AMERICAN THANKSGIVING DAY 2012............

Happy ThanksGiving Day 2012, in the United States of America, the 392nd year after the Pilgrims, Puritans, and Native Americans first joined together for a Meal of Thanks at Harvest Time in the New England Bay Colony in 1621.  As families, friends, and peoples of every creed, ethnicity, culture, and persuasions, recognize and affirm with gratitude the blessings of life we possess and share.  All of us no matter the hardships or difficulties with which we might be contending, need to time to offer Thanks and Praise for God's Gift of Life to us, and the future Glory that awaits us, if we are true to most important relationships, beginning with our relationship with, and to, the Divine GodHead of Creation, Salvation, and Santification.  Young or old; Well or ill; Home or away; we have the opportunity for Hope that we are not alone today, for whoever, wherever, we are - the Lord of Life and Love is benevolently with us.  On this ThanksGiving Day 2012, in the 25th Anniversary Year of my Ordination to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ, I can acutely identify with those who are deployed, hospitalized, bereaved, or alone; feeling detached or on their own on this national holiday, for I did not expect to be winding down my Silver Jubilee Year during ThanksGiving and the nearing Advent and Christmas Seasons, sitting on the sidelines instead of being the actively ministering, presiding, and preaching, Priest I remain committed to being.  Yet another reason I have to be thankful are the many, many, persons in my circle of family, personal friends, and former parishioners, and numerous brother priests,  who continue to support and encourage me, despite the indifference of the powers that be.  As I strive to continue doing so, I pray that all Americans will Lift Your Hearts, and Your Spirits, as today and in coming days we raise our Minds to the One Who has made this ThanksGiving possible for us............Fr.  Troy