Dear Parishioners and Supporters of the Immaculate Conception Church,
Psalm 136:1 reads: "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever." The upcoming Thanksgiving holiday gives us an excellent opportunity to reflect on how God has blessed us and to practice gratitude.
For many years, on Thanksgiving, I used to pick up a phone and call a distant relative by the name of Paul Anderson. As a young child, I remember with great fondness uncle Paul's occasional visit to Poland when I was still in elementary school. One of the things he brought with him was a Red Classic ViewMaster. It had several reels with astonishing 3D views of the Southwestern United States and Native Americans. I used to watch it for hours with unabated amazement.
Years later, uncle Paul co-sponsored my family and helped us to settle in the United States. He passed away three years ago. I still lift to heaven a short prayer of gratitude for him when I sit down for a Thanksgiving meal.
How about you?
Who are some of the people in your life – living or deceased – who have impacted your life's journey and for whom you are grateful? What are the memories and stories about them that you cherish? How have they fostered your growth and helped you become who you are now? Perhaps you can share some of those memories and stories at the Thanksgiving table with others.
When I stop and think, I realize how often I fail to pause, pay attention, and take time to express gratitude to others. On this occasion, I want to thank you, fellow members, of the Immaculate Conception Church and of the Immaculata School family for your personal involvement in the mission of our Church. Thank you for the kindness, compassion, love, and joy that you bring. I appreciate your patient bearing of my human limitations, imperfections, and shortcomings as a pastor. I am grateful for your trust, and your leap of faith in these challenging times vis-a-vis the evolving, less-than-perfect Church and its institution.
I am writing this message to you from the city of Petropolis, Brazil. I am there attending an International gathering of Franciscan friars from various parts of the world. The focus is justice, peace, and the integrity of creation dimension of our Franciscan identity and mission. I find it so life-giving to meet and interact with my fellow brothers, from Brazil, Angola, the Philippines, and many other countries in Latin America, Europe, and Asia. They represent different nationalities, languages, and skin colors. I have been sharing with them about you, and how beautifully you live out your Christian commitment at the personal level and in the public square. All that fills me with joy and gratitude.
This Thanksgiving, I am thankful to God for each of you. It is a privilege to be your brother in Christ, to serve alongside you in the cause of Christ and his kingdom. The tasks in front of us can be overwhelming. One may sometimes feel not up to the challenge. May the spiritual practice of gratitude extend beyond Thanksgiving Day. May it help us lean on God’s grace, do the best we can in the circumstances we're dealing with, accept what is outside of our control, and rest in peace knowing that our loving Creator is with us every step of the way.
Psalm 136:1 reads: "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever." The upcoming Thanksgiving holiday gives us an excellent opportunity to reflect on how God has blessed us and to practice gratitude.
For many years, on Thanksgiving, I used to pick up a phone and call a distant relative by the name of Paul Anderson. As a young child, I remember with great fondness uncle Paul's occasional visit to Poland when I was still in elementary school. One of the things he brought with him was a Red Classic ViewMaster. It had several reels with astonishing 3D views of the Southwestern United States and Native Americans. I used to watch it for hours with unabated amazement.
Years later, uncle Paul co-sponsored my family and helped us to settle in the United States. He passed away three years ago. I still lift to heaven a short prayer of gratitude for him when I sit down for a Thanksgiving meal.
How about you?
Who are some of the people in your life – living or deceased – who have impacted your life's journey and for whom you are grateful? What are the memories and stories about them that you cherish? How have they fostered your growth and helped you become who you are now? Perhaps you can share some of those memories and stories at the Thanksgiving table with others.
When I stop and think, I realize how often I fail to pause, pay attention, and take time to express gratitude to others. On this occasion, I want to thank you, fellow members, of the Immaculate Conception Church and of the Immaculata School family for your personal involvement in the mission of our Church. Thank you for the kindness, compassion, love, and joy that you bring. I appreciate your patient bearing of my human limitations, imperfections, and shortcomings as a pastor. I am grateful for your trust, and your leap of faith in these challenging times vis-a-vis the evolving, less-than-perfect Church and its institution.
I am writing this message to you from the city of Petropolis, Brazil. I am there attending an International gathering of Franciscan friars from various parts of the world. The focus is justice, peace, and the integrity of creation dimension of our Franciscan identity and mission. I find it so life-giving to meet and interact with my fellow brothers, from Brazil, Angola, the Philippines, and many other countries in Latin America, Europe, and Asia. They represent different nationalities, languages, and skin colors. I have been sharing with them about you, and how beautifully you live out your Christian commitment at the personal level and in the public square. All that fills me with joy and gratitude.
This Thanksgiving, I am thankful to God for each of you. It is a privilege to be your brother in Christ, to serve alongside you in the cause of Christ and his kingdom. The tasks in front of us can be overwhelming. One may sometimes feel not up to the challenge. May the spiritual practice of gratitude extend beyond Thanksgiving Day. May it help us lean on God’s grace, do the best we can in the circumstances we're dealing with, accept what is outside of our control, and rest in peace knowing that our loving Creator is with us every step of the way.
