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Monday Night at the Movies
🔸 December 2025 – Advent, Incarnation, and Eucharistic Hope
- Dec 1
– Going My Way (1944)
- Dec 8
– The Bells of St. Mary’s (1945)
- Dec 15 – It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
- Dec 22
– Becket (1964)
- Dec 29
– Tree of the Wooden Clogs (1978)
Quick Answer: It’s a Wonderful Life tells the story of George Bailey, a man who sacrifices his dreams for the good of his community, only to discover—through the intervention of his guardian angel Clarence—that his life has immense value. Catholic lessons from the film emphasize the dignity of every person, the importance of self-sacrifice, the power of community, and the providence of God’s plan.
🎬 Summary of It’s a Wonderful Life
- Setting & Premise: The film opens with prayers rising to Heaven for George Bailey, a man in despair on Christmas Eve. Clarence, an angel second class, is sent to help him.
- George’s Early Life: George saves his brother Harry from drowning and prevents a pharmacist from poisoning a child. These acts foreshadow his lifelong pattern of service.
- Sacrifices: George dreams of traveling the world and building great projects, but after his father’s death, he stays in Bedford Falls to run the family’s Building and Loan. He continually sacrifices personal ambitions for the good of others.
- Marriage & Family: George marries Mary Hatch, builds a family, and helps countless neighbors escape the greedy banker Mr. Potter’s slums by providing affordable housing.
- Crisis: On Christmas Eve, Uncle Billy misplaces $8,000, which Potter secretly keeps. Facing ruin and prison, George contemplates suicide, believing his family would be better off with his life insurance.
- Clarence’s Intervention: George wishes he had never been born. Clarence shows him an alternate reality—Pottersville—where lives are broken without George’s influence. Horrified, George realizes his profound impact.
- Resolution: George begs to live again. Restored to his life, he finds his community rallying to save him. Clarence earns his wings, and George embraces the truth: “No man is a failure who has friends.”
✝️ Catholic Lessons from the Film
- The Value of Every Life: George learns that even unnoticed sacrifices ripple outward. Catholic teaching affirms that each person is created in God’s image and has irreplaceable dignity.
- Self-Sacrifice & Vocation: George’s surrender of personal dreams mirrors Christ’s call to lay down one’s life for others. His vocation is not grandiose but rooted in fidelity to family and community.
- Providence & Divine Intervention: Clarence’s role highlights God’s providence—angels and grace intervene to remind us of our worth and purpose.
- Community & Solidarity: The townspeople’s generosity reflects Catholic social teaching: we flourish not in isolation but in communion, bearing one another’s burdens.
- Hope & Redemption: George’s despair is transformed into joy, echoing the Paschal mystery—through suffering and surrender comes resurrection and new life.
📖 Table: Film Themes vs. Catholic Insights
| Film Theme | Catholic Insight |
|---|---|
| George’s sacrifices | Self-giving love reflects Christ’s command to serve others |
| Clarence’s intervention | Angels as messengers of God’s providence |
| Alternate reality (Pottersville) | Sin and selfishness distort community; grace restores harmony |
| Community rallying to help | Solidarity and charity as pillars of Catholic social teaching |
| George’s realization | Human dignity: every life has meaning in God’s plan |
In essence, It’s a Wonderful Life is a cinematic parable of Catholic hope: our hidden sacrifices matter, God works through ordinary lives, and true wealth is found in love and community.
Christopher’s Corner
· Jesse Tree: Mary: Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38 Symbols: lily, crown of stars, pierced heart
· Eat waffles and Pray for the assistance of the Angels
· Monday: Litany of Humility
o You wake up, feeling fancy. Start your day by putting on your favorite pearls, embracing the elegance of National Wear Your Pearls Day. Treat yourself to a batch of zesty lemon cupcakes, celebrating National Lemon Cupcake Day with a burst of citrusy flavor. Feeling overwhelmed? Take a deep breath and channel your inner cat herder, mastering the chaos of National Cat Herders Day with calm and grace.
o As the day progresses, why not shake things up by organizing a mini scavenger hunt? Hide small pearls or lemon cupcake-themed treats around the house, challenging yourself to find them all. Embrace the challenge of herding “cats” by trying to wrangle your friends or family members into joining you.
o Wrap up your day with a cozy movie night, snuggled up with your feline friends as you watch a film that highlights the importance of rights and freedom. Reflect on the significance of the Bill of Rights Day as you unwind, appreciating the liberties you have.
o In the end, remember to embrace the unexpected, find joy in the small moments, and celebrate the quirks that make life interesting.
