Yesterday saw parishes across the Diocese of Lansing offer Holy Mass upon Memorial Day for the repose of the souls of those who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. May they rest in peace. To capture just a snapshot of this annual pious custom, we sent two photographers to garner images from two parish cemeteries. Kathryn Mietelka was dispatched to Saint John Cemetery in Jackson while Michael Back went to Saint Thomas Cemetery in Ann Arbor.
The principal celebrant in Jackson was Father Chas Canoy, Pastor of Saint John the Evangelist, with Parochial Vicar, Father Randy Koenigsknecht, and Father Tim MacDonald, Pastor of Queen of the Miraculous Medal in Jackson, concelebrating. Meanwhile, the principal celebrant in Ann Arbor was Father Fares Hattar, Parochial Vicar of Saint Thomas the Apostle, with parish pastor, Father Bill Ashbaugh, concelebrating.
"In this very special year, America turns 250 years old this year," noted Father Canoy in his homily at Saint John Cemetery.
"In a world that has been marked by a history of governments and ruling powers living off the backs of the people they were meant to serve, the United States of America was founded on the self-evident truth proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence that "all men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and pursuit of Happiness."
"Surely our nation has not lived that ideal perfectly, but this nation has been the land of freedom and opportunity for hundreds of millions since its founding, serving as a refuge for so many immigrants fleeing from unjust and destitute situations abroad. My own family was one of them."
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.
