Article from Parish Bulletin: The Arrow on November 16, 2008

“IN ALL THINGS BE GRATEFUL”

Dear Parishioners,

November is the month for giving thanks to God for the many blessings we continue to receive every day. Our greatest gift is life and as Christian believers, life for us goes on for all eternity. November began with the commemoration of All Saints and All Souls days. They are two celebrations given to us by the Church to give praise and thanks to God for all who have preceded us in life and in death. While sadness and a sense of loss are very natural and important responses at the death of a loved one, gratitude to God and to them for the opportunity to share our lives eventually enters into our thoughts and prayers. At each Mass that is offered we remember all the saints and holy people who have gone before us. We are invited in what we Catholics call the “Communion of Saints” - a relationship that is shared among all believers, living and deceased, for all eternity. We are indeed grateful.

Last week we witnessed the exercise of one of the fundamental gifts of a democracy - the freedom to vote. I am sure when each of us pauses at the end of our day we can enumerate the many gifts received and express our gratitude for God’s generous love and care.

During the next several weeks a mailing to all our parishioners will be sent in which will be the annual financial report and the final Good Gift report. Both are sent to inform everyone of their generous and faithful stewardship of treasure and to express my gratitude for everyone’s faithfulness to God’s call. In these very uncertain economic times and our deep concern about the future, it is a tribute to the faith and trust in God of our community to continue to be generous in it’s support of the parish ministries and in providing the staff and facilities necessary to live out our mission. Please take the time to read the reports and give thanks to God for God’s blessings and for the generosity of our people. We have done well, but the challenges ahead are significant. Please continue to pray for a deeper trust in God’s faithfulness to each of you and for the continued commitment by everyone to respond to God’s generosity with our own.

Next weekend is Parish Stewards Appreciation Weekend. At each Liturgy next weekend everyone who has given time to prayer and deepening relationships or extends themselves in service to the needs of our parish community or beyond will be blessed and given a small gift as a sign of appreciation from the parish staff. The response of each member of the community of faith and for each member of our community for the generous sacrifices given by sharing time (prayer) talent (service) treasure (resources) is deep gratitude. The parish community of St. Giles could not be who and what it is without God’s blessings and our continued responses. When we gather at the table of the Lord on Thanksgiving morning and at our Family Thanksgiving dinner may our prayer be one of profound gratitude for being such blessed people in whom the Lord places such enormous trust. He has entrusted us with the care of all of creation. Together we can prove ourselves worthy of such trust and fulfill God’s dream.

Be at peace and be grateful.
Fr. Dore

In And Around

• On Monday, November 17th, the Consultation team will be here at St. Giles seeking input from the parish Staff, parish leaders, and parishioners at large about the future of St. Giles and the qualities and gifts the parish community believes will be desirable in the next pastor. The 5 listening sessions sponsored by the Parish Pastoral Council that were held in September had as their focus, not so much on a single person but rather on “who are we as St. Giles parish community”. What are our dreams, hopes, challenges, etc., for our future? The several themes that surfaced are on our website and are available in today’s insert in the Arrow. The information will be available for the Archdiocesan Consultation Team and appropriate committees as well as any priest who expresses an interest in being St. Giles’ next pastor.
  Please be sure to attend on Monday, November 17th, the parish consultation meeting at 7pm in McDonough Hall. And, remember all in prayer.