Gratitude for Gratitude

Each year, we usually have 800+ volunteers on campus over two days to prepare and serve our parish's Thanksgiving tradition. The pandemic forced us to turn so many of you away this year—and it was heartbreaking. The need, however, knows no pandemic. Families that never expected to turn to a church for their Thanksgiving meal were humble and grateful that we are #StillStMonica. Before Wednesday, we delivered nearly 200 Thanksgiving meal boxes with everything for their tables at home. Our original goals were exceeded, and we were able to acquire warm clothes, sleeping bags, and essential goods that will sustain the neediest in our community throughout the end of the year.

As with most of 2020, Msgr. Torgerson has been anxious about whether St. Monica would be able to continue to serve, support, and sustain the neediest of our parish and civic community. But you have, and I pray for confidence that it will continue. Along with Thanksgiving, our end of the year appeals include Adopt-a-Family, Africa Education, and Christmas offertory, which (along with Easter) accounts for a third of our annual giving.

Your generosity has been tremendous this year. It's may not snow in Los Angeles, but know that gratitude is a snowball—we respond to gratitude with gratitude, and it grows fast to pour out God's grace to so many. Thank you!