Prayers of Thanks and Praise By: Morgan Sanei Song: Filled With Your Glory by Starfield

“Give thanks to the LORD who is good, whose mercy endures forever!” (Psalm 107:1) “Therefore, our God, we give you thanks and we praise the majesty of your name… Everything comes from you.” (1 Chronicles 29:13-14) “I will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD.” (Psalm 116:17) “But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57) “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God.” -St. Paul of Tarsus “We owe thankfulness to God, not sour faces.” -Jelaluddin Rumi

Lord Jesus, thank you for the family that you have blessed me with. Thank you for a family who loves me and who raised me in Your image. “You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.” - Desmond Tutu My Grandma My sister, my brother and me My family

Lord Jesus, thank you for the necessities you have given me: a house, clothes, food, medical things, and things needed for proper hygiene. “Reflect upon your present blessings of which every man has many.” - Charles Dickens

Lord Jesus, thank you for the friends you have given me. They have accepted me and love me for who I am and are always there for me, just like You are. “Friendship is a knot tied by angels’ hands.” - Anonymous

Lord Jesus, thank you for St. Teresa of Avila Parish and all of its parishioners. St. Teresa is my home away from home, and everyone is very warm, welcoming and loving. I know I can go there whenever I need anything. “It is love alone that gives worth to all things.” -St. Teresa of Avila My Parish, St. Teresa of Avila

Lord Jesus, thank you for the priests and the deacon at St. Teresa of Avila. I have come to personally know each one through activities at the parish, and they all live out the Gospel in their daily lives. They have been such a huge impact on who I am today. “Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words.” -St. Francis of Assisi (A favorite quote of Monsignor Golias) Deacon Frank LallyFather Joseph Jordan Monsignor Andrew Golias

Lord Jesus, thank you for all of the ministries at my parish, especially those in which I am involved. Thank you for all the generous people who dedicate their time to making these ministries amazing. Altar Serving Ministry “For the ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of holy ones but is also overflowing in many acts of thanksgiving to God.” (2 Corinthians 9:12) Youth Group

Lord Jesus, thank you for the chance to assistant teach two classes in the Religious Education Program at my parish. This program gave so much to me in the 6 years that I was a student in it, and I am so happy to be able to influence these kids as they grow to love and trust in You. 5 th Grade REP 2 nd Grade (There are usually more kids than this…) “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

Lord Jesus, thank you for the people in my life that have gotten me to where I am today. Though these people are not blood-related to me, they have changed me in ways I cannot describe and are like my second family. “I believe in person to person. Every person is Christ for me, and since there is only one Jesus, that person is the one person in the world at that moment.” -Mother Teresa Molly Roach Deacon Frank Lally, Father Joe Jordan, and Monsignor Andrew Golias (all mentioned on a previous slide) Sue Matour John Giuliani Ken, Janice, and Meghan Orner

Lord Jesus, thank you for the opportunity to attend Notre Dame Academy. I know I am here for a reason, and I have 111 sisters that will grow with me as we travel together through our high school journey. “Friends show us who we are, who we were, and who we are to become.” -Unknown

Lord Jesus, thank you for all the opportunities and achievements you have put in my life. These are all learning opportunities that You have given me, and each experience has made me a better, stronger, and more spiritual person. Altar Serving for Cardinal Rigali Receiving an award for altar serving from Cardinal Rigali Being Consecrated to Mary “There are no mistakes, no coincidences. All events are blessings given to us to learn from.” - Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

But Most Importantly…

Lord Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for me. You carried the weight of my sins on Your back on your journey to Calvary. By dying on the cross, you opened up the gates of heaven and freed myself and the rest of the world from our sins. “No man ever loved like Jesus… He died on the cross to save us. He bore our sins. And now, God says, ‘Because He did that, I can forgive you.’” -Unknown

Lord Jesus Christ, though I may not always notice it, there are so many blessings-in-disguise in my life that You have given me. These special people, places, and things have influenced me and helped me to grow not only physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually as well. These blessings are constant reminders of Your unconditional love for me, and I cannot thank you enough for them. Please continue to fill my life with these gracious blessings. I ask this through Christ, our Lord. AMEN.