November 27, 2005
Dear friends in life and in ministry,
Happy Thanksgiving to all . . .
November 27, 2005
Last Sunday evening, I had the privilege of offering the homily at the Annual Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service
which this year was held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church. In preparing my remarks I came across a research study on
the Dimensions and Perspectives of Gratitude conducted by Robert A. Emmons of the University of California, Davis and Michael E. McCullough of the University of Miami.
Here’s a sample of what Emmons and McCullough’s study uncovered.
• In an experimental comparison, those who kept gratitude journals on a weekly basis, reported fewer physical
symptoms, felt better about their lives as a whole, and were more optimistic about the upcoming week
compared to those who recorded hassles or neutral life events.
• A related benefit was observed in the realm of personal goal attainment: Participants who kept gratitude lists were
more likely to have made progress toward important personal goals (academic, interpersonal and health-based).
• A daily gratitude intervention (self-guided exercises) with young adults resulted in higher reported levels of
the positive states of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, attentiveness and energy compared to a focus on
hassles or a downward social comparison (ways in which participants thought they were better off than others).
There was no difference in levels of unpleasant emotions reported in the three groups.
• Participants in the daily gratitude condition were more likely to report having helped someone with a personal
problem or having offered emotional support to another, relative to the hassles or social comparison condition.
• In a sample of adults with neuromuscular disease, a 21- day gratitude intervention resulted in greater amounts
of high energy positive moods, a greater sense of feeling connected to others, more optimistic ratings of
one’s life, and better sleep duration and sleep quality, relative to a control group.
Emmons and McCullough’s research concluded that . . .
People who regularly attend religious services and engage in religious activities such as prayer or religious
reading are more likely to be grateful. When I'm worried and I can't sleep I count my blessings instead of sheep
And I fall asleep counting my blessings.
Irving Berlin
- Grateful people are more likely to acknowledge a belief in the interconnectedness of all life and a
commitment to and responsibility to others.
- Grateful people report higher levels of positive emotions,
life satisfaction, vitality, optimism and lower levels of depression and stress - even when acutely aware
of life’s challenges.
- Grateful People have the capacity to be empathic and to take the perspective of others. They are rated
as more generous and more helpful by people in their social networks.
- Grateful individuals place less importance on material goods; they are less likely to judge their own and
others success in terms of possessions; they are less envious of wealthy persons; and are more likely to
share their possessions with others.
Fascinating isn’t it?
• the impact that gratefulness has on people and the influence that grateful people have on our world.
No wonder that the theme of gratitude is common in scripture and in our Catholic/Christian heritage.
Eucharist means Thanksgiving; and this communal act of praise and gratitude is the central rite of our Christian
tradition. As we begin this Advent Season - we do so with grateful hearts.
_________________________
FAMILY MASS NEXT SATURDAY AT 4 P.M.
Please remember that next Saturday’s Mass will be a FAMILY MASS followed by a dish to pass supper in
O’Malley Hall. Children will bake the altar bread which will be consecrated and distributed at this Mass
as well as serve many of the liturgical roles. We welcome this opportunity to share with our children and
their families another memorable Catholic tradition.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD
This weekend we begin another important faith experience for our youngest parishioners—the Children’s Liturgy
of the Word. Early elementary age children will be dismissed to the new Children’s Chapel following the
opening prayer—to hear God’s Word proclaimed and to discuss its impact on their lives. They will return in time
to join us for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Have a good week. Serve one another well.
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