Dear St. Simon Parish Family,
As Thanksgiving approaches, my heart overflows with gratitude—for you, for this vibrant community, and for the gift economy of grace that flows through our parish family. This sacred season invites us not merely to count our blessings, but to live with hearts fully open to gratitude, ready to give thanks in every moment.
True thanksgiving is not passive; it requires a willing heart. In a world that often trains us to notice what’s missing, what’s broken, or what’s next on our endless to-do lists, choosing gratitude becomes a radical act of faith. When we say “thank you”—to God, to one another, to those who serve quietly behind the scenes—we participate in the very heartbeat of the Gospel. We acknowledge that every good gift comes from above, and that our lives are woven together by grace upon grace.
As Henri Nouwen beautifully describes it, we are like a mosaic. Each of us—no matter your story, your gifts, or the season of life you’re in—brings something irreplaceable to this parish. Together, we form a mosaic that reveals the face of Christ to one another and to the world. Without you, the mosaic would be incomplete.
This Thanksgiving, I invite you to practice what I call “intentional gratitude”—a deliberate choice to see, name, and celebrate the blessings that surround us. Not because life is perfect, but because even in our struggles, God’s presence sustains us. Not because we have everything we want, but because in Christ, we have everything we need.
I’m reminded of the wisdom shared by Walter Green and so many others: Say it now. Don’t wait for a funeral to speak words of love and gratitude. Don’t let another year pass without telling someone how much they mean to you. Don’t assume people know—tell them.
I encourage you to be intentional:
• Say thank you to someone who has shaped your life—a parent, a teacher, a friend, a mentor.
• Write a note of gratitude to someone who quietly serves without recognition.
• Tell your loved ones how deeply they are cherished—not just once, but often.
Life is fleeting. Love is eternal. But words of gratitude spoken now become gifts that echo into eternity. So say it now—while hearts can still hear it, while hands can still be held, while faces can still light up with joy.
As you move through your Thanksgiving day—whether around tables laden with food, in quiet moments of reflection, or in prayer—I encourage you to be truly present. Be present to your family. Be present to your extended family. Be present to God and whenever possible, be present here with your parish family, where we continue to grow together in faith, hope, and love.
On behalf of our entire parish and school staff, I say thank you to YOU! Thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for your generosity. Thank you for being willing to show up, to serve, to pray, and to love this community into being. You are the mosaic. You are the gift economy. You are the Body of Christ, made visible here at St. Simon.
May your Thanksgiving be filled with joy, gratitude, and the awareness of God’s grace alive in every community you belong to. You are cherished, you are essential, and you are deeply loved.
Happy Thanksgiving!
God Bless,
Fr. Brendan