Fortnight for Freedom: Freedom to Bear Witness is June 21–July 4. The bishops of the United States are again asking us to celebrate the “Fortnight for Freedom” this year with a focus on the “freedom to bear witness” to the truth of the Gospel. This is first and foremost a spiritual effort, not a political one. The benefits of religious freedom (namely, recognition of natural rights of religious practice and of conscience, of the right to live one’s faith in a consistent way in daily life, of the just limits of government power, of the priority of certain moral realities to civil law, etc.) are for all, and the loss of religious freedom affects all. We therefore engage in this effort in a spirit of prayer, solidarity, and atonement for the sins of our country against human freedom. This event covers the time in our liturgical calendar which celebrates a series of great martyrs who remained faithful in the face of persecution by political power.
Throughout these fourteen [14] we are also asked to fast and pray and to encourage all our parishioners to fast and pray, for our country and for the defense of religious freedom during these two weeks. “Fasting” means any pious act of self-denial, with the intention of joining that to the merits of Christ. It could be, for example, similar to the Ash Wednesday and Good Friday fasting, or it could be abstaining from meat, or from dessert, or the like, on certain days. In terms of prayers, Bishop Nickless particularly recommends the Rosary; and since, in so many of our parishes, there are many who so diligently and devoutly pray the Rosary, they can easily be encouraged to offer at least some of these prayers for this intention.
“Keeping the spirit of the Gospel means that Catholic institutions are to bear witness in love to the full truth about the human person by providing social, charitable, and educational services in a manner that fully reflects the God-given dignity of the human person." - Archbishop William E. Lori, Chairman, Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, on the "Freedom to Bear Witness".
Today is the Twelfth (12 ^th) Sunday in Ordinary Time. St. Paul reminds us we have become new creations in Christ. As such, we are to continue to turn away from sin so that God may continue to transform our lives. Such a transformation is meant to set our hearts on fire for the Lord Jesus, and move us to give faithful witness to the Gospel.
The Liturgy requires many ministers. This week I wish to focus on the ministry of the Reader of God’s Word. We are in need of some additional Reader of God’s Word as there are times and some Masses when we are short or missing Reader of God’s Word. If you know of anyone who would make a good Reader of God’s Word, please ask them to volunteer using the form inside this bulletin.
Pray for the consecration of Russia to Mary by the pope.
May God bless you.
-Fr .Mark