Giving thanks

By Tony Staley
Compass Editor

	Thanksgiving • Free Thanksgiving meals around the diocesan area • Family serves traditional holiday meal diners gobble up • Bridging the Gap by Bishop David Zubik --    Thanks for the memories

Next Thursday we celebrate Thanksgiving and again we, as a nation, have much to give thanks for.

These blessings include:

• The 2004 elections are over. That means we're at last rid of the terrible annoying political ads and can get back to our usual diet of annoying ads for everything else.

• Whether one is elated or deflated by the election results, the elections were free and a record number of people voted.

• While the elections were hotly contested, Americans peacefully accepted the results and didn't riot or resort to even more violent acts.

• Despite weather woes, including three hurricanes in Florida and a shortage of rain in some areas, including southern Wisconsin, life continues. Much rebuilding remains to be done in Florida, but there is no doubt it will be done. Contrast that to Haiti, where a much smaller storm has devastated that impoverished country. And while a shortage of rain has hurt some Wisconsin farmers, it has not lead to famine, as would happen in some countries.

• The Green Bay Diocese is completing our first year under Bp. David Zubik, who is settling in well and earning the respect of many. Meanwhile, Bp. Robert Banks is enjoying his new life and Bp. Aloysius Wycislo continues his writing, despite his somewhat reduced mobility.

• Two priests and 11 deacons were ordained earlier this year to serve our diocese. Sixteen other men are at various stages of formation for priesthood and 30 for the diaconate.

• Studies continue in parishes to determine how to best meet current and future needs. While it's always painful to close a parish, were we to start from scratch today we would have needed far fewer parishes than our ancestors. Many of our parishes started when it would have taken ideal conditions to travel in two days as far as we can go in an hour today. While transportation has greatly changed, what hasn't changed is our need to work together to best meet people's spiritual needs. Being invited to help in the planning for that is a blessing in itself.

• And lest we forget, what about those Red Sox!

Truly, God has blessed us greatly. As Bp. Robert Morneau likes to remind us, all we have is a gift from God. Good stewardship demands that we give thanks for these gifts, which come with a responsibility. As Jesus told us, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded. And from the one trusted with much, much more will be expected" (Lk 12:48). Happy Thanksgiving!