Friday, February 13, 2026

NIC’s Corner-Try “ALSATIAN BAECKEOFFE [4]”

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. (Luke 2:8-9)

· Spirit Hour: St. Julian wine in honor of Julian the Hospitaller

· Religion in the Home for Preschool: February

· Carnival Time begins in Catholic Countries.

· Carnival: Part Two, the Final Countdown

· Bucket List trip: Kenya Wilderness

· Scalloped Ham and Potatoes

· How to celebrate Feb 13th

o Ready to shake things up? Start your day by spreading some love – whether it’s through a heartfelt message, a surprise gift, or a simple act of kindness. Embrace the power of technology on Digital Learning Day; take an online class, learn a new skill, or simply explore the vast resources available at your fingertips. Feeling adventurous? How about trying out a different name for the day? It could be a fun way to experience a new identity, even if just for a little while.

o As the day progresses, tune into the radio and let the music transport you to another world on World Radio Day. Treat yourself to some delicious Crab Rangoon to satisfy your taste buds, or better yet, try your hand at making your own! Celebrate friendship on Galentine’s Day; gather your closest pals for a chat, a laugh, or a celebration of the bond you share.

o Seal the day with a kiss on Kiss Day, share some cheesy goodness on National Cheddar Day, and reach out to your Internet friends to show them some love. Take a moment to appreciate your self-worth on Self Love Day, connect with nature on International Natural Day, and spread joy through acts of kindness on Giving Hearts Day.

o As the day winds down, indulge in some comfort food like tortellini, reflect on past relationships on Break Up With Your Carrier Day, and perhaps even dare to dream big on Dream Your Sweet Day. Educate yourself on your legal rights on Employee Legal Awareness Day, and don’t hesitate to apologize if needed on National Apology Day.

o Wrap up the day by celebrating your friends who’ve had your back on National Wingman Day and by showing gratitude for the lessons learned on Desperation Day. Remember, each moment is what you make of it – so make the most of this wonderfully weird and whimsical day filled with love, learning, laughter, and good food.

Rich vs Poor Tour❄️ Austria vs Papua New Guinea

Cathedrals of Heritage / Chapels of the Frontier

Austria stands as a wealthy, Catholic-rooted nation shaped by centuries of imperial liturgy and cultural refinement. Papua New Guinea, just above Micronesia economically, embodies missionary Catholicism on the edge of survival — tribal, rugged, and held together by the Church’s presence in remote villages. Together, they reveal the breadth of the Gospel: from baroque cathedrals echoing with history to tin-roof chapels perched on jungle ridges.

🇦🇹 Austria — Wealthy, Historic, and Deeply Catholic

GDP per capita (PPP): ~$63,000 USD (2024)

🧮 Why Austria Ranks High

Stable Prosperity: Strong social market economy with high wages and low inequality.

Cultural Capital: Music, art, architecture, and philosophy rooted in centuries of Catholic Europe.

Tourism Engine: Alps, Vienna, and classical heritage drive global tourism.

Education & Health: Universal systems with high outcomes.

EU Integration: Trade, mobility, and investment stability.

✝️ Catholic Landscape

Membership: ~5 million Catholics (~55% of population).

Structure: Nine dioceses, including the historic Archdiocese of Vienna.

Liturgy: Rich baroque tradition, classical sacred music, Marian devotion.

Public Role: Catholic schools, hospitals, and social services remain influential.

Modern Reality: Declining practice, but strong cultural Catholic identity.

⚠️ Challenges

Secular Drift: Rapid decline in Mass attendance.

Cultural Catholicism: Faith often inherited, not chosen.

Vocations: Fewer priests; aging clergy.

Immigration Tensions: Integrating diverse communities into parishes.

🌿 Pilgrimage Cue

Austria is a journey into cathedrals of heritage — where the faith is carved into stone, sung in choirs, and preserved in memory even as practice fades.

🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea — Poor, Tribal, and Missionary Catholic

GDP per capita (PPP): ~$5,000 USD (2024)

🧮 Why PNG Ranks Low

Geographic Fragmentation: 800+ languages, isolated villages, rugged mountains.

Infrastructure Gaps: Limited roads, healthcare, and electricity.

Economic Fragility: Reliance on mining, agriculture, and foreign aid.

Security Issues: Tribal conflict and weak policing.

Climate Pressure: Flooding, landslides, and rising seas.

✝️ Catholic Landscape

Membership: ~2 million Catholics (~25–30% of population).

Structure: 19 dioceses across mountains, islands, and jungles.

