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Territory reflects on the many blessings of life at Thanksgiving

Polynesian Thanksgiving graphic
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Gov. Lemanu P. S. Mauga and Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata yesterday issued separate statements on Thanksgiving 2022, the official start of the holiday season.

In his annual Thanksgiving message, the governor noted that, “Thanksgiving Season is upon us! It is a time to reflect on the many blessings the Lord has showered upon our Territory and one another.”

“As we contemplate on the significance of this holiday, we continue to be thankful for the support of our people — their fortitude and perseverance through times of adversity is an inspiration,” he said.

“While there is much to celebrate, we are especially thankful for the Lord's unconditional love, grace and unending providence,” he pointed out.

“In this season of gratitude, Lieutenant Governor Talauega and I are thankful for our entire community. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve our Territory and we commend all those who help move our Territory forward,” Lemanu said. “We especially thank our first responders and service members who serve the public every day.”

“As we celebrate Thanksgiving and reflect on the many things for which we are thankful, I encourage you all to come together and express your gratitude for your neighbors, friends, and family who have helped each other over the past year,” he said. “On behalf of Lieutenant Governor Talauega and our families, we wish you all both here and abroad a very happy and safe —Thanksgiving Day!"

In her statement, Uifa’atali said, “Have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving Day. I always enjoy this wonderful time with friends and family, and the opportunity to get away from our busy lives and give thanks to God. While I am in the colder weather in Washington, D.C., I will do my best to recreate some of our delicious island foods for my family dinner, along with U.S. traditional Thanksgiving dishes, and I will be thinking of all of you.

She cited a famous quote by Mother Teresa: “The best way to show my gratitude to God is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy.”

 “This Thanksgiving holiday, I am sending you all my best wishes for homes full of happiness, health, and love. Psalm 107:1 is a well-known verse of thankfulness: ‘O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever’,” she said.

“Work on remaining appropriations legislation for next year will resume at the U.S. Capitol the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. I will keep you informed whenever there’s information on bills that include funding or grant possibilities for our territory,” Uifa’atali concluded.

Bishop Peter H Brown, the bishop of the Catholic Community in American Samoa, says on Thanksgiving, he wishes to take this opportunity to offer thanks to God for the many blessings received from God to our beloved Islands of Tutuila and Manu’a this year. Our recovery from COVID has been slow but sure thanking God for His protection.

He says, the taualuga for him this year was the ordination of the first Samoa bishop for the Catholic Church in American Samoa, Bishop Kolio Etuale. Truly a sign of God’s blessing. He wishes to the thank the people of American Samoa for their loving continuous support for Hope House without which it could not survive Bishop Brown says he prays for families who lost family members called by God to his Kingdom as they grieve for them this Thanksgiving. He wishes all a joyful and safe Thankgiving.

With Thanksgiving Day a local and federal holiday, all ASG offices are closed, as well as many businesses in the territory including the Territorial Bank of American Samoa.

At StarKist Samoa, the largest private employer, there is no production today as well as Friday.

And Friday is called “Black Friday” across the U.S and American Samoa will have its own, with local businesses holding special discount sales.

In observer of the Thanksgiving holiday, Samoa News did not publish today, as well as Friday. And will return on Monday.

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving American Samoa from staff and management of Samoa News.