Good Morning!
Yesterday was Thanksgiving, and hopefully everyone found time to enjoy family and friends. Hopefully, everyone found time to reflect on the positives in life: family, memories, friends, and a great meal.
Legend, as introduced in American elementary schools, is that the Pilgrims and Native Americans celebrated the first Thanksgiving to express gratitude for surviving the harsh beginnings of Plymouth Plantation. In essence, the general theme of gathering the harvest and welcoming neighbors for a celebratory feast is the root of the first Thanksgiving. A tradition that has become a national holiday.
Has this holiday been overshadowed by other things? Do we really think about the origins of this day? It is so easy to get tied up in the preparations for the big meal, family traveling to and from, setting the table, cleaning up after the big meal, finding room for sleep over guests, and planning the rest of the weekend's activities. Then there are football games! When the house quiets down on Thursday's evening, plans for Black Friday shopping and Christmas decorating are on the top of the lists of weekend projects. So, how much thanks is actually given on Thanksgiving?
PART TWO...
Saturday morning....
Yesterday, as I was writing the above portion of this post, enjoying coffee with Mom and getting geared up to truly reflect on a holiday that seems to be waning in it's appreciation, I received a startling phone call that brought every self-serving intention to an abrupt halt.
Our parish in Fulton, St. Peter Parish, received a terrible blow Friday. Father Frank Bussmann, our parish priest died after suffering a massive stroke the night before. Father Frank was a genuine man and a very devout priest. During the six and a half years he was our pastor, he brought a peace and reverence to our parish and school that will long be remembered.
Father's homilies for the children's Liturgies were inspiring and enlightening. He had a great knowledge of the travels and ministry of St. Paul, and shared that knowledge through age appropriate stories and explanations about the Scripture reading of the day. His love of the Saints often led to discussions within the religion classes following Mass. When personal and community loss visited our small rural parish, Father Frank was so very compassionate and supportive. His spiritual leadership following the deaths of two students in a two year time span was of great solace to many.
When my family was journeying through mourning the loss of my dad, Father Frank was very helpful to me, listening and guiding with a solid faith base and an understanding of how hard it is to lose a family member. He was helpful in ways he will never know, but in ways that taught me it was okay to be "at a loss" of how to find the right way to deal with grief.
The students enjoyed Father's visits to the classroom. When the children served as readers for the school Masses, he would so enjoy hearing the youngest of students read, and never missed an opportunity to thank the student choir for their hard work. I often have heard students who were altar servers comment on how they enjoyed serving Mass with Father Frank because he never got upset if they made a mistake. The students truly liked Father Frank
So, as we are winding down the holiday weekend designated as a time for reflection and thanksgiving, I want to ignore the shopping, the decorating, the football games, and whatever other madness this holiday seems to compete with and just be thankful. I have an amazingly strong and loving family who have no comprehension of the word defeat. These people; my brother, Mom, my husband Keith and our wonderful children are all the foundation that allows us all to grow and chase our dreams. I am thankful for the wonderful community of St. Peter Parish and all the prayers I know are being offered for the Bussmann family during this painful time. Father Frank, thank you for being may pastor, for all you brought to St. Peter, for all the times you listened to me and the would thank me for teaching at St. Peter School. I hope to follow your example of living a life of sincerity and faith and gratitude for all the Good Lord provides.
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