. . . the gateway to summer. We all know the “big” June holidays (Father’s Day, Flag Day, Summer Solstice, etc.). But wait! There’s more! After searching several sites online, I discovered that June has some interesting observances: June 1: National Heimlich Maneuver Day National Say Something Nice DayJune 4: National Hug Your Cat Day (No…
Category: Holidays, Holy Days
Special days and celebrations
Memorial Day
Memorial Day (previously, but now seldom, called Decoration Day) is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the military personnel who have died in the performance of their military duties while serving in the United States Armed Forces. The holiday is observed on the last Monday of May. The holiday was formerly observed on May 30 from 1868 to…
St Patrick’s Prayer
Somehow, this seems important to revisit every year. I arise today, throughGod’s strength to pilot me,God’s might to uphold me,God’s wisdom to guide me,God’s eye to look before me,God’s ear to hear me,God’s word to speak for me,God’s hand to guard me,God’s shield to protect me,God’s host to save meFrom snares of devils,From temptation of…
Lent
Happy New Year!
That 1st Thanksgiving
Happy Birthday, America!
It seems strange to be celebrating without picnics, parades, concerts, carnivals, fireworks or baseball. Yet in the middle of this calamitous time, with a global pandemic, polarizing politics, a reeling economy and rampant racism, a recent experience has given me hope for our country. From February to mid-May, I participated in the American legal system…
Unusual Easter
Easter was strange this year. No new clothes, no gatherings in churches, no hugging fellow parishioners, no special dinners, no restaurants. Nothing at all except the fact that He is risen. He is risen indeed! And because there was nothing happening to distract me and nothing else to think about, that stayed with me all…
Saint Patrick’s Day
Today, everyone is Irish! He [God] watched over me before I knew him, and before I learned sense or even distinguished between good and evil, and he protected me, and consoled me as a father would his son. Saint Patrick ********** The Prayer of St. Patrick I arise today Through the strength of heaven; Light…
Ash Wednesday
By the sweat of your brow you will eat your fooduntil you return to the ground, since from it you were taken;for dust you are and to dust you will return.” Genesis 3:19 New International Version (NIV) Life is real! Life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal; Dust thou art, to dust returnest, Was not…