St. Andrew Dung Lac was born in Vietnam in 1785. He was born with the name Trần An Dũng but took the name Andrew at his baptism. He was a Catholic convert. Desiring to serve the Church and his country by ministering to the Vietnamese people, he became a Catholic priest and then a missionary for the promulgation of the faith. During persecution, Andrew Dũng changed his name to Lạc to avoid capture, and thus he is memorialized as Andrew Dũng-Lạc. He was one of 117 people martyred in Vietnam between 1820 and 1862. Members of the companions group gave their lives for Christ in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, and received beatification during four different occasions between 1900 and 1951. All were canonized during the papacy of St. John Paul II. 

In the generations that preceded Andrew’s missionary work, Christianity did not spread peacefully throughout Vietnam. The first Portuguese missionary arrived in 1533. Many more followed, including the Dominican and Jesuit orders, but they were met with violent resistance at the hands of various political regimes. Waves of terror and torture were inflicted on all those who dared to carry the faith to the people of Vietnam, and thousands of Catholics and other Christians were murdered for their zeal.

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• What is the difference between how the Scribes behaved vs. how the poor widow behaved in today’s Gospel? What can we learn from this?
• Do you know someone who displays the virtue of humility? Tell a story about that person and why you admire him or her.
• Why is it important to contribute to the needs of the Church by sharing our time, talent and treasure?
• In what way did St. Andrew Dung Lac contribute to the Church in Vietnam?

In honor of the widow’s contribution of two coins, make this simple seasonal two-ingredient recipe.

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Start preparing for Thanksgiving by taking on an attitude of gratitude! Gratitude increases our overall happiness, helps us to be less self-centered, and helps us to be the people God calls us to be. Reflecting on what you are thankful for is a great way for your family to cultivate a generous spirit and a sense of contentment. Collect all of your family’s sentiments of gratitude and make a thankful bunting (a string of colorful triangular flags) today. Here’s what you’ll need:

Sturdy white paper, such as cardstock or watercolor paper

Scissors

Tape

Black permanent markers, such as Sharpies

Paint/crayons/markers

(Optional) Sewing machine

Instructions: First, cut your paper into triangles big enough to draw and write on. Cover your work surface to protect it from the paint/markers. Next, tape a series of triangles down on your work surface, to hold them in place. Invite family members to draw pictures and/or write words of the things they are thankful for. Then color the images with paint, markers, or crayons. Once finished, remove the tape. Arrange the triangles and sew them together into one long bunting. If you don’t have a sewing machine, use a hole punch to punch holes in the top corners of each triangle, then weave yarn through all the holes to string them all together. Finally, hang your new thankful bunting up where everyone can see it!

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Prayer for Vocations

Loving and Generous God,

it is you who call us by name

and ask us to follow you.

Help us to grow in the love

and service of our Church

as we experience it today.

Give us the energy and courage

of your Spirit

to shape its future

Grant us faith-filled leaders

who will embrace Christ's mission

of love and justice.

Bless our domestic Church and larger community

by raising up dedicated and generous leaders

from our families and friends

who will serve your people as Sisters,

Priests, Brothers, Deacons and Lay Ministers

through marriage or the single life.

Inspire us to know you better

and open our hearts

to hear your call.

We ask this through our Lord.

Amen.

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