The Fortnight For Freedom begins!

The United States Bishops have dedicated fourteen days (from June 21—the vigil of the Feasts of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More—to July 4, Independence Day) to the “fortnight for freedom”—a great hymn of prayer for our country. Our liturgical calendar celebrates a series of great martyrs who remained faithful in the face of persecution by political power—St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More, St. John the Baptist, SS. Peter and Paul, and the First Martyrs of the Church of Rome. Culminating on Independence Day, this special period of prayer, study, catechesis, and public action will emphasize both our Christian and American heritage of liberty.

Archbishop George Lucas speaks about this Fortnight here. Archbishop George J. Lucas and area speakers will headline the archdiocese’s June 23 “Fortnight for Freedom Rally” at the Memorial Park Monument. The 10:00 a.m. rally will conclude at St. Margaret Mary Church, which is adjacent to Memorial Park, with a prayer service and homily from Archbishop George Lucas.

“Religious liberty is not only about our ability to publicly worship in churches and
synagogues,” said Deacon Tim McNeil, chancellor of the Archdiocese of Omaha. “It is about whether we can make our contribution to the common good of all Americans. Can we do the good works our faith calls us to do, without having to compromise that very same faith?”

“This is not a Catholic issue. This is not a Jewish issue. This is not an Orthodox, Mormon, or Muslim issue. It is an American issue, and about protecting the most cherished of American freedoms” McNeil said.

“A Fortnight for Freedom” Schedule of Events

Saturday, June 23, Memorial Park Monument

Rosary …………………………….. 9:30 a.m.
Program ………………………….. 10:00 a.m.
Process to St. Margaret Mary…….. 10:45 a.m.
Exposition, Homily, Benediction .......11:00 a.m.
Conclusion ……………………….. 11:30 a.m.

At St. Columbkille the activites will include a prayer for religious liberty at all the Masses and Holy Hours. These include:

Thursday, June 21: Holy Hours 9 – 10 a.m. and 9 – 10 p.m.

Friday, June 22: Holy Hour 9 – 10 a.m., Come see the “For Greater Glory” movie at 6:45 p.m. at Twin Creek Cinema, Bellevue); evening Holy Hour to follow movie or at 9 p.m.
 
Saturday, June 23: 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Freedom Rally at Memorial Park & St. Margaret Mary (Rosary 9:30 a.m. in the church, Rally 10 a.m. in the park, Exposition 11 a.m in the church); Holy Hour 9 – 10 p.m.

Sunday, June 24: Holy Hour 6 – 8 p.m. Exposition begins with end of 5 p.m. Mass, adoration time includes Evening Prayer and Night prayer

Monday, June 25: Holy Hour 9 – 10 a.m., and 9 – 10 p.m. (in the Social Level)

Tuesday, June 26 to Wednesday, July 4: Holy Hour 9 – 10 p.m. (in the Social Level)

Friday, June 29: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Prayer at the Bellevue Abortion Clinic