This week we celebrate Thanksgiving and for many years I have joined friends in Kansas City Mo for the holiday. The first time I was there were 80 people… Yes! 80. Many of them were college kids or foreign students learning English and friends of the family who had nowhere else to go. One of the fun parts was the peeling of 60 pounds of potatoes which was done as people came in the doors and everyone joined in. Another fun part was the collecting of car keys. No one was given back their keys if they were any little bit under the weather. Boys slept in the basement and girls upstairs and everybody went home next day on a full breakfast and with a doggy bag. There were no left overs for the house to struggle to eat for the next week. For me this a witness to the original event which inspired thanksgiving that reaching out to others in need and giving them help. Even though many of the people who were there did not celebrate thanksgiving in their own countries, the family felt it was important to invite them. Some of the college kids could not afford to go home so invite them. If we listen to Jesus in the gospel we see that attitude. God invites everyone. As we celebrate with family and friends this year let us count our blessings and be grateful for the blessings of the year past. Let us journey in confidence and faith for the Lord is always with us on the journey inviting us to share him with others. Let us give Thanks. Pray for me as I pray for you, Fr Karl