Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of our fathers.

Archbishop Henning on Fathers and Their Loving Commitment

"The 13th chapter of Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians, sometimes called 'the hymn to love,' is frequently chosen by couples for the readings at their wedding Mass. It is a good choice, as the famous passage speaks movingly of the qualities of love - 'Love is patient, love is kind' - and its importance: 'The greatest of these is love.'

"At the most basic level, though, Paul was not writing a letter for the Sacrament of Marriage; he was writing about the Christian life. He addressed a Corinthian community with a rather high opinion of themselves and their 'spiritual gifts.' In his letter, he reminds them that such gifts have no anchor nor purpose if they are not in the service of divine love: 'If I speak in human and angelic tongues, but do not have love, I am a resounding gong.'"

In a recent commentary, Archbishop Richard G. Henning reflected, as we celebrate Father's Day, on this reading and the role of fathers.

To access Archbishop Henning's complete post, please visit:

The Pilot: Echoes: Archbishop Richard G. Henning: 'When I was a child' (13 JUN 25)

Reflection Starter from Pope Leo XIV

"For God is not immobile and closed in on himself, but activity, communion, a dynamic relationship between the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, which opens up to humanity and to the world. This dynamism of God’s inner life gives birth to life." - Pope Leo XIV

Percy Faith Orchestra: Theme from "A Summer Place"

As this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of the Percy Faith Orchestra presenting the theme from "A Summer Place":

 

Birthday Blessings, Connie!!!

Birthday greetings to Connie, wife of nephew Stephen Dymek, whose birthday is today!!! May this day, and each day of the upcoming year, be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Belated Birthday Blessings, Dawson!!!

Belated birthday greetings to Dawson Reynolds, who recently celebrated his birthday!!! May each day of the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Belated Anniversary Blessings, David and Kristi!!!

Belated anniversary greetings to brother David and his wife Kristi, who recently celebrated their wedding anniversary!!! May each day of the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Belated Anniversary Blessings to Barbara and Mike!!!

Belated anniversary greetings to sister Barbara and her husband Michael, who recently celebrated their wedding anniversary!!! May each day of the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Belated Birthday Blessings, Jackson!!!

Belated birthday greetings to Jackson, stepson of niece Amy Moore, who recently celebrated his birthday!!! May each day of the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

"You're a Grand Old Flag"

As we continue our observance of Flag Day, I offer this version of "You're a Grand Old Flag":

Flag Day

 

Today, 14 June, is Flag Day, which marks the anniversary of the adoption by Congress of the Stars and Stripes as emblem of the nation (in 1777). The week of 9-15 June, is also being observed as National Flag Week.

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"I am the Flag" by Ruth Apperson Rous

I am the flag of the United States of America.

I was born on June 14, 1777, in Philadelphia.

There the Continental Congress adopted my stars and stripes as the national flag.

My thirteen stripes alternating red and white, with a union of thirteen white stars in a field of blue, represented a new constellation, a new nation dedicated to the personal and religious liberty of mankind.

Today fifty stars signal from my union, one for each of the fifty sovereign states in the greatest constitutional republic the world has ever known.

My colors symbolize the patriotic ideals and spiritual qualities of the citizens of my country.

My red stripes proclaim the fearless courage and integrity of American men and boys and the self-sacrifice and devotion of American mothers and daughters.

My white stripes stand for liberty and equality for all.

My blue is the blue of heaven, loyalty, and faith.

I represent these eternal principles: liberty, justice, and humanity.

I embody American freedom: freedom of speech, religion, assembly, the press, and the sanctity of the home.

I typify that indomitable spirit of determination brought to my land by Christopher Columbus and by all my forefathers - the Pilgrims, Puritans, settlers at James town and Plymouth.

I am as old as my nation.

I am a living symbol of my nation's law: the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights.

I voice Abraham Lincoln's philosophy: "A government of the people, by the people,for the people."

I stand guard over my nation's schools, the seedbed of good citizenship and true patriotism.

I am displayed in every schoolroom throughout my nation; every schoolyard has a flag pole for my display.

Daily thousands upon thousands of boys and girls pledge their allegiance to me and my country.

I have my own law - Public Law 829, "The Flag Code" - which definitely states my correct use and display for all occasions and situations.

I have my special day, Flag Day. June 14 is set aside to honor my birth.

Americans, I am the sacred emblem of your country. I symbolize your birthright, your heritage of liberty purchased with blood and sorrow.

I am your title deed of freedom, which is yours to enjoy and hold in trust for posterity.

If you fail to keep this sacred trust inviolate, if I am nullified and destroyed, you and your children will become slaves to dictators and despots.

Eternal vigilance is your price of freedom.

As you see me silhouetted against the peaceful skies of my country, remind yourself that I am the flag of your country, that I stand for what you are - no more, no less.

Guard me well, lest your freedom perish from the earth.

Dedicate your lives to those principles for which I stand: "One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

I was created in freedom. I made my first appearance in a battle for human liberty.

God grant that I may spend eternity in my "land of the free and the home of the brave" and that I shall ever be known as"“Old Glory," the flag of the United States of America.

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Background Information:

The History Of Flag Day

Presidential Proclamation: A Proclamation on Flag Day and National Flag Week, 2025

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of spring showers.