Thanksgiving

11-21-2021Weekly ReflectionFr. Charlie Goraieb

Dear Friends,

I apologize to all who did not get the notice that the healing service, scheduled for Nov 9th was canceled because I wasn’t feeling well. I just had a two-day bug, but I wasn’t feeling up to leading the event. The decision to cancel was made that Tuesday morning, so despite using all the communication methods we have, I’m sure some of you arrived at the church only to see the sign on the doors. I am sorry for the inconvenience, and I hope to reschedule the event after the holidays.

In the meantime, please mark your calendar for our Advent Mission entitled, “Healing and Evangelization” that will be led by the Franciscan Friars of the Holy Spirit on December 6 & 7. More details to follow.

Thank you to all who made our annual School Gala a huge success. With 200 people dressed in their finery and eager to help Our Lady of Mt Carmel School, we easily surpassed our financial goal for the event. The funds will not only help offset the parish subsidy of the school but will allow us to purchase needed shade structures for the playgrounds.

This Thursday we join millions of Americans in giving thanks to God Our Father for His innumerable blessings. I especially enjoy this holiday because there isn’t a whole lot that our commercial enterprises can do to distort it (other than enticing us to eat far more than we need). Yes, the so-called “black Friday” can loom over the dinner and late afternoon if we choose to allow it—but even that can be easily bypassed.

This past year has seen all of us go through trials of different sorts, some more costly and serious than others. But if there is one thing that all disciples of Jesus know, is that those very trials are how God deepens our patience, our trust in Him, our endurance, and our hope. We may not recognize these trials as blessings while we’re going through them, but even a little reflection afterwards confirms this bedrock fact of the Christian life.

Our entire collection at the Thanksgiving Mass (or online if you choose) will go to support the works of St Vincent de Paul. Please be generous.

I hope that your family gatherings, wherever they may be, are filled with joy and unity and a common recognition of how indebted we are to the Lord for every aspect of our lives. Happy Thanksgiving!!

God’s Blessings and Peace,

Fr Charlie Goraieb

This Thanksgiving, let us remember all the good things, and people, who have come into our lives. We focus on thanking each one who has helped us, and we ultimately thank God for the good gifts of this world. We pray…

God our Father, Graciously accept from our humble people a thankful heart and spirit.
Everything we have and are able to share with others
ultimately comes from Your love of Your creations.
Often we think that everything we have
is our own creation; we ask You this day to create
in us a spirit of gratitude, that we may always know
that all good gifts come from You.
We ask this through Christ our brother, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In Gratitude, Fr. Charlie, Fr. Jerome, Fr. Aaron, Deacons, Sisters of the Servants of the Plan of God, the staff of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, School and Preschool

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