It is obvious to me that some of the ministries and activities that I encourage people to get involved with, would not have been extended by my predecessors before Vatican Council II.  One of those activities is our annual Thanksgiving Service sponsored by the Village Interfaith Council.  This year's service will be held this Tuesday, November 20, at 2:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 403 Barcelona Road.  While encouragement for us to attend such ecumenical services with fellow Christians has been coming from the Church and its priests and deacons since Vatican II, I must say that it saddens me that there is not more participation in these prayer opportunities from all the faith alliances in this and in other communities.  I pray that more of us will join with our brothers and sisters in Christ in prayer at charitable endeavors and social gatherings throughout the year.  A collection will be taken at this Thanksgiving service which will go to a fund that is used by the Interfaith Council for charitable purposes throughout the year.  Hope to see you there.

I write this Pastor's Corner on election day, 2012.  I hope, as I know all people who vote do, that my vote will make a difference in helping to get people elected whom I believe will best promote the values and ways of the Gospel of Jesus and will work with others to see that this happens for the common good.  Today, I have already done something that I KNOW for sure will make a difference, as I gave blood at the Blood Drive that is held once every two months at the Village United Methodist Church on Carmona.  I was one of the first in line, and the other three who were behind me, were fellow parishioners from Sacred Heart Church.  I give thanks to God for these people and all who realize that they can make a difference throughout the year in many ways, including giving the "Gift of Life" through a blood donation. Please look out for the next blood drive in January at the United Methodist Church or earlier than that (though I don't know when) at the Coronado Center.  It is a wonderful, Christ-like thing to do.

I'm composing this Pastor's Corner on the morning after the destruction that was caused by Hurricane Sandy.  There is, no doubt, many ways that people respond when seeing the misery that this storm caused.  Some might say, "I'm glad it wasn't me or my family."  Others, (hopefully most of us) wonder what could be done for these poor people.  Besides prayer, which should always come first, I thought about making a monetary donation to the Red Cross and/or Catholic Relief Services.  I hope you have, or will, consider doing that as well in the next few days.  The addresses for each of these disaster relief agencies is: Red Cross, 2025 East Street NW, Washington, DC, 20006 or Catholic Relief Services, Post Office Box 170090, Baltimore, MD, 21203-7190 (put name of the emergency on the check).  This is one way to be Christ to those who are hurting.  May God bless this and all relief efforts.