Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
Hot Springs Village, Arkansas
Until I came to this parish, I had never participated in a November Memorial Mass for deceased parishioners or one for deceased Knights of Columbus.  Until I came to this parish, I had never participated in activities commemorating Flag Day (June 14).  Now I have attended twice, and will look forward to Flag Day next year.

In Mass, in the recitation of the Patriotic Rosary and in the ceremonies we had downstairs, we gave attention to the greatest symbol of our country, the American Flag.  In the songs we sang in church and in the parish hall, we recognized the vital place of God in our country's growth and successes.  We also called out to God in the song "America" to "mend thine every flaw", which reminds us that we always have room to grow and need God's guidance and help to be what we can be, and should be, for ourselves and the world.  In our "Flag" trivia, I also learned some interesting facts, such as that there are 13 folds in a flag folding ceremony, each one representing one of the 13 colonies in America.

I pray that more of our parishioners and other residents of the Village will take time to focus attention on the American Flag and what it means for this great nation of ours, especially on Flag Day, June 14.  I do thank Mike Kerwin and our local Knights of Columbus Council (10208) for doing so much to sponsor the Flag Day activities here at Sacred Heart Church.