Gathering with family and friends on Thanksgiving Day to give thanks for blessings received is a much cherished tradition in homes across the nation. While it is not always physically possible to be with loved ones on the fourth Thursday in November, Thanksgiving remains a very special day for remembering and giving thanks. Our thoughts and our prayers are always with our loved ones.
Living in the heartland of America, it is easy to identify with the significance of a successful harvest. The very first Thanksgiving was the result of a bountiful harvest, when pilgrims invited their native American neighbors to join them in a feast, giving thanks for what they received.
Considering the unusual weather conditions experienced in this past year, a lot more people have been reminded we are the stewards of this land. Our land is precious. The air we breathe, the water we drink - all are gifts from God. We must do all within our power to preserve and protect the environment, so the generations that follow us will enjoy the bounty of God's good earth.
In communities throughout the diocese, Catholic Charities, churches, civic groups, food banks and others have organized food basket drives to ensure those less fortunate in our society are able to have a good Thanksgiving. Throughout the year many of those same groups provide ongoing help to indigent and struggling families. Unfortunately with the downward spiraling economy in recent months, the numbers of struggling families continue to grow.
The United States of America is a powerful nation. It is a nation created by immigrants, most of whom came here to better their lot in life. While many of our citizens are now second-, third-, even fourth-generation or more Americans, we continue to reap the benefits of living in "this new land," where religious freedom is a cornerstone of our republic.
As we gather around our Thanksgiving tables to thank God for all he has given our families, we remember in prayer those in our country and around the world who are not as fortunate. We remember also in our prayers the men and women serving our country around the world, and their families.
After months and months of political campaigning, the presidential election is finally behind us. The challenges facing the new president and the country are enormous, but the Unites States was built on challenges. There were winners and losers in these elections. But the true winners are not from one political party or another. We, the citizens of our country who have the opportunity to elect our public officials, are the true winners.
While there are some in this country that would like to strip "In God We Trust" from our coins, it is still there. At Thanksgiving, and always, to God we pray.