As waves of nationalism and secularism were on the rise across the globe, Pope Pius XI instituted the Solemnity of Christ the King 100 years ago, as a reminder that Christ reigns above all earthly rulers. Temporal powers and governments will fade away; Christ’s reign and His kingdom remain eternal.
 
Every year on the last Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe — also known as Christ the King.  As another year of grace ends, we look back and see how gracious God is, His many blessings, His presence, His gifts to us all.  We look back in thanksgiving and we look forward in hope of another year filled with God’s many graces.


Our parish will have its Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving this Thursday, Nov. 23^rd at 9:00AM. Bring an article of food from your table to be blessed and returned to your table with the blessing of the Church.  
 
The Thanksgiving Day that we celebrate is a combination of two very different New England traditions: a purely religious day of thankful prayer and the harvest feast. 
 
As you remember from your school days, Thanksgiving began with the Pilgrims in 1621, celebrating their first successful harvest. The local Native American tribe – the Wampanoag – that lived there were very peaceful, without a warrior class or even a tradition of warfare, and they interacted peacefully with the Pilgrim settlers.  They saved the Pilgrims from certain death.  The early settlers had many disastrous crop harvests. That is why in years when there were good harvests the Pilgrims and other later settlers were so grateful.  It became a tradition to celebrate with thanksgiving to God. 
 
Over time, individual governors of the colonies proclaimed a day of thanksgiving whenever they wanted, the dates of celebration differed among the colonies. The first national Thanksgiving was on December 18^th, in gratitude for the American victory at Saratoga in 1777.   President Lincoln of course set a National Day of Thanksgiving in November.  Ever since 1941, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.
 
Thanksgiving is the last of the holidays that has not become overly commercialized. Thanksgiving is truly an American holiday; it is a time when American families express gratitude for one another and their many blessings. Most Americans have fond childhood memories of Thanksgiving Day.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I wish to thank you for making my 40^th anniversary so memorable and special.  I am overwhelmed by your goodness and love.   I am truly grateful to God for allowing me to be here, and grateful to you in accepting me 10 years ago.  You truly honored me by your presence at Mass and reception.  I can’t thank you enough.  I want to thank all the staff and parishioners who spent many hours and their own resources to make the Mass and reception so grand. We may start a catering business!  My deepest gratitude to all those who made the Mass so beautiful and prayerful.
 
I have been given the joy of bringing the glorious gifts of God to His people for 40 years. How can I not be thankful?
 
The priesthood is a wonderful life. Please pray and work for vocations! Encourage your sons and grandsons, your nephews and friends, to consider a commitment to this life. And please pray for us priests.

St. Augustine concluded his book, City of God, with these words, which are a perfect summary of these past 40 years:
 
With God’s help, I have kept my promise and tried to build up your faith through humble service. That is all that I promised when I began this great work. From all who think I have said too little or too much, I beg pardon and from those who think I did too much or not enough, I ask forgiveness. But those who think I have done just right, do not praise or thank me, but rather, join me in thanking God.  Amen.