For many of us, Thanksgiving Day means family, food and football. We feast on all three until we’re ready to burst. Other than saying grace, we may forget why we’re celebrating in the first place.

But what if we transformed November into an entire month of Thanksgiving? It’s a thought that resonates with pastors across our diocese who are using the opportunity of Our Campaign for The Church Alive! to not only raise much-needed resources, but to help parishioners practice Christian stewardship.

Catholic teachings tell us we need to recognize God as the origin of life, giver of freedom, and source of all things. We are grateful for the gifts we receive and are eager to use them to show our love for God and for one another.

“It starts with the Eucharist, which comes from the Greek word ‘eucharistia’ and means ‘thanksgiving,’” said Father Peter Horton, pastor of St. Winifred Parish in Mt. Lebanon. “We celebrate what it means to give thanks, encouraging others to share their gifts, not just once a year, but every day for the Glory of God and the goodness we receive.”

It’s important to be grateful throughout the month of November, Father Horton believes, so we can thank God for all the blessings in our lives—the blessing of freedom, especially to celebrate the sacraments, and the gifts of our family and friends.

“Make time in November to write someone who’s made a difference in your life,” Father Horton said. “Do volunteer work in your parish or community, maybe visit a sick friend. This is what we do as followers of Christ.”

Bishop David Zubik’s Prayer for The Church Alive! echoes that invitation. “We commit ourselves to all we do with Your many gifts, not done for ourselves, but for You and for one another.”

The International Catholic Stewardship Council suggests the celebration of Thanksgiving should focus on helping us look toward God. Father Harry Nichols, pastor of St. Patrick and St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Pittsburgh’s Strip District, agrees.

“Giving thanks takes us out of ourselves and points us in the direction of God, church and others,” Father Nichols said. “Gratitude has to be a practical reality, like sharing through the campaign as well as in the normal contributions to our parishes.”

“In school and as families praying, we try to teach our children to have an ‘attitude of gratitude,’” said Father William Feeney, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Washington, PA. “Through prayers of petition we acknowledge that God is a central part of our lives, but we need to give thanks more thoughtfully, not just by rote.”

Consider thanking God for all the people in your life who have gone before you, then expressing gratitude to those who really matter to you. Drop them a note or place a short phone call. Attend at least one Mass outside the regular weekend Masses, and be sure to celebrate on Thanksgiving morning to help enrich the day.

“It’s a constant challenge to present people with the hope that God gives us,” Father Feeney said. “This life has blessings, not just to be consumed by each person, but passed on.

“Pope Francis reminds us to do the little things well, to think of others every day, not just on Sunday or Thanksgiving,” Father Feeney said.

Such an approach helps us as Christian stewards to receive God’s gifts gratefully, cultivate them responsibly, share them lovingly in justice with others, and return them with increase to the Lord.

If we’re intentional in expressing gratitude throughout the month of November, by the time Thanksgiving Day arrives, we can better enjoy all the turkey and the touchdowns.