Patriotic Greetings 2025: The Spirit of the Founding Era

Patriotic Greetings!

It's an inspiring time that reconnects us with the foundation of the USA as we celebrate the pivotal days in July 1776 that birthed the United States of America.  

Following the conclusion of the conflict between Britain and France in 1763, tensions built between Britain and its 13 North American colonies as the British government steadily increased control over colonial affairs.  As the colonists resisted, the British government reacted more intensely, until the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, triggered war, and accelerated momentum for the colonies' independence.  The Second Continental Congress convened on May 10, 1775, and over the succeeding weeks, they took several decisive actions, including the establishment of an army.

At the session of the Congress on June 7, 1776, Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee presented the following resolution: "Resolved. That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved."

After some initial discussion, the Congress decided to hold a vote on the resolution on July 1 and the colonies used the intervening time for further consideration.  Meanwhile, Congress appointed a committee to draft a document explaining the move for independence should it be needed, and Virginia delegate Thomas Jefferson was its primary author.

On July 1, Congress opened debate on the resolution.  The following day, Tuesday, July 2, 1776, they adopted the independence resolution by a unanimous vote.  After discussing Thomas Jefferson's draft, they adopted the Declaration of Independence on Thursday, July 4.

 

Following several more years of war, the American colonists won a decisive victory at Yorktown against the British in October 1781.  On September 3, 1783, the Treaty of Paris 1783 formally concluded the war, and the United States of America became fully independent.

As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Independence Resolution in 2026, this year provides a good opportunity to commemorate the events that hastened the momentum toward independence, when armed conflict erupted in Massachusetts.  Wanting to connect with that history, I traveled to the Boston Metro Area before heading south for my annual Washington, DC, Metro Area vacation.  (You can read about my trip here.  As of the publishing of this post, the text of my vacation post is there, but I'm still working on getting pictures in place.  Please feel free to contact me if you want to know when the post on my vacation is complete, including the photos.)

The amount of history I experienced in the course of a few hours in the Boston Metro Area was exhilarating as I made my way from downtown Boston to Lexington and then on to Concord.

The Lexington Battle Green

Someone passing by photographed me at the Battle Green in Lexington.

One site that resonated with me was the monument at the Old North Bridge in Concord, MA--please see the photo below.  It has an inscription bearing the first stanza of the poem "The Concord Hymn".  

In 7th grade, I selected this poem for an assignment in which I had to memorize a poem, speech, or other writing.  When I was in middle school, I experienced a blossoming of my person, especially in understanding the history of the USA and my place in this country as a citizen.  In that time, I became drawn to the story of how this country came into existence, so I decided that poem would be a good choice for that assignment.  The fourth stanza has a profound phrase: "Spirit, that made those heroes dare..."

A spirit was present in those who decided to take action and chart a new course that birthed this country.  And that spirit continues to spur us to action in our present day.

In light of the US Army's 250th Anniversary, so many have nobly served to uphold and defend this country throughout those many years, driven by a spirit of something larger than themselves.  They have done so much to make possible our national experience today.

I think about my work on the frontlines on Election Day, April 1, 2025.  I was up around 4 AM and around 5 AM, after a short walk, I was at the Brooks Middle School gym to begin my duties as an election judge.  After serving several times as an election judge for precinct 16 at the Maze Branch Library, I was in a different spot, and I was actually serving for my own precinct.

Even with the voters trickling in throughout the day, it was another great opportunity to serve the community by helping facilitate the democratic process of the republic in the matter of local affairs.  It was nice spending time with my fellow election judges, one of whom is a neighbor, and also seeing other neighbors on my block and nearby. Even if local races don't have the same prominence as the presidential election, they still have an important impact on our community.  I am continually inspired when I'm an election judge and see people from all walks of life and backgrounds coming to participate in the process.

