Thanksgiving — not a repeating endless circle, but a changing spiral. Each year we arrive again at this wonderful day — but not in the same position with the same perspective. We have one year more of experiences — good and bad, discouraging and inspiring — that we bring to Thanksgiving 2024. Some of these we share in common with family, friends, and neighbors. Others are very personal, hidden in our own hearts or known by only a few close to us.

This year our world seems even more unstable and dark. Violence and war have expanded globally since the last time we gathered for our Thanksgiving meals. We have finished an angry and bitter election cycle that resulted in a very divided nation with many across our land anxious and fearful.

And at the same time, most of us experience deep and sustaining love within our own families and from friends. Couples wed, babies are born, youth grow and graduate. All lament the high cost of basics, and still, often with admirable effort, millions of breadwinners — men and women — are supporting their families to live decent lives.

At Catholic Charities, we know, every day, both the struggles and successes of our neighbors – around food, rent, childcare, jobs, emotional health, safety, resettling, and much more. Catholic Charities provides the help that turns struggles into successes and creates a hopeful future for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers every year, non-Catholics and Catholics alike.

For Catholic Charities high quality staff, loyal volunteers, dedicated Trustees and Directors and generous benefactors I give thanks with a renewed appreciation that your efforts are bringing much needed light and healing to our current strained environment.

This Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, 2024, I will especially remember you at our 9:00 AM Mass at Our Saviour Church. A Blessed Thanksgiving to you and your family.

We count on your support to make services like this possible. You can provide help and create hope. Make a generous, tax-deductible gift today.

With gratitude,

Msgr. Kevin Sullivan 
Executive Director