Fr. Simon's Letter - November 5, 2023

Last week I mentioned that November is a month to remember: to remember our loved ones who have been called to our eternal home; to remember those who defend our freedom; and to remember with gratitude the many blessings from God. When we remember, we bring to mind someone or something, drawing on our memories. Memories may feel warm and comforting, filling us with joy; or they may be cold and lonely, filled with sadness, sorrow and regret. We remember what we have done, and what others have done to us. 

In the scriptures, when God remembers his people, he also does something for them. God remembers his covenant and brings his people back from exile or he gives the gift of a child to a barren woman. When God remembers, he does something for us as well.

As we draw close to the end of the calendar year, November is a month of transition. It’s the time between autumn and winter, when the leaves get raked, and the crops have been harvested. We “fall back” from Daylight Savings Time and revert to Standard Time. Most of us prepare for rain, snow and winter storms. It is also a month that reminds us to be grateful, which is so fundamental to Christian stewardship.

The month of November is an ideal time of the year to focus our spiritual lives more intently on being grateful for the blessings of the Lord. Sacred scripture is a good place to start because it is filled with the themes of thanksgiving and gratitude. The psalmist sings: “Give thanks to God, bless his name” (Psalm 100:4). We can become more aware, too, of gratitude as it is expressed in the rhythm of the Eucharistic celebration. Other spiritual exercises, such as personal prayer, visits to the Blessed Sacrament or praying with others, may help us to grow to be more grateful stewards of God’s love.

During this month, amidst all the busyness of our lives, I encourage you to focus more intently on being grateful for the blessings of the Lord and…

Pray with gratitude. Set aside some time for prayer each day. If you are new to the habit of daily prayer, find just ten minutes in your daily schedule. Pray as a family as well. And begin with a prayer of gratitude.

Put gratitude into action. Do something to share your material blessings with those who might otherwise go without. As a parish, we will collect winter coats, scarves, gloves and blankets at all Masses on November 18 & 19, to help the homeless and migrants during the cold Chicago winter. You may volunteer at our sharing parish, at the St. Thomas of Canterbury Soup Kitchen (see details on page 9 in the bulletin).

Make gratitude a habit. Find ways to thank others for their generosity and kindness towards you every day. Let us use the month of November as an opportunity to grow in stewardship which, simply put, means living a life of gratitude. And as the psalmist encourages us to do: “O give thanks to the Lord for he is good; for his love endures forever” (Psalm 107:1).

Blessings!!