Dear Parishioners:      

First World War British Soldiers Cemetery

November 11 is Veteran’s Day. A day in which we remember and honor the service of those, dead and alive, who bore arms for their country. The armistice ending the First World War was signed on November 11. The origins of this observance began in 1926 and became a civil holiday in 1938, called “Armistice Day.” In the late 1940s, Americans began calling November 11 “Veterans Day,” Congress officially gave it that name in 1954. My late father was a veteran of the Second World War, and so Veteran’s Day has always held special significance.  

The main ceremonies of Veterans Day take place at Arlington National Cemetery. Traditionally, the president lays wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a sarcophagus under constant watch by an honor guard since its dedication in 1921. Four unidentified American soldiers — from World Wars I and II, Korea, and Vietnam — are buried there.

Vietnam War Veterans Memorial

As we continue to watch the ongoing wars in Israel and Ukraine, we must commit more fervently to praying for our veterans and also for peace. We must also pray for all those serving in the military who put themselves in harm’s way to protect our nation and our freedom. Let us pray for all veterans this weekend.  

The biographers of Padre Pio report that, in 1944, as he and his friars were sitting down to supper after the monastery gates were closed, they heard a crowd of men shouting, “Viva Padre Pio!” (Long live Father Pio!). But there was nobody in the courtyard. Asked about the event, Padre Pio calmly said: “Those men were soldiers who died in battle. They have just been delivered to heaven.” They wanted to thank him for his prayers.

So, in this month of the All Souls, one of the best ways we can honor Veterans this Veterans Day is to go to Mass and pray for them. This simple deed may be of greater practical help for veterans than all our speeches, parades, ceremonies, and flowers. For our living veterans, it should be a day of charity on which we thank a veteran for their service. 

Veterans Day is more than a day off or a long weekend. Let’s help our veterans, especially those who gave their lives, by praying for the repose of their noble souls. Here is a prayer you can offer for deceased Veterans during this All Souls Month.

“O God, by whose mercy the faithful departed find rest, look kindly on your departed veterans who gave their lives in the service of their country. Grant that through the passion, death, and resurrection of your Son, they may share in the joy of your heavenly kingdom and rejoice in you with your saints forever. We ask this through Christ our Lord.”

Newly installed front door

We are getting nearer to completing our Church Door Project. After delays due to supply chain issues, the major delay has been the stained glass. The stained glass artist has to craft each window of every door, which has taken an unusually long time. I hope that all the glass is now ready to be installed so that the remaining doors by the Parish Office and Candle Room can be installed.

Once all the doors are installed, the thresholds in the doorways will be finished. They will also be weather-stripped and adjusted so they open and close smoothly. The Candle Room Door and one of the front doors feature electronic openers for disabled people. This will also be installed in the coming weeks. It has been a long process getting the doors and then having them installed. But it is now nearing completion!

The doors are beautiful and add to the beauty of our Church. St. Thomas Aquinas defined beauty as “that which, upon being seen, pleases.” Certainly, beauty is something good, something to be admired. The beauty of our new doors gives glory to God. Our Church is not simply a gathering space or a meeting room. Through these doors, we enter the House of God. Its beauty should lift our minds and hearts up in worship and praise of the Almighty, who is beauty itself. Bishop Robert Barron has said: “Begin with the beautiful, which leads you to the good, which leads you to the truth.” 

Fr. Mahoney is making his Annual Retreat this week with the Benedictine Monks at St. Anselm’s in New Hampshire. Please pray that his retreat time is prayerful, restful, and fruitful. Do good. Be well. God Bless. Go Pats, but perhaps it’s too late!!