We have entered the month of November, which is traditionally known as the month of thanksgiving. We look forward to that special holiday when we gather with family and friends to show our gratitude to the Lord for all our blessings, through sharing a meal and attending Mass. It is not coincidental that we are still celebrating the Year of St. Francis. Gratitude was central to the life of St. Francis. For him, gratitude was much more than saying “thank you” when good things happened. It became a way of seeing the world. Through his conversion, Francis came to recognize that everything he had, his life, his relationships, creation itself, and even the challenges he faced, were gifts from God. This awareness filled him with wonder and allowed him to respond to life with a spirit of joy, freedom, and thankfulness. The word “thanks” appears more than fifty times in the writings of St. Francis. As he learned to let go of the fears, anxieties, and expectations that once shaped his life, he became more aware of God’s presence and the abundance of gifts already surrounding him. What others might overlook, Francis learned to receive with wonder. Most amazingly, Francis never allowed life’s disappointments to overshadow God’s goodness. Although he often referred to himself as a sinner and experience suffering, uncertainty, and rejection, gratitude remained his response. So, in that response, I want to take the opportunity to thank our parishioners, for all the times you have come across in helping the parish. If I asked for help at the Mass when in need someone stepped forward to fill in. If I asked for financial help for a parish project, the money was always raised. Whether the needs were great or small, you have always come across. For that, I in the spirit of St. Francis, am grateful. My challenge to you is to keep looking for opportunities to practice gratitude intentionally , whether for the church or your neighbor. Here are a few suggestions for the month of November:

  * Thank someone who has made a difference in your life.

  * Begin or end each day by naming 3 gifts you are grateful for

  * Spend some time noticing God’s presence in the ordinary

     moments of your day.

  * Offer a prayer f thanksgiving for both blessings and challenges.       

                                                                                               

~ Fr. John