🕯️ Bucket List Trip [3] – Part 8: USA 70-Degree Year Journey
Dates: December 15–22, 2025
Theme: Paradise Coast Pilgrimage
Route: Naples → Marco Island → Everglades → Ave Maria → Sanibel Island
Style: Coastal pilgrimage, Advent reflection, Eucharistic hospitality
Climate Alignment: Daily highs 74–77°F
· 💰 Estimated Cost Overview
Category | Estimated Cost |
Lodging (7 nights) | $700 (civilian mid‑range) OR ~$490 (military lodging at NAS Key West extension) |
Food (daily meals) | $245 |
Fuel/Transit | $90 (local drives, Everglades excursion) |
Symbolic extras | $80 |
Total Estimate | $1,115 (civilian) / $905 (military) |
· 🛏️ Lodging Options
Civilian: Naples Grande Beach Resort, Marco Island Marriott
Military: Navy Gateway Inns & Suites NAS Key West (about 3 hours south, can be paired with Keys extension)
· 🌠 Day 1 – Monday, December 15
Location: Naples Pier & St. Ann Catholic Church
Symbol: Pier of Presence
Ritual Prompt: “Presence is the first gift—steady as the tide.”
Sunset prayer at Naples Pier
Evening Mass at St. Ann’s
🥗 Foodie Stop: The Dock at Crayton Cove (~$30)
· 🏞️ Day 2 – Tuesday, December 16
Location: Marco Island
Symbol: Island of Wonder
Ritual Prompt: “Wonder widens the pilgrim’s horizon.”
Beach walk at Tigertail Beach
Journal: “Where do I see wonder?”
🍲 Foodie Stop: CJ’s on the Bay (~$25)
· 🕊️ Day 3 – Wednesday, December 17
Location: Everglades National Park
Symbol: River of Renewal
Ritual Prompt: “Renewal flows where waters meet.”
Airboat ride or eco‑tour
Quiet reflection in mangroves
🥘 Foodie Stop: Triad Seafood Café (~$20)
· 🏛️ Day 4 – Thursday, December 18
Location: Ave Maria, FL
Symbol: Marian Town
Ritual Prompt: “Mary dwells where faith builds community.”
Visit Ave Maria Oratory
Eucharistic reflection in Marian devotion
🍷 Foodie Stop: Oil Well Craft Beer (~$25)
· 🌌 Day 5 – Friday, December 19
Location: Naples Botanical Garden
Symbol: Garden of Light
Ritual Prompt: “Light grows in cultivated wonder.”
Explore tropical gardens
Evening “Night Lights in the Garden” event
🧺 Foodie Stop: Lake Park Diner (~$20)
· 🌲 Day 6 – Saturday, December 20
Location: Sanibel Island
Symbol: Shells of Memory
Ritual Prompt: “Memory gathers like shells on the shore.”
Collect shells at Bowman’s Beach
Optional stay at Island Inn Sanibel (~$200)
🍽️ Foodie Stop: The Mad Hatter Restaurant (~$40)
· 🎶 Day 7 – Sunday, December 21 (Fourth Sunday of Advent)
Location: St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Naples
Symbol: Candle of Love
Ritual Prompt: “Love is the Advent flame—final, full, forever.”
