On Thursday we celebrate the great American Holy Day of Thanksgiving. We all know the history of this wonderful day, and probably participated in Thanksgiving pageants when we were children. But we want to make sure that we do not simply allow this day to become a time to get together with family, to eat turkey and other traditional dishes, and to watch parades and football. Make it a day of true thanksgiving, of gratitude.
    
Prepare for Thanksgiving by reflecting on the many blessings in your life, the many ways in which God has daily shown you that He loves you and is with you. Be as specific as possible. I often recommend making a gratitude list, writing down in a journal all the things that He has done to reveal His heart to us. And make sure to either go to Mass that day or to take some private time to spend with God and let Him know that you are aware of how blessed you are, and how grateful you are.

At Mother of God, Mass will be held at 10 am on Thanksgiving Day. Bring pantry staples and nonperishable food items, which will be donated to the St. Henry Food Pantry. Monetary donations will go to the Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky.

The parish office will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 28, and Friday, Nov. 29. It will re-open on Monday, Dec. 2, at 9 am.