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Thanksgiving Day we reflect on the many occasions we felt the Lord close to us throughout the many events of the year. We look back, we thank God, we contemplate the ways God has touched our lives. Thanksgiving is also a day with a simple focus, to give thanks. We express our gratitude to God, our families, our friends, our neighbors, and to the people in our lives and communities. Following are some thoughts shared during a homily
by Fr. Bob Maloney which reflect past accomplishments and God’s faithfulness in our lives.
“60 years! Holliston was opened 60 years ago. 50 years ago saw the foundation of Franklin, 40 years ago the house of Wayne was given to us. We moved forward aided by Archbishop Cushing in the east,
Bishop Meyer and Fr Dean in Milwaukee….and included was the hard work on the part of many Xaverians, along with their sacrifices. We lived in pre-Vatican and post Vatican times in seminaries, universities and
theologies….the influence of these foundations was felt throughout the Xaverian world – Bishop Frosi and Bishop Biguzzi and numerous qualified and tried confreres of Conforti’ family wrote the pages of these years gone by.
When Christ sent out his first apostles, they returned elated at their success, in the States the confreres were overjoyed with the attempts of internationality in Petersham, Chicago, and Milwaukee.
We remember…we celebrate…we believe…!
THANKSGIVING PRAYER
by Samuel Pugh
"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 my compassion,
and be concerned enough to help, by word and deed,
those who cry out for what we take for granted.
Amen."
Hopes – we had and have, clouds darkened our horizons and still do, but our footprints as “trailblazers” continued encouraged by a sense of elation as our hopes became fruitful and our struggles were overcome. The years reminded us of our “trailblazer vocation” and the crucifix of Conforti invited us to pause, reflect, and seek solutions and attain new tomorrows…
China had been the dream world of many Xaverians, such as Emaldi, Garbero, Gazza, Teodori and so many more as well as Bishop Tissot and Brother Gemma, Fr. Botton,
included our Blessed Founder, Bishop Conforti.
America reminded us of our “trailblazing” call as our own walks of faith on roads uncertain presented themselves… 60 years, wasn’t that the length of time of our China experience, and now of our American existence.
We remember 60 years, 50 years, 40 years – we celebrate and believe! We recall Bonardi, Oddo, Henry,
Frosi, Serra, Begheldo, Zannoni, Cobbe, McCrossan, Tomasi, Rolli, Zanardi,
Young… these years invited us to sink our roots deep within, and with like courage move forward without..
60-50-40 years , it is all a continued voyage of learning, faith and witness.
We, trailblazers, can remember what has been... We, trailblazers, can celebrate the progress accomplished...
We, trailblazers believe in the international aspects of our family and bear witness and blaze trails to make Christ crucified and resurrected known as the apostles were called to do and as their successors followed.
We remember…we celebrate…we believe…!”
We wish you a happy and peaceful Thanksgiving!
(From Xaverian News)