Memorial Day Mass outshines dark skies

With a threat of rain looming, grounds superintendent Robert Sabo kept a keen watch on the weather forecast the day before Memorial Day. Dark clouds were growing quickly at 6:30 Monday morning when the grounds staff began final preparations for the annual Memorial Day Mass.

Bishop Robert N. Lynch distributes the Eucharist to the faithful during the Memorial Day Mass at Calvary Catholic Cemetery on May 28.

Sabo pushed forward. He has faith.

So did nearly 400 people who braved the day’s dismal forecast and were rewarded with a light breeze and no rain as they took part in the outdoor Mass honoring members of the military who gave their lives for our country. Bishop Robert N. Lynch was the main celebrant with a contingent of priests from around the diocese concelebrating at the altar.

In his homily, Bishop Lynch spoke of the sacrifices made by members of the armed services to assure the freedoms guaranteed by the United States’ Bill of Rights. In his closing remarks, he stressed the need for the faithful to continue working against recent attacks on religious liberty. “Let not these men and women die in vain,” he said, “and let not our government define for us what is the Catholic Faith.”