Since the time of the Civil War, there have been efforts to honor those who died during their time of service to our country. That tradition of recognizing the sacrifice of those who died in defense of our nation continues in our day with the observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 29. As we take time to acknowledge those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we cherish as Americans, may we thank God for all those soldiers who deserve to be remembered with faith and appreciation. Memorial Day is a national federal holiday and usually signals the beginning of summer. All of our local schools have completed their year. I encourage each of you to take some time on Monday to remember the purpose of Memorial Day, to remember our brave and noble citizens who served our country. There will be military and patriotic ceremonies in many of our cemeteries to recognize our beloved heroes. The saying, ‘all gave some; some gave all,’ is so appropriate for Memorial Day. One of the best ways to honor those who have died for our freedoms is to pray for them in some way and to fly our American flag and do the pledge as a family at our gatherings on Monday. We pray also for the families, the relatives and the friends of our soldiers who have died in service. As their loved ones served, they also made many sacrifices and deserve our gratitude and acknowledgement.
Among the most important activities during the days of May are awards ceremonies and graduations at our local schools. I want to applaud all of our students, especially our graduates, for their academic success and for their educational achievements. All graduations are significant, including kindergarten, eighth grade, high school, college and graduate school. In our present society, education is of the greatest importance in how a person will cope with the challenges of life, how a person will be able to be responsible, how a person will be able to succeed in the workplace. With few exceptions, at least a high school diploma along with a good work ethic are a necessity for one to find meaningful employment. May all our graduates continue their formal and informal education as they strive to develop their talents, their skills, their maturity and their responsibility. Our society is in need of skilled and willing workers.
As we end the 2016-2017 school year, I also want to commend the importance of teachers, coaches and administrators in the education of our children. Education is easily one of the most important industries in our society; teachers, coaches and administrators are its motivators. I thank all of our educators for their commitment, for their devotion, for their competence and for their example. I also want to appreciate the role of our parents and families in the education process. The positive influence of the home and the role of parents in the formation and in the development of their children are essential in preparing students going to school ready and motivated to learn. Teachers help the parents in the education of their children. The more we are able to work together: family, students, teachers, coaches and educators, the more successful will our children become and the more they will be able to adjust to the opportunities in their lives. I often thank those who have been so helpful to me in my years of learning: my parents, family and teachers!
For the past several weeks we have been celebrating the Easter Event of the Lord’s Resurrection from the dead and the glory of his risen life. According to the Scripture, after the rising from the tomb, Jesus was on earth for forty days and ascended into heaven. The liturgical observance of the Ascension of the Lord is this Sunday. The biblical account of the Lord’s return to the heavenly Father is Acts of the Apostles, chapter one, verses one to eleven. This will be your Bible homework for the week. The Preface of the Ascension explains: ‘For the Lord Jesus, the King of glory, conqueror of sin and death, ascended to the highest heavens, as the Angels gazed in wonder. Mediator between God and man, judge of the world and Lord of hosts, he ascended, not to distance himself from our lowly state but that we, his members, might be confident of following where he, our Head and Founder, has gone before,’
My love, best wishes, gratitude and prayers to you and to your loved ones, for who you are, for all you do for the Lord and for the good of St. Elizabeth Seton Church Parish. May we all have a truly patriotic Memorial Day with our families and loved ones.
SHALOM!
Fr. Gary
Homework for the week of May 28 – June 3
Acts 1: 1-1
