As I sit in my rectory with a delicious beer looking out at my parish courtyard, I can’t help but be thankful for all God has given me.  Seeing all the leaves on the ground and hearing various Thanksgiving episodes from FRIENDS in the background many things come to mind.  First, how thankful I am for my family and friends.  Second, how thankful I am for my priesthood and the parish God has placed me.  Finally, I’m thankful for my faith and how God has been walking with me my whole life.  

This past week I had the awesome opportunity to celebrate our school Thanksgiving Mass.  In my homily to the students I talked about how we get many different kind of gifts in our lives from the very practical to the heartwarming sentimental.  While we should be grateful for all those “things,” the holiday of Thanksgiving is a time for us to be thankful for the people in our lives.  An example I shared in the ring I have on my finger.  The ring serves a practical reminder of my promise to celibacy and a reminder of my own personal consecration to the Blessed Mother; however, the ring itself was a gift from my maternal grandfather.  This ring was his wedding band and he gave it to me because the ring I used to wear was, as he said, “cheap jewelry.”  The ring is a prized possession of mine, not because of what it reminds me of; rather, because I will always remember my grandfather and the many lessons he taught me.  I’m grateful for my grandfather and the time I had with him before the Lord called him home.

I told the kids that “things” are temporary but relationships are not.  Today should be spent being thankful to God for the permanent people he put in our lives: our parents, siblings, friends, spouses, family, and anyone else who helps us grow in holiness.  I’m lucky and grateful to have awesome friends and family in my life who make me holy.  As I sit with family this afternoon and evening I will remember them all and continue to pray a prayer of thanksgiving for them.  

May God richly bless you all and all those in your lives who make you holy and enrich your lives.  Happy Thanksgiving.