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giving thanks in many ways: we listen to the children

At a time when our country continues to face seemingly insurmountable problems and some loved ones fight a war in foreign lands, The Messenger invited young people in the diocese to talk about their blessings. Following are comments from young Catholics in our midst. Because of space limitations, these are samples of the close to 1,000 responses we received. A more inclusive list can be found on our website at www.bellevillemessenger.org.

Belleville, Blessed Sacrament
Regan, Gr. 3
I am thankful for my parents and all my teachers who help me learn. I am also thankful for all my food and drink. I am thankful for my friends who play with me. I am thankful for God and Jesus who help me become a better Christian. I am thankful for my aunts and uncles. I am thankful for my brother and cousins. I am thankful for all the martyrs of the Church. I am thankful for my fish.

Gracie, Gr. 3
I am thankful for my family. I am thankful for my pets. I am thankful for my brothers. My brother Christian got in a car accident and he hit a deer and his car got towed. Now he has to take the bus every day, but I still love him. I love my brother Matt, too. I love my whole family.

Elisabeth, Gr. 3
I am thankful for my Mom and Dad. They help me with homework. My dad helps when stuff is too hard. I am happy to have him to look up to. My mom is so nice. She gives the best hugs. I love my mom and dad so much. My dog’s name it Tootsie. I love her, too. I have a great life, thank you God.

Belleville, Cathedral of St. Peter
Alexander Huelskamp, Gr. 2, PSR
I’m thankful for all my pets that I have had and have. I also love my family they are always nice to me and I love them to. I like my friends to they be nice to me if I get hurt thy get a supper visser. I’m also happy that I have my house because if it rains I won’t get wet and I will be safe. I’m thankful for everything that I own and have.

Laila Fischer-Porter, Gr. 2 PSR
I’m thankful for Jesus because he saved us by dying. Next, why I’m thanks for Jesus is because he NEVER did anything ronge. Last, why I’m thankful for Jesus because, that he NEVER hats us! Jesus is the best!

Colette Thro, Gr. 6, PSR
I am thankful for the roof over my head and the floor under my feet at home every day. I am thankful for my family and friends because they stick by me through thick or thin and never let me down. I am thankful for the trees, ocean and sun because they provide food, water, light and happiness for everyone. I am thankful for the ancestors before me because they discovered a lot about what our basic technology is today. I am thanks for my church because it provides a place for me to learn, listen and express my faith, and it also provides a home to a wonderful community.

Hannah Wade, Gr. 6
I am thankful for my friends and family. My family is great because they are always there for me and love me. I am especially thankful for my family because I know that so many kids around the world don’t have any, so they don’t have anybody to take care of them and love them like my family loves me. My friends are great because I know they will always be there for me too. I know I can tell them anything, and they won’t judge me. In some ways I think of my friends as my family. Finally, I am thankful for my Catholic school, Cathedral Grade School.

Madeline Harter, Gr. 6
One of my many blessings is my family. They always provide me with love, and encourage me to follow my dreams, to do well in school and play my best in every sport. They always do the best they can to keep me safe. I am also blessed with food to eat, a home to live in, and friends. My friends are always there to comfort me if I am sad.

Mark Schifferdecker, Gr. 6
I am thankful for all my family and friends. I am also thankful for Thanksgiving, Christmas and birthdays, because you get to be with your family. I am thankful for God, food, water, clothing and shelter because some people in the world do not have that. I am also thankful for church and school so I can learn, go to college, get a good job and have a good life.

Belleville, Our Lady Queen of Peace
Emma Piffner, Gr. 3
I am most thankful for friends and family because you can celebrate Thanksgiving with each other. Every Thanksgiving we have turkey, beets, mashed potatoes, corn and rolls. You can decorate your house with turkeys, pumpkins, scarecrows and more. Please donate money for the poor, so they can have a happy Thanksgiving too. I hope you have a happy Thanksgiving.

Jordyn Roper, Gr. 3
God has given me many things to be thankful for. I’m mostly thankful for my friends and family. I’m also thankful we are in this community and have all the food and water we need. Also, that we have many trees to give us shade. I’m grateful for my home, God, and that Jesus died for us. I am also thankful for all the bishops, priests and people around the world.

Caleb Mertens, Gr. 3
Thanksgiving is a special holiday. I am thankful for my lizard. He is yellow, blue and white. He is scaly. He sleeps all day. His favorite food is mealworms. I’m also thankful for the turkey at Thanksgiving. It smells very good. It tastes delicious.

Emily, Gr. 5
I’m thankful for the opportunities I have in my life. I’m able to go to a catholic school and get a good education. I’m able to stay warm at night and eat a good meal. I have my health and my friends. My family helps me to be a better person.

