"Memorial Day" 

June 1, 2010
Year for the Priest

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As a retired military chaplain, I’ve had the privilege of serving men and women in uniform. So, the celebration of Memorial Day is a reminder to me, and I hope to you, of the appreciation we should all have for the men and women who sacrificed their lives to protect our freedom.

I remember a story about a religious sister who provided faith formation to the families who comprised the congregation in the military community I served. This nun was dedicated to the principles of the peace movement. An individual who was visiting the fort chapel community, approached the sister and asked, “How can you, a person dedicated to the peace movement, serve military families?”

Her response was simple. She believed that Jesus offered His life for her so that she might have life. She didn’t know many individuals who would lay down their lives for her. But, men and women in the military, most of who never knew her were willing to sacrifice their lives so that she might enjoy freedom -- including the freedom to share her religious beliefs. She believed that demanded her, and our, gratitude.

I am personally impressed with those in our society who will express their gratitude to men and women in uniform for their service. Unfortunately, we take much of what we enjoy as Americans for granted, especially our freedom. But there was a price paid for that freedom. The sound of taps each Memorial Day reminds us of that sacrifice.

The freedom we all cherish was passed on to us, in a sense, entrusted to us, for safekeeping. There is an expectation that our generation understand the great gift that freedom is. We too must be willing to make the same sacrifices our forefathers did to preserve those freedoms for future generations.

I hope that on Memorial Day, when you gathered together to wave your flags and enjoy your parades, that you also whispered a prayer of thanks for those whose lives paid the price for the freedom we all enjoy.

Never forget that gratitude, and always remember to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

See you at Mass!

Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee

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