A Time of Gratitude

Thanksgiving 2020 Spotlights
life’s Intangible Blessings

Perhaps it is most fitting that during this season of gratitude, we are asked to make yet another sacrifice like those we’ve already made in 2020. On a day set aside for family, we are asked to be alone. The coronavirus pandemic has not been kind to any of us, yet it has laid bare our blessings before us.

“This is the year of COVID-19, and thousands of people have this illness or have died from it. But we can still have this Thanksgiving Day, a day of special thanks to God,” says Sister Rosalia Giba. “I am very thankful for all the years that I have lived with gratefulness to God, to my family and to my community.”

As we've done all year, we will do things a little differently this Thanksgiving Day — by eating alone or only alongside those within our households and by finding unique ways to connect with those who cannot share our meal.

“Thanksgiving Day is about family and being grateful,” Sister Frances Marie Duncan reminds us. “Although many cannot be together physically, perhaps a prayer ‘together’ — sharing blessings and gratitude for all that has been — can be arranged using the internet. If many could gather at the same time and ‘connect,’ it would be a great way to be ‘together.’”

Let us not focus on the rituals of the day, our Sisters say, but more so on the meaning behind it by truly taking time to recognize our intangible blessings. “No matter what, we have much to be thankful for,” says Sister Cecilia Jacko. “Take time out to look for the good in life. Take time to thank the good Lord!”

She echoes Sister Francesca Parana’s directive to “take time to thank God for His many gifts to us, including a holiday of thanks(giving).”

The children, grandchildren and siblings we treasure may not be across the table, but rather across the miles. For them, we make this important sacrifice so that soon, as science and social distancing eventually allow us to return to our traditions, those we love can once again be near.

“Just be thankful for life,” Sister Lois Jean DiFalco says simply. “I will not celebrate Thanksgiving with my family this year, but I am still thankful for them.”

Think of the overwhelming sense of gratitude we will feel — perhaps next Thanksgiving Day — when we will have come through a once-in-a-century challenge to our way of life. What lies ahead is a triumph of the human spirit for which we can truly, deeply be grateful. May God fill your plate with the wonderful flavors of the season and your heart with grace and gratitude.