Evan, Gr. 5
I am so thankful for my family and the opportunities my mom gives me. My mom does everything for me. She feeds me, clothes me, and gets me everything I want. My mom provides me with shelter and lets me go to a Catholic school. My mom is the best mom I could ever imagine. I love her.

Matthew, Gr. 5
I am thankful for my dad. He is going to Iraq and I am thankful for other soldiers that help save our country. I am also thankful for my family. They are always there for my brothers and me. They love me and care for me. I am thankful for mom. She helps me with everything.

Mackenzie White, Gr. 8
God has given me many things that I am very fortunate to have. He has given me the things I need in order to live, such as food, water, shelter and clothing. He has blessed me with a loving family that will always be there for me. He also gave me friends that I can count on to be there when I need them, and I will be there for when they need me. I am thankful for my faith, too, for without it, I would not go very far. I am grateful that God has given me all of these things, and I feel truly blessed to have them.

Graham Perez, Gr. 8
I am thankful for many things. I am thankful for being able to go to a Catholic school. For me to go there means a big sacrifice for my parents. I am also thankful for my friends for being there for me. Also I am thankful for being able to eat every day. I am thankful for my family. They lead me through tough times and help me grow in my faith.

Alyssa Stephens, Gr. 8
I am thankful for my family and my friends because they make me happy when I am sad. They also love and care for me by giving me food, water and shelter. I am also thankful for Jesus dying to save us from original sin. I am thankful for the Holy Spirit’s help in making decisions when I don’t know what to do. I am also thankful for God’s forgiveness.

Belleville, St. Luke
Joshua Phillips, Gr. 4, PSR
I am thankful for having a family so I wont be lonely. I am thankful for having a dog so I can ply with them and have fun. I am thankful for having a house so I can have shelter when we have a storm. I am thankful for having food so I won’t starve. I am thankful for having a school to go to so I will be smart. I am thankful for having a brother and a sister so they can help me. I am thankful for having money to go to fun places. I am thankful for having clothes and shoes so I won’t be cold. I am thankful for having a nice family so I wouldn’t be torcherd. I am thankful for having toys so I can have fun. I am thankful for being alive.

Delaney Foster, Gr. 4, PSR
I am thankful for going to family reunions because I can bond with my family. Some people there I don’t even know! I am also thankful for being educated because I’ll have knowledge for a job when I grow up. I am thankful for having food so I won’t die of starvation. I am thankful for having clothes so I won’t go out in public naked.

Leah Schneider, Gr. 6, PSR
I am thankful for my house, my family, my dog Topper, for food, for my life. I am also thankful for having people that care for me and love me. I have a lot more than some people, but I am thankful for all of that. I love my family and I thankful for them and my friends. I am thankful everything I have.

Belleville, St. Mary-St. Augustine
Madisen Breunig, Gr. 7
I am fortunate enough to have many things to be thankful for. I have wonderful parents that care for me and provide for me. I am extremely grateful that my family, friends and I are all blessed with good health. I am lucky enough to have the loving support of family and friends. I am glad that we have enough food to eat and are able to help those who do not. I am grateful for my pets, past and present, they have brought many lessons, such as responsibility, into my life, as well as love. I am appreciative that my parents send me to a Catholic school, and make many sacrifices because of that. I am also thankful for all of the men and women who risk their lives every day for this country and the people in it. I am thankful for our country, in which we have the freedoms of speech, religion, and what we choose to do with our lives. Most importantly, I am thankful that I have God watching out for me and protecting the people I love.

A.J. DiGiovanni, Gr. 7
Sometimes we devote so much attention to material things in life — television, money and other luxuries. It’s easy to take for granted the blessings that some people aren’t fortunate enough to have. I know, you hear this all the time. Still, now is the time to remember how blessed we are.
What am I thankful for? My family, my friends, and my teachers; my country, full of beauty and opportunity; my talents; my health; my education, based on Catholic fundamentals; my rights and freedoms as an American citizen; my imagination, and all of the things that inspire it and are created from it — a song, a story, a picture; and all of the wondrous things in the world that God has created. Truly, I am a fortunate person to have all of these blessings.

Cornelius Moore, Gr. 8
One of the blessings I am thankful for is my mom because she is there for me no matter what. She loves me unconditionally. I am also thankful for my grandparents because they have a lot of wisdom which they share with me.

Belleville, St. Teresa of the Child Jesus
Nick Newlin, Gr. 3
I am thankful for my family because my mom helps me when I am sick. My dad takes me to my sports. And my sister buys me things.

Abby Brandenburger, Gr. 3
I am thankful for my best friend Gabbie Nogaruras because she is very funny and sweet. She always cheers me up when I am upset. I really don’t’ know what I would do without her.

