How full is your “thanks” tank?
The busyness and the challenges that come with everyday life can add a heaping helping of stress and anxiety to your overflowing plate. And in the midst of a pandemic, political battles, and unrest around the globe, your “thanks” tank can quickly become depleted.
There’s something about Thanksgiving, though, that sends a surge of gratefulness into your tank. Your heart instantly warms at the thought of being surrounded by family and friends—and comfort foods!— and all the ways you can make a difference to others during the holidays.
When Mount de Sales faculty and staff were polled about the significance of this time of year, common themes emerged: family, community, and gratitude.
According to Merriam Webster, thanksgiving is a “public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness; the act of giving thanks; a prayer of expressing gratitude.” The Oxford dictionary puts it this way: “the expression of gratitude, especially to God.”
It’s crucial that not only during this time but also throughout the year, we find moments to practice intentional gratitude.
Faculty and staff strive to be positive influences for students in their daily walk:
“I try to display gratitude to others around me by simply saying ‘Thank you’ or by doing something nice or unexpected for them,” said Sarah Corum, math teacher.
Theresa Mosbrucker, Spanish teacher, lives out her faith “through prayer and making an intentional effort to see God in everyone.”
Duane Hunter, history teacher, is “a friend to people and a shoulder to lean on when times are hard. God has gifted me with many great things, so I try to give back those gifts.”
Faculty encourage students to give thanks and to be humble:
“We begin each class with prayer and reciting ‘This is the day that the Lord has made. We will be glad and rejoice in it.’ I hope that my students are reminded daily of God’s love and may be inspired to reach out to others,” said Eileen Carlson, English teacher
Gabe German, campus ministry, said, “I try to help them realize…all the talents and loves they have in their lives are simply a gift from God.”
Coach Robert Ochieng said that he wants his students to understand “that everything they have can be taken away instantly, so be thankful as often as possible.”
Our Mercy in Action program is another area where students are reminded of the struggles of others in comparison to their own and how their acts of kindness through the year, and especially now, are important. Finding opportunities to uplift others, provide basic needs, and just be a friend are at the heart of our Mercy mission.
Take time this season to rest, reflect, and refresh; find a way to lend a helping hand; and give thanks to God for the heaping helping of blessings He has added to your plate.
All of us at Mount de Sales wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving!
Bonus! A Special Thanksgiving Meal (click here)
Make a full Thanksgiving meal from these faculty and staff favorites—some newly discovered and some age-old family recipes.
- John Hintermaier’s Brined Turkey – Flavorful and juicy, this recipe will be the star of the show.
- Grandmama Hixon’s Dressing (Adrienne Hixon) – The labor is worth it and it will be love at first bite.
- Aw-Maw’s Cranberry Mold (Emily Brown) – If this doesn’t say tradition, we don’t know what does.
- Aunt Doris’s Chocolate Pie (Eunice Andrews) – A velvety, chocolatey treat to wow your taste buds.
- Sara Logue’s Favorite Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins – There must be a pumpkin-something on your table, and why not this unique dessert?
Click here for more MDS Musings Blog posts.
Mount de Sales Academy is a private Catholic school located in Macon, GA, and serves students in Bibb, Houston, Jones, Monroe, Peach and other surrounding counties. MDS is sponsored and inspired by the Sisters of Mercy. Since 1876, MDS has served a diverse college-preparatory community of learners—students and teachers alike—who are poised to discover, challenged to innovate, and motivated to serve.