Dear Parish Family,
 
As the Fourth of July approaches, do we think of this as a long weekend, fireworks, hot dogs & apple pie or the date of our independence from Great Britain? What does independence mean and how does it impact our lives years later? Freedom often comes with a price. Freedom is not from control,  support or aid, and  should not be influenced by the thoughts and actions of others. Fredrick Douglas said” The life of a nation is secured only while the nation is honest, truthful and virtuous.” Is this who we are today? There is wisdom when we reject division and subscribe to “one liberty for all people.”
 
Great leaders around the world have lead nations to independence.  Their teachings should be examples of good and righteous  virtues which should be followed by our leaders today.
 
Gandhi or Great Soul (Mahatma) is known as the father of India.  He left a legacy of compassion, courage and tolerance. He advocated “Non-violence is not a weapon of the weak. It is a weapon of the strongest and bravest.”
 
Abraham Lincoln most often ranked as the number one president of all, developed a reputation of pragmatism and integrity. His perseverance through the great trials of the civil war often included humor.  He used this even with his advisories as a mechanism of release. He felt it was his sacred duty to preserve the Union at all costs.
 
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” Nelson Mandela
 
From St Francis de Sales – “We have freedom to do good or evil; yet to make the choice of evil is not to use, but to abuse our freedom.”
 
 While watching the fireworks light up the sky,  I  thank God once again for my many freedoms.
 
Have a safe and blessed holiday weekend. 
Mary Jo