Kendra Gibbons, Gr. 4
I’m thankful for animals. The animals I’m thankful for are pigs, dogs, cats and my more that I can’t think of. I’m glad that they can help you. I love pigs, because they are really dirty (but they are cut too). Dogs can help you because I heard that one dog saved a girls life. It has happened alot. Cats are lazy but they eat pesky mice. There are alot more things I’m thankful for but that would take three more pages!

Callison Ames, Gr. 4
I am thankful for our freedom. I am thankful God put you and me on this earth, and I am thankful for my family. We are blessed to have beautiful animals. I am thankful for freedom because you can choose what I want to be when I grow up.

Breese, All Saints Academy
Jade, Gr. 2
Dear God,
Thank you for all the blessings you have given me. Thank you for my mom and dad. Thank you for all my brothers and sisters. Thank you for water and food. Thank you for all the fun I have with my friends. They are really funny. Thank you for being with me and Jesus being with me. Thank you for all the people I know.

Andrew Stevenson, Gr. 2
I am most thankful this Thanksgiving for the veterans because they helped protect the United States. I am also thankful for my pet turtle because he’s easy to take care of and he always takes a bath.

Alex, Gr. 4
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year. You get yummy food, but that is not what Thanksgiving is about. Thanksgiving is about counting your blessings, and I am thankful for my family, my home, my belongings, and the food I have. Thanksgiving is fun, but you have to remember the true meaning.

Grant P., Gr. 5
On Thanksgiving we have to give thanks to God. We also have to be thankful and have some blessings. I’m thankful for the food he gave us. I also bless the poor, the hungry, the sick, the lonely and everyone in the entire world.

Sydney Hitpas, Gr. 6
I am very grateful for my Catholic education and faith because at a Catholic school I get to learn about my religion in every subject. I’m also grateful for having good days and bad days because now I know the difference. I’m grateful for these things because now I know the difference. I’m grateful for these things because if I didn’t have them, I wouldn’t know how good I have it!

Mitchell Wiegmann, Gr. 6
I am most grateful for my family, God and the best school I could ever attend. All Saints. I am thankful for these because I can’t imagine anything better. God blessed me with all of these things because God probably thought it was right for me.

Alex Koopmann, Gr. 6
One thing I am grateful for are light bulbs. Light bulbs allow me to read the Bible before I fall asleep at night. They also allow me to see all the good things that I am surrounded by within this world. Light bulbs allow me to do my work, work a form of prayer.

Cahokia, Holy Family
Adrian Ramos, Kindergarten
I am thankful for my family and teachers.

Madison McGinnis, Gr. 1
I am thankful for our school.

Belle Plew, Gr. 3
I am thankful for my family because they are always there for me when I’m sad. I am thankful for my brother because if I didn’t have him I would be lonely. I am also thankful for my church because without it I would not be able to learn about God.

Jacob Holmes, Gr. 4
I’m thankful for being in the 4th grade. If it wasn’t for my parents, I would never pass. They help me through my work, projects and assignments. That is how I got better grades. When I got my paper back for who will pass, I was very scared so I didn’t open it until I got home. After I gave it to my parents, they opened it and said I passed. That was the day I thanked my parents.

Max Barrett, Gr. 5
My name is Max. I am thankful for many things. I’m thankful for having food on the table. Another thing I’m thankful for is my family. I’m also thankful for clothing, a roof over my head, and a bed to sleep on.

Dylan Cornwell Gr. 5
I am thankful for being born. I am thankful for my mom and dad. I’m thankful for my brother and sister. I am thankful for my pet. I’m very thankful for my bread and water.

Julie French, Gr. 6
I’m thankful for my family and my teacher. They have been so helpful with church and school. They helped me with my work and they helped me to get my faith. They helped me become a Christian. I am going to be thankful forever in life. Being thankful for going to church is so nice. I get to be in front of God. I’m also thankful to be one of God’s people. I am glad to be blessed by God.

Jessica Stansch, Gr. 6
I am thankful for wonderful parents, and loving siblings (Kyle, Kris, Steffany). Also for all my awesome friends, and all my pets, my cat and dog, my parish and all the people in my parish that make it a good parish, and for Jesus, Joseph and Mary. But lastly I am thankful for God, and everything about my life that is good.

Corrina Eversgerd, Gr. 8
I am thankful for my friends and family because they are always here for me and they bring joy to my life. I am also thankful for my teachers because they help me learn and they influence everyday of my life. I’m thankful for all priests, bishops and the pope because they help us learn about God and welcome us into the church; thankful for God because he gave me life and I know that he is always with me through anything.

