Thank you! Those two words are heard a lot around this time of year as we prepare to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday. Please know of my prayers as you travel to be with family and friends or as they travel to be with you. For those who are able, what better place could there be to begin our Thanksgiving Day than around the altar, the ultimate table of thanksgiving. The word Eucharist means exactly that, “thanksgiving.” We will begin Thursday with Mass at 8:30 am @ St. Patrick’s or at 9:00 am @ St. Vincent’s. If you are able, please come and join together in thanking God for all that we have and all that we are.

    Please know too just how thankful I am for each and every one of you. I know that I am not a perfect Pastor, but I have no doubt that I am a blest Pastor. And I am a blest Pastor not simply because of who I am, but because of who you are. I have my faults and failings, I sometimes say things when I shouldn’t or come across in the wrong way, and I apologize for those times, and I thank you for your challenge, for calling me out when I need to be called out. I am thankful, not just for those moments where you tell me what a great job I’m doing, but also for those moments where you challenge me and call me to be better. You truly are God’s voice in each of those moments. What, who, are you thankful for? Take some time, not just this week, but on a regular basis to express that thought in word or in action.

     One other reality that so many are thankful for, including all of us, is the gift of each of our parish families. The gift of the buildings we worship in, the gift of the people who make them up, the gift of all those who have and who do so much to make each of our parishes what it is. On Tuesday, December 3rd, we will have the opportunity to express our thanks through the efforts of #WeGiveCatholic. December 3rd is also known, this year, as Giving Tuesday. For a number of years, the Diocese has hosted a #WeGiveCatholic site for various parishes and in-stitutions throughout the Diocese as a way of inviting us to give back. This year, in consultation with both Parish Pastoral and Finance Councils, both St. Pat-rick’s and St. Vincent de Paul will be participating in those efforts. This is 100% an online effort and ALL of the money raised goes straight to the parish.

     At St. Vincent de Paul, the money will be put towards a fund to continue to make our parish buildings welcoming and accessible to all of our parishioners, especially our handicapped or elderly parishioners. At St. Patrick’s, the money will be put towards a fund to begin to undertake the much needed work of waterproofing and renovating our Parish Fellowship Hall, the church basement. This #WeGiveCatholic effort won’t be the only effort towards these goals, but they’ll be a start. You don’t have to be a parishioner to donate either, so please invite your family, friends, coworkers, etc. to consider a donation. To donate, simply go to WeGiveCatholic.org and search for either St. Vincent de Paul Cleveland OR St. Patrick West Park. I will also be placing a link on each Parishes Facebook page as well. Note that the page will only be active for donations from midnight to midnight on December 3rd. Have a blessed week!

Fr. John