It's Patriotic

If you are a Catholic in the Archdiocese of Omaha, there’s a good chance you know Steve Zach.

Steve can be found at most Catholic events, and he’s not afraid to approach people, introduce himself and talk about whatever Catholic cause he happens to be promoting at the time. He seems to know everyone, including most priests and religious.

Steve found me today after a weekday Mass at St. Cecilia Cathedral. He told me about how he’s been trying to get his letters to the editor published on the issue of same-sex marriage. That effort took 12 calls to one editor, he said.

He looked at me intently and said: “You don’t know me, Susan. I’m a fighter.”

Thank God for Steve Zach – and others like him who are willing to fight for what they cherish. It takes determination, persistence and sacrifice, as Steve described. And sometimes sweat and blood, as history has shown.

As we approach Independence Day and continue our Fortnight for Freedom, let’s remember to be like Steve and fight for our beliefs.

And pray.

It’s the patriotic thing to do.

Inspired by the Year of Faith, Susan Szalewski began writing weekly columns for us. Although that year is over, we liked them so well that we asked her to keep writing. Thankfully, she said yes. So watch for these on Thursdays and see the Year of Faith Blog here.

A Patriotic Theme

A few weeks ago the First Grade students at St. Columbkille Catholic Catholic School sang for the Senior Happy Club. With their patriotic theme, it seems appropriate to show on President's Day.

Happy President's Day!

Let Freedom Ring!

Bells have a rich meaning in the Catholic faith, their uses uses extolled in poetry:

"Laudo Deum verum plebem voco congrego clerum
Defunctos ploro, nimbum fugo, festa decoro."
(I praise the true God, I call the people, I assemble the clergy;
I bewail the dead, I dispense storm clouds, I do honor to feasts.)

And:

"Funera plango fulmina frango sabbata pango
Excito lentos dissipo ventos paco cruentos."
(At obsequies I mourn, the thunderbolts I scatter, I ring in the Sabbaths;
I hustle the sluggards, I drive away storms, I proclaim peace after bloodshed.)

At some churches bells have the sacred duty of calling our attention to the Christ's Presence when the bells are rung at the elevation of the Host and the Chalice at Mass. At St. Columbkille, shortly before each Mass begins, our bells summon us in for worship. In the secular world we use bells to alert us, to warn us, to wake us up.

So it is fitting to ring some bells as we observe the Church's Fortnight for Freedom in the days leading up to Independence Day. On many fronts our nation is grappling with issues of liberty. God is trying to rouse us. He wants to hustle us sluggards, drive away our storms, proclaim peace. He wants us to assemble in praise and recognize the sacrifice necessary for freedom.

Pray for our nation, especially in community. Every day, twice a day, until July Fourth, St.Columbkille worshipers are gathering for Holy Hours before our Eucharistic Lord.

The Fourth of July is a great time to light some fireworks, have a picnic and wear red, white and blue. But if you want to be truly patriotic, pray.


Inspired by this Year of Faith we will be posting columns like this from Susan Szalewski about exploring and/or deepening our faith. Watch for it on Thursdays and see the Year of Faith Blog here.