Pastor's Corner

Happy Thanksgiving

11-24-2019Pastor's CornerRev. Robert J. Deehan, V.F.

What or who do you take for granted? I know, it's hard to think about something you don't think much about! But try… especially at this time of Thanksgiving. There are certainly people and things you and I depend upon that we just expect to be there for us. Maybe it's the person who delivers the newspaper or those who provide emergency services. Mindfulness is important in the process of being thankful. With our busy, frenetic lives, we can go from one thing or person to another and just take, utilize and enjoy without much thought about who and what is behind it's availability and convenience. The immigrant laborer who picked the vegetable or the poor single mother of three who packed your box of chocolates are just two examples. Then, there are those in our own family, parish and neighborhood who serve us in ways we don't think much about – the person(s) who put food on the table, the one who always remembers your birthday, the individual who makes life just a bit easier, cleaner, and more comfortable. May your Thanksgiving be filled with mindfulness, which engenders an uplifted spirit, a sincere gratitude, and a respect for all those whom we might take for granted in the course of our busy lives. I include below a special Thanksgiving Grace, which you can pray before your Thanksgiving meal.

A Thanksgiving Grace

Gracious God, giver of all good gifts,
We gather today to give thanks.
We thank You for all Your gifts to us,
Those we recognize and those we take for granted.
We thank You for the blessings of the year
And for Your presence with us.
Help us to be grateful and generous.
Bless all gathered here, bless our meal,
Those who made it possible and those who prepared it.
We are especially mindful of those not with us today,
Especially, (Include Names)…, whom we miss and love.
Help us to remember those who lack food,
And those who lack family and friends, and are so in need.
May this time together remind us of our love and Your
goodness.
For all Your gifts to us, for everything we have,
For all that we are, we give thanks to You, O God.
Amen.

Blessings to you and your family at Thanksgiving!

Fr. Bob

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