Maggie Wynne, St. Rita Church, Alexandria
As Thanksgiving approaches, at this time of year, this time in the world, I am very thankful to have been born in the United States, been born in a time of security and peace, and have known the freedom the United States offers to all its citizens and freedom to worship.
Also, I’m thankful to be in this community in the Arlington diocese and to have not many of the concerns that afflict most of the people of the world, with regard to security in jobs, security in livelihood, security in family. So, I’m very grateful for that and for having family around me.
Bernadette Michael, St. Agnes Church, Arlington
I’m so thankful for my faith, first, it gets me through so much; and for my parents, who passed on the faith to us, I’m so grateful for that.
For my family and friends, who I hold dear. For living in this beautiful country of ours, with the abundance of wealth and beauty we have, that I like to be reminded of every day.
For my good health and my wonderful husband. Amen.
Sally Yenson, St. Agnes Church, Arlington
There’s so much that I am thankful for. I think especially for the gift of the friends that Our Lord has sent me and the influence that they have had on my life. Of course, I am thankful for my own precious family and the fact that we will be all together this Thanksgiving, about 30 people gathering around a table or two or three.
I am thankful for my life and thankful for the mercy of Our Lord, who has shared that mercy throughout our everyday and throughout our family.
Carmen Briceño, All Saints, Manassas
I am so grateful to live in an incredible diocese that has faithful and holy priests, a bishop who guides and protects his flock and is not afraid to speak the truth, parishes that are healthy and growing, and a wonderful community of friends and family that challenge me to be a saint.
Peter Hickman, Cathedral of St. Thomas More, Arlington
I’m grateful for life, for my family — I had a grandson born in September. I’m looking forward to the baptism and happy that everything went okay with the birth, and so blessed to have grandchildren.
Tina Ordenes, Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Vienna
We are hosting for the first time our whole family at our house that we just recently built. So, we’re just thankful that we’re able to have the whole family come together under one roof, and we’ll all be able to celebrate together.
Erin Getz, St. Agnes Church, Arlington
I am thankful for the gift of life. I’m grateful for the pro-life movement, coming together at Marches for Life, for showing up and just being a witness for the unborn.
Joanna Shaw, St. Dominic Church, Washington
I would say I’m grateful for just the Lord’s mercy and goodness, and his providential hand in all things.
