Fostering a mindset of gratitude in all seasons

As jack-o'-lanterns are pulled from front porches and the calendar flips a page to November, thoughts turn to the season’s next big holiday, Thanksgiving. Just as important as the turkey and pumpkin pie, Thanksgiving reminds us to take a moment to recognize all that we have to be grateful for. Whether 2024 has brought a monumental moment that will forever standout in your memory, or smaller, quieter sparks of gratitude, each is worth recognizing and celebrating.

In that spirit, one of the School Sister of Notre Dame (SSND) associates, Pat DeBill, offers some of her thoughts on gratitude and what she has learned about thankfulness from her 45 years of working alongside sisters.

Pat shares that through her role as an associate, she has gratitude:

• For the opportunity to live the gospel values and to work with women and children.
• To pray with other School Sisters of Notre Dame and associates and to receive their support, especially through my church community.
• To become closer to Christ through the Eucharist and prayer and to be able to proclaim the gospel through mass and teaching of my students.
• To be more of a loving person to my family and friends.
• For the opportunity to try to be a servant to Christ to everyone I meet.
• For the charism Blessed Theresa taught through the spirituality, history and heritage of the School Sisters of Notre Dame.
• For the ability to attend our associate gathering, monthly gatherings and the opportunities to work with the homeless and the poor. Examples include feeding the homeless and working with CADA, a women and children’s shelter.
• For my family, especially my 2nd granddaughter who is five months old.

When asked what she has been grateful to learn and experience as an associate, Pat recalls, “The ability to reach out to others. The sisters are huggers, and have made me into a hugger too. I appreciate their expressions of love and care. It doesn’t matter who you are to them, they are there for all people. As an associate, I have worked with the homeless, serving breakfasts and dinners. I’ve seen how they are so thankful for those meals.”

In hectic times, Pat recommends finding the simple joys in life, the little things day to day that come our way and can be sources of happiness and an opportunity for gratitude. “I have a new granddaughter, so each day is something new for her. Just seeing the smiles and coos helps me feel thankful.”

Pat also shares a bit of advice she gratefully received in 1979 from her companion sister, Sister Vincent Marie Teuber, that she still tries to live out each day. The sister told her, “I have learned that we are all pieces of a greater puzzle, perfectly connected to each other. Each piece, no matter what size, shape or color, plays an equal role in creating the overall picture that is perfect and whole. Without any one piece, the picture can never be complete. Remember, everybody needs everyone.”

May we all be thankful for the many people who make up the perfect pictures of our lives as we celebrate this season of gratitude and all year through.

Learn more about the SSND associate program and the special relationship between sisters and associates.