Missionary Legacy: Jesuits, MSCs, and sisters built schools, clinics, and airstrips.

Liturgy: Mass in Tok Pisin and local languages; vibrant singing and processions.

Community Role: The Church is often the only stable institution in remote areas.

⚠️ Challenges

Priest Shortages: Vast territories with few clergy.

Violence & Instability: Tribal warfare disrupts parishes.

Poverty: Limits catechesis, formation, and sacramental access.

Geography: Some communities see a priest only a few times a year.

🌿 Pilgrimage Cue

Papua New Guinea is a journey into chapels of the frontier — where the Eucharist arrives by boat or bush plane, and faith survives through courage, song, and missionary endurance.

🕊️ Editorial Reflection

Austria and Papua New Guinea reveal another face of the Church’s paradox.
Austria is rich in heritage but strained in practice — a cathedral culture wrestling with modern secularism. Papua New Guinea is poor in wealth but rich in missionary vitality — a frontier Church where the Gospel is carried on footpaths and sung in tribal harmonies.

One preserves memory.
The other fights for survival.
Both belong to the same Body.

The Rich vs Poor Tour reminds us that the Church breathes through both lungs: the ancient stones of Vienna and the jungle chapels of the Pacific.

Where does the Church feel more alive — in the grandeur of its past or in the struggle of its present?

February 13 Friday

St. Catherine De Ricci-RAK-Radio

Leviticus, Chapter 25, Verse 43

Do not lord it over them harshly, but stand in FEAR of your God.

This verse in the book of Leviticus is about how to treat the hired help or the slaves of the rich. It was common for a poor Jew to hire himself out as a slave for up to seven years, the year of the jubilee to pay for his daily bread. Although a slave; God commands they will be treated with dignity and respect for all the Jews were liberated by God from the Egyptians. This verse also from a modern standpoint sounds a lot like servant leadership. The focus of the servant leader as discussed by Greenleaf (2002) is primarily in serving. To serve both the organization and the people in it; this involves the leader having to focus on how to best serve and having concern for well-rounded work, community and power sharing. This is the greatness of our Lord in that He shares with us His majesty and forgives us our failings.

As a leader, your task is not to create dependence but to cultivate strength. Do everything you can to help your people grow into capable, self‑reliant men and women — encourage them to develop their skills, support them if they are ready to build their own businesses, and guide them toward establishing an estate that reflects dignity and stewardship. And if you are a working person, pursue holiness in the eyes of the Lord by laboring faithfully, living uprightly, and taking deliberate steps toward building an estate of your own. In both cases, the goal is the same: to live as free sons and daughters of God, not as dependents of any earthly power.

Copilot’s Take

In every age the powerful are tempted to forget that they, too, stand under judgment, and Leviticus 25:43 cuts through that illusion by reminding us that no one may treat another harshly because all authority is borrowed from God. The ancient command not to “lord it over” the vulnerable becomes a modern warning against any system—governmental, corporate, or cultural—that behaves as though people are property to be managed rather than souls to be served. When shutdowns, mandates, or sweeping controls make it feel as though the ruling class is reminding us who they believe owns us, Scripture answers with a firmer truth: we belong to God alone, and therefore no earthly power has the right to crush, demean, or dominate. The true confrontation with evil begins not in rebellion but in holy fear, the kind that frees us to lead as servants, lift others toward independence, and build communities where dignity is shared rather than hoarded. In choosing the fear of the Lord over the fear offered by rulers, we reclaim the freedom that Pharaohs, ancient or modern, can never take away.

St. Catherine de Ricci[1]in 1971 feast day was changed to Feb. 4

St. Catherine experienced the stigmata every Thursday and Friday and thus accompanied Jesus in His Passion. Despite Catherine's extraordinary interior life, she continued to serve the monastery in many capacities including prioress for 36 years. The Canticle of the Passion was revealed to Catherine immediately after her first great ecstasy of the Passion. Our Lady desired Catherine to spread it as a form of prayer and contemplation pleasing to Our Lord.

The Canticle is chanted in some Dominican monasteries on the Fridays of Lent.

Lament of Christ

X My friends and My neighbors have drawn near and stood against Me.

X I was delivered up and came not forth; My eyes languished through poverty.

X And my sweat became as drops of blood, trickling down and upon the ground.

X For many dogs have encompassed Me the council of the malignant hath besieged Me.

X I have given My body to the strikers and My cheeks to them that plucked them.

X I have not turned away My face from them that rebuked Me and spit upon Me.

