Happy Thanksgiving to all. I am grateful to all who read my articles and commented.
Thanksgiving Day in the United States is on November 28th this year. There is a historical context for this day going back to 1621 when the Pilgrims and Native Americans shared a harvest feast to express gratitude for the assistance provided by the Native Americans. For Catholics and all Christians, this day is an opportunity to ask God to forgive our sins, repent for what we have done, and give God thanks for all He has given us. This should sound very familiar to all Catholics as this is the essence of our Sunday Mass.
10 Reasons to be Thankful in 2024
I published a Thanksgiving article last year, but I think that this year, we have so much to be thankful for:
- The US Presidential election was held peacefully, and the people had a chance to have their voices heard. Catholic voices mattered!
- Just in the past few days, a ceasefire was agreed to between Israel and Hezbollah!
- There is finally movement toward the possibility of a peaceful end to the Russia-Ukraine war!
- Abortions in the United States are trending down over previous years based on the ruling striking down Roe v Wade!
- The National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis in July ended with a prayer for a “New Pentecost” in the US.
- The final document from the Synod on Synodality released in October exhorts the Church to be more participatory and missionary!
- The Notre Dame Cathedral will re-open in December after reconstruction from its devastating fire!
- Pope Francis has declared 2025 will be a year of “Jubilee – Pilgrims of Hope,” a year of hope for world suffering!
- We experienced a total solar eclipse on April 8th. The next total solar eclipse will occur on August 23, 2044!
- Catholics worldwide responded to the needs of their brothers and sisters impacted by natural and man-made disasters.
Thanksgiving Blessings
Thanksgiving is a time to spend with family and friends and be grateful for all God has given us. I wish you all a Happy and love-filled Thanksgiving.
Peace
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