Happy Independence Day!!!

 As we celebrate Independence Day (which, unfortunately, too many people only know as the Fourth of July), it might be good to reflect on what this holiday is all about.

In the summer of 1776 as the Second Continental Congress was meeting in Philadelphia, several threads were in play. There was already active warfare going on between the colonies and England.

This warfare had been preceded by events such as the burning of the British revenue schooner, HMS Gaspée, in Narragansett Bay, RI, in June 1772, and a raid by colonial militia on Fort William and Mary in Portsmouth Harbor, NH, in December 1774. Then came the event in Lexington, MA, that was to trigger what came to be known as the "shot heard 'round the world" as approximately 77 colonists assembled against a force of some 700 British troops who were marching to seize weapons and munitions they had heard the colonists were storing in Concord. To this day, no one knows who who fired the shot that triggered the exchange of fire (or even whether it was fired intentionally or accidentally), a skirmish that killed eight of the colonists.

This was followed by a larger battle in Concord, where the British troops met a force of approximately 400 colonial militia (the "minutemen" that many of us have read or heard about). After this battle, the British began retreating toward Boston, and, as they did so, they were fired upon along the route by a militia force that had now grown to about 4000.

Thus began the American Revolution in earnest. There was more fighting in New England (in Massachusetts [including Maine, which was then a part of Massachusetts], Rhode Island, and Connecticut). However, the war (and most of the fighting) spread to the Middle Colonies and then to the Southern Colonies.

Initially many of the colonists were not really thinking of independence. Rather, they were protesting unfair British rule of the colonies, while others did not have strong feelings about the conflict. However, as the war dragged on, there was a growing movement for independence. The delegates to the Second Continental Congress were aware of this, and many were part of the movement.

In May of 1776, Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee introduced a resolution stating that the United Colonies were free and independent states. The Congress appointed a committee (including Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams) to follow up on this. The committee, with Jefferson doing most of the writing came up with a document that put forth a number of reasons for separation from Britain.

Even more than that, this document starts off with a list of natural rights and goes on to state that governments are set up to protect these rights, and that, if a government violates these rights, the people have a right to abolish that government and create a new one.

"When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

"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. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed . . . ."

Then this document lists a number of grievances to show that the British government had violated these rights, and, finally, the document declares that the colonies are now free and independent states.

This document, which we now call the Declaration of Independence, was approved by the Continental Congress on the 4th of July and was actually signed by the delegates on the 2nd of August.

"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."

Unfortunately, too few students learn much about this Declaration, what went into its development, and what this means to them. Fortunately, there is a movement in many states, including here in New England, to focus better on civics instruction.

Civics, a branch of social studies, focuses on the role of citizens and their relationship with their government. This includes studying how the system of government works and encouraging students to get involved.

One strong proponent of civics education is retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter. After he retired, I sent him a note to thank him for and to encourage his promotion of civics education.

An excerpt from this note:

"I . . . want to thank you in a special way for your promotion of civics instruction, something I think is so very important.

"I grew up in Southington, Connecticut, and the local high school did offer a civics class. However, the only students required to take the class were those in the 'general' course of studies.  Those of us in the college preparation or other courses did not need to, and very few did.  I chose to because I thought it was important to understand how our government worked on the various levels and with its various related elements, and I am grateful to this day. . . .

"Thank you for your recent encouraging words related to civics education and for your commitment to this cause.  I wish you well in this.  May your efforts bear much fruit for the students and other people of New Hampshire, of New England, and throughout the United States."

During these times a lot of American citizens are taking the country and its leadership to task in many ways - and there are many things that need to be corrected in this country. But we must not forget that there is a lot right with it. There are many good people throughout this great nation who have a lot of good ideas and a lot of enthusiasm. There are many good people who have a strong love for this nation and everything it stands for. There are many good reasons to have hope - and one of the best reasons in the nation's motto (which many people do take to heart): "In God we trust."

Happy 248th Birthday, United States of America!!!

For more information about the Declaration, visit:

National Archives: America's Founding Documents

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of the "unalienable rights" with which we are endowed.

