My Dear Parish Family,
This weekend we celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the birth of our nation, as we commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Despite being a very small minority in the country 250 years ago, Catholics have continued to play an important role in the history of the United States.
Only one Catholic signed the declaration of independence, Charles Carroll of Maryland, however, in the following years, Catholics would go on to become an important part of the fabric of the USA. Saints such as Elizabeth Ann Seton, Katherine Drexel, and Frances Xavier Cabrini, as well as Blesseds like Stanley Rother, Michael McGivney, and Fulton Sheen all have helped shape the Church in America. Countless Catholic patriots dedicated their lives to helping our nation live up to our founding principles: that all men are created equal and endowed by our creator with the rights of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
True liberty is not simply the ability to do whatever we want. It is the freedom and responsibility to do what is right, just, and good. Liberty must always be at the service of charity. Our nation has gone through many highs and lows over the past 250 years, but it always remains our home, our common inheritance. Through it all, we are exhorted to live out the virtue of patriotism, and we must ever pray for this land we call our home.
Let us commemorate our 250th birthday as a nation first and foremost with prayer and gratitude. Gratitude to our founding fathers who established this nation on such noble principals, gratitude to the servicemen and women who have fought to defend those principals, but above all, with gratitude to Almighty God, whose providence guides us.
Happy Independence Day!
Your Servant in Christ,
Fr. Alan J. Bridges
+ Surrexit Christus spes mea. Alleluia. +