November 1, 2020

Dear Friends of the Shrine of St. Anthony,

Moving into November, we remember All Saints and All Souls Days.  It is a good month to remember the many faithful who have gone before us and paved the way for our faith journey.  We have in our faith so many intercessors who help us find reconciliation with the Lord.

It is a month of changes: time falls back, elections challenge our daily struggles, even some changes are taking place at the Shrine.  I have been the Spiritual Guardian of the Companions of St. Anthony for the past ten years.  I feel that St. Anthony has found me, and placed me closer to him, as I continue to minister with the Companions, I also am taking on the ministry as Director of The Shrine of St. Anthony.  I am doubly blessed.  Joseph White will continue his excellent work for the Shrine, serving as Director of Mission.

This month is also one of giving thanks.  I give thanks to you our friends and benefactors.  I am grateful for your support.  This coming celebration of Thanksgiving Day will be very different for all of us – it will be smaller, quieter, like something we have never experienced.  In and through it all, we are being told, “Be still and know that I am God.”  I ask you to continue to count your blessings, even as you grieve over traditional Thanksgiving Days of the past.  This pandemic cannot get the upper hand over our faith in God, family, and our friends.  We must look for more ways to connect with one another and to truly keep our spirits high.

We end this month with the Feast of St. Andrew, the brother of St. Peter.  These brothers responded when the Lord said, “Come after me…”  Romans 10:15 states, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news.”  Let us all go out and bring the good news this month, or even better be the good news for others!

In the Care of St. Anthony.
 
Fr. Richard-Jacob Forcier, OFM Conv.
Director