Good Morning,

For months as I have been reading things, looking at menus and checking price tags I have noticed that my arms are not long enough and that print must be getting smaller. No matter how far away I hold the items I just can't see it clearly. For weeks I pondered what was wrong with the print, why did they change the menu and why after turning just over 40 are my eyes suddenly watery and itchy. Finally I have come to the realization that it is not the print that is the problem but my eyes. I broke down and bought a stylish pair of glasses from Walgreens. What a difference it makes to be able to see things clearly.

I recently read "As we get older our vision should improve. Not our vision of earth but our vision of heaven." When Fr. Paul and the stewardship team first introduced Grateful Believers as a new way of looking at stewardship I was skeptical to say the least. Here comes one more thing that John is going to volunteer to be part of and I'm going to have to do. But then I put on my glasses and took the time to reflect on this place, this community that we call St. Vivian. Oh what a difference it makes to see clearly. Oh how your perspective changes when you look from Grateful eyes.

Today's bulletin insert talks of Receiving God's Gifts Gratefully. Are we using the gifts God has given us in a manner that is Pleasing to the Creator and more importantly are we thankful for these gifts that we have been blessed with? I would like to share with you a few things related to the later question. I am thankful for the gifts so many of you share with our parish family. I am on this journey with you to become a Grateful Believe that uses her time, talents and treasures to accomplish God's will through our parish.

Of course I have a substantial mental list of things I am grateful for like my family, my home, my job... I am grateful for this amazing music ministry that adds so much to our worship. I am grateful for our parish school that allows my children to learn in an environment that is Christ centered. I am grateful for a pastor that strives to keep this parish strong and vibrant. I am thankful to all those in our parish that have said yes to getting involved when saying no would have meant fewer headaches. I could go on and on but since Fr. Kennan will probably have a lengthy sermon I move on.

So what am I grateful for... I am Grateful for the gift of hospitality and welcoming at St. Vivian. Paul and Betty Ann Hess first shared this gift with us many years ago. They welcomed us to the parish on a Sunday morning at 8:15 mass. A welcome that made us see that this was the place we wanted to be. St. Vivian has a Welcoming Committee that shares this ministry with new parishioners and the ushers and greeters at 8:15 always have a smile or a hand shake. These Grateful believers bring God to others with their actions.

I am grateful that years ago Mr. Everslage talked to me about taking communion to home bound parishioners. You want to meet a grateful believer? Talk to a member of our parish that can not get to mass and hear how appreciative they are that someone brings the Eucharist to them. I am grateful that so many of you take the time to share this gift with our homebound parish family. Reflecting on those that can not get to mass has made me thankful that I am blessed to be able to attend mass regularly without support.

We may need our glasses to see the next examples of good stewards sharing their talents in our parish clearly. We often hear that the young people in our parish just aren't involved. We have very few servers at 8:15 mass and Fr. Paul recently put out a plea for more people to step up and get involved in ministries. With my new grateful glasses I do not see a lack of involvement but rather I see James serving by himself, Becky, Tyler, Molly, and many others leaving the comfort of their pew to help out. I see teenagers singing in our ensemble. I am sure they are using their gifts in a way pleasing to the Lord as they roll out of bed to be a rehearsal by 7:30 am on a Sunday morning. I am grateful that a certain talented drummer attends mass numerous times a weekend and during the week to share his gifts with our parish family. Thank you all!!

I see so many examples in the pews each Sunday of people using their gifts to build our parish family. The mere presence of many of you inspires me in my faith journey. Many of you come to Mass sharing joys and successes in your life. Weddings, baptisms, accomplishments at work and school; You share the blessings in your life and lead us all to share in your joy. Some of you come to worship at a time when you are filled with grief, worry or despair. You come to this place, you stand, pray and gather with this family. I am confident that the people around you provide you with support but I want you to know that your strength gives us so much and your presence shows this community that The Lord is our strength and in Him we find peace. From the widower that sits alone to the grandparents that bring their families to worship with them. From the mom that shows by example in the pew how to praise God to her children to the daughter that brings a parent to mass every week; I am grateful to see God's amazing love through you. Each of you is a witness of faith to this community.