on the importance of work and career goals on Job Action Day, setting achievable objectives.
· Today is the Feast of Charles Borromeo[1]
St. Charles used the following strong language to the assembly of bishops during the convocation of the Synod:
Let us fear lest the angered judge say to us:
If you were the enlighteners of My Church, why have you closed your eyes?
If you pretended to be shepherds of the flock, why have you suffered it to stray?
Salt of the earth, you have lost your savor. Light of the world, they that sat in darkness and the shadow of death have never seen you shine.
You were apostles; who, then, put your apostolic firmness to the test, since you have done nothing but seek to please men?
You were the mouth of the Lord, and you have made that mouth dumb.
If you allege in excuse that the burden was beyond your strength, why did you make it the object of your ambitious intrigues?
Candace’s 52 Week Vineyard World Tour
🍇 Ribera del Duero, Spain
Theme: “Pressed in Silence, Poured in Hope”
Dates: November 4–11, 2025
Base: Peñafiel & Valladolid
🗓️ Tuesday, November 4 – Arrival and River Orientation
- Train from Logroño to Valladolid ($32 USD), bus to Peñafiel ($9 USD).
- Lodging at Hotel AF Pesquera (~$68 USD/night).
- Sunset walk along the Duero River. Toast with a local Crianza.
Symbolic Act: “River Benediction”—bless the flow, name the silence.
🗓️ Wednesday, November 5 – Castillo de Peñafiel & Protos Winery
- Morning tour of Castillo de Peñafiel and wine museum (~$8 USD).
- Afternoon tasting at Bodegas Protos (~$25 USD).
- Dinner at Asados Mauro (~$28 USD).
Symbolic Act: “Pressed in Silence”—honor the stone, bless the barrel.
🗓️ Thursday, November 6 – Vineyard Walk & Naming Ritual
- Walk the vineyards of Pago de Carraovejas.
- Journal and name each varietal with a virtue or saint.
- Picnic from Mercado Municipal de Peñafiel (~$10 USD).
Symbolic Act: “Naming the Rows”—pour hope into each vine.
🗓️ Friday, November 7 – Monastic Echoes & Civic Mercy
- Visit Monasterio de Santa María de Valbuena.
- Optional tasting at Bodegas Emina (~$22 USD).
- Lunch at La Espadaña de San Bernardo (~$24 USD).
Symbolic Act: “Monastic Mercy”—walk in silence, pour in praise.
🗓️ Saturday, November 8 – Vineyard Eucharist
- Morning reflection at Ermita de San Roque.
- Prepare a Eucharistic meal: bread, cheese, and wine.
- Evening candlelit journaling.
Symbolic Act: “I believe and I pour”—a vineyard Eucharist in stillness.
🗓️ Sunday, November 9 – All Creation’s Mercy (Valladolid Day Trip)
- Visit Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción.
- Explore Campo Grande Park.
- Optional tasting at Bodegas Arzuaga (~$28 USD).
Symbolic Act: “Mercy in the City”—bless the civic stewards.
🗓️ Monday, November 10 – Sending Forth
- Final toast with Reserva Tempranillo.
- Write a vineyard blessing for the next traveler.
Symbolic Act: “Duero Benediction”—send forth the fruit of silence.
🗓️ Tuesday, November 11 – Travel to Tuscany
- Depart for Florence via train (~$38 USD).
- Prepare for Week 3 in Montepulciano.
💰 Estimated Total Cost: $486 USD
Includes 7 nights lodging, 3 vineyard tastings, 2 symbolic meals, and 1 day trip with transit and picnic.
🍷 “Pressed in Silence, Poured in Hope”
A 7-Course Vineyard Meal from Ribera del Duero
🥣 Starter – The Benediction Broth
Leek and garlic soup with olive oil drizzle
Inspired by: River Benediction (Nov 4)
Wine: Joven Tempranillo
Begin in silence. Bless the flow.
🥗 Salad – Mercy in the Leaves
Charred endive, walnut, and quince salad
Inspired by: Mercy in the City (Nov 9)
Wine: Rosado from Ribera del Duero
Honor civic beauty. Pour in praise.
🧀 Cheese Course – The Naming Board
Sheep’s milk cheese, fig jam, and vineyard bread
Inspired by: Naming the Rows (Nov 6)
Wine: Crianza Tempranillo
Name each vine with hope. Taste the land.
🐟 Fish Course – Monastic Catch
Salt-baked trout with rosemary and lemon
Inspired by: Monastic Mercy (Nov 7)
Wine: Albillo Mayor
Walk in silence. Bless the simplicity.