Attend Sunday Mass
Light the fourth Advent candle
Write blog post: “Love on the Paradise Coast”
🍷 Foodie Stop: Naples Brunch at Jane’s Café (~$30)
DECEMBER
15 Monday of the Third Week of Advent
Beware of Pogonip
Acts,
Chapter 16, Verse 19
The “her” in this verse is a slave who was possessed by a spirit of divination: she had the power of fortune-telling. Paul had commanded that the spirit release her in the name of Christ and she was now worthless to her owners.
Do you think things have changed; do we still have owners of fortune tellers who are trying to suppress the truth?
Consider the state of our modern journalists and spinsters is their work closer to truth or fortune telling?
Copilot’s Take
On December 15, the Monday of the Third Week of Advent, the warning to “beware of pogonip” becomes a vivid metaphor for the dangers of falsehood disguised as beauty. In Acts 16:19, Paul and Silas are dragged before authorities because they freed a slave girl from a spirit of divination, stripping her owners of their profit. The story reminds us that liberation often threatens systems built on exploitation, and those invested in illusion will resist truth. Today, we may not see fortune tellers owned outright, but we do witness industries—media, advertising, politics—where profit can depend on suppressing clarity and spinning narratives. Like pogonip, these distortions can appear alluring yet suffocate those who walk unprepared. Advent calls us to discernment: to seek the clear air of Christ’s light, to resist the fog of deception, and to embrace truth even when it disrupts comfort or profit.
Pogonip is a rare and beautiful but
dangerous freezing fog, known as the “white death,” that forms in mountain
valleys of the western United States when supercooled water droplets condense
and coat everything in frost.
❄️ Pogonip: Beauty
and Peril in the Winter Fog
Pogonip is one of nature’s most striking winter
phenomena. Derived from the Shoshone word meaning “white death,” pogonip
is a dense freezing fog that occurs when air temperatures drop below
freezing and humidity nears 100%. Tiny supercooled droplets remain liquid until
they touch a surface, instantly freezing into delicate frost crystals. The
result is a landscape transformed into a glittering wonderland—trees, fences,
and power lines encased in shimmering white rime.
🌫️ Formation and
Conditions
Temperature: Below 32°F (0°C).
Humidity: Near saturation,
often close to 100%.
Location: Most common in mountain
valleys of the western U.S., especially Nevada and Utah.
Appearance: Creates a
crystalline coating that can make the world look like a diamond forest.
⚠️ Hazards
Despite its beauty, pogonip is treacherous:
Health risks: Inhaling the icy
mist can irritate lungs and throat, sometimes leading to pneumonia. Native
Americans feared pogonip for this reason, calling it “white death” because
children exposed to it could suffer fatal respiratory illness.
Visibility: Dense fog reduces
sightlines, making travel hazardous.
Structural damage: Frost buildup
adds weight to trees, wires, and fences.
Road safety: Ice slicks form
quickly, creating dangerous driving conditions.
🌌 Cultural and
Historical Notes
Native American lore: Pogonip was
dreaded by tribes in Nevada, who sheltered indoors until it passed.
Settler accounts: 19th-century
newspapers described pogonip as “floating ice—magnified frost,” marveling at
its eerie beauty while warning of its dangers.
Modern recognition: Weather services
classify pogonip as a rare freezing fog, distinct from ice fog (which consists
of ice particles rather than supercooled droplets).
✨ Symbolic
Resonance
Pogonip is more than a meteorological curiosity—it’s a
metaphor for Advent vigilance. Its dazzling beauty masks hidden danger,
reminding us to beware of illusions that suffocate truth. Just as
pogonip can choke the lungs, false narratives can choke discernment. Advent
calls us to seek clarity, to walk carefully, and to breathe deeply of Christ’s
light rather than the fog of deception.
🌿 Hospitality Cue
For December 15, consider serving a clear, warming
broth or herbal tea—something that cuts through fog and warms the chest.
This act becomes a symbolic gesture: offering clarity and comfort against the
chill of pogonip, both literal and spiritual.
In short: Pogonip is a rare
freezing fog that dazzles the eye but endangers the body. Its dual
nature—beauty and peril—makes it a powerful Advent symbol of discernment,
vigilance, and the pursuit of truth.
