Minister’s Message for November 2025
Brothers and Sisters in Francis,
When I was a young girl in Catholic school, we always knew that Thanksgiving was coming up
on the calendar when we were given handouts of various images to color. Whether it was a
pilgrim scene, a pumpkin, a cornucopia or a turkey – we were always excited! We would make
our yearly turkey from the outline ofour hands, sign them and tape them to the walls. It was
always a warm feeling knowing that, soon, we would be gathering with our families around
the table of plenty. Some years were less plentiful than others, but the feeling was always the
same.
I do remember wondering why we never had a cornucopia on our table like the ones I colored
in school. When I think of a cornucopia, it represents to me an overflowing of all sorts of
delicious foods. I wondered if only the “rich” people had cornucopias…
We, at St. Anthony Fraternity, have an opportunity to provide for a small portion of our
Albuquerque homeless community. We listened to Glenn from the Francis House last month
regarding the need for sixty (60) peanut butter and jelly sandwiches every Saturday of the
month and for sixty (60) ham and cheese sandwiches every4th Friday of the month. That is
300 sandwiches a month – actually, more if there happen to be five Fridays or five Saturdays.
When I begin to think of how much of a commitment this will be, I have to remind myself that
there are six other days of the week that we will be moving about our daily lives eating more
than one peanut butter and jelly sandwich for the day.
When we meet for our Gathering this Sunday, we will have sign-up sheets with an invitation to
participate in whichever way you are able. I pray that we will offer from the cornucopia of our
overflowing hearts our time, our talents and our finances to make this possible for our brothers
and sisters on the streets. It may seem like a lot of work and commitment, but I know that our
work and commitment can be a cornucopia of overflowing love for someone who may be
experiencing the hardship and hunger of life on the streets.
Matthew 25:35-36
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to
drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick
and you looked after me, when I was in prison and you came to visit me.
May we embrace every brother and every sister with the love with which Francis embraced the leper.
Peace to you and your families,
Israela
Israela Garcia, OFS
Servant Minister, St Anthony Community, OFS