X For I am ready for scourges, and My sorrow is continually before Me.

X The soldiers, plaiting a crown of thorns, placed it upon My head.

X They have dug My hands and feet; they have numbered all My bones.

X And they gave Me gall for My food; and in My thirst, they gave me vinegar to drink.

X All they that saw Me laughed Me to scorn; they have spoken with lips and wagged their heads.

X They have looked and stared upon Me; they parted My garments among them and upon My vesture they cast lots.

X Into Thy hands I commend My spirit; Thou has redeemed me, O God of truth.

X Be mindful, O Lord, of Thy servants, when Thou shalt come into Thy kingdom.

X And Jesus having cried out with a loud voice gave up the ghost.

The mercies of the Lord I will sing for all eternity. Surely, He hath borne our infirmities and carried our sorrows. He was bruised for our sins. All we, like sheep, have gone astray; everyone hath turned aside into his own way. For the Lord hath placed upon him the iniquities of us all. Arise, why sleepest Thou, O Lord? Arise and cast us not off to the end. Behold, God is my Savior, I will deal confidently, and will not fear. We beseech Thee, O Lord, help Thy servants whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy Precious Blood.

V. Have mercy on us, O benign Jesus. R. Who in Thy clemency didst suffer for us.

Look down, we beseech Thee, O Lord, on this Thy family for which Our Lord Jesus Christ did not hesitate to be delivered into the hands of the wicked and suffer the torments of the Cross.

Bible in a Year Day 226 Unfaithful Israel

In our reading of Proverbs 14, Fr. Mike reinforces that freedom is not the same thing as license, true freedom is the power to do what we ought. Fr. Mike also reflect on Jeremiah's repudiation of Israel's cult worship and how its distorted sexuality had serious consequences. Today's readings are Jeremiah 3, Ezekiel 29-30, and Proverbs 14:13-16.

M Today is the day before Valentine’s Day and it is no accident that our secular brothers and sisters promote International Condom Day which seeks to promote the use of condoms as a means of preventing unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STI's) rather than the moderation of the passions. The holiday is also promoted by the AHF (AIDS Healthcare Foundation) in an effort to reduce the spread of HIV thru safe sex practices.[2]

World Radio Day[3]

World Radio Day seeks to celebrate the importance of the radio in improving international cooperation, providing access to information and supporting free speech. The day also serves to promote the radio as a means of communication in times of need and emergency. Radios are still the most readily available medium that can disseminate information to reach the widest and most diverse audiences in the shortest amount of time. The idea of World Radio Day was first proposed by Spain's Radio Academy in 2010. The following year, in 2011, UNESCO declared the first World Radio Day. Since then, World Radio Day has been celebrated annually on February 13th, a day chosen to coincide with the anniversary of the United Nations Radio, the UN's international broadcasting service, which was established on February 13th, 1946.

World Radio Day Facts & Quotes

· The Radio was invented by an Italian named Gugliemo Marconi in 1895. It was originally called the wireless telegraph and used radio waves to transmit Morse code.

· According to the UN, there are about 44,000 radio stations operating around the globe.

· It is estimated that approximately 75% of homes in developing nations have access to a radio.

· Radio is the most intimate and socially personal medium in the world. — Harry Von Zell, radio announcer and actor.

World Radio Day Top Events and Things to Do

· Learn Morse Code. The radio was originally invented to pass on Morse code message through radio waves.

· Watch a movie or documentary that relates to radios. Our favorites: Generation Radio, Invention of Radio, Good Morning Vietnam (1987) and Pirate Radio (2009).

· Learn about some of the issues surrounding freedom of speech and government control of radios around the world. Read up on recent problems in Zimbabwe and Somalia regarding government control.

· Set up your very own pop-up radio station using digital online suites tools such as ShoutCheap. Setting up your very own radio station can be quick, easy and exciting.

· Plan a Radio Day event involving important issues such as human rights, freedom of speech and international broadcasting. Let UNESCO know what you have planned for World Radio Day, and they will put it on their world map so that others can find you and get involved.

My family has a history with the radio industry as my grandfather was a pioneer of the industry having the 22^nd radio license in the United States.

