American Thanksgiving

On Thursday, November 22, 2007, the Mission Ad Gentes Brothers in Chicago experienced a little bit of ?inculturation? as they participated in Thanksgiving Day.
The Monastery community hosted the Thanksgiving meal at their house for the three communities of Brothers in Chicago, each community contributing something in the preparation of food. So, all the Marist Brothers of Chicago came together for the traditional holiday in which we give thanks to God. The ?holiday? began with some Brothers watching the traditional Thanksgiving Macy?s Day Parade from New York. Then, before the meal, there was a short prayer service to commemorate the meaning of the day and to give thanks to God for all that he has done for us.

At the end of the prayer, Brother Michael Flanigan, Delegate of the Superior General, thought it would be an appropriate time to convey the thanks of Bro. Seán and Bro. Luís, Superior General and Vicar General, for all that all of the Brothers of the Chicago area have done and are doing for our Mission Ad Gentes Brothers. He also thanked Bro. Rick Carey, president of Marist High School, and asked him to convey thanks to all the staff and student body of Marist High School for all they have done as well. And Bro. Michael gave special thanks to the Monastery community which warmly welcomed the Mission Ad Gentes Brothers into their community.

The meal included the traditional turkey, potatoes, and ?stuffing?, among other things. But this meal was a bit special because of the presence of so many Marist Brothers from other countries. Even the weather cooperated by a light morning snowfall which was a ?first? experience of falling snow for some of the Brothers. All in all, it was a very special Marist Thanksgiving.