Pastor's Message - August 2 , 2026

My dear friends in Christ,

Thank you! Thank you!

Our Mission Appeal Sunday was truly a wonderful success! Sr. Helen Murage was deeply touched and overwhelmed by your warm welcome, generous hospitality, and faithful support. She asked me to share her heartfelt letter of gratitude with our parish family:

Dear Parishioners of St. Joseph,

On behalf of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Nyeri, I am deeply grateful for your warm welcome, your prayers, and your generous financial support, which you shared with us last weekend. Your generosity is a beautiful witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Your donation, so kindly given and warmly received, will help us respond to the needs of the people we serve. Through your kindness, we are able to make a real difference in their lives and help them experience God's love and compassion.

Please be assured of our prayers for you, your families, and your loved ones.

Yours in the Mission of Christ,

Sr. Helen Murage, S.M.I.

Fr. Joseph and I, too, are deeply grateful and proud of our parish community. Thank you for the warm welcome and generous hospitality you extended to Sr. Helen. More importantly, thank you for opening your hearts to the mission of the Church.

This Sunday's Gospel (Matthew 14:13–21) tells us about the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand. Faced with a hungry crowd, the disciples wanted to send the people away. But Jesus challenged them with these remarkable words: "There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves." With only five loaves and two fish, placed into His hands, Jesus blessed them, multiplied them, and fed everyone until all were satisfied.

That Gospel is not only about bread; it is about discipleship. Jesus continues to say to each of us, "Give them some food yourselves." He invites us to place whatever we have into His hands—our time, our talents, our compassion, and our resources. When offered in faith, even what seems small becomes a blessing for many.

Last weekend, you answered that invitation. Through your generous support of the Mission Appeal, you became part of Christ's miracle. Your gifts will help feed the hungry, educate children, care for the sick, strengthen families, and proclaim the Gospel to those who long to experience God's love. Your generosity is an extension of Christ's compassion.

There is a moving story from World War II. An American soldier was walking through the ruins of a church that had been destroyed by bombing. Amid the rubble stood a statue of Jesus. Although much of the statue remained intact, both of its hands had been blown away. Deeply moved, the soldier placed a sign beneath it that read:

"You are My missing hands."

What a beautiful reminder for all of us!

By virtue of our Baptism, we are called to be the hands of Jesus that serve, the feet of Jesus that go out to those in need, and the heart of Jesus that loves without counting the cost. Every act of kindness, every prayer, every sacrifice, and every gift offered in charity allows Christ to continue feeding a hungry world.

Thank you for being Christ's hands in our world. Thank you for sharing His compassion with our brothers and sisters through your generous support of the missions.

May the Lord, who multiplied the loaves and fishes, continue to multiply His blessings upon you and your families, filling your hearts with His peace, joy, and abundant love.

God bless you all!

In Christ,

Fr. Geoffrey