Msgr. Stuart Swetland on Independence Day and Catholic Citizens

"Every day, in the left pocket of my clerical suit jacket, I carry a now very worn copy of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. I started carrying them when I lived on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

"I did so because it seemed to me that many had lost their copy in our nation's capital. I do not know how many 'arguments' I settled by carrying the actual texts with me, but it was more than a few.

"I know it is odd for a priest to carry these documents, but I take great comfort in doing so. As a veteran, I took several oaths of office to support and defend the Constitution against enemies foreign and domestic. . . ."

In a recent commentary, Monsignor Stuart Swetland, president of Donnelly College and a U.S. Naval Academy graduate (serving six years as a U.S. Navy line officer), reflected on how one of the most vital services that Catholic Christians provide to the United States is "our witness to truth and the reasonableness of reason" (including "our witness to the natural moral law (knowable by all who use right reason) and to the norms of social justice").

To access Msgr. Swetland’s complete essay, please visit:

National Catholic Register: Commentaries: Msgr. Stuart Swetland: Independence Day and Catholic Citizens: Patriotic Witness in Word and Deed to Truth and Justice (4 JUL 24)

Reflection Starter from Adlai Stevenson

"America is much more than a geographical fact. It is a political and moral fact - the first community in which men set out in principle to institutionalize freedom, responsible government, and human equality." - Adlai Stevenson

"My Country, 'Tis of Thee"

As we continue to live this week, I offer this version of The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square presenting "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" ("America"):

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessings You have planned for us in the month of July.

Br. Andrew Lyons, O.P., on the Glory of God

"About five years ago, I came across a quote posted in the hallway of my college dorm - certainly an unlikely place to find words of wisdom. But this was Franciscan University of Steubenville, so perhaps it's not all that surprising. These words are taken from Saint Irenaeus's Against Heresies:

"The glory of God is man fully alive; moreover, man's life is the vision of God.

"Man, life, glory, God - profound concepts, indeed. Because of that, its meaning was not immediately apparent to me. After some reflection, I believed St. Irenaeus was emphasizing the power of a holy, Christian life. He was saying that man gives glory to God by living his life well; that man can reveal God to others by the way he lives."

In a recent commentary, Brother Andrew Lyons, O.P., reflected on these words and what they mean for us..

To access Br. Andrew's complete post, please visit:

Dominicana: The Glory of God . . . (28 JUN 24) 

Reflection Starter from Oscar Wilde

"Everyone may not be good, but there's always something good in everyone. Never judge anyone shortly because every saint has a past and every sinner has a future." - Oscar Wilde

The Kathy Thompson Band: "Summertime"

One of the treasures of New England is the great variety of music in our region. Some of this music (of whatever genre) is provided musicians from the region; other music is provided by artists visiting the region from other areas.

One such example is the Connecticut-based Kathy Thompson Band

Background information:

The Kathy Thompson Band 

In this video, the Kathy Thompson Band is presenting "Summertime":

 

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of newly ordained priests.

Bishop Henning on Priestly Service

"Recently a friend asked me to identify the best thing about my first year as the Bishop of Providence. I responded by saying 'the priests!' last week in describing the purpose and work of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, I spoke of the bishop's role to sanctify, teach and govern. For that sacred calling, the Lord provides 'co-workers,' the priests, who are 'configured to Christ the eternal High Priest and joined to the Priesthood of the Bishops' (from The Roman Pontifical, ordination of priests). I have a special bond with my brother priests. They are my closest collaborators in ministry and essential to the life of the Church in Rhode Island. On a more personal note, I feel blessed to share in the mission with these good men. . . ."

In a recent commentary, Bishop Richard G. Henning, the bishop of the Diocese of Providence (RI), reflected on the life of priestly service and some of its challenges.

To access Bishop Henning's complete essay, please visit:

The State of Hope: The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (30 JUN 24)

Reflection Starter from St. Josemaría Escrivá,

"It makes no sense to classify men differently, according to their occupation, as if some jobs were nobler than others. Work, all work, bears witness to the dignity of man, to his dominion over creation. It is an opportunity to develop one's personality. It is a bond of union with others, the way to support one's family, a means of aiding in the improvement of the society in which we live and in the progress of all humanity." - Saint Josemaría Escriva (in Christ Is Passing By)