This Thanksgiving won’t be celebrated the way many of us hoped and imagined back when the pandemic started.  And yet, praise God, we are alive.  Most of us reading these words can breathe freely.  The virus has reminded us to never again take for granted the simple matters of enjoying Thanksgiving dinner with loved ones.

In turn, a prayer of thanksgiving is offered to all of you, and especially to those of you who were able to help the food insecure of the Lincoln and Woodstock communities by donating foodstuffs, cash contributions, and even turkeys.  Through your generosity, the St. Joseph’s Parish Outreach Committee was able to deliver to the Lincoln-Woodstock Food Pantry more than 30 food baskets filled to the brim with everything a family could need to put together a bountiful Thanksgiving dinner for loved ones.

In the Gospel for this weekend, Jesus’ parable of the sheep and the goats challenges us to see the world in light of God’s compassion as we reach out for one another’s hand.  We are reminded that God dwells within every man, woman, and child, and that as God’s children – no matter our race, nationality, culture, or language – our  lives must be centered in holiness, charity, and love of our neighbor.

May God continue to bless you and your families,

Fr. John Mahoney