This coming Thursday we will celebrate Thanksgiving Day. It is my prayer that all of us in our parish family will offer a continual prayer of gratitude to our loving and gracious God for all the blessings received throughout the year. The reasons for having grateful hearts should make up a long list: the gift of life; faith in a God who loves us and is very near to us; good health; loving family; caring friends; opportunities to serve our neighbor; food on our tables; clothes on our backs;' roofs over our heads, and many, many more... But gratitude is not something we are called to express only once a year, but every single day as we share generously our time, talent, and treasure. I hope that we will never tire of finding new reasons to thank God especially during our fervent celebration of the Eucharist.

Yes, we have our times of doubt, our aches and pains, our family conflicts, our economic struggles, the loss of a loved one, problems of addiction and substance abuse, the pain of damaged or broken relationships, all the pandamic hardships... Yet, we can still find many reasons to be grateful to God. Saint Paul wrote: "Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God." (Philippians 4:6) Truly, in all circumstances we can express our gratitude to our provident God who blesses us with many gifts and who gives us strenght and bears us up amid any affliction.

I myself, thank God for each and every one of you. I pray for you so that the Good Lord will bless you and your family this Thanksgiving. I pray that Jesus will be present in your hearts and your homes and that He will reward your faith and loyalty to Him and your abundant generosity to our parish.

As you gather around the table with friends and family on Thanksgiving Day, take a moment to reflect on all you have been given. Invite those at your table to share what they are thankful for an then pray this prayer together:

"May God who gives us all good gifts and who is the source of every blessing we have, hear our prayer as we gather to give thanks for all that He has set before us. We are grateful not only for the food that graces our table in such abundance, but also for the bond of our family and friends, strengthened by the meal we share, and by the warmth of God's love that comes to us each day through His mercy. Help us Heavenly Father to use wisely all the gracious gifts you have showered upon us for the benefit of ourselves, our family, and our nation. On this Thanksgivng Day may we acknowledge that every good thing comes to us from You, and may Your bounty never cease, so that we may share your blessings with those in need. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. "

I invite you all to attend our Thanksgiving Day Mass on Thursday, November 23rd at 9:00 a.m., to express our gratitude for the many gifts received from our God. May you have safe journeys in your comings and your goings this holiday week!

God Bless,
Father Gregg