Happy Thanksgiving! I wish you all a wonderful day and a wonderful dinner with your family and friends! I hope that many of you will come to our 9:00am Mass this Thursday so that our parish family can thank God for the many blessings that we have been given over these 125 years.
Many folks participate in a “30 Days of Gratitude” on social media, posting something each day in November for which they are grateful. What a great exercise to help cultivate an “attitude of gratitude!” Well, instead of once a day in November, here’s my whole 30-Day Gratitude list in one bulletin column!
- I’m grateful that God thought of me, loved me, and gave me life.
- I’m grateful for the life and love and example of Jesus, to whom I’ve dedicated my whole and entire life.
- I’m grateful that God the Holy Spirit is still present and active in the world.
- I’m grateful for the care and love and protection of our Blessed Mother Mary, especially as Our Lady of Guadalupe.
- I’m grateful for my Baptism, which gave me the promise of eternal life.
- I’m grateful to be a Priest of Jesus Christ, and for the great privilege of presiding at Eucharist and being a minster of God’s mercy in Reconciliation.
- I’m grateful to be the Pastor of St. Margaret of Scotland, a vibrant parish for 125 years.
- I’m grateful for our Parish Staff who do so much for us all.
- I’m grateful for the members of our Finance Council, School Board, and all those who lead and serve this parish.
- I’m grateful for the children of our school, and all the teenagers and young people who make this parish vibrant and energetic.
- I’m grateful for all that this community does for the poor and so many others in need through our St. Vincent de Paul Society, Living Justice ministries, Respect Life ministry, and Isaiah 58.
- I’m grateful for the memory and example of my Dad, who was a fine Catholic gentleman, a loving husband, and a devoted father.
- I’m grateful the memory and example of my Mom, who was a faith-filled and fun-loving, caring and compassionate mother and friend.
- I’m grateful for the memory and example of my younger brother Jeffrey, who taught me love, patience, and compassion for those most in need.
- I’m grateful to have grown up in a big family, with brothers and sisters who I still see and love and enjoy. We are not just family, but have become friends.
- I’m grateful for my nieces and nephew, and now my great nieces and great nephews, who have brought such joy to my life over the years.
- I’m grateful for a wide array of friends from high school and college, from various parishes, from priests I’ve known, from here and there and everywhere!
- I’m grateful for Pope Francis, who makes me want to be a better priest.
- I’m grateful for my doctors and my therapist who keep me mentally and physically fit.
- I’m grateful for my good health and for all the joy and energy I get from lifting and cardio and stretching and exercising.
- I’m grateful for the pleasure I take from a new restaurant, a good meal, a glass of wine or a clever cocktail, but really I’m grateful that I have access to nutritious food and clean water and do not have to worry about going hungry.
- I’m grateful for the Archdiocese of St. Louis, for all the parishes where I have served, and for all that this local Church has meant to me and given to me.
- I’m grateful to live in St. Louis, with its history and neighborhoods, attractions and restaurants, buildings and architecture and parks.
- I’m grateful for the Muny, the Fox, Stages, Broadway, and other places where I enjoy musicals and plays.
- I’m grateful for heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer.
- I’m grateful for my iPhone and my Apple watch and all the cool technology out there.
- I’m grateful for Chicago, New York, Puerto Vallarta, Rome, Paris and every place I’ve vacationed and enjoyed and relaxed.
- I’m grateful that many people bake me cookies at Christmastime.
- I’m grateful for the mistakes and bad choices I’ve made, especially the ones that have knocked me down, made me think, helped me to reevaluate, and caused me to grow.
- I’m grateful that God is merciful and loves me unconditionally.
So… what are you grateful for? Share that with someone this week. Just as important, share your gratitude with God, the source of all gifts. Happy Thanksgiving!