SpiritofthePreacher

Memorial Day | We Remember and Pray

As we enjoy the blessings of rest and time off from work, we pause to remember the true meaning of this day.

Today we honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country—on distant battlefields and here at home. They answered the call to defend freedom, protect the innocent, and stand by their brothers and sisters in arms.

🕊️ May their courage be remembered.
🕊️ May their example inspire future generations.
🕊️ May their sacrifice be honored in love.
🕊️ And may their souls rest in the embrace of our merciful God.

We pray for peace in our world, and for all who continue to serve.

Last night, a missile strike destroyed a building next to the Dominican Monastery and the St Thomas Aquinas Institute of Religious Studies in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Fr Jaroslaw Krawiec- who had recently visited our community in Seattle, sent us a message this morning:

"In our monastery, many windows and doors were shattered and damaged. Our cells – the rooms where we live – as well as the chapel, the auditorium, and the lecture halls of the Institute of St Thomas Aquinas were affected. Thanks be to God, none of the brothers nor our guests were harmed – for which we are deeply grateful. Unfortunately, some of our neighbors were injured by shrapnel.

It was one of the worst nights in our area since the beginning of this war. We commend ourselves to your prayers…

This morning, despite the damage to the chapel windows, we celebrated the Pentecost Masses as usual.”

On this feast of Pentecost, when we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit and the foundations of our Church, I ask in your charity that you pray for our brothers and sisters who find themselves in harms way doing the work of the Lord. May the Holy Spirit guide and protect them 🙏🏻