While in high school, our course in American History focused primarily on the early days of our country, especially on
the struggle for independence from Great Britain for America to become an independent nation. From that time, it was
emphasized how important July 4, 1776 was to us who are citizens of the United States of America!
The most significant national American holiday is July 4! As we celebrate the 240th Anniversary of the Declaration of
Independence this weekend, may each one of us renew and refresh within ourselves an awareness of how truly
blessed we are as a sovereign and as an independent country. Over the coming few days, I encourage you to take time
to look carefully at the Declaration of Independence and read the document, especially the first few paragraphs and the
last one. The second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence is one of the most memorable of all historical
documents. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” These phrases
and their meaning touch my heart and soul and give me a sense of value, of meaning and of validation as a human
person. Surely, the hand of the Lord was guiding Thomas Jefferson and all of our Founding Fathers during those
meetings and discussions before they finally agreed on the specific wording of the final draft of the Declaration. Every
time I read the Declaration and these words, I feel so inspired and so blessed to be a citizen of the United States of
America.

For the United States of America to become an independent and separate nation, it had to wage a war against Great
Britain. Even with the Declaration of Independence in 1776, it took many years of struggle, of fighting and of resisting
the forces of the British government before America became a separate country. Each of the Founding Fathers who
signed the Declaration took great risks and exposed themselves, their well-being and that of their families and their
resources to the devastation of the British forces. History records that each Founding Father sacrificed dearly for their
courage and for their signing of the Declaration of Independence. The last sentence of the Declaration is for me as
important and as inspirational as the sentence from the second paragraph. “And for the support of this Declaration, with
a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our
sacred honor.” How prophetic were these words for the signers of the Declaration!

May all of us have a patriotic, safe, peaceful and enjoyable July 4th Holiday with our families and our loved ones. At
our gatherings, may we take time to remember what and why we celebrate this most important day in the history of our
great nation, the United States of America. Remember the courage, the sacrifice and the devotion of our Founding
Fathers and of all who have made our nation so great over these 240 years: our citizens, our leaders, our soldiers and all
our veterans. May our hearts be deeply grateful for the providence of the Lord in the establishment of our country and
with faith and resolution may we do our part to help God bless America as we strive to be good, moral, responsible,
dutiful and devoted citizens seeking to live well the Pledge of Allegiance. May God bless America!

As your Pastor, I thank all of you who have been so generous and so involved in the Diocese of Lafayette Centennial
Campaign over the past few weeks, especially the Volunteers and those of you who have made your pledges. As of
Wednesday, June 29, you have pledged $676,000! Our goal for St. Elizabeth Seton Church Parish is $680,000. I feel
sure that we will reach and surpass our parish goal. I encourage those of you who have not yet made your pledge to the
Centennial Campaign to do so in the coming days and weeks. May we each do our part in providing the financial assets
to the Diocese as we Build our Future Together.

My prayers, love, best wishes and gratitude 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 our summer be restful, relaxing, safe and peaceful.

SHALOM! Fr. Gary

Homework for the week of July 3 – July 9
Psalm 1