32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

What a beautiful weekend of celebrations we enjoyed together.  Thank you to the many hands and hearts who contributed to making the entire weekend a time of fellowship, worship, and evangelization.  On behalf of Fr. Kennell, our Deacons, and the entire staff of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, please accept our heartfelt thanks for your presence and participation.

The Church in her wisdom has gifted us with focused and integrated instructions about our faith through the Liturgy of the Word.  This week's readings invite us to reflect on the quiet strength of “emptiness” and the surprising blessings found in limited resources, both of which can deepen our wholehearted devotion to the Lord.

In the story of Elijah and the widow, we see how her poverty becomes a stage for God's abundant provision. Her spiritual obedience, despite her scarcity, allows her to experience God’s sustaining love firsthand, showing us that dependence on God leads to transformation. God’s promises hold true, though often fulfilled in His timing rather than ours, and His generosity always surpasses our expectations.

Our second reading reminds us that Christ’s sacrifice has eternally reconciled us with God. As members of Christ’s body, we are called to embrace this freedom through the sacraments and to share it, becoming vessels of Christ’s love for one another.

In the Gospel, Jesus highlights the widow who, despite her poverty, gives all she has to God in faith. While others may appear holy on the outside, the Lord sees her sincere, self-giving heart. He values our offerings not by their size but by the love with which they’re given. When we give freely and wholeheartedly, He treasures our offering, seeing the true devotion within.

May God grant us the grace to give Him all that we are and all that we have. In doing so, may we be transformed into sanctuaries of His love, radiating His presence to everyone we encounter.

---

**Note:** Fr. Kennell has received your cards and well wishes. He is grateful for your prayerful support, and we will continue to send weekly notes throughout November. May God bless his time away.

~Sr. Grace Ford, Er. Dio.

‍