🍖 Main Course – The Barrel Offering
Slow-roasted lamb with Tempranillo reduction
Inspired by: Pressed in Silence (Nov 5)
Wine: Reserva Tempranillo
Honor the stone. Pour the barrel’s truth.
🍞 Bread Course – Eucharist Trio
Pan con aceite: bread, olive oil, and wine
Inspired by: Vineyard Eucharist (Nov 8)
Wine: Gran Reserva Tempranillo
Break in stillness. Pour in faith.
🍮 Dessert – The Benediction Flame
Burnt Basque cheesecake with berry compote
Inspired by: Duero Benediction (Nov 10)
Wine: Sweet Vermouth or Late Harvest Red
Send forth the fruit. Bless the ending.
NOVEMBER
4 Tuesday-Saint Charles Borromeo
Election Day
John, Chapter 5, Verse 41-42
“I
do not accept human praise; moreover, I know that you do not
have the LOVE of God in you.
We must act in the world as it is sometimes attributed to the sayings of St. Francis, “preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words.”
This is the first premise of leadership. As leaders, especially
Christian leaders, we must
demonstrate the Be, Know and Do attitudes of Christ. That is, we must become an “Alter Christus” or
another Christ. We must BE to others
as Christ would. We must KNOW
spiritual principals as Christ does and we must
act or DO in the world as Christ would. Why because unlike the Jewish leaders
whom Christ spoke to in the above verse we are compelled by the love of God.
This day emulate our Lord by reflecting and living the prayer of St. Francis.
The
Prayer of Saint Francis
Lord,
make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where
there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where
there is injury, pardon;
Where
there is doubt, faith;
Where
there is despair, hope;
Where
there is darkness, light;
Where
there is sadness, joy.
O
divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To
be consoled as to console,
To
be understood as to understand,
To
be loved as to love;
For
it is in giving that we receive;
It
is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life.
Copilot’s Take.
November 4 invites Catholics to
embody Christ-like leadership through the example of St. Charles Borromeo and
the spirit of civic engagement on Election Day. His feast reminds us that
reform begins with personal holiness and public courage.
🕊️ Saint Charles Borromeo: A Model of Reform and Mercy
St. Charles Borromeo (1538–1584),
Archbishop of Milan and cardinal, was a towering figure of the Catholic
Counter-Reformation. He helped implement the decrees of the Council of Trent,
revitalized seminaries, and reformed clergy life with deep pastoral care. Known
for his humility and tireless service, he walked barefoot during plagues,
personally ministering to the sick and poor.
Key traits of his leadership:
- Holiness rooted in action: He lived the gospel visibly, not just preached it.
- Courage in reform:
He challenged corruption and laxity within the Church.
- Mercy in crisis:
During the plague of 1576, he organized aid and led public prayer, risking
his life for others.
His feast on November 4 is a call to
become “Alter Christus”—another Christ—especially in public life.
🗳️ Election Day: Catholic Witness in the Public Square
Election Day, falling on St.
Charles’s feast, offers a symbolic convergence: spiritual renewal meets
civic responsibility. Catholics are called to vote not merely as citizens,
but as disciples—formed by conscience, prayer, and love of neighbor.
Catholic principles for voting
include:
- Dignity of the human person: From conception to natural death.
- Preferential option for the poor: Policies that uplift the vulnerable.
- Solidarity and subsidiarity: Balancing community care with local empowerment.
- Care for creation:
Stewardship of the earth as a moral duty.
As Jesus said in John 5:41–42, “I do
not accept human praise… you do not have the LOVE of God in you.” This verse
challenges us to act not for applause, but from divine love. Voting becomes a
sacramental act when done in the spirit of justice, mercy, and peace.
🌿
Living the Prayer of St. Francis Today
The Prayer of St. Francis is not
just poetic—it’s a blueprint for Christian leadership. On this day, let it
guide both our ballots and our behavior:
- Sow love where there is hatred: In political discourse, choose charity.
- Console rather than be consoled: Serve your community beyond the vote.
- Die to self:
Let go of ego, embrace the common good.
✨
Summary Reflection
November 4 is more than a date—it’s
a convergence of spiritual formation and civic vocation. St. Charles
Borromeo reminds us that reform begins with holiness. Election Day reminds us
that love must shape public life. And the Prayer of St. Francis offers the
posture: peaceful, humble, and active. Let us BE, KNOW, and DO as Christ
would—compelled by love, not praise.
Bible in a Year Day 122 death of Abner
In today's readings, we hear about the death of Abner, and Fr. Mike
points out how David publicly mourns Abner, and instructs his people to do the
same. The readings are 2 Samuel 3, 1 Chronicles 3-4, and Psalm 25.
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
·
Rosary
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