Thanksgiving and Giving Tree Program
My Dear Parishioners,
This week we will be celebrating Thanksgiving. It is a beautiful opportunity to reflect on all the blessings that God has given us and to make our response back to Him with praise and worship. I hope that you enjoy some time with family and loved ones during this special time. You are invited to join us for a special Mass on Thanksgiving morning, November 23rd at 9:00 A.M. At this Mass we will continue the tradition of blessing loaves of freshly baked bread and then handing them out after the Mass. It is a way to symbolically carry the blessing of the Mass home with you to your Thanksgiving tables. Please note that there will be no 8:00 a.m. Mass on Thursday.
This weekend we are starting our Giving Tree program. This is the annual opportunity to provide gifts to the less fortunate. We ask you to take a “gift tag” off the tree in the sanctuary which identifies a specific need for the various charitable organizations that we help. Then you are asked to supply a gift card in the amount of $25 – $35 from a department store, or check to St. Joseph (for tuition) to help meet the particular need. The charities that we support tell us that the gift cards are the best way to donate. While all gifts are appreciated, the gift cards help them the most. We ask that you return the card(s) to the Giving Tree Box – placed at the base of the tree by Dec. 11th so they may be distributed to those in need, with enough time to get their shopping done. The people of this parish have always been very generous with this program and we are very grateful for your support.
The Seminary Appeal is fully underway at this time. While you consider a contribution to support the program and those considering a vocation to priesthood or religious life, it is also important to pray for vocations. The US Bishops have published a number of prayers for vocations. Please consider using one or more of these prayers to pray for our Archdiocese and for seminarians.
Loving God, you call all who believe in you to grow perfect in love by following in the footsteps of Christ your Son. Call from among us more men and women who will serve you as religious. By their way of life, may they provide a convincing sign of your Kingdom for the Church and the whole world. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
O God, Father of all Mercies, provider of a bountiful Harvest, send Your Graces upon those You have called to gather the fruits of Your labor; preserve and strengthen them in their lifelong service of you.
Open the hearts of Your children that they may discern Your Holy Will; inspire in them a love and desire to surrender themselves to serving others in the name of Your son, Jesus Christ. Teach all Your faithful to follow their respective paths in life guided by Your Divine Word and Truth. Through the intercession of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, all the Angels, and Saints, humbly hear our prayers and grant Your Church’s needs, through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
God Bless you,
Fr. Bordonaro