I’m already
looking forward to Mass on Thanksgiving morning (9:00AM at St. Joseph’s).
It always
seems especially joyful and uplifting.
Perhaps it’s
because everyone comes, sans any sense of obligation, with hearts ready to
offer thanks to our generous and gracious God.
Perhaps it’s
because everyone who comes longs for a focus on faith and spirituality on this
otherwise secular holiday.
Perhaps they
can’t wait for the family to gather to savor the feeling of community that
comes with joining with others in prayer, song, and thanksgiving.
And then
there are the special collections that take place. On Thanksgiving, people come
here with gift cards to drop in the collection basket for families who will
need help with groceries and gifts this Christmas. Everything collected on
Thanksgiving goes toward our efforts to support these families, usually about
35 families with upwards of 100 children.
At the
offertory, people spill out of their pews to cover the foot of the altar with
food – bags and bags of non-perishables that are immediately whisked away after
Mass by our Food Van ministers to our sisters and brothers in need downtown.
On no other
morning are the words more true, “This is
the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad!”
May your
heart be filled with gratitude this Thanksgiving!
Blessings!
No comments:
Post a Comment