Fortnight for Freedom Ends with a Bang

St. Thomas More parishioners spoke loud and clear today about our fight religious freedom and our right to exercise our conscience. They came, some in military or scout uniform, and filled to capacity the church at 9:00 a.m. Mass, to the delight of Fr. Mel Thompson, who presided at the Mass. At his instigation, the congregation applauded themselves for coming to this special Mass to end the nation-wide celebration of the Fortnight for Freedom.
Fr. Mel talked about how we cannot take our freedom for granted. He recalled his visit in 1969 to Germany where he said the atrocities of Hitler could never happen in the United States. He never imagined that now we are actually fighting for our freedom of religion. He urged everyone to vote their conscience and to speak out. 
Deacon Bob Cropp led the Rosary and Litany for Religious Liberty, after which the congregation processed, led by the tuxedoed Knights of Columbus who also started the Mass with Procession of the U.S. flag and the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to the main parking lot for flag-raising ceremony assisted by the STM Boy Scouts.
The short ceremony ended with voices saying, "Let freedom ring!"
"This was beautiful," said Joanne Horne and Coleen O'Shea, immediately after the ceremony. "We should do this again," said another. Others said they should have invited their children who served in the military. 
The crowd then enjoyed fellowship in McCallin Hall for coffee and donuts.