Thanksgiving - October 2020
Dear Parishioners of the Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate,
Thanksgiving is simply an expression of gratitude to God. We have much to be thankful for, even in these uncertain times in our community, in our country, and in the world. We have witnessed an out-pouring of support, kindness and generosity to people in need, front-line workers, people in our community who are just trying to do their jobs and do their best. It may reveal itself in the smallest of gestures like a sign of support on our front lawns or checking on an elderly neighbour, parishioner or family member, just to see if they are coping or if they need groceries.
This world pandemic has certainly brought out the worst in humanity but it has also brought out the best. For that, we are grateful to God for all His blessings and for revealing Himself through all the acts of kindness in our world. We are grateful to God for the gift of faith that we share and we look forward in hope and trust to the time when we will once again be together in the fulness of our faith at the Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate. Be assured of our prayers for you, your families and your personal intentions, as well.
We wish to share with you our Stewardship Prayer and we ask that you join us in Spirit in saying it together:
Lord God, we praise You and thank You for Your great power and tender, faithful Love.
Everything we are and everything we have are Your Gifts, and after having created us, You have given us into the keeping of Your Son, Jesus Christ.
Fill our minds with His Truth and our hearts with His Love, and in His Spirit, may we be bonded together into a community of faith, a parish family, a caring people.
In the name and Spirit of Jesus, we commit ourselves to be good stewards of the Gifts entrusted to us, to share our time, our talent, our material and spiritual gifts as an outward sign of the treasure we hold in Jesus.
Amen
The Stewardship Committee will be calling each parishioner that is registered at the Basilica over the next few weeks. We are calling to reach out to you and to let you know that we are here in a spirit of a parish family. We are also hoping to update your contact information that may have become out-dated over the years. We very much look forward to speaking with each of you.
In his Letter to the Philippians, St. Paul writes:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7
That is our most sincere hope and prayer for all of our parishioners at the Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate. We are truly blessed to live in this great country and to be able to enjoy and share our abundance. We thank God for all of His blessings and for all of you. Wishing you and your families and very Happy Thanksgiving. God bless you.
Sincerely,
Father Ian Duffy, Rector
The Stewardship Committee of The Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate.