November is the traditional month for praying for our deceased loved ones. We pray for those who were our mentors and guides throughout the years and ask God to give them eternal peace. November is also a time when we give thanks for our blessings and prepare for the upcoming holidays. As the days get shorter and colder, we may withdraw from our routines and become more introspective. I invite you, this November, to resist the temptation to “hibernate” and, instead, think of ways you could be more life-giving.
In our Family of Parishes, several initiatives will be in place during November and beyond. The word “thanksgiving” is made up of two words, “thanks” and “giving.” While we link them together to focus on giving thanks for our blessings, I’d like to encourage you to think of them as two separate, active verbs. We are to engage in thanks for all of our good fortune and for those who have been a treasure to us, but we can also engage in the giving of ourselves to share those blessings with others.
To recall the words from the Prayer of St. Francis: In the very act of giving, we receive. This month, ask, “What can I give in service to others so that I may receive blessings from God?”
One thing we can do is engage in corporal works of mercy: praying for the dead or visiting cemeteries, visiting the sick and imprisoned, donating food to the parish food pantry, delivering meals on wheels, or simply helping a neighbor with some chores around the house.
Another way is to participate in parish or civic initiatives such as the Giving Tree, rummage sales, charitable auctions, and the like. In our Family of Parishes, we are sponsoring the Kids Coalition Against Hunger, which aims to feed 100,000 people at 35 cents per meal.
While volunteer opportunities are almost full, we also need your financial support. Our target is $35,000. Click here for more information on how to get involved. These are but a few ways to exercise your Catholic faith. Check out the bulletin and website for more suggestions.
As you give thanks for your blessings, in your prayer this week, ask the Lord how you can give back to others by engaging in humble service. What kind of endeavors is God inviting you to participate in this month to live out your Catholic-Christian commitment?
Msgr. John Kasza