Bridget D., Gr. 8
I am thankful for my family because they are always there for me; my friends because they are fun and amazing; my teachers for giving me a good education; the soldiers in Iraq for fighting for our lives; but most importantly I’m thankful for God for putting me on this earth and giving me the chance to experience life.

Columbia, Immaculate Conception
Marie, Gr. 1
I am blessed because I have baby William and grandparents and more cousins. I love my parents.

Kylie, Gr. 1
I am thankful for having God in my life because he made me he is a good person.

Eli, Gr. 1
I am thankful for the talent of fishing because I can catch a blue catfish it was big enough to eat my handle.

Bryce Pautler, Gr. 2
I am grateful for food so we can live. I am grateful for my pals because they can play with me. I am grateful for my family because they help me choose good choices. I am grateful for a perfect soccer season. All from God!

Zack Gillan, Gr. 4
There are many things I am thankful for. I am thankful to be able to attend Immaculate Conception School. At Immaculate Conception I know I will get a good Catholic education. I am also thankful for God. As long as you have God in your life you will be happy. In summary, I think it is great to go to a school where I can mix education with religion.

Sarah Lantsberger, Gr. 6
I am thankful for my life, even though there are obstacles that come in my way. The fact that I can wake up to a new day, every day, it brings me joy. I thank you God for everything.

Monica Schuler, Gr. 6
On Halloween day my gray cat Zoe went missing. We figured she would show up the next day, but she didn’t and it is not like her to miss a meal. My whole family became alarmed. Days went by and she didn’t turn up. We prayed to God asking him to help us find our cat. Then on Wednesday when Allison, my little sister, and I got home from the bus we saw Zoey waiting for us by the door. We were so happy and relieved to have our cat back. That is what I am thankful for. That my cat is back and God answered our prayers.

Amanda Schmidt, Gr. 6
I am thankful for doctors and firefighters who keep everyone safe. I am also thankful for God who gave me a heart and a soul to live happily always. I am also very thankful for the people in my life who brighten my day including my best friend and my family.

Germantown, St. Boniface
Darren Hemker, Gr. 3, PSR
I am thankful for my family and my house so that I am not in the cold and for my food so I am not so hungry. And for water so I am not so thirsty. And for my friends so I am not just standing around sometime.

Elise Harmon, Gr. 3, PSR
I am thankful that I have a roof over my head because if I didn’t have one I would be poor and wet. I am thankful for the food that I have because if I didn’t I would be starving till death. I am thankful for my family because they give me hugs everyday.

Herrin, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
Cheseney Cox, Kindergarten
I am thankful for falling leaves to make a pile to jump in. I am thankful for my friends at school and my family. I am also thankful for Jesus. And also the shiney sun and shade trees and pretty flowers.

Matthew Buttitta, Kindergarten
I am thankful for turkey, our pet birds, baking with grandpa, the beach and feeling good. I am thankful for my new dog, Owen. I am not the youngest in my family anymore since my new dog is 1 year old. I am thankful for making cakes with Mommy when it gets cold outside. I am thankful for my family, my daddy, mommy and Jeff and for my friends and my school and church.

Allison Jones, Gr. 1
I’m thankful for my parents and that God gave me a house and that God gave me friends and food.

Shane Smith, Gr. 2
I am thankful for what God has given me. I am thankful for Jesus and my frogs. My first blessing is Jesus. Jesus is my blessing because he died for us. My second blessing is my frogs. My frogs are a blessing because they love me. My blessings put a smile on my face.

Caitlin Murray, Gr. 2
I am thankful for the things I have been given by God. I am thankful for my cat and my family. I am thankful for my cat. He is cute. I am thankful for my family. They have always been nice to me. I think my blessings are awesome.

Olivia Osman, Gr. 2
I am thankful for many blessings. I am thankful for Thanksgiving and for the Holy Spirit. I am thankful for Thanksgiving. I like Thanksgiving because I like the food that my grandma makes. I am thankful for the Holy Spirit. I like the Holy Spirit because God gave him to us. I like both of my blessings.

Meredith, Gr. 2
I am thankful for two things. These tiny things are my family and fruits. My first thing that I am thankful for is my family. I like my family because they are nice. My second thing that I am thankful for is fruit. I like fruit because it is sweet. I am thankful for these things because they are good things.

Victor Sanchez, Gr. 2
I have two thankful things. These thankful things are God’s creation and snakes. My first thankful is God creation. I like God creation because it is beautiful. My second thankful things is snake. I like snake because they are cool! These thankful thing are the Best!

Matthew, Gr. 2
I am thankful for two things. I am thankful for my parents and pets. My first thing is my parents. I like my parents because they gave me life. My second thing is my pets. I like my pets because they play with me. I like these things because make my family special.

