Thanksgiving will be here before we know it! While it is not a religious holy day in our church, it is a national holiday we all observe by stopping and taking time to remember and thank God for the blessings we enjoy. We usually do so at tables laden with an abundance of food! Since May of this year the USCCB has encouraged Catholics to participate in "First Friday for Food Security". We are asked, on First Fridays of each month between now and April, 2012, to "fast" by eating meals that cost only as much as is allotted for a family your size by the USDA Modified AThrifty Food Plan (which is used as the basis for Food Stamps). For a family of 2 adult and 2 children the range is $124-$140 per week; how many of us will spend that and more on our Thanksgiving meal? Perhaps as we enter into the season of Thanksgiving a way of showing our own appreciation for God's blessings is to consider accepting this challenge.What a great opportunity to share a "teachable moment" with our families as we participate! More information is available on the USCCB website including monthly fliers and a FaceBook page to share your experiences. Read more....  

There are many good books out for children on Thanksgiving. One book worth recommending is "Grateful: A Song of Giving Thanks" by John Buchinno for young children.  This gentle song is sung by Art Garfunkel on an accompanying CD. It is a celebration of the beauty of the seasons, the wonder of nature, and the meaning of faith. Hakkarainen's soft-focused, luminous illustrations grace each page. Some of the words and ideas are challenging for a young audience; for example, "In a world that can bring pain, I will still take each chance, For I believe that whatever the terrain, Our feet can learn to dance." The concept of faith is stressed here, with the reference to believing "in a hand you cannot see."  For more information, visit John Buchinno's website.