Friends, Thanksgiving is upon us, and so is the beginning of our new liturgical year which begins next week, the first Sunday of Advent. Our theme reminds us of one of the gifts we can be grateful for, hope. Always waiting, in HOPE! We are reminded even amid the troubles in our personal lives, our country, and our world, we have so much to be grateful for. We live in hope. God continues to work quietly and powerfully in our parishes through your generosity, your compassion, and your steady faith. Together we have faced challenges, and together we have discovered again how strong we are when we walk in Christ’s light.

May this season renew our hope, soften our hearts where needed, and remind us that GRATITUDE is itself a blessing that draws us closer to God and one another.

Here’s some fun food for thought. Gratitude unleashed from our four-legged friends.

Live in the moment: Dogs don’t dwell on yesterday or worry about tomorrow. They find joy in the way it is now. Lesson for us: Slow down. Take a walk. Feel the breeze. Enjoy the simple things.

Loudly show love: A wagging tail, a happy bark, a nuzzle. Dogs don’t hold back their affection. They let you know they are thankful for you every day. Lesson for us: Let people know they matter.

Find joy in routine: Whether it is breakfast, a car ride, or bedtime, dogs greet every moment with excitement. Lesson for us: Gratitude does not have to be big. It can be found in the everyday.

Finally, forgive QUICKLY: Dogs move on fast. A quick shake. A tail wag, and they are back to joy. Lesson for us: Let go of the small stuff. Gratitude grows where resentment fades.

Happy Thanksgiving to all. Enjoy a blessed safe week with family and friends and know that I am grateful for our faith communities and all your generosity and support keeping us vibrant. As we end our liturgical year and begin a new journey in faith with Advent, next weekend, may the virtue of HOPE be one of the gifts we are grateful for this holiday season, and bring us strength and perseverance where needed most.

With you a Christian. For you, a priest.

Fr. Carl Morello
Pastor
Ascension and St. Edmund Parish
St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy and St. Giles Parish