“I will give thanks to God with my whole heart.” (Psalm 9:1)
“Made your list yet?” We’re not talking about your shopping list, or your list for Santa, or your Christmas card list. We’re talking about a thanks-giving list to God as we begin this holy season.
Our thanks-giving list was way too long to fit in one column. But here are four of God’s blessings mentioned in recent Talk Story columns.
- We give thanks to God that the lava stopped flowing in Pahoa … at least for the time being. Sacred Heart parishioners continue to organize disaster preparedness in their community. The parish also continues to express gratitude for the prayers and support of the diocese and the help of organizations like HACBED and HOPE Services Hawaii who work with the people in Puna to develop their capacity for relief, recovery and resilience. Thanks also goes to other supporting parishes like St. Joseph in Hilo and Malia Puka O Kalani in Keaukaha.
- We give thanks to God for the amazing volunteer turnout, including dozens from the diocese and parishes such as St. John Apostle and Evangelist, Our Lady of Sorrows, Our Lady of Good Counsel and St. George, at the Nov. 6 Veteran Stand Down at the National Guard Armory in Wahiawa. More than 100 vets, half of whom are homeless on the streets or in shelters, were able to connect with a multitude of service providers, housing professionals and 29 potential employers.
- We give thanks to God for the inspiring Women Supporting Women presentation at Chaminade University about families affected by incarceration. Folks from all over Oahu, including parishioners from St. George in Waimanalo, and St. Anthony and St. John Vianney in Kailua, learned how to be part of a healing process with families, government, faith-based and non-profit organizations to build a church that is, as Pope Francis says, a “hospital for sinners,” namely all of us.
- We give thanks to God for the incredible Thanksgiving celebration at Our Lady of Keaau, the Franciscan community out past Waianae, where hundreds of folks, young and old, from Oahu churches, plus ROTC and Rotary youth from Waianae, joined formerly homeless families now working on Mother Marianne’s Farm and St. Francis Retreat Center to share more than 130 turkeys and 1,500 pounds of kalua pig from the community imu. Many will gather there again on Dec. 6 for a special Christmas meal and concert. For more information, call Sister Beatrice Tom, 696-7255.
These are just a few blessings on our list. What are the blessings on your holiday thanks-giving list? Please let us, (and God) know!
Mahalo,
Your friends at the Office for Social Ministry