Alex Stallman, Gr. 3
Everyone has something to be thankful for. God has given us so many blessings. I’m thankful for my family, friends, schools and pets. I’m also thankful for my house, food, notebooks, pencils and eternal life. I pray for the children who don’t have any food or books.

Lexi Lukuc, Gr. 3
Everyone has something to be thankful for. God has given me so many blessings. I am thankful for my family, my friends, life and water. I am also thankful for food, crayons and paper. I always remember to pray to God and thank him for the blessings he shared with me.

Harly Crawshaw, Gr. 6
The Lord gives us very many gifts, but I am thankful for these especially. My family, first of all, is something I am very thankful for. My parents and grandparents are always there for me. My aunts and uncles are always there to talk to. Cousins are just people who are fun to be around that you’re related to. I’m also thankful for my friends and teachers. My friends are some of the best people in my life. They’re fun to be around, always there to talk to and are always there for me. The teachers at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel are so nice. They teach me so much and they teach at our school when they could make more money at other schools. This next one is kinda weird, but I am thankful for books. Books can either teach you something, or be something fun to read. These are some of the things I’m thankful for.

Austin Eichhorn, Gr. 6
This Thanksgiving I am thankful for good food to eat, clean water to drink and family time to spend. I am thankful that most of my family is still here to enjoy this coming holiday-Thanksgiving with me. I am thankful that I am still alive to enjoy what God has given me. I am very thankful that the world has invented pumpkin pie, and I am not allergic to it-I can eat it. I am thankful for turkey and stuffing to go in. I am thankful for all this and more, but I am thankful for parents that love and take care of me.

Aaron Steele, Gr. 8
I am thankful for my family, my priest, Fr. Ken, for teaching me about God. I am very thankful for God because he gave me good math skills.

Alex Muniz, Gr. 8
I am thankful for my family. They help and encourage me when I am in a tough spot. I know I can count on them to be there for me. My mom was a big help with my science fair project. My dad points me in more mature directions. My sister makes me laugh. My brother is a great buddy and understudy. My dog (Cessn) is always there to give me “a paw” when I am down. I am thankful God placed me in my family.

Anna Spoerre, Gr. 8
I am thankful for many things. As the thanksgiving holiday rolls around again, I am reminded of how many good things I have in my life. Every morning when I wake up I am grateful for the sunrise and a cozy bed. I am thankful for my parents, my brother and my sister. I am thankful for technology that has made life easier. A Catholic school with excellent learning opportunities should not be taken for granted. I am so thankful for my country, family and friends! I am thankful for everything God has made and given em. The beauty of the earth, a roof over my head, and the blessings of certain abilities others don’t have such as sight, the ability to walk, and good health are all wonderful. I am thankful for everything I have, good and bad, because the bad only makes me stronger. I am thankful for not having much bad at all in my life; the good outweights it by a lot. I am thankful for life, and all that God brings with it.

Laura Guebert, Gr. 8
In this world that we live in, there are so many things we can be thankful for that we hardly even think about. God has given us uncountable blessings, everything from the gentle breeze that drifts across your face on a hot summer day to a pine tree bedecked with snow in the winter. I can’t even begin to explain all that I am thankful for, though I do wish to scratch the surface. I thank my God for my mother who loves me unconditionally, my father who works harder than any man I know, my brother who shows his love in a strange way, and my sister who is everything a sister is supposed to be. My family is not the only thing I’m grateful for. I feel so happy that God has blessed me with the ability to see with my eyes, hear with my ears, feel with my hands, smell with my nose and taste with my tongue. These simple senses are what let us view the world. I am so grateful that I can feel the warmth of the sun as it caresses my face, see the snow as it glistens on the ground, smell the scent of the rustic pine trees, taste the pumpkin pie that sits on my plate and hear the purr of my cat as it sits by the fireplace. I am thankful for my friends who are always there for me. For every smile that flashes at me and every hug that wipes the tears away, my friends always support me. I am thankful for my country that stands proud and strong and the soldiers that stand against all odds to see us through the night. One last thing that I must say that I am beyond grateful is my God. God is my Maker and the one who will take me home when I have died. I am thankful for Him because he did not abandon me whenever I sinned and he loves me and forgives me. Thank you, God, for everything you have blessed me with.

Marydale, St. Teresa of Avila
Lexi Stule
I am thankful for girl scout Tagalong cookies. I’m not in girl scouts but I love their cookies. You can’t blame me. I mean they melt in your mouth.

Regan Kluemke, Gr. 2, PSR
I am thankful for turkey, food, water, beds, nature, Indians, family, God, Jesus, Mary, Angels, St. Teresa’s.

