St. Reparata (Feast Day October 8) 

c. Third Century 

St. Reparata was born in the third century in Caesarea, a Roman Province of Palestine. She was baptized at a very young age and arrested and tortured for her faith at the age of eleven during the persecution of Decius. Her persecutors tried to burn her alive, but she was saved by a shower of rain and miraculously emerged unharmed. She was then forced to drink boiling tar. When she again refused to renounce her faith, she was decapitated. Her legend states that immediately upon dying a dove appeared to symbolize the departure of her spirit to heaven. Later elaborations of her legend state that her body was laid in a boat and blown by the breath of angels to the bay now known as the Baie des Anges in Nice. 

She is the patron saint of Nice, France and a co-patron saint of Florence (with St. Zenobius). The former Cathedral of Santa Reparata in Florence was dedicated to her. Sainte-Réparate Cathedral, in Nice, is also dedicated to her. The city of Florence holds a celebration in honor of St. Reparata each year on October 8 in commemoration of its deliverance from the Ostrogoths in 406, which they attribute to the intercession of St. Reparata. 

·       Share a time when you were in a big storm. Were you scared? Did you pray to God for help?

·       What would it have been like to witness the wind and the sea obey Jesus’ command to be still?

·       Why do you think Jesus asked the disciples, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”

·       God worked miracles in the life of St. Reparata. Share a time when you saw God’s hand at work in your life.

Plant a Garden

If you don’t have a storm like we hear about in today’s Gospel, create your own garden in a dedicated space in your backyard or in pots. Plant your seeds in rich soil and water them as needed. Be sure they get the right amount of sunlight. Over time, you can watch your seeds grow!

Black Eyed Pea Salad

Enjoy this summer salad using many ingredients found in a garden.

3 Tbsp. olive oil

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

2 Tbsp. of white wine or apple cider vinegar

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. sugar or 1 tsp honey

1 ½ tsp. ground cumin

2 cloves garlic, minced

½ - 1 tsp. salt (to taste)

½ tsp. cayenne pepper

1/3 cup red onion

1 cup chopped bell peppers either red, yellow, or orange (or a mix of all three)

2 Tbsp. chopped black olives

2 cups cooked long grain white rice or cooked brown rice

2 cups cooked fresh or frozen black-eyed peas (if using canned black-eyed peas, make sure peas are drained, well-rinsed and not too mushy)

3 Tbsp. chopped basil or parsley (optional)

8 cups salad greens (romaine, bibb, young kale, red leaf work very well, or iceberg)

In large mixing bowl, whisk olive oil, Dijon mustard, vinegar, lemon juice, cumin, sugar/honey, garlic, salt and cayenne pepper. Add onion, bell peppers, olives, rice, and peas. Stir until coated. Cover and refrigerate at least one hour, up to 24 hrs. Stir once more, adding basil/parsley and a dash more salt if desired. Then turn onto bed of salad greens and serve. 

Prayer of St. Teresa of Avila

Pray this prayer before bedtime to let the peace of Christ envelop your family.

Let nothing disturb you,

Let nothing frighten you,

All things are passing away:

God never changes.

Patience obtains all things

Whoever has God lacks nothing;

God alone suffices.

In the Prayers of the Faithful, we offer prayers to God for the salvation of all. How do we respond to each of those prayers?

Write out the verse from Isaiah 41:10 and place it in a spot that will be a daily reminder for your family to trust God in times of fear: “Do not fear: I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand” – Isaiah 41:10.

The Sea of Galilee's location makes it subject to sudden and violent storms as the wind comes over the eastern mountains and drops suddenly onto the sea, which is 700 feet below sea level. Storms are especially likely when an east wind blows cool air over the warm air that covers the sea. The cold air (being heavier) drops as the warm air rises. This sudden change can produce surprisingly furious storms in a short time, just as it did in Jesus' day.