Gratitude bustles around in my mind and penetrates my whole being as I think of all the blessings of this year. Our development department and all the Sisters feel it, and even more than that, it's in the air!

It's summer and the end of the fiscal year. But before we step into the future, we want to look back on an outstanding year. Your generosity has been exceptional in so many ways. Your phone calls, cards, letters, donations, participation in our liturgies and programs and prayer requests illustrate our partnership with you in our mission and ministry. Because of your solidarity with us we are able to serve others in ways we couldn't do alone. We can't measure all your intangible gifts. That is God's work. Our work is to be grateful to God and you!

Special thanks to the many who responded by making their annual gift in this fiscal year. Just in case you missed our reminder, we still have a few days left, but donations must be postmarked by June 30 or you can donate online. 

Do you ever have feelings like those described in the Gospel for this past Sunday? "Teacher, don't you care that we are perishing?" In the midst of chaos or storms in our personal lives or in society, let's remember Jesus' words: "Be quiet! Be still!" And we may wake up and find Jesus' presence within and among us.

You may wonder where gratitude fits in with some of the tragic events surrounding us, the most recent being the terrible murder of nine innocent people in Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. It is hard to fathom the suffering of the victims, their families and friends. But what is so amazing is the forgiveness present in the parishioners, mayor and many others affected by this shooting. These people live the Gospel!

This week I received a heartbreaking but beautiful letter from a friend who is a donor and a Saint Benedict's High School alum telling about her experience with her mother in an internment camp in the Philippines during WWII. She writes: "Fear was a great part of our lives, as we did not know how long we would be interned. My mother told me many, many times never give up HOPE. When Daddy lost his life on October 24, 1944, she said, 'Do not hate the Japanese as hating is wrong, and it will not bring your father back.'" This 14-year-old girl learned a lifelong lesson that she still carries with her at 84 years.

Another example of gratitude relates to the Youth in Theology and Ministry Program (YTM) sponsored by the Saint John's School of Theology. YTM is a two-year program in which each high school student has an adult mentor from her or his parish. Five of these YTM students came to Saint Benedict's Monastery and made presentations on their service project.The service project had to respond to a need in their parish and propose a solution that would make a difference.Their presentations described their projects, who was involved, what worked and how they measured success, what didn't work and what they planned to change. To hear these high school students talking about their desire to grow in their faith and in their relationship with God instills in us great hope and deep gratitude.

These are a just a few reasons for gratitude--and it continues to grow, as you bring the face of God into our lives. We want to celebrate our gratitude for you on Friday, August 21, our Gratitude Day. Invitations will be mailed in mid-July.

We have redesigned the day on the advice of our Advisory Board. Our major purpose is the same -- to thank you for your partnership in our mission and ministry. It's also a time to visit with the Sisters and other supporters, have fun and learn about the ministries you support. As always we'll pray together and honor the recipient of the 2015 Mother Benedicta Riepp Award.

We may be in the liturgical season of ordinary time, but if we are awake, our ordinary time is filled with hope and gratitude!