I cannot imagine how many turkeys were consumed on Thanksgiving Day, but only know they are delicious, especially with all of the trimmings. Then there are Thanksgiving hams…
I am happy to relate that around 500 turkeys were distributed in Hastings, Auburn and Lincoln before Thanksgiving and Christmas this year because of a few generous donors. Across the diocese, they were distributed either on designated days or incorporated in food pantries (which are sacks or boxes of food that last a family for a week’s time).
I am also happy to announce that our generous benefactors across the diocese responded once again by donating almost 24,000 pounds of food to stock our three fixed food pantries. This is a great help to struggling families because when a food pantry is given to a family that is living paycheck to paycheck, the money saved is freed up to pay for other essentials such as rent, utilities, medical expenses, etc.
As we continue our Advent preparation for the coming of the Christ Child into our hearts, let us not forget the poverty that the Word Made Flesh came into the world. “And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn” (Lk 2:7). If Joseph had been a wealthy man, you can be sure that Jesus would have been born in a better place and laid in a bed for an infant, not a manger. Oh the Eucharistic illusions- Bethlehem, which means house of bread… a manger which is a feeding trough for animals. I can only imagine that because of their poverty, obtaining food most likely was also an immediate concern.
Please allow me here to thank all of our donors who support us, who love Jesus Who not only is present in the poor and needy but has told us so (Mt 25:31-46). May your Advent preparation be a fruitful one so that Christmas, and the Christmas season, will be a truly joyful one, reflecting on the greatest gift ever given to us, by our loving Father in heaven, the Word Made Flesh. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14). Please remember that Masses are offered each month for you, your families and intentions, and also please do not forget you are remembered in our daily prayers!