Lohgan Van Hatten, Gr. 2, PSR
I’m thankful for my family and friends. Because they are nice and helpful. When my friends fight we just start over. Me and my brother and sister play together thats why I’m thankful for them. Sometimes we fight but I’m still thankful for them. I love my family.

Millstadt, St. James
Jack Toenjes, Gr. 3
I am thankful for food because most are good for you. I am also thankful for my mom and dad because they love me. I am thankful for Mrs. K. because she helps me get smart. I am thankful for pet porcy he is a dog because loveable and always happy. I am thankful for grandparents who help me.

Mark Branz, Gr. 3
I’m thankful for my family because they help me do many things. Sometimes we play board games together like Big Pay Day. Families are great. When we get together we play football, kickball and other games together. Together we are a team and together is love and trust. I love my family and friends. That’s what I’m thankful for.

Murphysboro, St. Andrew
Isaac Harris, Gr. 7
I am thankful for the many blessings and gifts that have been given to me by God. I am very blessed to have a loving, caring thoughtful family. I am also very blessed to be part of St. Andrew Church and very privileged to be able to get a Catholic education. These are just some of the many blessings that God has given me. You should think about your blessings, too.

New Athens, St. Agatha
Courtney Mehner, Gr. 5
I am thankful for my family, friends. I am also thankful for my house, pool and hot tub. Also, I am thankful for my dog, shed, my aunts, uncles and cousins. I am blessed that I have a school to go to and that I get food and drinks. I can bless my room that I sleep in. I am thankful that it is sometimes sunny and rainy so we can plant vegetables and fruits and flowers.

Bailey Gale, Gr. 5
I am mostly thankful for my family. I am thankful for them because they do so much for me. Next, comes my friends and pets. My friends are helpful when I need them. I am thankful for my house and all the things I have. My parents buy be all the things I have. I am thankful for my school. Everybody I know makes my school better. One of my blessings is my town and where I live. Jesus made our world a beautiful place. I am thankful for my teachers. They do so much for me and help me improve myself. I am thankful for my life and Jesus.

Taylor Smith, Gr. 6
I am thankful for my life. Though many people don’t think abut it, your life is very important. Some people lose their lives from diseases such as cancer. I am thankful I didn’t get cancer like my mother. I am also thankful for my family, friends, and my education. If I didn’t have these things I don’t know where I would be.

O’Fallon, St. Clare of Assisi
Rachel Sabella, Gr. 5
I am thankful for everything I have in life. I am thankful that I have a house and parents and that they have a job. I’m thankful for a brother and sister and four different kinds of pets. I’m thankful for my mom’s friend who gave us three mice. My mom doesn’t like rodents so she gave them to me to take care of. I am happy God gave me a crafty talent. I am thankful.

Olney, St. Joseph
Gr. 1, 2, 3
I am thankful for ...
...shelter because without shelter I would get wet and hot. Chelsea O.
...my family because they love me and take care of me. Lance M.
...life because if I did not have life I would not be here right now. Paige S.
...my family because they protect me in everyway. Cadin A.
...my teacher because she teaches me math, reading and spelling. Cecelia E.
...elephants because they lift logs with their trunks. Ethan B.
...rats because they are fun to take care of and fun to watch. Madeline M.
...my dog because he is so cute that I always think about him. Riley D.
...my teacher because she teaches me stuff I don’t know. Ben S.
...my family because I would not live that long because I am not able to cook my own food. Colin C.
...my brother because he is related to me and he loves me. Kira D.
...water because if I did not have water, I would not be strong and healthy. Carter J.
...my family because they look out for me and my brother. Gavin D.
...the trees because the trees help us breath air and I can breath air. Rylin D.
...my Mom and Dad because they love me and they taught me to crawl. Elizabeth H.
...my friends and family because they help me to do my best everyday. Haven D.
...my family because they love me and they take care of me. Parker M.
...my mom and dad because they care for me and love me. They treat me very well. Tristen P.
...the food that God gave me because when my family needs the food we share it. Ashley A.
...turtles because they are green and can protect themselves with their shells. Colin K.
...my dog because she protects me from harm. Kaylei E.
...my brothers and sisters because they like to be around me. Trevor B.
...God because I love him and pray to him. Breanna Z.

Paderborn, St. Michael
Jake Schweiger, Gr.7, PSR
My family, all the things my mom and dad do for me, my friends, my church community, my PSR teachers, my teachers at school, the men and women that serve our country to protect our freedom, and making the basketball team at school.

Jennifer Probst, Gr. 7, PSR
I am thankful for many things. I’m blessed with my friends and how close we are. I am also thankful for my family, and how much we love each other. But most of all, I am thankful that my family and I can sit down and eat dinner together. Some families are broken and I’m just grateful that my family is all here, and together, and that we all live in America.

