Penny's Passion: Five on Friday - January 17, 2025

Thursday, January 16, 2025

Five on Friday - January 17, 2025

At long last, Friday has arrived!  That means it's time for Five on Friday.  Let's go ~

Pope Francis has a new book out!  Hope - The Autobiography came out this week and I'm sure it made many, many TBR lists.  Here's the summary ~
Pope Francis originally intended this exceptional book to appear only after his death, but the needs of our times and the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope have moved him to make this precious legacy available now.

Hope vividly recreates the colorful world where the young Jorge Mario Bergoglio grew up.”—The New York Times

Hope is the first autobiography in history ever to be published by a Pope. Written over six years, this complete autobiography starts in the early years of the twentieth century, with Pope Francis’s Italian roots and his ancestors’ courageous migration to Latin America, continuing through his childhood, the enthusiasms and preoccupations of his youth, his vocation, adult life, and the whole of his papacy up to the present day.

In recounting his memories with intimate narrative force (not forgetting his own personal passions), Pope Francis deals unsparingly with some of the crucial moments of his papacy and writes candidly, fearlessly, and prophetically about some of the most important and controversial questions of our present times: war and peace (including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East), migration, environmental crisis, social policy, the position of women, sexuality, technological developments, the future of the Church and of religion in general.

Hope includes a wealth of revelations, anecdotes, and illuminating thoughts. It is a thrilling and very human memoir, moving and sometimes funny, which represents the “story of a life” and, at the same time, a touching moral and spiritual testament that will fascinate readers throughout the world and will be Pope Francis’s legacy of hope for future generations.

2. New Milano Cookies
I'm going to be checking out the grocery store aisles in hopes of finding the new Milano cookies!  Pepperidge Farm is introducing its first-ever Milano White Chocolate cookies.  The three flavors to choose from are strawberry white chocolate, lemon white chocolate or coconut white chocolate.  But really, why pick - get all three!  All three are supposed to be hitting stores this month.  



The St. Louis weather has been brutal for the last couple of weeks, causing us to trudge through salt and chemicals while going in and out of stores and work.  My boots were really showing the wear!  Kiwi Express Shine Sponge to the rescue!  A couple quick swipes and my boots are looking good as new.  It's really nice that no buffing is required.  They come in black, neutral and brown.  
4.  Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Monday I will be off work to observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a holiday observed on the third Monday of January each year. This federal holiday in the United States honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. As a pivotal leader in the American civil rights movement, Dr. King championed nonviolent resistance to combat racial inequality and injustice. His inspiring speeches, including the iconic "I Have a Dream" address, continue to resonate as a call for unity, equality, and justice for all. MLK Day is not only a celebration of his achievements but also a national day of service, encouraging individuals and communities to engage in acts of kindness and activism that reflect Dr. King's vision of a more just and compassionate world.

Here are several meaningful ways to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day:
  1. Volunteer Your Time: Participate in a community service project, such as cleaning up neighborhoods, distributing food to those in need, or mentoring youth. Many organizations host service events in honor of MLK Day.

  2. Educate Yourself: Learn more about Dr. King's life, his speeches, and the civil rights movement. Watch documentaries, read books, or listen to recordings of his powerful words.

  3. Attend Events: Join local parades, marches, or commemorative ceremonies. Many cities host public gatherings to honor Dr. King’s legacy.

  4. Reflect and Discuss: Engage in meaningful conversations about racial equality, social justice, and ways to promote unity in your community.

  5. Support Equality Initiatives: Donate to or volunteer with organizations that focus on civil rights, education, or economic justice.

  6. Teach the Next Generation: Share Dr. King’s story and teachings with children by reading books, organizing educational activities, or encouraging discussions about his impact.

  7. Act for Change: Use the day as a reminder to advocate for policies and practices that promote equity and inclusion.

By embracing the spirit of service and reflection, MLK Day becomes not just a day off but a "day on" to make a positive difference.


5.  Winter thoughts...


Have a fantastic weekend! I'm taking my niece to a Frozen Princess event and can not wait to see the excitement in her eyes when Elsa and Anna walk into the room! We will also be cheering on the Chiefs on Saturday at our son and daughter-in-law's house.  See you back next week!

2 comments:

  1. Those cookies sound delightful. I will have to check out Hope. Happy weekend.

    ReplyDelete