It's fitting in some ways that I served as an election judge inside a middle school, because it was at Julian Middle School that I experienced a burst of patriotic inspiration to appreciate my part in this country and contribute to it.  It wasn't just inside the walls of Julian.  Every Friday during 6th grade, I came home to watch Liberty's Kids, with episodes on events of the founding era.  It was on a July day in 2003 that I watched the final episode, and seeing George Washington's inauguration stirred an enormous amount of palpable inspiration in me.  It's probably one moment I would go to if I could time travel.  Indeed, I came to appreciate this country's story and my place in this country, sensing a call to do my part in upholding it.  That's what motivated me in 8th grade to ask Dr. Sharts, the principal, if I could lead the school in the Pledge of Allegiance for the final two regular school days my 8th grade year, after nearly a month of its absence.  It was a great honor to finish my middle school experience taking up that role.

Coming to appreciate my part in the USA, and the story of its founding, has brought me to embrace the spirit of what we celebrate during the first days of July.  It is furthermore a time to appreciate our values as a country, as we look ahead to the 250th anniversary of Independence in a year.  Also, we can appreciate what our values mean on the world stage since the election of Leo XIV as the first US-born Pope.

I found this song, "God Bless America" on YouTube, and I am inspired by its soaring lyrics that show how we can flourish as one nation under God.

I hope recognizing this country's founding story inspires you anew to embrace our God-given freedoms so we can together purposefully edify this country.

To the Spirit of God and the Spirit of the USA,

To the Dove and the Eagle.

God's blessings to you readers,

God bless the USA!

Paul

Huzzah!

P.S. Here's a link to the 2025 Annual July 4 ceremony at the National Archives.  It airs live at 10 AM ET/9 AM ET.  It should be available for viewing later.

This post is my annual Patriotic Greetings post.  You can view previous years' posts at these links: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.  If you would like a print copy of this note, please contact me.

Please feel free to share this year's post, or any previous year's post, with others.

Connecting Anew with This Country

So much of what makes this country great and what inspires me is found there.  

I have appreciated the opportunity to vacation in the Washington, D.C., Metro Area on a regular basis the past few years.  

It is one of many places along the East Coast that hearken to the important principles of this country and its founding era.

In the month of May 2025, I was eager to reconnect with those values once again on a vacation, and to enhance it by connecting with history, especially in light of the 250th Anniversary of the beginning of the American Revolution.

So before traveling to Washington, D.C., I set my sights further north.

Around 8:40 PM CDT, on May 21, I got in the car of fellow parishioner Matt, and he drove me to Chicago Union Station.  (Please note that all times in this post are EDT unless otherwise stated, on my days at Chicago Union Station.)  Soon after entering and getting my water bottle filled, I headed to the platforms and, for the first time, boarded the Amtrak Lake Shore Limited train.  It departed on its eastward journey at 9:30 PM CDT.  About 1 hour and 20 minutes later, it entered the Eastern Time Zone and then made its first stop at South Bend shortly before midnight.  I soon went asleep after that point.

Early in the morning on Thursday, May, 22, I got off to walk on the platform at Toledo, a stop of nearly an hour, and then Cleveland.  The daylight emerged after Cleveland as we headed into Pennsylvania, a short stretch of the route with one stop at Erie.  A few minutes later, the train entered New York and I had the chance to step off the train for a little walking at the Buffalo-Depew station.

For the next few hours, the train traveled across New York, and it was a great way for me to see the countryside around the Finger Lakes region and then scenic views of the Mohawk River and to see some of the prominent cities of New York besides New York City, including Rochester, Syracuse, Utica, and Schenectady.

Around 2:15, the train reached Albany and then crossed the Hudson River, and soon reached Rensselaer and the Albany-Rensselaer train station.  It was an extended layover, so I exited the train and went into the station to buy myself dinner at the cafe.

Around 3:30, half of the Lake Shore Limited train departed bound for Boston.  At 4:19 PM, for the first time in my life, I entered Massachusetts.

At Pittsfield, Jacqueline, the lady seated next to me, who was traveling back from California, departed, and she photographed me before leaving the train.

The train continued east, stopping in Springfield, Worcester, and Framingham before reaching the two stations in Boston. I had company in the seat next to me during part of that time, a man who had a bag of Haitian food.

Around 8:20 PM, the train reached its final destination of Boston South Station, which completed for me another through ride, this time on the full length of the Lake Shore Limited.  At approximately 8:26 PM, I stepped off the train and took my first step on Massachusetts on the platform.

