Thursday, February 19, 2026

Rachel’s Corner-Try “Huevos Estrellados[4]”

The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

(Luke 2:10)

· Spirit Hour: Liquid Bread: The Top 5 Bock Beers for Lent

· Bucket List trip: Magical Trains in Switzerland

· Religion in the Home for Preschool: February

· do a personal eucharistic stations of the cross.

· How to celebrate Feb 19th

o National Arabian Horse Day

o National Snack Food Month

o National Whippet Day

Best Place to visit in February: St Augustine, Florida

I think this is a fine and elegant gem! The easy-on-the-eye historic city was founded in Florida’s northeastern coast in 1565 and is filled with Spanish heritage, historic landmarks, gorgeous beaches and a romantic, laid-back vibe.

I found the weather to be mild and very pleasant this time of year, with 8 hours of sunshine per day and much less humidity than the summer months. It’s also off-season which means I found better rates on accommodation and far fewer crowds and tourists to contend with too – bonus!

Although the ocean wasn’t quite warm enough to swim comfortably, I relaxed on the beach and attended the events including the lively Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series, the fun and family-friendly Old City Pirate Fest and the elegant St. Augustine Spanish Wine Festival.

On my trip, I also explored the impressive Spanish masonry fort, the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, the interesting St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, the charming San Sebastian Winery and the unique and spooky ghost tour!

Visitors’ Center Address: 10 S Castillo Dr, St. Augustine, FL 32084

Map Location

Average temperature – 64.4 to 70

My must-do highlights…

Taking a wander down St George Street which was filled with a collection of art galleries, independent shops, and fine restaurants.

Learning about the history at Oldest House Museum and discovering what life was like in St Augustine years ago.

Drinking the water from Ponce de Leon’s Spring of Eternal Hope at The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park!

Thursday Feast

Thursday is the day of the week that our Lord gave himself up for consumption. Thursday commemorates the last supper. Some theologians believe after Sunday Thursday is the holiest day of the week. We should then try to make this day special by making a visit to the blessed sacrament chapel, Mass or even stopping by the grave of a loved one. Why not plan to count the blessing of the week and thank our Lord. Plan a special meal. Be at Peace.

Dinner Menu

Introduction to Deuteronomy[1]

Deuteronomy is narrated, for the most part, by Moses. Yep, that Moses. Some people actually say Moses wrote the book, but most scholars think that the writer(s) were just using Moses the character as a means to get their message across. Attributing the text to a hugely important cultural figure would give it more power, right? Think about if someone today came out with "George Washington's Lost Will." There'd be controversy, but you can bet that book would sell.

Once you sift through all the nitty-gritty laws and rules, the main message is that the Israelites should worship one god (6:4) in one place (14:25). That god is God, and—even though it's never named in the book—that place is Jerusalem. This message comes along with a retelling of the Exodus story, the tales of the Israelites in the book of Numbers, and the rules and regulations that will help the Israelites recapture their culture's essence.

Moses conveys all this through some pretty rousing and finger-pointing pep talks. Basically, the previous generation of Israelites failed big time, refusing to fight for the Promised Land. But after forty years of desert-wandering, a new generation brings new hope. And if these Israelites obey God, then they'll conquer the Promised Land. The whole book takes place at the Jordan River, while Moses motivates and warns them. Obey and win; disobey and lose—big time.

Why Should I Care?

Deuteronomy is the key to the entire Hebrew Bible. It's the bridge between the stories in Exodus and Numbers, the laws in Leviticus, and the narratives in Joshua, 1 and 2 Samuel, and 1 and 2 Kings. All of the Bible before Deuteronomy has been, in a narrative sense, leading up to the Israelites entering the Promised Land. They've fought, been enslaved, seen God's fire, messed up, died, and been given the law. Now, in Deuteronomy, they're on the edge of the Promised Land, so close to their goal. But don't get too excited—Moses, their leader, makes them take a really long pause. He wants them to take a deep breath to reflect on where they've been (and think about what's to come). What better way to do that than by retelling the story? And hey, if nothing else, Deuteronomy gives you a really good cram tool if you somehow missed the first four books of the Bible.

February 19 Thursday after Ash Wednesday

Deuteronomy, Chapter 1, Verse 17

In rendering judgment, do not consider who a person is; give ear to the lowly and to the great alike, FEARING no one, for the judgment is God’s. Any case that is too difficult for you bring to me and I will hear it.”