Monday of the Third Week in Advent[1]
Read: "Saint Francis of Assisi began the custom of the nativity scenes when he celebrated Christmas with his brothers at Greccio in 1223 with a Bethlehem scene which included live animals. This tradition quickly spread, and people began to construct their own nativity scenes in their homes. Children take great joy in helping to set up a nativity scene. The crèche may be made from various materials. Simplicity and beauty go often hand in hand. You may set up your entire scene at the beginning of Advent, leaving the crib empty for the Christ Child to arrive on Christmas Eve. Or you may set up the scene slowly, day by day . . . Mary and Joseph can also 'travel' to Bethlehem, as they move slowly across your room every day until they reach the cave." (excerpted from "Celebrating Advent as a Family" foryourmarriage.org)
Reflect: "While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2:6-7)
Pray: Add this "O Antiphon" to your daily or meal-time prayer today: "O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power." (Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers, Revised Edition, 76)
Act: Take time to bless the family creche in preparation for the coming of Jesus. (Based on your family's tradition, you may choose to hide the baby Jesus until Christmas morning.)
[1]http://usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/advent/advent-december-18.cfm
Spiritual Crib[1]
A special devotion that can be performed during Advent to prepare for the coming of the Infant Savior. It can be adapted for adults and/or children and applied as is appropriate to your state in life.
·
5th
day, December 15th: THE STRAW—Mortification Today the infant Jesus
desires mortification from us; therefore, let us watch for opportunities with a
joyful heart. Not look about when we are walking; not lean back when sitting;
not warm ourselves when cold; not satisfy the taste at table; when tempted to
impatience not to show it and yield our own opinion to that of others. Today
really listen to others.
33 days to Christmas-Start the 33 days to
Eucharistic Glory[2]
Want to start a small group? Download our 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory Study Guide
Day
24
On
this 24th day the reception of the Eucharist provides strength to
fight temptations and accept daily challenges.
Copilot:
The reception of the Eucharist
provides Catholics with spiritual strength and resilience in several ways:
1.
Grace and Nourishment:
The Eucharist is a source of divine grace that nourishes the soul. This
spiritual strength helps believers resist temptations and maintain their
commitment to living a virtuous life.
2.
Union with Christ:
Receiving the Eucharist unites Catholics with Christ, who is a source of
ultimate strength and support. This union empowers them to follow His example
and teachings in the face of daily challenges.
3.
Forgiveness and Renewal:
The Eucharist offers forgiveness of venial sins, providing a fresh start and
reinforcing the resolve to avoid future temptations.
4.
Inner Peace:
The peace that comes from being in communion with Christ helps stabilize
emotions and provides clarity, making it easier to face difficulties with a
calm and focused mind.
5.
Inspiration and
Motivation: Reflecting on Christ’s sacrifice
during the Eucharist inspires believers to emulate His dedication and
perseverance, motivating them to endure and overcome trials.
6.
Spiritual Armor:
The grace received acts as a spiritual armor, fortifying believers against the
attacks of temptation and evil.
7.
Reminder of Christ's
Love: The Eucharist is a reminder of Christ's immense
love and sacrifice, encouraging believers to stay true to their faith and
resist anything that would lead them away from Him.
8.
Community Support:
Receiving the Eucharist as part of a community strengthens the bonds with
fellow believers, providing mutual support and encouragement to live a faithful
life.
9.
Renewed Commitment:
Each reception of the Eucharist is an opportunity to renew one's commitment to
God, reinforcing the desire to live according to His will.
10. Hope and Encouragement: The
Eucharist offers hope and encouragement, reminding believers of the ultimate
triumph of good over evil and giving them the courage to face and overcome
their daily struggles.
11. Reflective Practice: The process of
preparing for and receiving the Eucharist involves self-examination and
reflection, helping believers recognize and address their weaknesses and
temptations.
12. Continuous Presence: The belief in Christ’s
continuous presence in their lives through the Eucharist offers a constant
source of strength and reassurance.
