Calendar Class of July 6, 2025

Andrea Kirk Assaf
Jul 6
3 min read

A Carpe Diem Snapshot:

I've been day dreaming of this morning coffee ritual on the water all year and finally seized the moment when it was sunny and quiet the other day. The lilies of July and the colorful dragonflies flitting by make the setting just a bit magical and primordial at the same time.

Liturgical: Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

"The harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few."

Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

Pope Leo's Sunday Angelus today.

Bishop Barron's Sunday Sermon: The Church's Marching Orders

Fr Plant's Homily-Scripture Lesson: Sending Forth the Seventy

Sanctoral: Maria Goretti, Italy +1902. If you are in Rome and would like to make a pilgrimage to the sites associated with the life of Maria Goretti, click on the link.

Human: Happy 18th Birthday to James Flores!!

Death of Henry II of England – 1189, Alexander II of Scotland – 1249, Sir Thomas More (author, martyr) – 1535, Edward VI, King of England – 1553, Louis Armstrong (musician) – 1971, Roy Rogers, King of the Cowboys – 1998

Notorious pirate Captain William Kidd (“Captain Kidd”) seized in Boston – 1699, Pennsylvania Evening Post first newspaper to publish Declaration of Independence – 1776, French scientist Louis Pasteur successfully tested a vaccine against rabies on a boy bitten by an infected dog – 1885, First east-to-west Atlantic crossing by a dirigible (R34) completed, Scotland to N.Y. – 1919

Ancient Rome today-- Ludi Apollinares began. In the time of the republic, this holiday was associated with religious ceremonies in honor of Apollo. The festival took place for the first time in 212 BC and lasted just one day – July 13. Over time, the festival extended to eight days, where two days were for theatrical performances, two for the games in the amphitheater, and the rest of the days for fairs. During the empire, Ludi Apollinares was just a pretext for the theatrical shows, games and races, in order to please the crowd. Celebrating Romans used to wear wreaths on their heads during the festival.

83 BC – the temple of Jupiter on the Capitoline Hill in Rome burned down completely.

Natural: When is the Hottest Day of the Year? (In Rome right now, it seems like every day!! The Pope mentioned the bravery of Rome's pilgrims in his Angelus today)

Blueberry season is just about here in Mecosta-- Blueberry Scones with Lemon Glaze

Italian: Prenderci gusto (to develop a taste / take a liking)

Books of the Day: Painting Wonder: How Pauline Baynes Illustrated the Worlds of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien by Katie Wray Schon

(Just got this one from Aunt Felicia!)

The Mousehole Cat by Antonia Barber, illustrated by Nicola Bayley

(I found this one in my Mom's kitchen with some other things set aside for me and was not entirely surprised to find Emma Black's name written inside the front cover. Emma, did you leave this for me or by mistake? As you can imagine, it was an instant hit with us!)

Quote: "July" by Susan Hartley Swett

When the scarlet cardinal tells her dream to the dragonfly,

And the lazy breeze makes a nest in the trees,

And murmurs a lullaby, it's July.

When the tangled cobweb pulls the cornflower's cap awry,

And the lilies tall lean over the wall

To bow to the butterfly, it's July.

When the heat like a mist veil floats,

And poppies flame in the rye,

And the silver note in the streamlet's throat

Has softened almost to a sigh, it's July.

When the hours are so still that time forgets them,