Shared meals are not the same as before the pandemic, and this affects newcomers in a unique way. Eating together has always been a social glue. It is a way to almost physically share part of your story with someone else, to build trust, and to enjoy others’ company. It’s a community-building tool that is all the more missed when other supports are lacking.

The worldwide pandemic was declared a year ago on March 11, 2020. We asked our readers to share what they have learned, how they have changed, who has made their life better, and how their life will be different afterwards.

Please consider joining our efforts and help us bring other Christians to action, collectively leaning on our faith and bringing hope to our marginalized neighbours who need it most.

There is a danger, and a temptation, stalking us when we would endeavor to make ourselves more extraordinary than we are. That “extra-'' is God’s work alone.

“Peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, February 21, 1999, our cherished son, brother, and friend, Matthew Stanford Robison, was received into a state of happiness, and began his rest from troubles, care, and sorrow in the arms of his Savior and friend Jesus Christ.”

St. Nicholas saw his resources as a gift from God to be shared with the poor and marginalized; Santa Claus encourages us to focus on gifting primarily to our loved ones and friends.

We may never know the full outcomes of timely generous acts, but sometimes we are privileged enough to see ripples of their astonishing consequences.

For many, developing a daily practice of gratitude, deepening our practice of meditative prayer, or seeking the comfort and guidance of friends can all move us toward greater hope.

Will we make the easy choice when we know a harder one would be the correct course of action?

“Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping…”

Families and communities grow best into a profound generosity of spirit when wisdom is lovingly and open-handedly shared and received by all.

Are we advocates, speaking up for the equal rights and treatment of others, or do we preserve our comfort to avoid awkwardness, in the name of politeness?

“No one gets to heaven without a reference from the poor.”

What good is it…. if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds?

If we must go through this crisis, we ought not to waste the possibilities it presents.

We are in the midst of turbulent and unpredictable times. It is uncharted territory. How do we act? What do we believe?

Our blessings are never intended for ourselves alone.

If we find ourselves blessed with health, loved ones, resources, and community, one thing we get to do is care for others who have needs in these areas.

I have learnt to be content with mystery; to live in the places that are foggy and undefined – joining those baffled and confused ones.

God knows what we could be like and what we could do when sacrificial loving offers both “heart and inspiration” into our daily lives.