We Give Thanks to God

And now, bless the God of all,
who has done wondrous things on earth;
Who fosters people’s growth from their mother’s womb,
and fashions them according to his will!
May he grant you joy of heart
and may peace abide among you…

Sirach 50: 22-23

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Let all your works give you thanks, O Lord,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.

Psalm 145:  10-11

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Thanksgiving and Praise to the Father

1359 The Eucharist, the sacrament of our salvation accomplished by Christ on the cross, is also a sacrifice of praise in thanksgiving for the work of creation. In the Eucharistic sacrifice the whole of creation loved by God is presented to the Father through the death and the Resurrection of Christ. Through Christ the Church can offer the sacrifice of praise in thanksgiving for all that God has made good, beautiful, and just in creation and in humanity.

1360 The Eucharist is a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Father, a blessing by which the Church expresses her gratitude to God for all his benefits, for all that he has accomplished through creation, redemption, and sanctification. Eucharist means first of all "thanksgiving."

1361 The Eucharist is also the sacrifice of praise by which the Church sings the glory of God in the name of all creation. This sacrifice of praise is possible only through Christ: he unites the faithful to his person, to his praise, and to his intercession, so that the sacrifice of praise to the Father is offered through Christ and with him, to be accepted in him.

For more information from the Catechism of the Catholic Church please visit http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P41.HTM

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We give thanks to God for all the countless blessings bestowed upon us. 

I would like to thank you for the gifts of your friendship and faith, prayers and encouragement, ideas and inspiration.  I thank God for bringing us together on this journey.

Whether nearby, miles away, or across the globe, let us be united in Spirit as we celebrate the Holy Eucharist, the ultimate sacrifice of Thanksgiving.  All glory, honor and praise to our loving and gracious God!

Prayerful best wishes for a blessed Thanksgiving Day to you and your loved ones!

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All Saints: Blessed Are You

Sea of Galilee viewed from Mount of Beatitudes

  

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,

and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.

He began to teach them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart,

for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,

for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you

and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.

Rejoice and be glad,

for your reward will be great in heaven.”

Matthew 5:  1-12a

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“If there is one thing typical of the saints, it is that they are genuinely happy.  They found the secret of authentic happiness, which lies deep within the soul and has its source in the love of God.  That is why we call the saints blessed.  The Beatitudes are their path, their goal, their native land.  The Beatitudes are the way of life that the Lord teaches us, so that we can follow in his footsteps.  In the Gospel of today’s Mass, we heard how Jesus proclaimed the Beatitudes before a great crowd on the hill by the Sea of Galilee.”

Pope Francis

Homily, 1 November 2016

For more information please visit:  http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-celebrates-mass-at-malmo

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“As Catholics, we are part of a great family and are sustained in the same communion.  I encourage you to express your faith in prayer, in the sacraments, and in generous service to those who are suffering and in need.  I urge you to be salt and light, wherever you find yourselves, through the way you live and act as followers of Jesus, and to show great respect and solidarity with our brothers and sisters of other churches and Christian communities, and with all people of good will.

In our life, we are not alone; we have the constant help and companionship of the Virgin Mary.  Today she stands before us as first among the saints, the first disciple of the Lord.  We flee to her protection and to her we present our sorrows and our joys, our fears and our aspirations.  We put everything under her protection, in the sure knowledge that she watches over us and cares for us with a mother’s love.”

Pope Francis

Angelus, 1 November 2016

For more information, please visit:  http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-angelus-be-salt-and-light

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