We celebrated St Patrick’s Day on Friday, a feast day near and dear to the Irish American community. Corned beef and cabbage is associated with that feast. Since St Paddy’s Day was on a Friday in Lent this year, our Bishop Joseph Kopacz and many other bishops throughout the US gave a dispensation so we could eat meat on that day as a part of that celebration. Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of Joseph, a beloved feast day of many Italian Americans, whose tradition they brought from their homeland. Many Italian Americans have a feast of traditional Italian food on that day, which they share with the needy and the poor. We hear the response of Joseph at the news of his son’s impending birth of Jesus in the Matthew’s Gospel today, a response that exemplifies faith, compassion, and courage. Mary and Joseph are such great examples of faith for us. Often, when we are discouraged on our own journeys, we can turn to the examples of Mary and Joseph to enlighten us and to give us hope. St Joseph, pray for us as we celebrate your feast day today.
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