COMMUNITY
tvc.dsj.org | November 21, 2017
5
Giving Thanks at Thanksgiving
By Kathy Fanger
Parish Outreach Coordinator
Let all your works give you thanks, O
Lord, and let your faithful ones bless you.
(Ps. 145:10
In a few days, we will celebrate
Thanksgiving…often a time when our
family and friends, young and old,
gather around a table, are nourished by
a delicious meal and share stories of our
lives. The day off ers us the opportunity
to extend a sincere welcome to one an-
other, to connect heart to heart, to put
aside past hurts, and to experience the
love, joy and peace that God desires for
all of us.
Thanksgiving is also a day to remem-
ber our beloved relatives and friends
who have died and are now in heaven.
We may be feeling deep sadness in miss-
ing their physical presence, yet we hold
onto Jesus’ promise that he is preparing
a place for us, too, and that we will be
reunited with them one day.
So on Thanksgiving, we give thanks
to God – our God who knows each of
us personally, who blesses us every day,
who walks with us through the joys and
sorrows of our lives, and who will never
leave us.
Next week, we begin the season of
Advent – a season of hope. “God so loved
the world that He gave His only Son.” (John
3:16). “They shall call him Emmanuel, a
name that means ‘God is with us.’” (Isaiah
7:14, Mt. 1:23)
The season of Advent also holds
many opportunities for us. Will we be
alert for how God “Emmanuel” breaks
into our days?
Advent calls us to reach out to oth-
ers, accompanying each other in our
struggles, helping one another in what-
ever ways we can, bearing one another’s
burdens, healing the broken-hearted.
Perhaps it means a telephone call, a
pleasant visit, or sending an uplifting
card to someone who is sick or lonely.
Do you know someone who is grieving,
or recently separated or divorced? They
often feel forgotten. Consider inviting
them to a meal in your home or at a
restaurant – a time where their spirits
may be lifted.
You may consider volunteering at a
shelter or food kitchen, or bringing toys,
gifts, clothes or monetary donations that
will help make Christmas a happier time
for those less fortunate. Advent opportu-
nities abound in bringing Christ’s light
to others, one person at a time. We just
need to act upon them. Invite a friend or
family members to join you. It is in giv-
ing that we receive, where we will fi nd
true joy. Why not repay the Lord for all
the Lord has given you?
Do it as an expression of thanks, to
honor a loved one who has died. Reach
out. Your love and kindness will bring
Christ’s light and peace to them and
to you.
National Wreaths
Across America Day
Gate of Heaven Cemetery
Veterans Plaza
Dec. 16 at 10 a.m.,
followed by reception
Help place a wreath at every Veter-
ans grave. Join us in saluting America’s
Heroes. For more information, contact
(650) 428-3730 or [email protected].
Rest in Peace, Brother Robert Carberry, CSC
Resident of Notre Dame, Ind., Broth-
er Robert Carberry, CSC, passed away
on October 17. A religious Brother of
the Congregation of Holy Cross, he was
well known and loved in the Bay Area
because of his many years of service
and his trademark question, “What do
you need?”
Beginning in 1959, Brother Robert
served at Saint Francis High School,
Mountain View, as a teacher, bookstore
manager, and business and facilities
manager. In 1991, he began working
closely with Monsignor James Walsh
at Saint Cyprian Church, Sunnyvale,
and then at Saint Christopher Church,
San Jose.
Among the many gifts Brother Rob-
ert shared was his far-sighted planning,
not just fi ve years ahead, but 20-30 years
into the future. He was very practical
and active, locating and redistributing
resources (food, offi ce supplies, furni-
ture) to help people and schools, and
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Brother Robert Carberry, CSC
inspiring an army of volunteers.
In 2011, Brother Robert moved to an
assisted living facility of the Brothers of
Holy Cross in Austin, Texas. In 2012, he
moved to Notre Dame, Ind. to receive
additional care. In declining health
these past several years due to cancer,
he passed away suddenly at age 88.
Memorial contributions, in honor
of Brother Robert Carberry, C.S.C., to
support the mission and ministries
of the Brothers of Holy Cross may be
sent to: Congregation of Holy Cross,
Moreau Province, Office of Devel-
opment, 1101 Saint Edwards Drive,
Austin, TX, 78704.