In this weekend’s Gospel, ten lepers experience healing from their encounter with Jesus, but only one comes back to give thanks. It is so easy to take God’s many gifts for granted! Our annual celebration of Thanksgiving is a reminder of how important it is, throughout the year, to cultivate an “attitude of gratitude” for all of God’s gifts: the gifts of creation, the produce of the earth, the fruits of human labour, and most of all, our families and friends, our neighbours both near and far, the people in whom we meet God’s image and likeness. It is harvest-time: a time of gratitude to God, our Creator and Provider, whose guidance and care go before us, and whose love is with us forever. As days shorten, as weather cools, as leaves change to red and gold and begin to fall, we reflect on changes, remembering that we too grow and change, as we move from one season of life to another. The Thanksgiving altar display, the apple we receive as we leave church today, are designed to inspire within us grateful hearts for the bounty of God’s creation. As we continue to support the important work of evangelization in our parish, as we respond to the needs of our world through our food pantry, our refugee committee, our twin parish in Zamoran, and so many other outreach programs, may the spirit of gratitude echo in our hearts and lead us to greater generosity. All we have received comes from our generous God. Each of us is called to be generous in sharing our gifts of time, talent, and treasure, building up the reign of God that Jesus came to inaugurate. So let us be grateful for all those at St. Monica’s who share their gifts so graciously, helping our parish to become more and more a place of welcome and outreach, of faith and fellowship, of praise and thanks. Happy Thanksgiving to your all!