Natchez &8212; Thanksgiving was the theme of a community service held at St. Mary Basilica Tuesday evening, when about 200 worshipers from different Natchez churches came together to sing, pray and reflect on their blessings.

&8220;We have chosen to pray together,&8221; said the Rev. David O&8217;Connor, pastor of St. Mary. &8220;As Christians, we are called to be a grateful people, and we are doing that this evening.&8221;

O&8217;Connor called on the congregation to slow down, reflect and be prayerful.

&8220;We are a community that prays separately. It is something special when we can come together to pray,&8221; he said.

O&8217;Connor recalled the story of the Pilgrims and the hardships they endured in the early days of settlement in America. &8220;They felt very much moved to give thanks to God for the blessings they experienced in the new land,&8221; he said. &8220;We, too, are blessed.&8221;

He referred to the blessings of the community in being able to help so many who fled to Natchez in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and then Rita. He recalled particularly the &8220;enormous work done by our churches at that time.&8221;

The Rev. Cliff Marvel, president of the Natchez Ministerial Alliance, which sponsored the service, praised the show of unity represented in the attendance.

&8220;How pleasant it is to dwell together with our brethren in unity,&8221; he said.

Pam McDonald, a Presbyterian, attended the service with a neighbor, a Catholic. Unity was precisely what the service represented to her. &8220;I think this service makes a profound statement that we are one community. I think this verifies it.&8221;

The Holy Family Catholic Church Gospel Choir sang lively hymns, both at the beginning of the service and at the end, inspiring the congregation to clap hands along with them.

The offering was dedicated to Catholic Charities and the Stewpot. Martha Mitternight, director of Catholic Charities, and Louis Gunning of the Stewpot described the two organizations.

&8220;The Bible teaches us that the moral test of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable members,&8221; Mitternight said. She reminded those present that Catholic Charities helps people of all faiths and of no religious affiliation.

&8220;About 85 percent of those we help are not Catholic.&8221;

Gunning gave thanks for the volunteers and the donors who have made the Stewpot successful in serving daily about 225 meals.

O&8217;Connor closed his remarks by urging all there to think of their blessings and to take the steps to become a truly grateful person. &8220;My hope is that each of us becomes more and more awed at how God has blessed us in so many ways,&8221; he said.