I walked through the station to the MBTA Red Line.  A helpful transit ambassador--I think his name was Jaime--oriented me to using the T system.  Shortly after getting my Charlie Card, I boarded the Red Lin for a short ride to JFK, where I boarded a bus.  A few minutes later, I exited the bus and into the steady rain of a classic Nor'easter as I walked to my Airbnb lodgings for the night in the Dorchester neighborhood.  After some directional confusion because of the lack of clarity on the street signs, I reached the house.  As I settled, I visited with a couple from the UK.  We talked about their recent visit to Chicagoland, where they saw the Bahai Temple.  At some point, our conversation turned to religion.

The next morning, on Friday, May 23, I was up around 7 AM or so.  Shortly after 8 AM, I departed for my day of sightseeing.  Per a suggestion from my friend Roy, I boarded a bus and rode it to Kenmore Square, which is the eastern terminus of US Federal Route 20.  I have visited the western terminus in Oregon, and my workplace is just south of US 20 in Addison.

Then I boarded the Green Line Trolley and rode it to Park Street.  From the station, it was a short walk along the eastern edge of Boston Common to the Massachusetts Statehouse.  There, I participated in the 10 AM tour.  Bowen was the tour guide, and he did a great job.  It started in the Doric Hall, which had a large portrait of Abraham Lincoln.  We looked in the other halls, the legislative chambers, and the governor's office.  All along the way, we looked at various pieces of artwork, like paintings of scenes from the founding era that connect with Massachusetts.  Two pieces that stood out to me that I knew from my childhood reading were two fish: Sacred Cod in the Massachusetts House chamber and Holy Mackerel in the Senate chamber.

I lingered after the tour inside, and went to see the State Library.  By 11:30, I was back at the Park Street Station and boarded the T Red Line, bound for Alewife.  It emerged from a tunnel onto a bridge over the Charles River, with great views that amazed me.

Upon reaching Alewife, I boarded a bus that took me to Lexington.  Upon arriving, I first went to the Lexington Visitors' Center to orient myself to what there was to see in the area.  The staff did a great job telling me what was there and answering my questions.  Inside the visitors' center, I watched a video about the opening battles of the American Revolution, which was in a room with a diorama of the Battle of Lexington. Then I walked around the Lexington Green, which was flanked by many historic buildings.  And then I went to take in the view of the Green itself.

Subsequently, I got a sandwich for lunch at Via Lago.  I then went across the street to the Cary Memorial Library to use the Wi-Fi to get an Uber ride.  A sign on the door was in English and Mandarin, and I found out that there is a large population of Mandarin Chinese speakers in the area.

Around 1:45 PM, my Uber ride arrived, and I headed to Concord.  On the drive along Massachusetts State Route 2A, there were many historic sites.  I was at the North Bridge Visitors' Center by 2:10.  Once I finished eating my sandwich, I walked to the Old North Bridge.

Back at the visitors' center, as I waited for my Uber ride, I watched a video about the site.  Then I got my Uber ride to downtown Concord, and I enjoyed my conversation with the driver during the approximately 10-minute ride.  He brought me to the Concord MBTA commuter rail station, and I waited there for the 3:15 arrival of the eastbound train.  About 30 minutes later, I arrived at the Porter Station, where I switched to the Red Line light-rail train.  After getting on another bus and a short walk, I was back at the house where I spent the night to retrieve my luggage.  And then I headed back to where I got off the bus last night to board another bus and ride it to the Red Line and then back to South Station, where I saw the transit ambassador I met the night before and I thanked him for his help.

At South Station, while waiting for my train's departure gate to be posted, I read and I got two pieces of Boston-style pizza for dinner.  I called Mom and talked right until the moment I saw the departure gate appear for Amtrak train #65.  It departed at 6:45, and I was excited to be on my way traveling along the Northeast Corridor from a point further north than I had ever ridden it.  During the ride, I continued an audio program I began yesterday and had the pizza.

