A Thanksgiving Reflection
As we approach Thanksgiving Day, our hearts turn naturally toward gratitude—gratitude for God’s providence, for the blessings of family and friends, and for the many ways the Lord has been at work in our parish throughout the year. But for us as Catholics, thanksgiving is not simply a feeling or a polite response to good fortune. It is a way of life rooted in our identity as disciples of Jesus Christ.
At the center of all Christian gratitude is the Eucharist, whose very name means “thanksgiving.” In every Mass, Christ Himself offers perfect thanks to the Father, and we are drawn into that eternal act of praise. When we gather for Eucharist on Thanksgiving Day, we do more than express our personal gratitude—we participate in the self-offering of Christ, who gave Himself completely for us. In this way, the Mass becomes the highest form of thanksgiving we can offer.
Thanksgiving also reminds us that everything we have is gift. As St. Paul writes, What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Cor 4:7). Gratitude, then, becomes a posture of humility and trust. It turns our hearts away from self-reliance and back toward the Lord, who is the giver of every good gift. When we recognize that all is gift—from salvation itself to the simple blessings of daily life—we begin to see the world with clearer eyes and a more joyful heart.
Thanksgiving Mass
We invite you and your family to begin your holiday in the best way possible: by joining us for Thanksgiving Day Mass at 10:00 a.m. Together we will offer back to God the greatest thanksgiving we have—the Eucharist.
Friday Mass Schedule
Please note that there will be no Mass on Friday, November 28, the day after Thanksgiving. We encourage you to continue the spirit of the holiday with rest, prayer, and time with your loved ones.
As we celebrate this season of gratitude, may the Lord deepen in us a Eucharistic spirit that endures long beyond the holiday—a heart that not only gives thanks, but becomes an offering of praise to God in daily life.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families!
In Christ,
Fr. Joe Connelly