Thanks be to God!

Happy Thanksgiving to all, and I hope you all had a good night.

I feel like I've heard it all about Thanksgiving this year-that we shouldn't celebrate it because we displaced the Native Americans, that we should because it's a wonderful day to express our gratitude to others and to God for our many blessings, that it's just another example of American overindulgence. Now, I can understand these various points of view, and I think we can agree that there's an element of truth to all of them; but for me, any excuse to gather with people I love and share a meal with them is a good one. Especially in celebration of our blessings! This is, after all, the core of what the Eucharist is for Catholics, and so this secular holiday celebrates it with turkey instead of the body of Christ. Granted, we should have this same spirit of gratitude every day, but I think there is something to be learned from this holiday.

Stepping off of my soapbox, I will share with you what occurred at the Inn for Thanksgiving. We began the day with Mass, as always, but it was a special one that drew the connection for me between Thanksgiving and Eucharist (you know how you hear the same thing your entire life, but it takes someone else saying it at a certain time to make you really understand?). We served an early meal (holiday meals are 11:30-1), partly catered by Boston Market, and the rest made by a team headed by the saintly Sr. Jude. I had been nervous since last night, because I was on the schedule as the coordinator and had, obviously, never experienced a Thanksgiving dinner at the Inn. Earlier in the week, we had given away over 100 turkeys and dinner fixings to various families from among our guests. I joked with people last week that everyone who showed up to volunteer or donate anything ended all their conversations by saying "Oh, and here's a (few) turkey(s)." We got baskets from local schools, a policemen's organization, and various other groups from around Philadelphia. It was so incredible the way they all banded together to make it possible for others to celebrate. But here is where the soapbox re-enters the picture: wouldn't it be great if this could happen year-round? It is awesome that people are so mindful of the poor during the holiday season BUT what if we skipped Thanksgiving one year and spread out the support through the whole year? And what if, instead of turkeys in November, we got donations of deodorant and good razors in July, and laundry detergent in April and blankets in October? Don't get me wrong, I still love and believe in Thanksgiving and am so grateful for all the help and donations, but there still exists the struggle to help provide better for our brothers and sisters in need.

We had a wonderful group of volunteers today-a few regulars and a few who only come on Thanksgiving. There's also a group of people here that I graduated with in May who are now going to medical school. They arrived on Monday and return tomorrow, but it's been so great to have them here-it has felt like a little bit of home in Kensington. We served 357 people, which is equivalent to a normal day. There was turkey, stuffing, yams, peas, cranberry sauce, and gravy. Being there this morning was almost like celebrating with family-the people we've been seeing day in and day out for 3 months now were the same ones we spent our holiday with; if that doesn't make us family, I don't know what does.

At about 5:30 this evening, the staff gathered to share a turkey dinner, which was fabulous. We relaxed and enjoyed an excellent meal and each others' company. It was so satisfying to know we had been able to feed others earlier in the day and were now able to nourish ourselves. It wasn't exactly home, but it was the next best thing. I must confess that homesickness did hit a little today, especially remembering many of the 22 I have been fortunate to spend with my parents and almost as many with my brothers. The day was always a wonderful one and I really appreciate all the time we spent together, making it more about the family than the outside world. And, let's face it, Mom's cooking reigns supreme.

I truly hope you all had a wonderful holiday, and that you keep your joyful and grateful spirit always. I was humbled when a man who sleeps on our street said to me this morning "Of course it's going to be a great day-I'm alive and I woke up to a nice breeze and a beautiful day." I only hope that I can be as appreciative of my blessings someday.