HAVERMALES AFFILIATED WITH GATES/HARRIS 60 YEARS Noel Havermale had the first radio station in Quincy. When Noel sold out, the WCA W transmitter went to Parker Gates. From July 26, 1943, until September 4, 1968, Jim Havermale worked here. On September 29, 1979, Joe Havermale retired after being here since September 27, 1944. At the present time, Bob Havermale is an Electronic Test Technician in the Transmitter Test Lab. He started working here on July 16, 1979. Bob is the son of Jim, nephew of Joe, and Noel was his grandfather. Sharing with you, a letter from Parker Gates to Jim and Joe Havermale at the time of Noel's death in 1956.

Dear Jim and Joe:

March 29, 1956

I am sending this letter to both of you and tossed a penny to determine whether I should send it to Jim or Joe and Jim's name came up, so Jim I will appreciate your passing the letter on to Joe after you have read it. I am writing, of course, pertaining to the passing of your good father a few days ago and to express my sincere sympathy in your loss which I feel is not only a generous one to your immediate family but to the radio industry as a whole. I recall as a young man having the privilege of sitting in the WCA W studios at 11th & Maine when your Dad was the first broadcaster in the city of Quincy. Just to sit in this hallowed ground was quite a privilege. Later, when your Dad decided to cease broadcasting, I had the WCA W transmitter in my home for a short while but being more expensive than I could afford at the time, it was considered a loan and your Dad was most generous in looking at it that way. As a pioneer of radio broadcasting, he did a great deal to make it easier for those of us who are now in what has turned out to be quite a big industry and I am sure your Dad had the pleasure many times in both listening and looking at modern networks as well as local broadcasting and knowing that he pioneered this great industry. I sincerely trust that the passing of time will quickly heal your grief and I am sure that your Dad was well acquainted with the sympathetic attention which you gave him. Sincerely yours, Parker Gates 1661 Jersey Street

Daily Devotions

· Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: Today's Fast: Victims of clergy sexual abuse

· Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

· Make reparations to the Holy Face

· Drops of Christ’s Blood

· Pray for our nation.

· Rosary

[1]http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/prayers/view.cfm?id=1296

[2] http://www.wincalendar.com/Valentines-Day

[3]https://www.wincalendar.com/World-Radio-Day

[4] Sheraton, Mimi. 1,000 Foods To Eat Before You Die: A Food Lover's Life List (p. 892). Workman Publishing Company. Kindle Edition.

🎬 The Perfect Snob (1941)

Starring: Charles Ruggles, Charlotte Greenwood, Lynn Bari, Cornel Wilde
Director: Ray McCarey
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Runtime: 63 minutes

⭐ Plot Summary

Small‑town veterinarian Edgar Mason (Charles Ruggles) is horrified to learn that his daughter Chris (Lynn Bari) plans to marry wealthy, much‑older Freddie Browning—a match engineered by Mason’s socially ambitious wife, Martha (Charlotte Greenwood).

Determined to save Chris from becoming a “perfect snob,” Mason hires charming young Mike Lord (Cornel Wilde) to romance her and break the engagement. Mike reluctantly agrees, but as he spends time with Chris, the act becomes real. When the truth comes out, Chris feels betrayed—unaware that Mike is secretly wealthy and genuinely in love with her.

To test whether Chris loves him for himself rather than his money, Mike enlists his friend Alex Moreno (Anthony Quinn) to pose as a wealthy plantation owner and court her. The Mason family visits the plantation—actually owned by Mike—where the two men compete for Chris’s heart under layers of deception. Tensions rise until the truth finally unravels, revealing sincerity beneath the games.

🧭 Themes & Moral Resonance

1. The Temptation of Appearances

Chris’s drift toward wealth and prestige mirrors the perennial human temptation to measure worth by externals. The film gently critiques this through comedy, showing how fragile such foundations are.

2. The Testing of Love

Mike’s elaborate ruse—though ethically questionable—reveals a deeper longing: to be loved for who he is, not what he has. This echoes the spiritual truth that authentic love requires stripping away illusions.

3. Parental Intervention & Imperfect Wisdom

Edgar Mason’s meddling is misguided but rooted in love. His flawed attempts reflect the messy, human side of vocation and stewardship—something you’ve explored in your own legacy‑building work.

4. Humility as the Path to Clarity

The film ultimately affirms that humility—not wealth, status, or manipulation—creates the conditions for genuine relationship.

🍸 Hospitality Pairing: “The Humble Heart Highball”

Ingredients (all from your existing stock):

2 oz bourbon (Mike Lord’s “true self”—steady, honest, masculine)
1 oz Cointreau (the sweetness of genuine affection)
3 oz cider (small‑town simplicity)
Splash of lime (a sharp reminder of truth)
Optional: a thin apple slice for garnish (symbol of choosing substance over show)