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Thanksgiving


Each November for the past several years I have helped coordinate a Thanksgiving dinner for the sisters at the Motherhouse. We usually invite other sisters in the area to join us and the numbers vary from as few as 17 to as many 25. The last couple of years I have roasted two smaller turkeys instead of one larger turkey as they are easier to lift in and out of the oven. Other sisters sign up to prepare other foods such as dressing, green beans, gravy, rolls, etc. It is a true community meal as most of us have had a hand in the preparation and all help with the clean up afterwards. 


One of the sisters who has a gift for decorating sets the tables and adorns the fireplace mantle and sideboards with festive decorations. We bring out special plates and glasses for the occasion. 
As a national holiday Thanksgiving is a good reminder of what our Sunday Eucharist should be - a time when we give thanks to God for the gift of Jesus Christ as our Bread of Life. Our liturgy also should be the result of the work of the entire community - priests, deacons, lectors, musicians, ushers, altar servers, Eucharistic ministers, choir, cantors, assembly,  etc. 
When we work together to prepare a beautiful Sunday liturgy or a lovely Thanksgiving dinner we are part of something much bigger than ourselves and God's grace is at work making us one.   




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