To The Editor:

The number 40 is somewhat mystical in the Holy Scriptures.

To all of those compassionate and yes, mystical people, who so lovingly served at the Dorothy Day House of Hospitality in Danbury for a portion of the past 40 years, a special prayer of gratitude is due. January 25, the Feast of St. Paul, marks this day when the longest lasting ministry of “feeding the hungry,” in the Greater Danbury area, has marked that goal.

People from every one of the ten-town area have taken precious moments of their day to purchase, grow, prepare, or serve the guests of Dorothy Day, and they may need to be reminded that, as they did such for any one of God’s children, they did the same for God. This ecumenical and interfaith service has been open in all kinds of weather and has served meals that included that very first cup of soup (literally), to the 20 freshly prepared chickens from a local farmer, to a vast array of gourmet-styled delicacies.

Some humbly washed dishes, pots, and pans, as Jesus once washed some apostles’ feet. One year later, an emergency housing shelter was added to the ministry and a growing number of volunteers are now awaiting a decision by the local authorities as to whether this portion of the divine commandment to “shelter the homeless” will be adhered to, or not.

Your prayers are requested that loving hearts will continue to prevail that another 40-year celebration might be acknowledged.

The Rev Leo McIlrath

Sandy Hook