Deuteronomy is the last of the five books of Moses. The book explains to the Israelites how to make a success of their life. To be a success we must as General Patton said,

“Lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way.”

After appointing Elders this was Moses advice to them; fear no one except God. The greatest of our church is that we when we are troubled and don’t know what to do we can always approach Him in prayer and seek the advice of his elders (Mary and the Saints) anywhere we are. If we desire, we may also approach our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and bring any case that is too difficult for Him to hear and He will answer us. Likewise, we may approach a priest in confession or connect with a local parish spiritual director. How great is our God that He does not abandon us? Furthermore, there is a multitude of great Catholic websites and organizations where there are elders of the church who can assist us in our difficult moments.

Copilot’s Take

Moses’ command in Deuteronomy 1:17 is not only about rendering fair judgment; it is a masterclass in confronting evil. Evil thrives wherever fear governs—fear of people’s opinions, fear of conflict, fear of losing status, fear of standing alone. Moses tells the elders to fear no one but God because only the fear of God breaks the power of every lesser fear. This is why the previous generation collapsed: they saw giants in the land and let terror rewrite their theology. Moses refuses to let the next generation repeat that mistake. To confront evil, he says, you must first confront the fear inside you. Ordered fear—fear of God—creates the courage to name evil, resist it, and stand upright when others bend.

And Moses doesn’t leave them alone in the fight. “If a case is too difficult, bring it to me,” he says. Evil often hides in complexity, confusion, and intimidation, but God never asks us to face it without help. The Church gives us the same assurance: Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, the confessional, the saints, spiritual directors, and the whole communion of believers stand with us when the battle feels too heavy. Lent is precisely this training ground. It teaches us to confront evil not with rage or bravado, but with clarity, humility, and the steady courage that comes from fearing God alone. When we bring our hardest cases to Him, evil loses its power, and we learn again that no desert, no temptation, and no darkness is stronger than the God who walks with us.

Thursday After Ash Wednesday[2]

EPISTLE. Isaias xxxviii. 1-6

IN those days Ezechias was sick even to death, and the prophet Isaias, the son of Amos, came unto him, and said to him: Thus, saith the Lord: Take order with thy house, for thou shalt die and not live. And Ezechias turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the Lord, and said I beseech Thee, O Lord, remember how I have walked before Thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in Thy sight. And Ezechias wept with great weeping. And the word of the Lord came to Isaias, saying: Go and say to Ezechias: Thus, saith the Lord the God of David thy father: I have heard thy prayer, and I have seen thy tears: behold I will add to thy days fifteen years: and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of the Assyrians, and I will protect it, saith the Lord Almighty.

GOSPEL. Matt. viii. 5-13.

At that time: When Jesus had entered into Capharnaum, there came to Him a centurion, beseeching Him, and saying: Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, and is grievously tormented. And Jesus saith to him: I will come and heal him. And the centurion, making answer, said: Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man subject to authority, having under me soldiers; and I say to this, Go, and he goeth, and to another, Come, and he cometh, and to my servant, Do this, and he doth it. And Jesus, hearing this, marveled, and said to them that followed Him: Amen I say to you, I have not found so great faith in Israel. And I say to you that many shall come from the East and the West, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven: but the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into the exterior darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said to the centurion, Go, and as thou hast believed, so be it done to thee. And the servant was healed at the same hour.

Prayer.

O God, Who by sin art offended, and by penance pacified, mercifully regard the prayers of Thy people, making supplications to Thee, and turn away the scourges of Thy anger, which we deserve for our sins.

Prayer for Help against Spiritual Enemies^{^[3]}

Glorious Saint Michael, Prince of the heavenly hosts, who stands always ready to give assistance to the people of God, who fought with the dragon, the old serpent, and cast him out of heaven, and now valiantly defends the Church of God that the gates of hell may never prevail against her, I earnestly entreat you to assist me also, in the painful and dangerous conflict which I sustain against the same formidable foe. Be with me, O mighty Prince! That I may courageously fight and vanquish that proud spirit, whom you, by the Divine Power, gloriously overthrew, and whom our powerful King, Jesus Christ, has, in our nature, completely overcome; so having triumphed over the enemy of my salvation, I may with you and the holy angels, praise the clemency of God who, having refused mercy to the rebellious angels after their fall, has granted repentance and forgiveness to fallen man. Amen.