Radom, St. Michael
Dustin Chesnek, Gr. 7
I have been blessed with a lot of blessing in my life. I have received some of the best parents in the world who care for me and buy me special things. Dad helps me with my chores. Mom teaches me how to do the right things. I have grandparents that tend to spoil me and let me do anything I need to without them saying no. I have the rest of my family members who are willing to help me do anything that I need and to help me when I need it. I am also thankful for my animals, my wheeler, my sisters, and anything that I have received and things that I will receive in the rest of life.

Tannyr Novak, Gr. 8
I’ve been blessed with the talent to play basketball, football, baseball and other sports. God has given me everything and anything I’ve needed and almost everything I’ve wanted. He’s blessed me with many animals like chickens, dog, cats, rabbits, and fish. God has blessed me with a variety of things that I’ve needed and wanted, and none of those things are the most important. The important things to me are the people who surround me like my mom, my dad, my brothers, my cousins, my grandma, my grandpa, my uncles and my aunts those are the best blessings God can give a person. Those people are the people who make it possible for me to play sports to have all them animals and for all the extras I have. God has blessed me with talents of playing sports and I thank him for that. God has blessed me with smartness and I thank him for that, but nothing can beat the greatest blessing of all, and that’s your family.
Red Bud, St. John the Baptist

Austin Weigard, Gr. 6
I’m thankful for a lot of things. I would like to start at being thankful for my family. I’m thankful for my family because they care for me and they love me. I am also thankful for God. Because he has provided us with food, water, and shelter. I am thankful for the safe town and country I am living in. Finally I am thankful for the troops in the war fighting for our country. I share my blessings by being nice to others. I also share them by showing sportsmanship in school sports and outside of school. Well, that’s what I’m thankful for and how I show my blessings. Do you have something you are thankful for? How do you share your blessings?

Red Bud, St. John the Baptist
Austin Weigard, Gr. 6
I’m thankful for a lot of things. I would like to start at being thankful for my family. I’m thankful for my family because they care for me and they love me. I am also thankful for God. Because he has provided us with food, water, and shelter. I am thankful for the safe town and country I am living in. Finally I am thankful for the troops in the war fighting for our country. I share my blessings by being nice to others. I also share them by showing sportsmanship in school sports and outside of school. Well, that’s what I’m thankful for and how I show my blessings. Do you have something you are thankful for? How do you share your blessings?

Courtney Maisel, Gr. 6
I am thankful for my family. When I’m sad or need someone to cheer me up they are always there for me. My mom and dad buy me food. I wouldn’t be able to live without them. They also give me a place to live. My cousins always give me something to laugh about. They always take me places too! My aunts and uncles come to a lot of my sport events. When I’m selling stuff they are the first to buy something. My grandparents are always there for me. When I worry they worry, and when I’m sad they are sad too. They look out for me almost every minute of the day.
I’m also thankful for my friends. They are rally nice. When I need help on homework they always help me. They help me with my every day problems too. When I’m bored they give me something to do. They always give me something to laugh about! I am very thankful for them!
Finally, I’m thankful for everything I’m able to have. I have so much stuff! Some people can’t afford clothes and food. I’m thankful that my parents are able to have jobs with the economy this bad. This Thanksgiving I’m going to pray for the people who don’t have money, food, clothes, family or friends.

Waterloo, SS. Peter and Paul
Josh Gregson, Gr. 2
The blessing I am thankful for are my family because I love my family. I like playing with my family and watching movies. I am also thankful for Mrs. Huels because she is nice. She lets us do fun things.

Grace Lyons, Gr. 3
There are many things I am thankful for. The first thing I am thankful for are my parents. I am thankful for my parents because they feed me and take care of me when I’m sick. They also laugh with me through happy times and are sad with me through sad times.
Another thing I’m thankful for is my six year old brother Harry. I am thankful for my brother because he is my best friend. When he spent the night at a friend’s house I was bored because I missed him.
Another thing I am thankful for are my Grandmas. My Grandpas passed away. My Grandmas love me and I couldn’t ask for anything more! I am so glad to have a house! I love my house because it is so big. It has a big backyard for my dogs. I am lucky to have a house! I am lucky to have a Catholic School to go to every day! I have a nice teacher, I have nice friends and best of all, my mom works there! I am also thankful for food. I couldn’t live without food. It’s good to have food! There are many more things I am thankful for, but these are most important!

Ben Huels, Gr. 5
There are many things I am thankful for. I am thankful for my Catholic church because it will be easier to go to heaven. My parents help me do homework and study. I wouldn’t do as good without them. I’m thankful for God and Jesus because we wouldn’t be here without Him. I’m glad I have 3 brothers and sisters. It would be boring not having them. You’d have to play all by yourself at all times. I’m thankful for lots of other things but these are the main ones.

