Thanksgiving Day 🦃
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His mercy endures forever!! Psalm 136:1
Today we take time to give thanks to God for all the blessings He’s bestowed upon us and for His kindness and love. It’s important to express our gratitude to God as it strengthens a heart in humility and selflessness. We celebrate a bountiful harvest season with a meal celebrating the gifts of God’s love. Gratitude is scientifically proven to improve your mental health and your worldview! The greatest way to thank God is to receive the Eucharist today. The very word Eucharist is Greek for “Thanksgiving” and Jesus in a private revelation to St. Theresa of Avila said that attending one Mass is the best way to thank Him! We send our love to Nurses, First Responders, the Military and all those who can’t be home this holiday season and express our gratitude for all they do for our society. We pray in a special way for the safety of travelers and those celebrating with adult beverage, for family unity, understanding and compassion and to be thankful everyday for what we have and to be charitable and selfless.
Thanksgiving Day Mass (Live Streamed at 12:05 ET)
Thanksgiving Customs (Note: The author refers to the consumption of animal products as this is an older publication, see the resources below to supplement for vegan options.)
Thanksgiving Symbols: As opposed to many other holidays with symbolic meaning to their icons, the icons of Thanksgiving are rooted in the story of the Pilgrims and the Indigenous and the foods traditionally associated with that feast. The second most common is the cornucopia which is translated to the"horn of plenty". It is associated with several pagan myths but can be Christianized symbolizing an angelic trumpet overflowing with God's gifts. The colors of Thanksgiving are colors of the harvest and changing leaves.
Thanksgiving Foods that are Safe for Pets
(Courtesy of Lifetime Pet Center of New Richmond)
(Courtesy of Lifetime Pet Center of New Richmond)
Cranberry Sauce- Low sugar (only feed small amounts, avoid sugar free or artificial sweeteners because they contain xylitol)
Mashed Potatoes- Cooked, unseasoned, plain with no dairy.
Sweet Potatoes- Cooked & unseasoned, without marshmallows.
Green Beans & Carrots- Cooked, unseasoned.
Foods to Avoid: Stuffing, Onions, Garlic, Leeks, Scallions, Chocolate, Pie (even pumpkin!), Alcohol (including Fruit Cake & unbaked bread!)
The above list is obviously not exhaustive, and you should watch your pets closely and instruct all of your guests to not offer any human treats or table scraps. Even safe foods ingested in relative moderation. can cause issues like pancreatitis, gastrointestinal distress, and more.
An Animal Friendly Outlook: As a vegan I celebrate Turkeys as holiday icons for the cruelty they undergo, especially during the holiday season and not as symbols of something to be eaten. Instead Turkeys are fellow earthlings that deserve respect. Consider adopting a turkey this thanksgiving, and be truly thankful for all creation! Thursday seems to be the day chosen for Thanksgiving just because the first presidential proclamation of Thanksgiving had the holiday on a Thursday. For a similar reason Football on Thanksgiving originates with the Detroit Lions coach hosting a game on Thanksgiving first in 1934 to boost "flagging attendances" (as if I know what that means.) Therefore Thursday and Football were chosen because of tradition.
Celebrating Thanksgiving Day While Honoring the Indigenous: We honor in a special way Native American peoples for their contributions to America and their sufferings in American history. For this reason, Indigenous Americans and their allies commemorate the National Day of Mourning each Thanksgiving. Many people do not celebrate the traditional Thanksgiving because the pilgrims and natives depictions aren’t entirely factual in addition to many historical theories stating that there were Thanksgiving celebrations prior to the "first thanksgiving" story, for example a Catholic Mass in September of 1565. Nonetheless, as long as we acknowledge the true history behind “The First Thanksgiving” there’s nothing wrong with celebrating Thanksgiving Day as a day of gratitude and selflessness.
Events Related to Thanksgiving Day:
This Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Small Business Saturday, be sure to respect all workers while recalling your gratitude for all the blessings given you, Thanksgiving shouldn’t be just one day. Some shopping sources will have the availability to donate while you shop! Black Friday is also Fur Free Friday, a special day to call to attention the cruelty of wearing fur.
On Small Business Saturday and Giving Tuesday do your part this
holiday season in helping all those in need, small business owners,
shelter animals, the hungry, the poor. No matter who, make sure to show
your gratitude by giving back!
Welcome to Thanksgiving Town!
In 2024 Thanksgiving Day falls on November 28th which is the feast of Our Lady of Kibeho. Also as "Wicked" the movie came out last weekend this holiday season will be immersed in celebration of this masterpiece of film. In the first few moments of the movie Glinda the Good Witch says "Let us be glad, let us be grateful." This is the embodiment of Thanksgiving.
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