"Give Thanks for God's Blessings ..."

One of those great Thanksgiving hymns reminds us,

"Sent forth by God's blessings,
the True Faith confessing,
the people of God from His dwelling take leave.
The sacrifice ended, O now be extended
the fruits of this Mass in all hearts which believe!"

 As we wrap up the liturgical year during this 34th week of Ordinary Time and prepare to begin anew on the First Sunday of Advent, we have the chance to take stock of the year past and give thanks for the tremendous gifts God has given us.  Certainly for me, one of those great blessings was being ordained a Priest and sent to St. Michael's!

But each of us also has a tremendous opportunity this week to remember what fuels this gratitude and what supports our growth in holiness during the New [Church] Year: the Eucharist.  The very name means, "thanksgiving," and our participation in the Mass -- the Celebration of the Eucharist -- reminds us every time of how much we have for which to give thanks to God!

As we prepare to sit around turkeys and stuffing, cranberries and pies of all sorts this Thursday, let's take the opportunity also to be present to the Lord's Banquet and to give thanks there for all the ways He has blessed us this year ... so that we can enter more fully into that spirit of gratitude in the New [Church] Year which is about to come upon us!

Thanksgiving Day Mass is at 9:30 (English) and 11:30 (Spanish)!