Dear brothers and sisters in Christ through Mary,

Among St. Vincent de Paul's famous statements, I picked the following:

1. "Go to the poor: you will find God,"
2. "The most powerful weapon to conquer the devil is humility,"
3. "We must love our neighbor as being made in the image of God."
4. "Humility is nothing but truth, and pride is nothing but lying". And,
5. "It is not enough to give bread. Love must be your calling."

Many of us, for one reason or another, fail to make worthwhile decisions to better our world, and as it were, having St. Vincent de Paul as a model makes life pretty cool. If I doubted God's existence, the reality check is the existence of the poor people all around me! I should exclaim with utmost certainty that I see and meet God through this man or that woman, who has been wonderfully created in God's image and likeness. There is no lie about this! (Genesis 1:26-27).

If our calling is to love and if Loving is empty without action, then all the efforts done towards the Saint Vincent de Paul Thanksgiving Turkey Saturday is power over the devil's exclusive tactics of disunity, greed, and selfish pride. We can make it.

Let us thank each and every one who makes such rare days possible so that everyone receives something to be grateful for and be able to say thank you, God, for your eternal Love. Let our hearts remain open; if we cannot afford a Turkey for a family, at least we can manage a smile or a hello that acknowledges the existence of others. We can also repeat to bring joy as we celebrate the National Thanksgiving Day at the end of the month. Remember, Cheerful giving is seen as a way for believers to imitate God's own generous nature and participate in His work in the world. St. Paul has written, "Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7)

In 2014, Pope Francis (MHSRIP), wrote a letter to Cuban Bishops and Christians marking September 8 as the feast of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, Patroness of Cuba. In the letter, he said, "Mary teaches people to experience the joy of Christ and share it with others; to never let adversity beat you down; and always help those in need with love and mercy." Wow!

In this article, allow me to also share a little about the feast of the Presentation of Mary that falls on November 21st. The Presentation of Mary in the Temple was done by her parents, Joachim and Anne, when Mary was only three years old, and it was a fulfillment of a vow they had made to God when they were childless. The Presentation of Mary stresses an important truth, that from the beginning of her life, she was dedicated to God.

As a religious custom for all whose life was dedicated to God in the temple to remain consecrated for God's purpose, we see later the Presentation of Mary's own Child, Jesus. (Luke 2:20-40)

For parents, the feast of the Presentation of Mary ought to offer an example for them to follow and therefore raise their children with Love, attention, and focus on Spiritual formation. Through baptism, we all belong to Christ, and we too ought to humbly recognize that our life is God given and designed for a purpose. We therefore need to be dedicated or constantly rededicated to God through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary. Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God. Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

I love you all. Be safe, healthy, and happy.

Jesus, I trust in you….

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