Monsignor John F. McDonough, administrator of the archdiocese, made a personal Thanksgiving statement from Piedmont Hospital this week where he is continuing to recover from cancer surgery.

"At this season of Thanksgiving it is incumbent on all of us to pause and give thanks to the Lord for all the gifts he has given to us. At this time I am most grateful to God for the gifts of life and health," Monsignor McDonough said. "I am grateful to all who wished me well with cards of hope and inspiration and prayer. Also I am thankful to all who thought of me in my sickness."

"Words cannot express my deep appreciation of the kindness and consideration of the staff at Piedmont Hospital," he said. "All of them, doctors, nurses, technicians, orderlies were most generous in their care." He specifically expressed gratitude to his doctors, Dr. Frank Wilson and Dr. William Paullin, Jr., his therapist Liz Emick, and his friend and priest colleague, Father Tom Gilroy.

Monsignor McDonough is expected to leave Piedmont Hospital at the end of this week and to recuperate at Holy Spirit rectory in Atlanta where he resides. A colostomy was performed Nov. 17 after doctors removed a malignant tumor from the colon. No chemotherapy or radiation treatment is planned because of the success of the surgery, said Father Peter Dora, director of communications for the archdiocese.