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Thank you for your research and your sharing of the power of gratitude to heal and to bring happiness. I've been teaching Catholic moral theology for over 30 years, and, unfortunately, we've only relatively recently rediscovered the treatise on happiness that had prevailed for centuries. At the beginning of the Modern Era, the treatise disappeared and was replaced with the treatise on law or human acts as the first topic in moral theology. Of course, happiness is central to Jesus' teaching (Beatitude is one of 2 words in Latin for happiness; the Greek word that Jesus uses in the Gospel of St. Matthew 5 is "makarios" and it is used by Aristotle only to refer to divine happiness.) The Catechism of the Catholic Church uses "blessed" and "happy" interchangeably and presents the truth that Jesus taught us in a clear and vibrant way, beginning with the very first paragraph.

Anyhow, I have been asked to teach tomorrow on "thanks" to a group of men who are new to me, but who are quickly becoming real brothers in the Lord Jesus. I've been following your research since 2013, and I'm looking forward to sharing some of it tomorrow.

We've recently moved from Ferdinand, IN to Coldwater, MS. It has been a difficult move, but, as you know, gratitude produces much resilience. So,

I am thankful for the gift of faith in God.
I am thankful for a gorgeous wife, 7 beautiful children, 2 loving sons-in-law, and 3 wonderful grandchildren.
I am thankful for my brother-in-law and his family, for my brother and his family, for my sister and her family, and for all of our blood relatives.
I am thankful for new and newer friends throughout the U.S. and Nigeria.
I am thankful for my work with Legatus and Franciscan University of Steubenville.
I am thankful for life, and health, and freedom.

God's PEACE to you and to all whom you love!
Mark E. Ginter, Ph.D.
Adjunct Professor of Theology, Franciscan University of Steubenville (online M.A.)