NOVEMBER 18, 2007

At one time, writers and journalists used to be paid by the word - the more words they wrote, the higher their pay check. At a time when most writers were receiving about a penny a word, Rudyard Kipling was reported to be getting 10 shillings per word - a whopping 30 cents! A group of students at Oxford University were not impressed by this and decided to pull his leg by sending him in the mail 10 schillings and the request that he forward to them "one of your best words." Kipling sent them back a cable: "THANKS!"

"Thanks" is indeed one of the very best words in this or any other language. No price can be set on the expression of gratitude. Many people who would not perform an unpleasant task, such as caring for a helpless child or a cantankerous shut-in, no matter what the pay, will often do so just to hear the dependent person say with sincerity: "Thank you."

Many an employee, without regard to position, promotion or over-time eages, will put forth extra effort for a boss that honestly says to them: "I appreciate that." Complete strangers will often go out of their way to give directions or assist someone in confusion merely to be told: "I am grateful for your help." Not just gratitude, but the expression of gratitude, the saying of thanks, is one of the most precious, valued, worthwhile and effective motivators of human action.

Once a year, our land as a whole takes out a full day to make sure we are mindful of the many reasons to express thanks. In our culture, which legislates to the strictest degree the separation of Church and State, the divorce between religion and government, we still universally observe a holiday of "Thanksgiving", even if we legally cannot articulate to Whom we are giving that thanks. We of the Catholic Christian faith, of course, give thanks continually in public each time we celebrate the Eucharist together, and we make no secret of the fact that it is to God that we owe our appreciation.

Thanksgiving Day, although not a Holyday of Obligation in our religion, should become one of our outstanding traditional celebrations as a parish family here, in which we gather with our own parishioners, the children of our School and CCD, and any neighbors, family, co-workers and friends that we can invite, to say one of the best of all words to the best of all Persons: "Thanks - be to God!"

We hope to see all of you on Thursday, Nov. 22 at our 9:30 AM Mass, which has been especially planned with music, ceremonies, and even a freebie take-home gift for each family. We also hope that you are generous in bringing your non-perishable food stuffs and cash donations which we will donate to the Little Sisters of the Poor to help them in their ministry of taking care of the elderly residents they serve.

SEE YOU IN CHURCH!