THE 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND AND THE 14TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME...........

On this eve of the 235th anniversary of the founding of this Union, as a declared Independent and Sovereign Nation, free from the control and the tyranny of colonization from across the Atlantic Ocean and the dominance of the leading and most powerful Empire of that time, Great Britian; the United States of America has remained for more than two and one third centuries, a beacon of Freedom, Liberty, and Justice, for the antoicipating and emerging World.  One of the foundational, and freedom forming, principles Americans of all stripes, creeds, cultures, and religions, have upheld down through the decades of the American Experience, is the guarantee to Believe, or not to Believe, in the freedom of Faith.  As sure as the red, white, and blue, that particularly proclaims the assurance that there is, and will not ever be, the Establishment of a preferred or official Church, in the United States.  Equally, all Americans have the Opportunity to choose to publicly practice our Faith and uphold the civic Virtues, of -Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness".  The Gospel Proclamation for this 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Matthew 11:25-30; speaks appropriately in the spirit of the Statue of Libery's motto, "Give me your tired and your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free",.....In Matthew's words, "Come to me you who are labored and burdened, and you will find rest", .....a thorough reminder, we are not alone in the experiences of life and faith, in freedom and liberty, we encounter.  The Risen, Redeeming, Jesus is with us - directing and guiding us...........Happy 4th of July Holiday Weekend,   Fr.  Troy