Joey Green, Gr. 5
There are a lot of things that I want to give thanks to God for but there are two things I especially want to give thanks for. The first thing is my parents. I’m giving thanks to Him for them because they always try to guide me down the right path. The second thing is my 4 brothers. Even though they are annoying sometimes I will always love them the way they are. These are some of the things that I want to give thanks to God for.

Tessa Buchheit, Gr. 5
This time of year is when I count my blessings. Although there are many things I am thankful for, I think my parents are the most important. They are the most important because they drive me to my games, buy me things I need and don’t need, and they love me. Also I‘m thankful for my brothers and sisters. Even though we fight sometimes, they always help me and most importantly we love each other. The last thing I am thankful for is my classmates and friends. They always help me through tough times. I am very glad that I have all of these things.

Waterloo, Home School
Amanda Toth, Gr. 3
One of like a hundred blessings that I have is my family: my Dad, my Mom, my brother and my three little sisters. Some other blessings are my comfy house with a comfy bed that a lot of other people do not have. We have lots of food and water. We have enough money for medical bills, medicine, land, and a car to drive around in. I have friends, aunts, uncles and cousins that I am thankful for. I have a lot of other blessings. I have so much that I can’t write them all down!

The following came in too late to be included in this issue of The Messenger:

Aviston, St. Francis of Assisi
Hunter Strubhart, Gr. 3
I am thankful that I have a family and friends, I don't have the flu or the fever.

Garrett Richter, Gr. 3
I am thankful for having a school and having thanksgiving. I am thankful for having friends and a family. I am thankful having food and turkey.

Ariel Markus, Gr. 3
I am thankful for my daddy so he is better and my family so they feel better and the school if the school is sick.

Maxwel Kampwerth, Gr. 3
I am thankful for having thankgiving. I am thankful for having a family We are thankful for having this state. I am thankful for having friends.

Dylan, Gr. 3
I am thankful for my family, my dog. My family and friends, food, houses, games, books and schools, clothes, computers and outside for a lot of fun.

Brent Huelsmann, Gr. 4
I am thankful for money to buy a billion tractors, not those stinky red ones, orange, blue, yellow. The only tractors I love are green tractors. I don't like white tractors either.

Adison Kohrmann, Gr. 4
I am thankful for my loving parents. I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world. Also, my cool band that my BFF Sarah Boeser and I started.

Kaitlyn, Gr. 4
I'm thankful for church, my friends and my family. My friends help me get through things like a bully or hard times at schoolm My family loves me and cares for me. And lastly I'm thankful for the church because it is a peaceful place and it helps me to connect to God.

Amber, Gr. 4
I am thankful for my grandparents. I am thankful for my hampster. I am thankful for my shed.

Olivia Wesselmann, Gr. 4
I am thankful for my family, my dog Boey and a home. I am thankful that I can have waffles.

Malina Eversgerd, Gr. 4
I'm thankful fo my mom, my dad, my brother, my cat, my turtle, my fish, all the food I have to eat and my TV.

Freeburg, St. Joseph
Blake Bone, Gr. 8
I am thankful for the many blessings in my life, such as having a family to support and love me. I am thankful for having friends that help me at times. Blessings can be very small, but can mean a lot to people even if they don't see it. Even getting home safe can be a blessing. I am also thankful for being able to read and write for some people do not. It is a blessing just to have an education. We are all blessed in some special way. I am thankful for everything God has given men.

Megan Beisiegel, Gr. 8
God has given me many things to be thankful for. I am very thankful that my 4-year-old cousin might not have cancer anymore. I am thankful that God has kept me safe from all the dangers in life. I am thankful for all of my family. I am thankful that Jesus saved us from all our sins.

Samantha Wilke, Gr. 8
I am very blessed for how my life has turned out so far. Sure, some things have happened that were disappointments, but they were still a blessing. They taught me life lessons that help me make good choices in my adolescence. Therefore, I am thankful to God for stopping all of the things that could've happened or stopped the "ifs" in life that are always there. For example, my family is safe, I have food, my friends and I are happy, and I have a warm place to live. Those are some of the many blessing God has bestowed upon me. There are many more to come as I grow older with age. I will always have faith in God, and he will always have faith in me no matter what happens, that is the most important blessing of all.

Justin Reinneck, Gr. 7
I am thankful for many things. I am very fortunate to have all of these things. These things include my family, my house, love and my pet. I am thankful for my family because of the love that they give to me. My house shelters me from the weather. Love, the ost important of all the gifts God gave to us. Last, my dog, Maggie, who cheers me up when I have a bad day.

(Children’s spellings left as is for the most part.)