They are 11 all told—husband and wife and nine healthy children. This is rare today; almost unheard of. But it’s true. Cynics snarl and utter an “obviously Catholic” reproach while supporters beam and secretly envy their collective joy. In fact, all 11 Liptons are Catholic and joyful to be so.

Their oversized van is a domestic bus that deposits each child at their respective grammar, middle, and junior high school every weekday. The same transport is parked at the local library on Saturday afternoons and climbs to their hilltop parish in time for the 10:15 Mass on Sunday mornings.

The key to their happiness lies in the age-old maxim: “A family that prays together, stays together.” Their grace before meals is a good example of this and has its own unique trailer and charm. They make the sign of the cross, bow their heads, and in unison pray, “Bless us O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty through Christ Our Lord, and God bless our family, and thank you God for my food.” The two realities of family and faith are merged together into the cherished values of caring and nourishment—a mirror image of the faith-filled community gathered around the table of the Lord.

Each year in November, our U.S. celebration of Thanksgiving blends together these same two recipes of enthusiastic belief and jubilant fellowship into a delicious festivity of gratitude.

Is such appreciation limited to the parental domicile, we might ask? Are those young adults who are away at college also glad about these same fortunes? For anyone who may have a momentary doubt, here is this year’s response from a random group of collegians who were asked to complete this sentence: “When I think of Thanksgiving in 2023, I am most grateful for….” An overwhelming majority of 79% placed “family” at the top of the list. Loyal friendships and authentic spirituality ranked close behind. Of course, “missing their pets” was high on the list as well.

As a nation founded upon the bedrock of Christian ethics, we can take comfort in knowing that our future generations, despite any setbacks or sorrows from pandemics or divorce, continue to hold their family loved ones and God’s generous gifts close to their American hearts.

Holy Homework: During this month of saints, souls, and giving thanks, let’s add the Lipton phrase to our grace before meals: God bless our family and thank you, God, for my food.

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