About 7:15, I entered Rhode Island for the first time, and when it stopped at Providence around 7:26, I stepped off the train to take my first steps in Rhode Island.  At 7:58, I entered Connecticut for the first time.  There were great views of the coastal areas along Long Island Sound.  At 9:10, the train reached New Haven, where I would spend the night, and I took my first steps on Connecticut ground as I walked onto the platform.  It was a short ride to my AirBnb lodgings for the night.

The next morning, on Saturday, May 24, I was awake a few minutes after 6 AM.  Before heading to New Haven Union Station, I got an Uber ride to take me to St. Mary's Church, a site special to me as a Knight of Columbus because it's where Blessed Father Michael McGivney founded the Knights.  Having a moment of prayer there was a great way to start the day.  I was at Union Station by 7:15.  After getting food and drink from Dunkin in the station, I headed to the platform to board Amtrak train #143.  It departed about 7:35, headed southwest.  Around 8:45, the train neared Manhattan and I saw amazing views of the skyline, which put me in the mood for the New York song by Frank Sinatra.

The train stopped for about half an hour at Penn Station underneath New York City.  At 9:45 or so, the train entered New Jersey.  By 11:20, I was in Philadelphia. I exited the train and put my luggage in storage.  Then I rode a SEPTA train to the Jefferson Station. I walked along toward Independence National Historical Park, keeping an eye out for a place to eat lunch.  I ended up at a Wawa across the street from Congress Hall in the Independence Hall complex.  I saw a National Park Service ranger on his break and I decided to take my turkey sandwich to near where he was sitting and strike up a conversation with him. I enjoyed discussing the role of history and its presentation.

Shortly before 1 PM, I was in the waiting area for the Independence Hall tour, and that same ranger was checking tickets for those who booked the 1 PM tour.  Carla, another ranger, led our tour, and started by having us shout, "Huzzah!"  Every tour I've done in Independence Hall focuses on a different topic, and hers was about working toward a more just society.

By 2 PM, after lingering in the Independence Hall complex, I was back at the Philadelphia William H. Gray III 30th Street Station.  At 2:45 or so, I was down at the platform level and train #99 arrived at 2:54.  I boarded for one final train segment to the Washington, D.C., Metro Area.

The train reached Washington, DC, Union Station around 4:30, and we stayed there a while to get a new engine and new passengers.  Upon departing, it traveled in a tunnel underneath the US Capitol and then emerged to the south of the National Mall with great views of the Mall and then the Potomac as it crossed into Virginia.  Around 5:30, I was at Alexandria Union Station, and it was a short walk to the hotel.  Mom, Dad, and I soon had dinner after my arrival.  Afterward, we shopped at Aldi and then returned to relax for the evening.

The next morning, on Sunday, May 25, we attended 8:30 Mass at St. Joseph's Parish.  Back at the hotel, we had breakfast.  I caught parts of the evening Mass live at St. John Lateran Cathedral Basilica with the installation of Pope Leo XIV as Bishop of Rome.

In the afternoon, I continued the spiritual nature of Sunday and headed to Brookland.  I first stopped inside the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception before heading to the Shrine of Pope St. John Paul II.  These places both offer such a prayerful experience.

I was back at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to attend 4 PM Vespers.  The video is still available on the YouTube channel, and at one point, you can see me wearing a blue shirt.

Once Vespers ended, I departed back to the Red Line and then onward on the Yellow Line to Alexandria.  Mom, Dad, and I had dinner.  Around 6:15, we boarded the Yellow Line for our evening outing.  We rode it to the Archives stop and then walked east to the US Capitol complex for the National Memorial Day Concert.  Eric arranged us access to the reserved patch of grass for National Symphony Orchestra guests.  We had a great view of the stage.  At certain points, the two hosts walked right past us.  The concert was a moving tribute to our fallen heroes.

The next morning, on Monday, May 26, I attended 9 AM Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary.  After it concluded, I went for my favorite bike ride in the area, over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge to Maryland and back.  I returned to St. Mary's around 11 AM, just in time for a Memorial Day (Observed) ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution.  It was a dignified ceremony with a great collaboration of a local soldier unit in 18th Century dress, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, a local American Heritage Girls, the Presbyterian Meetinghouse, and St. Mary's.  There was food and drink afterwards.

