A fortnight of prayer?

     I mentioned in my homily for Fathers' Day that honoring our Dad's requires that we appreciate what they have done for us and what they have given to us, and that we, their children, cherish and hold those gifts close to our heart.  It demands an awareness of the blessedness that must be defended and celebrated.  The values and traditions, the faith and sense of family that my Dad and Mom gave to my sister and me is a valuable legacy that we need to protect and defend.

     I also mentioned in that regard that the bishops of the United States have called for a FORTNIGHT FOR FREEDOM to be observed in all dioceses and parishes from June 21st through July 4th.  This two week period should be spent in prayer, study and reflection on the fundamentals of our religious heritage in this great land, and the legacy of freedom provided for us by the founders.  Here is the introduction for The Fortnight For Freedom found on USCCB's web page:

The fourteen days from June 21 - the vigil of the

feasts of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More -

to July 4, Independence Day, are dedicated to this

"fortnight for freedom" -

a great hymn of prayer for our country.

Our liturgical calendar celebrates a series

of great martyrs who remained faithful

in the face of persecution by political powers -

St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More,

St. John the Baptist,

SS. Peter and Paul,

and the First Martyrs of the Church of Rome.

Culminating on Independence Day,

this special period of prayer, study,

catechises, and public action

will emphasize both our Christian

and American heritage of liberty.

Dioceses and parishes around the country

have scheduled special events

that support a great national campaign

of teaching and witness for religious liberty.

In the Diocese of Greensburg

the Fortnight for Freedom

will begin with a Holy Hour

beginning at 7:30 pm

at

Blessed Sacrament Cathedral

in Greensburg.

All are welcome!

     Here is a Prayer for the Protection of Religious Freedom given to us by the Bishops' Conference.  A few people at Mass said that it was very powerful.

O God our Creator,

through the power and working of your Holy Spirit,

you call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world,

bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel

to every corner of society.

We ask you to bless us

in our vigilance for the gift of religious liberty.

Give us the strength of mind and heart

to readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened;

give us courage in making our voices heard

on behalf of the rights of your Church

and the freedom of conscience of all people of faith.

Grant, we pray, O heavenly Father,

a clear and united voice to all your sons and daughters

gathered in your Church

in this decisive hour in the history of our nation,

so that, with every trial withstood

and every danger overcome -

for the sake of our children, our grandchildren,

and all who come after us -

this great land will always be "one nation,

under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.