Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Pastor’s Notes for 23 November 2025 – Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Happy & Blessed Thanksgiving Day
May we be ever more grateful for all our many gifts and graces. Gratitude is a great giver of happiness. The more we are grateful, the more content we are with ourselves, our neighbor, and even with God. This contentment steeps us in peace & joy. Foster Gratitude today & every day – not just Thursday!
Mass of Thanksgiving on Thursday November 27 @ 8a. Come give Thanks & Praise!
Every registered household in Holy Family should have received an invitation to participate in the annual United Catholic Appeal. This annual Archdiocesan Campaign helps to support ministries and mission essential services that extend beyond any single parish. For the last few weeks, the bulletin has contained literature provided by the Archdiocese explaining those ministries. Everything from formation of future priests and carrying for “retired” ones (in quotes, because they seem very much to still be serving our parish communities!) to Catholic School support and Catholic Charities. Many different initiatives benefit from your intentional, sacrificial, generous contributions.
As always, while Holy Family has a long history – even predating my arrival – of attaining our particular parish goal, my focus is on participation. I invite all to participate at some level with which they are comfortable. Participation in this appeal is an expression of our common & shared call to “Go Forth” with the Gospel, not just here in New Albany, but throughout the Archdiocese. Please prayerfully discern your participation.
Having just returned from France and a pilgrimage visit to Lisieux, I am mindful of St Therese of the Little Flower’s quote: “Our Lord does not so much look at the greatness of our actions, or even at their difficulty, as at the love with which we do them.” This applies not just to action and difficulty but to the quantity of the offering. Small or large in amount, every gift makes a difference if offered with Love. St Therese also stated about Love: “When one loves, one does not calculate." Thank God the Father, Jesus did not ‘calculate the costs’ that were asked of Him. He gave much because He loved much. In fact, Jesus gave all, because He loved all.
I invite every parishioner and/or household to participate in the pledge process. Some of us have significant financial resources, and some of us have lesser resources. But all of us can be united and equal by our simple participation in the appeal, by proportional giving, by sacrifice united in the Cross & Resurrection of Jesus. While we have a parish goal (see below), as I’ve promoted in past years, my goal is participation. That more engage and take part in this united request by a personal response to the Archbishop’s call. That is something we can all do no matter where we find ourselves with regard to resources.
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40 Hours Advent Adoration
Our annual 40-hours of Eucharistic Adoration, Devotion, & Praise is coming quickly. Please sign-up to participate in this around the clock call to pray, as we spend 40-hours with Christ to emulate Mother Mary’s 40-weeks with Christ in her womb. Graces & gratitude always flow forth from this blessed time.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A054DABAF2BABFE3-59654253-40hours#/
Nothing Less than saints for the Holy Family of God.
Holy Family, Host to Gratitude, Pray for us.
~ Fr Jeremy M. Gries
