11/21/2021

This Thursday is Thanksgiving for us in the U.S.A. It is a time to look back over the past year and appreciate what God has done for us and give thanks.
Last Thanksgiving we were all wearing masks, distancing, cleaning everything in fear of catching COVID-19, and I was coming off quarantine from having had COVID-19. We were not able to visit one another, go out to eat, not allowed to anoint those dying in hospitals or rest homes, and subject to all sorts of other regulations. I am so thankful that we made it through those days and can face COVID-19 with more knowledge and less fear than in the past. I am thankful for all of you who have stayed the course and were able to come back after the restrictions were lifted, as well as hopeful for a fuller recovery. Thanks is due to the staff and volunteers who found ways to keep in touch with parishioners through phone calls, Flocknote, streaming of Masses, or other means. I am so thankful for those who stepped up to cover for others (including Fr. Chuck for covering for me right now), who worked to keep the parish vibrant and prayerful, continuing to run Manna Kitchen on Mondays and reach out to our homebound parishioners. Thanks is due for the loan from the government which took a lot of pressure off the parish finances when we were not able to have services and giving was down – it was a lot of work, and I am thankful for that work and the blessings it brought. None of us want to do it again, but we found out a lot about the dedication and character of the staff, each one, as they continued to reach out to parishioners via Zoom or in person, or to keep the place in good repair and all the volunteers who help us with our work in funerals and weddings and maintenance and teaching.
We had a hard time in the school last year, and I am thankful to the faculty and staff for hanging in there, to Ed Defenbaugh who came out of retirement to guide us through the end of the school year, to Karma Coleman for saying “yes” to becoming our new school Principal as well as to Kelly Quinlin for becoming our new school secretary. Let us work to make our school even better going forward.
I am thankful to Megan Johansen for capably taking over for Cari Ramold, and for all those who filled in for Cari until Megan could take over. We are so blessed with generous parishioners who are invested in this community – thanks to each and every one of you. I am thankful for the youth who bring such great energy and hope to us, as well as those who minister to them. I am especially thankful for those working as Catechists with children in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS), and hopeful that they can communicate God’s love to the children as they grow in faith.
One word we use for Mass is “Eucharist.” It comes from the Greek word for “giving thanks.” It is when we thank God for being created, redeemed and re-created into one Body that we are most ourselves before God. We have had our challenges this past year, and have managed to come through them all together. We thank God for one another and the community which has survived a difficult year. That “Thanks” is never more beautifully expressed and we are never more unified than when we offer the Eucharist together and live it out in our lives. May we continue to be a Eucharist-centered community.
Blessings to all for a Happy Thanksgiving.

Father Albert, O.S.B