<p>by&nbsp;<a href=mailto:president@dignityusa.org>Lourdes&nbsp;Rodriguez-Nogues</a> President of DignityUSA</p> <p><img alt= src=/sites/default/files/images/Thanksgiving_0.png style=float:right; height:128px; width:200px />Gratitude is perhaps the humblest and most fitting prayer we can offer the Divine. It places us in that open and vulnerable space where we can with open hands and hearts recognize that we are not entitled deserving wanting of something or expecting our needs to be met. If we can just give thanks for what is and for what will be we come face to face with a merciful generous and loving God who recognizes us as created chosen and redeemed.</p> <!--break--> <p>&quot;Thank you God for you have blessed me with life faith family spouse love friendship community. Thank you for the wonderful creation which surrounds me reminding me of your bountiful gifts. I thank you for every challenge you offer me to live the values of the Gospel and for the opportunity to live my life out-loud with pride joy and passion. &quot;</p> <p>We all know in the depths of our souls what we are most thankful for. During this Thanksgiving holiday let us take the time to say thank you to our God and to those in our lives we are grateful for. Let us pause and find the most insignificant of gifts to be thankful for knowing that they are gifts given to us by God out of love and not because we deserve them. As we gather with our families our friends and our communities let us offer a prayer for our world so lost in greed injustice oppression and pray for peace justice hope and gratitude. It is when we lose ourselves in the spirit of true gratitude that we can truly see what others need.</p> <p>All of us who have the privilege of being the staff and Board of Directors of DignityUSA take a moment at this holiday of Thanksgiving to be grateful for YOU. You the church of Dignity have blessed us with many gifts. You have challenged us supported us prayed for us. You have welcomed us in your pews and in your homes and you have nurtured us with words and fed us with delicious nourishment. You have shared with us your hopes and visions of a living Body of Christ. You have been for us the face of Jesus in our world. You have generously emptied your pockets and your purses to get the work done. You have shown up completely and without fear to live your life as a LGBT Catholic. Our hearts are filled with gratitude. We give you thanks.</p> <p>Celebrate the feast of giving thanks in your hearts in your homes in your communities with true joy. May you continue to be blessed and may you continue to spread your blessings to those you share this earthly journey with.</p> <p>Que Dios te bendiga hoy y siempre.</p>