![A Letter of Thanks]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1732645011/bsmschoolorg/rgtcthci7lt3pveicmqa/24-1126AThankYouLetter_002.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1732645011/bsmschoolorg/rgtcthci7lt3pveicmqa/24-1126AThankYouLetter_002.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1732645011/bsmschoolorg/rgtcthci7lt3pveicmqa/24-1126AThankYouLetter_002.jpg","width":714}])
“I give thanks to my God every time I think of you which is constantly in every prayer I utter. I pray with joy because of the way in which you have helped me in the work of the gospel from the very first day until now.”
Philippians 1:3-5
These words from Saint Paul hold such special meaning for me, special because I used this verse as part of a blessing at the end of every BSM class retreat for almost 50 years. Just reading the verse brings back so many amazing memories of the time I spent with kids and college/adult staff on those weekends . . . times of growth as individuals and times of growth as a class . . . times of learning more about themselves, their classmates, and their God. As I write this “Thank You,” I could think of no better way to begin.
This is actually something that I’ve wanted to do for quite some time, so this season of thankfulness, this season of blessings, seemed so appropriate. The celebration of my 50th year began in August with a “Mass of Thanksgiving.” I was totally overwhelmed by everything on that morning. It truly was a morning that I will forever treasure. There are so many people that I need to thank, those who shared that morning with me, those who donated to the scholarship, those who sent cards and letters and gifts, those who continue to be sharers on this journey, adding meaning and purpose and value and worth to my life and to all that I do.
It would be impossible for me to put into words all that these years have meant to me, how very blessed I have been to be a member of this Benilde-St. Margaret’s family. For that reason, I wrote a “Prayer of Thanks” that I’m sharing with you here.
I pray that we as a people, especially as Red Knights, might never forget to be thankful, not waiting for or needing a special day or season, but always remembering to be thankful for all that we have received as individuals, as families, and as members of the Benilde-St. Margaret’s community. God has truly blessed us in so many ways; what better return to make to our God than by living a life of thankfulness, kindness and compassion. It is what true Red Knights do!
As I write this letter, we are approaching not only our celebration of Thanksgiving, but the beginning of the Season of Advent, a season of preparation and anticipation, a season where once again we are called to welcome the greatest gift we have ever received, the gift of God’s only Son. I have so many stories from all these years, stories that I’ve used in a number of reflections that I’ve shared. In keeping with my 50th year, I thought I would reach into my “reflection archives” and share one of my favorites, one that’s appropriate for the season, one from December of 2017, simply entitled “I Will Never Let Go.”
So, as I close this letter of thanks, I do so remembering all that has been and looking forward to all that will be . . . the many times and stories I’ve shared, and the many times and stories I have yet to experience as we continue our journey together. Always and forever, I am thankful for you.
Love and Prayers,
Mike J
