A Message from Father Nathan
My dearest people closest to my heart!
God bless you and your generous heart.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving to you all. The glorious history of Thanksgiving Day dates back to the fall of 1621. The laborers (Pilgrims) received a bountiful harvest after a year of illness and a shortage of food. The event took place in Plymouth Plantation in Massachusetts. They showed their gratitude to God and celebrated the occasion with a feast.
America’s First Thanksgiving
Now remembered as America’s “first” Thanksgiving—although the Pilgrims themselves may not have used the term at the time—the festival lasted for three days. While no record exists of the first Thanksgiving’s exact menu, much of what we know about what happened at the first Thanksgiving comes from Pilgrim chronicler Edward Winslow, who wrote:
“Our harvest being gotten in, our govenor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together , after we had gathered the fruits or our labors; they four in one day killed as much fowl, as with a little help beside, served the Company almost a week, at which time amongst other Recreations, we exercised our Arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and amongst the rest of their greated King Massasoir, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five Deer, which they brought to the Plantation and bestowed on our Govenor, and upon the Captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.”
Historians have suggested that many of the dishes were likely prepared using traditional Native American spices and cooking methods. Because the Pilgrims had no ovens and Mayflower’s sugar supply had dwindled by the fall of 1621, the meal did not feature pies, cakes, or other desserts, which have become a hallmark of contemporary celebrations.
Offical Holiday Declared
On October 28, 1789, the Federal Congress passed a resolution asking the President to acknowledge the day for the first time. Thus, for many years the week of Thanksgiving was altered by different governments. Ultimately, President Roosevelt signed the resolution on December 26, 1941, thus making the third Thursday in November the Federal Thanksgiving Day Holiday. Finally, to clear the confusion, it was moved to the fourth Thursday of November. For more than two centuries, days of Thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states. It wasn’t until 1863, in the midst of the Civil Was, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November. May you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends
With lots of love and blessings.
Ever wanting to be faithful to your service,
— Fr. Sahayanathan Nathan
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Past Messages from Father Nathan
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 23 2023
Feast of Joachim and Anne | the parents of Jesus’ mother, Mary. On July 26 the Roman Catholic Church commemorates the parents of the Virgin Mary, Saints Joachim and Anne. The couple’s faith and perseverance brought them through the sorrow of childlessness, to the joy of conceiving and raising the immaculate and sinless woman who would give birth to Christ.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 16, 2023
Be thankful to the Lord for all the blessings He showers upon us. We take things for granted and sometimes you don’t know you are blessed…
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 09, 2023
St. Kateri Tekakwitha is the first Native American to be recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church and is celebrated on Friday July 14.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 02, 2023
God Bless America! Celebrating American Independence. We are a blessed nation in the world. Our nations live by the philosophy of Christ, and it’s built upon the foundation of Christ…
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | June 25, 2023
The Feast Day of Sts. Peter and Paul celebrates the Patron saints of Rome. These apostles are considered the cornerstones of the Church. This celebration is a liturgical feast in honor of the martyrdom of the apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | June 18, 2023
Happy Father’s Day. Let us appreciate and value the sacrifices that our dads have done for us. Let us be thankful for the persons they are. Let us pray for them as they have gone to the Lord. “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;” Psalm 103:13…