I would like to wish you, your families
and friends a very Happy Thanksgiving!
I thought this prayer was very appropriate for the celebration! The most
profound prayer of thanksgiving is, of course, is the celebration of the Mass.
Let us remember to thank God for our many blessings, especially, the gift of
the Eucharist where Christ is present to us in four special ways. The 4 presences of Christ in the Mass is our
theme for today as we continue our prayer and study of the New Roman Missal.
A PRAYER FOR THANKSGIVING DAY
O God, when I have food, help me to
remember the hungry;
When I have work, help me to remember
the jobless;
When I have a home, help me to remember
those who have no home at all;
When I am without pain, help me to
remember those who suffer,
And remembering, help me to destroy my
complacency;
stir up my compassion, and be concerned
enough to help;
By word and deed, let us help those who
cry out for what we take for granted.
Amen.
ROMAN MISSAL 3RD EDITION – THE FOUR
PRESENCES OF CHRIST
The Second Vatican Council reminded us
of our ancient faith: Christ is always present in his church, especially in its
liturgical celebrations. So, each time we come to Mass we experience the
presence of Christ in four different ways:
1. Christ is present in the
congregation —the people gathered together;
2. Christ is present in the person of
the priest;
3. Christ is present in the Scriptures
that we listen to during Mass;
4. Christ is present in the bread and
wine when it becomes Christ's Body and Blood.
The more we are able to understand and
participate in the Mass, the more we will come to appreciate and love it. The
new translation will help us to do that because the words we will now use will
say more clearly what our faith is teaching us. For more information on the
Roman Missal and its changes, visit www.archtoronto.org/romanmissal anytime to continue your reflection. Thank you for your support as we continue to
learn and experience the changes in translations, the new musical settings and
the changes in liturgical rites during the Mass.
Happy Thanksgiving from Fr. Noel and
myself!