I was back at the hotel shortly before 1 PM.  At 1:30, we three departed for downtown WDC to attend the National Memorial Day parade.  When we emerged from the Archives station, we saw a ceremony in progress at the Navy Memorial.  Then we walked south to Constitution Avenue for the parade.  It was a wonderful line-up offering tribute to various branches of the military and various parts of history.

Around 3 PM, Mom and Dad headed back, and I went to take in the views at the Old Post Office Tower.  Then I made a quick stop at the National Museum of American History to see the original Star-Spangled Banner, the display about the 1903 cross-country automobile trip, and a quick walk-through the exhibits on the presidency.

I arrived in Alexandria at just about 5 PM.  I met Mom and Dad in the lower level of the hotel building and then we three went to dinner in Arlington at True Food Kitchen, joining with Naomi and Eric to celebrate Mom's birthday.  It was a blessing to be together.  I was especially pleased with my turkey burger.

The next morning, on Tuesday, May 27, around 9 AM or so, we three departed for our day outing to Baltimore.  By 10:30, we had arrived at the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine.  First, we watched the video in the visitors' center.  At its conclusion, the screen lifted and showed teh Fort with the US flag flying exuberantly above while "The Star-Spangled Banner" played.  Fort McHenry is one of a select number of sites where the US flag flies 24/7/365. When the song concluded, a volunteer on duty offered some additional commentary.  After we looked around the museum, we went outside to hear a ranger talk about the context of the battle of Fort McHenry.  And then we walked to visit the fort itself. The buildings in the fort featured exhibits that explained the functions of the fort when it was an active-duty military installation.

Around 1 PM, we decided to get lunch and we went over by the Inner Harbor to eat at Ms. Shirley's.  I had a turkey sandwich.  Following lunch, I asked Dad to drive over by a couple of important Catholic sites.  First was the Basilica of the Annunciation, the first Cathedral in the US.  It was across the street from the Enoch Pratt Free Library.  Then we went to the Mother Seton House, where St. Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton lived as she settled into life as a newly converted Catholic and into her path to religious life.

By 4 PM, we were on our way back to Alexandria, and arrived around 6 PM.  A little later, we had dinner, and then played Scrabble.

The next morning, on Wednesday, May 28, I was up between 7-8 AM.  After I had breakfast, I departed around 9:15 for sightseeing. I aimed to keep it as much indoors as possible because of the steady rain.  Upon emerging from the Archives Metro Station, I went to take a look inside the Navy Memorial Museum.  It was inspiring to see an Honor Flight group there from Utah, and I chatted with some of the veterans and companions in the group.

Next, I went across Pennsylvania Avenue to the National Archives Museum, especially to see the Charters of Freedom.  There were also special displays of American Revolution era documents and VE Day documents.

Subsequently, I got a taxi and had the driver take me to the National World War II Memorial where I did a quick walk in commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the war's conclusion, and then on to the L'Enfant Metro Station.

I made my way to St. Mary's in Alexandria for 12:10 Mass.  Afterward, I walked a few blocks north on Royal Street to join Mom and Dad for lunch at Gadsby's Tavern, whose big claim to fame is that George Washington dined there.

We rode the King Street Trolley back to our hotel.  I spent the time packing and doing other tasks.  Between 4-5 PM, I had dinner.  Around 5:30, I departed and got on the Metro for the trip to Union Station.  Once there, I waited for a while before I heard the boarding call for train #40, bound for Chicago.  It departed around 8 PM.  As the daylight faded, the train traveled through some of the Maryland suburbs.

Daylight emerged in earnest around Cleveland, and because of the train's delay, I got great views of the Sandusky Bay.  When the train reached Toledo around 9 AM, I stepped off to walk around on the platform and bid farewell to the superfriendly conductor who had been on duty onboard since Pittsburgh--I think his name was Steven.

The morning cloudiness faded by the time the train got past South Bend, and after entering afternoon, I returned to morning a few minutes later when the train entered Central Time.  There were good views of the Indiana Dunes National Park, then Lake Michigan at Whiting, and then the Chicago Skyline.  The train arrived at Chicago Union Station around 12:15 PM CDT. A few minutes later, I got into Matt's car and he brought be back to homebase.