Bible in a Year Day 232 Glory in Knowing God

Fr. Mike reflects on Jeremiah’s sorrow for the people of Israel while reminding us that the one thing we ought to find glory in, is in understanding and knowing God. In our reading of Ezekiel, we hear about God's ongoing promise to restore Israel. Today’s readings are Jeremiah 9, Ezekiel 39, and Proverbs 15:1-4.

THE TREE OF HAPPINESS (Cont.)

King Richard was glad to see all the Grand knights and their sons preparing for the Quest. Why even Sir Michael sent for his God-son Gabriel to be part of the great quest. Gabriel was the son of Henry, Sir Michael’s brother. Henry was not a member of the royal court and lived deep in the forests of Utopia. Henry had renounced his birthright, by his marriage to a simple peasantry woman, named Diane, who was known not only for her beauty but also for her intelligent mind and loving ways. Diane and Henry had raised Gabriel quite different from the other young men of Utopia. He was taught all the great sciences of the time, and his father trained him in the Knightly arts. He was a young man of strength in both mind and body. That was why Sir Michael chose him to be his Sergeant at Arms on the great crusade to find the Tree of Happiness.

When Gabriel got the word that he was to go with his uncle he was in his most favorite places to be. He was in the upper most branches of the oldest oak tree in the forest. It was said of the tree that it was used as a meeting place for Mass when St. Dennis first brought Utopia to the church over 500 years ago and if this was true it would make the tree at least 600 years old. Gabriel always loved it here. This was his special place. This was the place where he spoke with his creator. It was here he developed his strength of mind and by climbing the great tree he also developed his physical strength.

After Gabriel joined Sir Michael, King Richard and the rest of the Crusaders visited many faraway lands in search of the Tree of Happiness. They fought many battles (which are stories themselves) and they learned the value of friendship, duty and the worth of selfless service. The king and his Knights found themselves returning to the beliefs of the church and strangely found themselves happy although suffering in hardships together. After five years of searching, they found themselves approaching Utopia having never found the Tree of Happiness and having a sense of failure. Gabriel now a Knight himself, found they were approaching the tree of St. Dennis, his special place, in the middle of a terrible storm. As they approached the tree, Gabriel mentioned to King Richard how this tree was a special place to him, and they camped there for the night to wait out the storm. Gabriel had just finished mentioning this to King Richard when a great bolt of lightning struck the great tree splitting it. Sadly, later that night Gabriel went to bed.

In the morning Gabriel, Sir Michael, King Richard, and the company of Knights approached the split tree. As they approached, they discovered buried within the tree a crucifix that had been attached to the tree and the tree had grown around it. The crucifix was the cross of St. Dennis which had the following words inscribed upon it, “Upon this tree (cross) God hung in payment for our sins and love for us. THIS is the true Tree of Happiness.”

Today Diane T. Havermale succumbed to pancreatic cancer in February 2015; She is loved and remembered by her seven children: Claire, Christopher (Gabriel), Candace, Dara, Rachel, Nicole and Vincent (Michael). Please pray for her intentions and those who struggle with cancer.

Daily Devotions

· Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: Today's Fast: Conversion of Sinners

· Catholic Prayer: Thirty Days' Prayer to Saint Joseph

· Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

· Make reparations to the Holy Face

· Drops of Christ’s Blood

· Universal Man Plan

· Rosary

[1]https://www.shmoop.com/deuteronomy/

[2]Goffine’s Devout Instructions, 1896

[3]https://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/prayers/Spiritual_Enemies.htm

[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 Good Bad Girl (1931)

Starring: Mae Clarke, James Hall, Marie Prevost
Studio: Columbia Pictures
Genre: Drama / Romance / Crime

⭐ Plot Summary

The story centers on Marcia Cameron (Mae Clarke), a young woman trying to outrun a past tied to the gangster Dapper Dan Tyler. She marries the respectable Bob Henderson, hoping to reinvent herself. But the past refuses to stay buried. When Dan resurfaces and circumstances tighten around her, Marcia must choose between fear and truth, between the shadows she once lived in and the life she longs to build.

It’s a compact, emotionally charged pre‑Code drama—lean, fast, and morally pointed.

🎭 Cast Highlights

Actor	Role	Notes
Mae Clarke	Marcia Cameron	Vulnerable yet resilient; filmed the same year as The Public Enemy.
James Hall	Bob Henderson	The “good man” whose love is tested by truth.
Marie Prevost	Trixie Barnes	Warm, witty, and grounding—classic Prevost.
Robert Ellis	Dapper Dan Tyler	A smooth, dangerous presence from Marcia’s past.