Fr. Simon's Letter - July 4, 2021 - Queen of All Saints

A Happy Fourth of July to All!

As we celebrate with cookouts and fireworks along with family and friends let us make it a day of reflection, remembrance and gratitude. May we remind ourselves that the freedom we enjoy comes at a price and does not give us the license to do whatever we want whenever we want but rather to do what we ought to do.

We know that our Founding Fathers had to fight many battles to obtain the freedom which they believed was our God-given right. Independence Day is always a day of gratitude for all those who battled for freedom and a reminder that the battle for freedom endures today. Although there are disagreements and varying opinions on a number of crucial issues, we must be grateful that we live in a country that allows for disagreement and debate, and hopefully, constructive dialogue to take place.

Please use the following prayer for our nation and its people as we celebrate God’s gift of freedom and protection to us and to our nation.

God, source of all freedom,
this day is bright with the memory
of those who declared that life and liberty
are your gift to every human being.

Help us to continue a good work begun long ago.
Make our vision clear and our will strong:
that only in human solidarity will we find liberty,
and justice only in the honor that belongs
to every life on earth.

Turn our hearts toward the family of nations:
to understand the ways of others,
to offer friendship,
and to find safety only in the common good of all.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Blessings!!