From the Pastor's Desk:

This week the United States celebrates Thanksgiving. This secular holiday has nothing to do with our Catholic faith, but at the same time it has everything to do with our faith. Each time we gather around the Eucharistic table we are giving thanks to our God who sent His Son to suffer and die for us, that we might have eternal life. The Catechism reminds us that “Believing in God, the only One, and loving him with all our being has enormous consequences for our whole life,” and then it adds that this involves, “living in thanksgiving: if God is the only One, everything we are and have comes from Him: “What have you that you did not receive?” “What shall I render to the Lord for all his bounty to me?” Although Thanksgiving is not a day of obligation on the Catholic calendar, the liturgical calendar of the church in the United States celebrates it with the solemnity of two readings: one from the Old and another from the New Testament, with the Magnificat from the Gospel of Luke, in which the Blessed Virgin Mary recites one of the most beautiful and profound thanksgivings to the infinite love of God: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness. Behold, from now on will all call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is His name.” We should celebrate Thanksgiving with a deep sense of prayer, gratitude, and joy. Even with all the trouble and problems stemming from the pandemic we have much to be thankful for. In the celebration of this day we should also remember that our lives as Catholics are a constant act of thanksgiving through our daily activities, all of which should give glory to God, especially through the celebration of the Eucharist. The Eucharist is a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Father. According to the Catechism, Eucharist means “thanksgiving.” What better way to celebrate Thanksgiving this year then to gather, first of all, around the altar of the Lord, and then, with family and friends.