Bringing
Christ to others through the Council of Catholic Women
by Mary Karnitz
When we were children, our
parents had to remind us to say thank you. Otherwise, we would often forget.
Maybe we would forget because we were so excited when we got the presents we
always wanted. Maybe we would deliberately forget because we got something we
weren’t so thrilled to receive.
No one is naturally thankful
all on his or her own.We tend to have a sense of
entitlement and feel that someone owes us a good life, a lot of money, and
happiness. We don’t want to say thank you because we feel we deserve all the
good things we get.
Even worse, we often times
forget to thank God. We are quick to complain when he doesn’t give us what we
want at the precise moment we want it. We might even go so far as to question
his love for us. But sadly, we often fail to thank him for all of the blessings
he gives us day after day. His greatest blessing to us is the gift of his
Son.
The cause of joy for the
Council of Catholic Women is Jesus. This precious gift guides us as we do the
work of the Council. The proof of the internal love we have for Jesus is
revealed through the external love we show our neighbors. Each time we pray for
vocations, promote family life, sponsor food drives for our food shelves,
sponsor mission projects, vote in elections, promote life, and take time to
educate ourselves and others in our faith, we express our love and thankfulness
to God for the capability of living our Catholic faith.
Holy Mother Church, in her
infinite wisdom, has given us the season of Advent to prepare our hearts for
the Lord’s coming as a baby in Bethlehem.We have rich
and beautiful traditions in the Church that we can share with our families and
friends.
Through the Council of
Catholic Women, we bring Christ to others this season by focusing on actions
that affect the lives, growth, productivity, and well-being of all women,
children, and members of the communities in which we live. May everything we do
be an expression of thanks to God for the many blessings he bestows upon
us.
Mary Karnitz is from New