13. Spiritual Growth: Regular reception of
the Eucharist fosters ongoing spiritual growth, enabling believers to become
more resilient in the face of life's challenges.
Through these ways, the Eucharist
equips Catholics with the necessary spiritual resources to fight temptations
and accept daily challenges, guiding them to live a life in accordance with
their faith.
Bible in a Year Day 167 Viaticum
Today we read about Elijah's discouragement after fleeing from Jezebel, and how
God tells him to "arise and eat" to strengthen him for the journey
ahead. Fr. Mike points out how God calls us to draw strength for the journey as
well, even at the end of our earthly lives. The readings are 1 Kings 19-20, 2
Chronicles 20, and Song of Solomon 6.
Daily Devotions
·
Today's
Fast: Unite in the work of the Porters
of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: Today's Fast: Families of St.
Joseph.
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Rosary.
Quick Answer: This Is My Affair (1937) is a crime-romance film where a U.S. Navy officer goes undercover to expose a gang of bank robbers, falling in love with a nightclub singer along the way. Catholic lessons drawn from the story include the moral weight of truth, the redemptive power of sacrifice, the danger of deceit, and the providence of justice even when delayed.
🎬 Film Summary
- Backdrop: Set in 1901 during President William McKinley’s administration, the nation is plagued by unsolved bank robberies.
- Mission: McKinley secretly sends Lt. Richard L. Perry (Robert Taylor) undercover as “Joe Patrick” to infiltrate the gang.
- Romance: Perry courts Lil Duryea (Barbara Stanwyck), a singer whose stepbrother Batiste runs a casino and is part of the gang. Lil is torn between loyalty to her family and her growing love for Joe.
- Conflict: Batiste believes Joe is a fellow criminal and invites him into the gang. Joe struggles between his duty and Lil’s plea to abandon the mission.
- Crisis: After a robbery, Batiste is killed, Jock (the gang’s enforcer) is wounded, and Joe is imprisoned. He discovers the mastermind is actually the U.S. Bank Examiner.
- Tragedy: McKinley is assassinated before Joe’s letter explaining the truth reaches him. Joe is condemned to death, and Lil feels betrayed.
- Resolution: At the last moment, Lil appeals to Admiral Dewey and President Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt verifies McKinley’s secret instructions and halts Joe’s execution. Joe and Lil are reunited.
✝️ Catholic Lessons
- Truth & Integrity: Joe’s undercover deception nearly costs him his life and love. Catholic teaching emphasizes that truth, even when hidden for duty, must ultimately be revealed to restore justice.
- Sacrifice for the Common Good: Joe risks his life to protect society from corruption. This reflects Christ’s call to lay down one’s life for others (John 15:13).
- Providence & Justice: Though delayed by McKinley’s death, justice prevails through Roosevelt’s intervention. Catholic tradition affirms that God’s providence can work through human leaders and institutions.
- Repentance & Reconciliation: Lil’s bitterness gives way to forgiveness, showing the healing power of mercy and reconciliation in relationships.
- The Danger of Deceit: The film warns against lies and hidden agendas—Batiste’s criminal life and Joe’s undercover role both cause suffering. Catholic moral teaching stresses honesty as foundational to human dignity.
📖 Table: Film Themes vs. Catholic Insights
| Film Theme | Catholic Insight |
|---|---|
| Joe’s undercover deception | Truth must be revealed; deceit endangers souls and relationships |
| Joe’s sacrifice | Self-giving love mirrors Christ’s call to serve and protect others |
| McKinley’s assassination | Providence: God’s justice can be delayed but not defeated |
| Lil’s forgiveness | Mercy and reconciliation heal betrayal and restore communion |
| Corruption in high office | Sin distorts justice; Catholic teaching calls for integrity in leadership |
In essence, This Is My Affair dramatizes the tension between duty, love, and truth. Its Catholic lessons remind us that sacrifice and integrity, even amid betrayal and delay, ultimately lead to redemption and justice.
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