Dear Friends in Christ,
This week, on Thursday, we celebrate Thanksgiving. This holiday is one of America's favorites, gathering families together, from across the miles to share time,
food, and joyful camaraderie.
While we often associate Thanksgiving with turkeys and football, it is primarily a religious observance. The word 'thanksgiving' is directed to God for all the good gifts He has given us. Thanksgiving is about expressing gratitude, to God and one another, rather than taking
the good in our lives for granted.
What are we grateful for? The gift of life itself is perhaps the most precious and meaningful gift. Though sometimes life presents us with challenges and sufferings, the fact that we have it means that God loves us and has created us for a distinct purpose in His divine plan. Our faith, health, family, friends, talents, shelter, clothing, employment and church community are some things that we take for granted that we should be thankful for. Not everyone has them. Especially this year, as we have seen the was in Europe begin, and have seen the destruction wrought in Florida by the powerful hurricane, we are keenly aware that some in our world are currently enduring great losses that will greatly and permanently affect their lives.
Our gratitude to God for the good things in our lives should be a the core of our Thanksgiving celebration. Let us take time to express to God our thankfulness by joining together, on Thanksgiving Day at 9:00am, at Mass here at St. Peter's. At the close of Mass, we will bless food that will be distributed to all those in attendance that they may, in turn, share it with their
families at the Thanksgiving table.
Together with and on behalf of the staff of St. Peter Parish, I would like to wish all of you a blessed, happy and holy Thanksgiving. May God bless our parish family with good health, lively faith and much joy this year and in the years to come.
In Christ,
Fr. Michael