We celebrate all three of the above this weekend. I love Thanksgiving! For me and my family it involves Turkey Trots, parades, great food, silly games, and other fun traditions. But sometimes we can enter things with the wrong perspective. For some folks, it involves Holiday Stress! Black Friday!! Buying Frenzies!!! For some, this weekend begins a great time of anxiety. What does this weekend mean to you? Society has an uncanny knack of turning something into the exact opposite of what it was intended. Whether it’s the Thanksgiving Day holiday or any day of the year, we all want to experience a heart full of thanks. I invite you to check out the following quotes. Start this season off right by reflecting on the blessings and struggles that have all brought you growth and wisdom. Pray with them and express to the Lord how grateful you are (Let’s remember: Eucharist means Thanksgiving)!
“Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action.” – W.J. Cameron
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” – John F. Kennedy
“I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.” – Henry David Thoreau
“The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but the thankful heart will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings.” – Henry Ward Beecher
“Each day is a gift from God. What you do with it is your gift to Him.” – T.D. Jakes
“Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men; but be careful that you do not take the day and leave out the gratitude.” – E.P. Powell
And last, but not least….
“But Thanksgiving is more than eating, Chuck. You heard what Linus was saying out there. Those pilgrims were thankful for what had happened to them, and we should be thankful, too. We should just be thankful for being together. I think that’s what they mean by Thanksgiving, Charlie Brown.” – Marcy (from Peanuts)
I hope we all have an amazing Thank-you weekend! An amazing Advent! And an amazing Attitude!
God Bless,
Fr. J.J.
P.S. I’m thankful for your patience with all the cut-off-at-the-bottom bulletin articles lately. Our computer systems have had some trouble communicating with each other. Thanks for your continued prayers!