This weekend really has been Thanksgiving Weekend in our parish. It has seen the conclusion of our annual Food Drive which seeks to restock the parish Food Pantry. Our St Vincent de Paul Society aids some 30 families and individuals each month. Our food drive, in addition to our monthly door appeal, is the major way of restocking the pantry and permitting us to help those in need. To date, the food drive has been very successful. We are thankful to our parishioners, and also to our parish elementary schools who have aided us.
Thanksgiving Weekend also saw our Children step up. Our 9:30a.m. Mass was an opportunity not only for our Kids Khior to make its debute, but also to see a number of young people act as readers, greeters and gift bearers. Our Children’s Ministry also used thanksgiving as a time to help our little ones become aware of the less fortunate by donating toward their adopted child in Haiti, and also bringing forth a special craft to the altar.
Our 11:00 a.m. Mass saw a young man make his First Holy Communion. It gave us all a chance to remember what we are thankful for – the gift of the Eucharist. Thanksgiving is a holiday that brings people together – it’s a chance to give thanks, to celebrate our many blessings. When we look back at this Lord’s Day weekend at St Mary’s; our Family of Faith did exactly that.