One of the most beautiful traditions in our country is the celebration of Thanksgiving Day. It began as gratefulness for the Fall harvest, for new Pilgrim settlement in a land of abundant natural resources, and for freedom to practice one’s faith. Today we more likely gather together with family on Thanksgiving Day around a nice meal to give thanks for the particular blessings of the past year – a new job, a new baby, good health and well-being for our loved ones, the peaceful death of a grandparent. As Christians, our thanks are directed to a Loving Father who “from our mother’s arms has blessed us on our way”. But one of the ways the Church can lead the rest of the world is in modelling how to give thanks every week of the year! On Sunday, when we gather for Eucharist (“thanksgiving”), we always share a meal and give thanks. We express thanks for hearing the Word of God (“Thanks be to God.”) and for the offerings of bread and wine (“Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. – It is right and just.”) And, most importantly, we give thanks for the gift of His Son, Jesus: “We offer you in thanksgiving, this holy and living sacrifice.” Our Sunday prayer together is always a little Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving! - - - Fr. Jim

In a statement made in 2010, Pope Benedict XVI said it was the moral responsibility of nations to guarantee access to health care for all of their citizens, regardless of social and economic status or their ability to pay. The new health care law in the U.S. is an attempt to make health insurance available to many more people, including families with low incomes. This Friday evening, Nov. 22, at 7:00 pm in the Parish Hall, St. Catherine’s will host a presentation for all families, individuals or small businesses in our parish who want to learn more about health care options. Any and all of your questions will be answered – in Spanish and in English. The following day, Saturday, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm, we will also help you explore, on the Internet, options for insurance and assist you in signing up if you wish. Information sheets are available in the back of church this weekend.  - - -  Fr. Jim

When we receive the sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession), we are telling God two things – “I am sorry for my sin. And I intend not to do it again.” When we ask forgiveness of our brother or sister, we should be saying the same thing. We truly intend not to offend them again, and we may even have a plan to follow, a different set of choices we can make, whereby it is less likely that we will offend them. What about when we are being asked to forgive another person? We might say “why should I forgive when I know it’s just going to happen again?” Living as a Christian is living “as if” things will be different. This is Christian HOPE. It is living with the HOPE that perhaps, this time, things will truly be different between us. Jesus said to forgive “seventy times seven times”, in other words, always and without ceasing. To live a Christian life means to forgive someone and live as if they (and we!) are still able to grow in goodness and holiness. Incidentally, this also applies to forgiving the Church, or one of the Church’s ministers. Living a life of Christian hope is a virtue – it takes practice. Let’s practice it this week. ----Fr. Jim 

Catholic Charities is the charitable arm of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. It is the Agency that provides adoption services; pregnancy counseling; marriage, family and individual counseling; immigration legal services; refugee resettlement; disaster relief; and faith community nursing - among other things. They have also agreed to help our parish learn more about the new health care options. Richard Klinge is a lawyer who has given presentations around the archdiocese on the Affordable Care Act, the new health care law. He will be with us on a Friday evening in late November to give us this presentation at the Parish Hall. Please join us and learn more about the health care options for your family. From the very beginning of our nation’s history, Catholic hospitals and clinics have led the way in providing the healing mercy of Christ. As Church, let us continue this great work.  - - - Fr. Jim