Submitted by Fr. Peter Ullrich, O.S.B., St. Paul The Apostle Catholic Church, Tarkio, Mo.

We celebrate Thanksgiving Day. It’s a long tradition in our country: a time for family gatherings, lots of good food, sharing of homes, a time for looking back over the previous year perhaps, a time to be grateful for a good harvest. It’s a time to reach out to others in need and who have less. To share food, meals with the poor.
It’s a perfect day for all who follow Jesus Christ. For Jesus himself has called us all to be a grateful people.
One of my favorite books of the New Testament is Paul’s Letter to the Colossians. In it Paul reminds us: Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. (http://usccb.org/bible/colossians/3) And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful.
“And be thankful.” I invite everyone to spend a few moments this Thanksgiving to pray a prayer of Gratitude to God for the blessings we have received. Let us be grateful and give thanks to the God who loves us. Here’s a Litany of Thanksgiving to get you started.
Litany for Thanksgiving
Father, you bless us with the gift of life.
Father, we give you thanks.
You give us your Son as our Savior.
Father, we give you thanks.
You teach us his word of life.
Father, we give you thanks.
You make us your holy people.
You cleanse us from our sins.
You invite us to love you by loving others.
You give us talents and gifts to use for your glory.
You help us to do good works for you.
You nourish us with the bread of life.
You give us the cup of salvation.
You have given us your Spirit.
You promise us the joys of heaven.
You call us to sing your praises for ever.

Beloved God, you have given us all grace and life
through the hands of Christ our Savior.
With Jesus, we bless your name.
With him we thank you.
Through Christ our Lord, we pray to you. Amen.