The time surrounding Thanksgiving is such a whirlwind of work and happiness in New York City. This year was no different. The Hurricane Sandy relief effort began the movement to reach out and help. Food was handed out, prayers were said, and thanks were given to God for it all.




On Thanksgiving day itself, we had our usual Saint Joseph's Table meal for the neighborhood. With the help of some dear friends who own a great restaurant (Gino's Trattoria), we offered the best meal in town! Thanks to the friars who were praying in Eucharistic Adoration throughout the day, no one got cut except the turkey.




This year was extra-special because Br. Timothy made a ghetto turkey piñata. With time running out and short on materials, he used newspaper and mortar paste. That was a tough old bird! It survived many a whack before it yielded the goodies.




When Brother announced that we were offering a turkey piñata in the back yard, no one made a move to join us. So, I got on the microphone and yelled, "Hey everybody, that thing is full of CASH MONEY!" Wow - that really got everyone's attention. I kinda stretched the truth knowing that candy is like money in Candy Land!




Anyways, our guests were really interested in getting that money. The Thanksgiving/Christmas season is a great time to look into your heart and discover what you are really interested in. Then, if you are like me and my neighbors, pray for the grace of a deeper conversion.




May God bless you,

Fr. Luke Mary Fletcher, CFR
St. Joseph Friary
Harlem, New York City