Dear 1036: Celebration Display

Greetings Dearly Beloved 1036 Clarence,

It has been so special this month to celebrate the 20th anniversary of my Julian 8th Grade Graduation.

I stepped down the front stairs on the morning of Wednesday, June 8, 2005, to enjoy one final walk to Julian as a student.  Later that day, I came down those stairs in red attire for the graduation ceremony.

On Sunday, June 12, my parents invited family over to you and we celebrated my graduation.

Taking a cue from what Eric did two years prior, I created a display of my accomplishments in middle school, and some from my elementary school years.  I placed it all on the dining room table for people to view during our celebratory gathering.

As I looked at all that was on the table, I marveled at the experience, memories, and accomplishments.  It underscored that middle school gave me so much to celebrate.

Together with my other memories of you, I know that you have given so much to continue celebrating you.  Besides Julian, in the words of the poem "A Puerto Rico Regreso", you are truly "my beloved world" and "I am in love with the land where I was born", for you truly brought me alive.

I think about how so many marvelous wonders happened to me in middle school, and when I came home from school, being in you was when the Holy Spirit was stirring in me from all those wonders and inspiring me to build on them outside of school time.

Like the Pentecost Sequence says, the Holy Spirit has given me "joys that never end", especially because of you.

With much gladness, joy, and gratitude for you, I declare that you shall never fade into the background, but remain deep in my heart as that beloved place.

We remain ever connected:

All my relations.

Blessings of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

Paul

20 Highlights for the 20th Anniversary

My recent 20th anniversary celebration of my Julian 8th Grade Graduation has energized me as I realize how much I have to celebrate from those 3 years.

In keeping with the spirit of celebration, here's a list of 20 highlights from my Julian years:

One of the first aspects of the building that caught my attention was the atrium that looked upward from the first floor to the roof with a skylight.  In those early days as I adjusted, it inspired me.

I completed an essay assignment on Harriette Gillem Robinet and had the opportunity to personally interview her.

I made it to the All-School Spelling Bee all three years.

I participated in the Word Power Challenge, which I think that I did in both grades 7 and 8.

I participated in the News Bowl competition in grades 6 and 8.  It was a team effort, and both years, our News Bowl teams scored high.  I remember enjoying those January and February Tuesday mornings in grade 8 in Mr. Krapf's room looking over news articles and enjoying snacks as we prepared for the competition in March.

I was elected Student Council Co-Vice President in 7th grade.  I made a 2-minute speech that I wrote in front of a packed auditorium as part of the campaign, and I repeated in two days later.  I continued on student council as a member in 8th grade.

In 7th grade, we did a math project to calculate how much it costs to light the school building for an entire year.

I participated in the Middle School Math Event in 6th grade.  After participating in the competition, we got lunch and lots of entertainment.

Our end of the year field trip in 6th grade was Medieval Times.

In keeping with a family tradition, I served as an office helper in the first trimester of grade 8.

In 8th grade, I went on a field trip to the Chicago Auto Show, which was connected to a project we did to determine how much it would cost to have a car for an entire year.

Two days later, I went on a field trip to the Chicago Shakespeare Theater.  I think we saw A Comedy of Errors.

Going to Tommy Gun's in 8th grade was a great way to celebrate what we had been learning about the Roaring 20's.  I portrayed Calvin Coolidge, as did another classmate, Aaron.

I participated in a service project sponsored by Seguin with my classmates as we did yardwork at a home with residents supported by Seguin.

I was on the staff of the Jayhawk Flyer newspaper in 8th grade.

We watched Mr. Smith Goes to Washington 8th grade, likely a connection point to our study of the US Constitution in the first trimester.

I was the 2005 Julian National Geographic Bee champion.

I really enjoyed Arts and Culture class in grade 6, with Ms. Worley, who came from serving as the art teacher at Longfellow School.  We explored multiple cultures throughout the world during this year-long elective.

Among the many art projects I did throughout my time at Julian in various art classes, one that was most memorable was a diorama of the National Mall and its environs in Washington, D.C.

