"Decoration Day"

     Yesterday this nation celebrated the first holiday of the summer months as we celebrated Memorial Day.  As is done in more recent times, the remembrance was celebrated on the last Monday in May ... although, those of us of a certain age remember it celebrated on May 30th.  I remember that date specifically, because I always thought that they displayed the flag and had a parade on my birthday.  But then they moved the holiday to the nearest Monday.

      

     Decoration Day was created at the end of the Civil War to honor those who gave "the last full measure of devotion" - their lives - in that terrible conflict.  On May 5, 1868, General John A Logan of the Union declared the following:

     "The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land."

     The Southern States held similar observances at different dates for their fallen heroes, until the observance expanded to include all of those who died in the various conflicts of the world.

     There are many cities that claim to have begun the tradition, but Waterloo, N.Y. has been designated as the founding observance.

     There are two key sayings that speak of our respect for those who gave their all.  From the Scriptures we read in John 15:13:

     "Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends."

    The other words that speak of why we celebrate this holiday are found in words that I remember learning in elementary school - the Gettysburg Address of President Abraham Lincoln.

Do you remember these words?

     "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

     Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.  We are met on a great battlefield of that war.  We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live.  It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

     But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate - we cannot consecrate - we cannot hallow - this ground.  The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.  The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.  It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.  It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."  (November 19, 1863, Gettysburg National Cemetery Dedication)

     The tradition of decorating the graves of those who died in conflict has been expanded to included all veterans who have died, and in many of our traditions, all of our loved ones.  We were discussing this at table the other day and noted that our cemeteries are not as flower and flag strewn as they once were.  But for those who uphold the tradition - including my sister, Jane - we are most grateful.

Transitions and moving on

      This is the time of the year for the celebration of transitions.  The end of May, early June sees a series of graduations with the inevitable farewells and the anticipation of new things ahead.  In my years of priesthood and in the many years of my life these moments were usually accompanied by great joy and celebration.  In my brief years of retirement so far, these moments are cherished as I see them touching the lives of those important to me.  In almost every case I rejoice with those who acknowledge their accomplishments and transitions, and in the circumstances that were more painful I share my prayers and support.

     Graduations in our area include those who have received degrees from Saint Vincent College and Seton Hill University in our Diocese, our two Diocesan High Schools - Geibel and Greensburg Central Catholic, our parishioners who graduate from our public High Schools, as well as those transitioning from our local parochial schools.  We wish all of our graduates well and assure them of our prayers and our pride.

The High School Graduates of 2019 from Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish,

my last assignment

     One of our young priests, Father Daniel Ulishney, this past Saturday received his License in Canon Law (JCL) from the Catholic University of America in Washington.  Father Dan is serving as Parochial Vicar at the Connellsville/Dunbar area.  Receiving a degree in Canon Law while continuing in full time ministry is a challenge deserving of respect and congratulations.   I've included a few pictures of his event that I borrowed from his fb page.

 Father Dan Ulishney

 Commencement Program

Father Dan with his Mom and Dad

     Very recently there was another graduation accomplishment celebrated for a group that completed an intensive Diocesan Formation Program entitled Pathways.  There were four in this year's group that I had the honor of serving as pastor at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish.  I wish them well as they use their learning to help educate our children in the Faith.

 Back row from left: Gail Henderson, Judy Gazda, Julie Henry and Rose Martin

from Sait Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish

The 2019 Pathways "graduates" with

Bishop Edward Malesic

     These are but a few of the moments of transition that are taking place with the life of God's People, but these have touched my life and been a source of blessing.