Dear Friends,

The Gospel reading for Thanksgiving Day is traditionally from the Gospel of Luke Chapter 17, the healing of the 10 lepers. All 10 were made whole, yet only one came back to thank Jesus and he was a foreigner, a Samaritan. Jesus does ask, where are the other 9? The tradition was that when God touched one’s life they were to go and give thanks to God and at the same time that act gave witness to others about the goodness of God.

Our Catholic Mass really is about giving witness to others about everything God has done for us. It is the core of why we gather at the table of the Lord. We are not to miss understanding that our thanking God gives witness to others about God’s care of us. To have so many blessings and yet miss understanding that our presence at the Lord’s table as often as possible is not to be taken lightly. Unfortunately, we Catholics hear it as scolding, making people sit through Mass, or that our presence is optional. All that is missing the mark.

As our country celebrates Thanksgiving Day this Thursday, we gather to be with loved ones and special people and we might even make a great effort to express all that we are thankful about. That is also what is central to us gathering at Mass, at the Lord’s table. This Thursday, I invite as many people as possible to consider coming to our 9:00 am Mass. Another opportunity to give public witness to others about the generosity and goodness of God. (Come on, the Detroit Lions are on first and as good as they are, they still lost last year.) Before food and football, it would be great to gather together to offer thanks to God for every good thing.  

Our Parish Staff wishes everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.  

Peace in Christ,

Fr. Eric