The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-11-28
PEOPLE
SHOULD BE GRATEFUL
No Other Nation in the Universe Has
So Much Reason for Thankfulness
of Many Manifest Blessings.

Thanksgiving day was observed by
the parishioners of st. Monica's church
with the celebration Of mass at 8 o'clock,
Rev. p. NJ. McKenna officiating. There
was large attendance, rivaling that Of
previous years. During the course Of
his sermon, Rev. FIR. McKenna pointed
out many instances, both spiritually and
earthly, when thanks and gratitude were
necessary for the grace bestowed upon
the people during the past year.
The speaker said in part: "As we
gather here to give thanks TO Almighty
God for the blessings and fayors be-
slowed upon us during the past year we
ought to feel predominately happy, as
there is not a nation in the universe
that enjoys the individual liberties as
does the United States. 1t is not pos
sible to enumerate all the reasons for
thanksgiving, and | will mention only
few.
First, as nation we owe thanks to
God. America is nation of freedom.
There is no tyranny evident, as in many
countries. 1t is ernphatically country
of freedom and opportunity. Opportu-
nifty presents itself for the ever -increas-
ing tide of immigration pouring into
this country and none are oppressed. 1t
is emphatically a government of the
people, by the people, for the people.
God made man with free will, and this
is the freest country under the sun,
where man exercises his freedom of will
unbounded
"The United States is the fairest field
for Catholics and religions of all denomi-
nations. All forms of religious worship
are tolerated. There can be no doubt
but that at times indications OF bigotry
and ill-feeling crop out, such as is now
prevalent in many foreign lands. In
these lands the church is despoiled and
robbed of its properties and charities,
the offerings of the faithful during the
centuries. But in this country there are
no such signs Of oppression. Therefore,
the Catholics have many reasons to be
thankful to God.
''Let us come home and get better
understanding of personal and individual
fayors conferred upon us. There is the
boon of existence, for which the ma
jority OF us are not grateful. We are
not grateful for the handiwork of God
that we have existed through all eter-
nifty from the abyss of nothingness.
That we should enjoy it, just gaze on
the beautiful creation. Think of so
many millions of souls in the world.
God loves each individual of the uni
verse equally. As the sun shines from
the planets and heats each one indiyid-
ually, so the ineomprehensible love of
God is shared mutually. This love of
God is as miraculous as each day Of
creation.
1--WE should also give as much thanks
for our preservation as for the boon of
existence IT we give so great thanks
for the natural order of things and
the bountiful haryests, we owe so much
more for the fortune of living. During
the past year many have been called
away from our parish and many, un.
have parted, who at the out
set of the year gave much apparent
promise of long life and enjoyment of
Gods given word. We are here to-day
looking upon Gods work, vet we deserve
less of life's mysterious preservation
than many of those who have parted.
We are given more time. yet we do not
NpHipfN NluetiN with AfBu , WDIu anu We
neglect our duties and wander from
the course Of Christian life. God has
not yet called on us, and have we not
to be thankful2 He has given us more
time to prepare for the end and a joyful
eternity.
"Who can foretel the infinite mercy of
Godi He has given us time and the
grace OF redemption. We do not know
any particularity Of the extraordinary
gifts and blessings of God. The holy
mass is an offering to God, and yet we
at times are prone TO neglect this duty.
When we fall into sin, His grace is the
means of restoration.
"The Holy Church takes into account
thanks offered at all places and at all
time TO the Almighty God. Therefore,
we have to be thankful for Gods high
blessings on earth and to men. We
ought to be thankful for our conserva-
ton and our preservation, for favors
Of the spiritual order and the prevail
ing peace and for other bountifnl gifts. |
We should be thankful that he has pre-
served our lives. For whatever favors
we may have extended to us bv God |
let us be grateful and use them to the |
honor and glory of the name of God and |
for the betterment of our fellow men" |