Thinking Our Thanksgiving
"How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me? . . .
To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving, and I will call upon the name of the Lord.
My vows to the Lord I will pay in the presence of all his people . . ."
(Psalm 116:12,17,18)
We at Holy Rosary are beginning our yearly stewardship renewal. We ask all of the members of the Family of God at Holy Rosary to take the next few weeks to Think Your Thanksgiving.
When given a valuable and obviously thoughtful gift from a relative, we immediately desire to recognize this gift by taking similar time and thought to ensure that the giver is duly thanked. It is our way of recognizing the intentions of the giver and the value of the gift. It is, in effect, our gift to the giver. What can I do for them to show my appreciation? What words would best express my thanks? What can I offer in return? A carefully chosen card? A dinner invitation? A token of esteem, affection and respect? A public affirmation of my gratitude? Our thanksgiving speaks volumes about how much we value the gift we have been given and our feelings for the giver, shown not only in the mode of thanksgiving itself, but also in the care and concern taken in deciding what to offer in thanksgiving.
We should not take this opportunity for giving back for granted, or treat it lightly. The ability to say "thank you" is itself a great gift. What would life be like if we were never able to express gratitude to parents, friends, or mentors? What frustration would we feel if these people could never know how much we appreciate what they have done for us? We quickly realize that we do desire to recognize those who have had a profound impact on us, and that it is a great privilege to be able to do so.
In this same way, a return to God of our time (through volunteering), and our treasure (through parish contributions and charitable giving) is a recognition that all we have comes from God. This is our way of giving thanks to God for what He has given us directly, and what he has given us through others. The gifts of our lives, our talents, the country and time in which we live, our jobs, our families, and, in fact, everything good, is the gift of a loving Father.
We ask, then, that you consider what you will give (time, talent, treasure), to whom you will give (in-parish donations and out-of-parish concerns), and how much you will give (of time and treasure), a priority in your life. During the next several weeks, as good stewards of God, take this opportunity to ponder the graces and gifts you have been given; to consider how much of time and treasure is a worthy response and recognition of these gifts; and to honor those who have given to us by making our thanksgiving a forethought in our life—not an afterthought.
Over the next few weeks you will be receiving brochures, prayer cards, and letters, along with regular stewardship columns in the Sunday bulletin. Please use these as aids for considering your pledge.