When a drought fell over Sicily, the people turned to St. Joseph for deliverance. And when a plentiful harvest followed, they had a feast where rich and poor ate together and thanked the saint for his intercession. In honor of that tradition, Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Winchester set out its own St. Joseph’s Table March 19. Parishioners donated food and drinks, and any morsel that wasn’t eaten by the some 300 parishioners who attended was donated to charity.
Lisa Anthony-Price, executive director of operations and development, said the parish especially turned to St. Joseph during the pandemic. “I don’t think I can understate his intercession for our parish,” she said. “We have come out of the pandemic better than where we started — more people involved, more people attending Mass, more collections and a more robust community than we were before. I have to attribute it all to St Joseph, and Our Lady of course, because he was our guide. This is one of the reasons people are flocking here on his feast day.”
“St. Joseph hooks you by his ability to help you,” said Father Bjorn C. Lundberg, pastor. “Come for the answered prayers and stay for the discipleship. He teaches you how to pray, how to trust in God and how to have devotion to Our Lady.”
