Dear Good People of Saint Bernadette,

I was speaking with a group of young people about the holiday coming up and I asked them if they knew why next weekend was called “Memorial Day” weekend.

One told me that it was in remembrance of September 11, 2001. Another, that it was the day that people remembered that school was out and that summer was beginning. That was why everyone goes out of town on Memorial Day. Another said she thought that it had something to do with American Independence but wasn’t sure how exactly. But it was something patriotic, that is why it was a federal holiday.

How easy it is to forget such major events in our own history! So here’s the “ancient” history about this holiday. Memorial Day was established as a federal holiday to mourn the death of all the soldiers and civilians who lost their lives in the Civil War, north and south. Literally, hundreds of thousands. Over the years it has grown to include all those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice of their lives in various wars and conflicts so we can enjoy the freedom to live as we please. Freedom even to forget them, I suppose. Although my family may have had several people who were in the military, we only had one (that I’m aware of) who actually died in battle, in the Civil War Battle of Westport, Kansas. But we would go every year to the cemetery and place flowers on all the family graves, and say a prayer for those who had died. I remember my mom’s generation called it “Decoration Day.”

Memorial Day services still happen in the Civil War cemeteries in Virginia and elsewhere—sadly, we are often still divided. In Frederickburg, for example, there are two separate memorial services—one in the Union cemetery and the other in the Confederate cemetery. Enmity lives long beyond death. But we focus on those who have gone before us and, in their memory, ask God to gather all of them to himself, and help us all to gather together again in his kingdom on the last day. On that day, perhaps the north/south conflict—and all conflicts—will finally be resolved. Living in Fredericksburg for those years helped me to learn how our lands are made sacred by their sacrifice.

We include in all of our Masses next weekend, in a special way, all those who have died in battle, all those who have returned with scars, visible and invisible, all who have supported and enforced the justice and peace that is necessary for the dignity of mankind and the human person. May God bless all of them and bring them home.

Truly, Memorial Day does mark a kind of beginning to the summer. We will be surrounded by events on all sides which speak of transition: graduations, weddings, vacations.

I would like to acknowledge all those who are graduating this year. Quick math would indicate that we would have about 200 each eighth graders, 200 seniors in high school from our parish graduating from local schools, many graduating college as undergrads. Congratulations to all of you. I wish we could offer our congratulations personally; please know that we are keeping all of you in our prayers. And we know of two classes of kindergartners and a bunch of preschool kids who are looking forward to moving up the ladder of life. First big steps. Congratulations.

As the flock begins to go in all directions stay in touch over the summer. Please, keep going to Mass, keep up on what is happening in our parish family. If you SUBSCRIBE at our website (www.stbernpar.org) you will always know the latest of what is going on. You will find the “subscribe” button on the second announcements page of the website. Once you have set up your login, you will receive an email whenever we post the bulletin or weekly express announcements of what is going on at St. Bernadette. Who knows? You might even receive an occasional meditation from your pastor.

We have a lot planned for the summer in the way of projects here at the parish. We will also be building new teams for school, the youth program and religious education programs, and a parish council. Lots of construction! Pray that our work may be fruitful. And let me know if you would like to be a part of these initiatives.

May God bless you.