Weekend Masses

This week we celebrate Thanksgiving and for many years I have joined friends in Kansas City Mo for the holiday. The first time I was there were 80 people… Yes! 80. Many of them were college kids or foreign students learning English and friends of the family who had nowhere else to go. One of the fun parts was the peeling of 60 pounds of potatoes which was done as people came in the doors and everyone joined in. Another fun part was the collecting of car keys. No one was given back their keys if they were any little bit under the weather. Boys slept in the basement and girls upstairs and everybody went home next day on a full breakfast and with a doggy bag. There were no left overs for the house to struggle to eat for the next week. For me this a witness to the original event which inspired thanksgiving that reaching out to others in need and giving them help. Even though many of the people who were there did not celebrate thanksgiving in their own countries, the family felt it was important to invite them. Some of the college kids could not afford to go home so invite them. If we listen to Jesus in the gospel we see that attitude. God invites everyone. As we celebrate with family and friends this year let us count our blessings and be grateful for the blessings of the year past. Let us journey in confidence and faith for the Lord is always with us on the journey inviting us to share him with others. Let us give Thanks. Pray for me as I pray for you, Fr Karl

Dear Brothers and Sisters, I spoke last week of generosity: of that spirit of generosity that transforms not only your life but the lives of the people around you. I often think of an Kenyan sister I knew who worked in a small mission hospital in a place called Kobujoi in Nandi Kenya. Kobujoi was my first appointment in Kenya. It was on a hill at about 7000 feet above sea level, a beautiful spot on the edge of the great Rift Valley. Sister Elisabeth was matron of the small mission hospital. She had entered the Sisters of St Joseph out of Primary School and was one of the early members of the congregation. She had a deep faith and a smile was never far from her face. She had trained as a midwife and had over the years developed many other nursing skills. She had a heart of gold and was available night and day to those she served. Many a time she came knocking on my window in the middle of the night because one of her patients needed to be brought to a bigger hospital because of a serious complication. Her presence and her attitude to people brought many none Christians to the faith. She was not out there preaching from the rooftops but her life and service gave witness to what she believed. People like her change lives by their generous spirit and by their smile. Rest in peace gentle soul. May our lives continue to journey with that same generosity and joyfulness. By this shall all know that you are my disciples? Love one another. Pray for me as I pray for you, Fr Karl