My classmates voted me the "Most Likely to Succeed" along with Emma Lewis.

Mom and I once had a conversation about that distinction many years later.  Through it, I realize that I've found success by taking what I gained in middle school and offering it in service to others, most especially in Religoius Education class.

Indeed, Julian continues to bring me joy and be a blessing.

In Memory of Pope Francis

The joyful mood of Resurrection Sunday 2025 certainly changed suddenly on Easter Monday morning, April 21, when I awoke to see multiple emails in my inbox announcing that Pope Francis had gone to the  house of the Lord.

His passing brought back numerous memories, all the way back to March 13, 2013.  I was at home on Spring Break, and I was in front of the TV watching the live proceedings of his introduction to the world.  It was the first time I had the opportunity to watch the introduction of a new Pope.  When Cardinal Bergoglio was announced, I wasn't too familiar with him.  What stood out to me was how he lead the crowd in praying for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, and then asked the crowds to pray for him.  He would ask for prayers often, which reminded me of how Cardinal George did something similar.

During his visits to the United States and Mexico in 2015 and 2016 respectively, I followed coverage on live TV.  Particularly memorable were his address to a joint session of the US Congress and then Mass in Philadelphia at the conclusion of the World Meeting of Families.  In Mexico, I watched his arrival in Mexico City and then Mass that he celebrated in Chiapas, and part of a Mass he celebrated in Ciudad Juarez.

Then came the great opportunity to spend time with him in person at World Youth Day 2019 in Panama.  I have so many great memories, including the fruit of waiting hours alongside a road for the opportunity to see him from 15 feet away and to make eye contact with him for about 3 seconds.

During these trips, he had so many profound remarks, especially in his homilies, and from time to time, I would look at what he had to say.

This month reminds me of one memorable part of his pontificate, establishing an annual Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, a great gift to the Church.  After the official conclusion of the Easter Season, it's great to have a special occasion to celebrate, recognizing Mary's role in the Church her Son established.

And under her gaze he lies in repose after expressing his devotion to Our Lady by visiting her icon in the Basilica of St. Mary Major before and after all his trips, and also the day after his election.

The Joy of Julian 20 Years Later

With great joy today, I mark 20 years since my Julian 8th Grade Graduation and party like it's 2005 all over again.  More than just a ceremony to signal the end of my time as a Julian student, it was an event in which I celebrated heartily the experience at Julian and the enormously positive impact it had on me.  I have often shared how my years at Julian truly shaped me to be the person I am today.  Those years engaged my interests and talents at a high level.  They fostered in me a sense of patriotism and what it means to contribute to the USA as a citizen.  And, very importantly, those Julian years defined me in shaping my faith.  That's why I join the joy of this anniversary with today's Solemnity of Pentecost, when the reality of the Risen Christ was poured out on the Church through the descent of the Holy Spirit.

As I reflect on my years at Julian, I realize that the Holy Spirit was at work in marvelous ways within me.  More than just going to school, the Holy Spirit led me through a process of sanctification so that I would be driven to live with great purpose in my pursuits.  Even growing in knowledge and doing my civic duty came under the Spirit's power of sanctification.  And it all makes sense in light of a certain detail in Acts 2, which describes the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Church and then St. Peter's sermon about what happened to the throngs gathered.  He mentioned toward the beginning that it was 9 o'clock in the morning, the same moment each school day began at Julian, a great sign of the Holy Spirit's work in me.

Starting at Julian was particularly momentous because I was in the first group of 6th graders and on our first day of school, we walked into a brand-new building.  Even with a certain amount of anxiety I felt starting 6th grade, I think that beneath my consciousness, there was a sense of excitement starting at a new school in a newly finished building.  I would be recreating myself while the District 97 experience was undergoing a recreation with two new middle school buildings now housing grades 6-8, and my classmates and I were on the frontlines of forging a new path forward.  As the Class of 2005 upon our graduation, we distinguished ourselves as the first to attend Julian for 3 years.

During middle school, I engaged my academic interests at a higher level.  Over the past few months, I have celebrated the 20th anniversary of my participation in the National Geographic Bee.  I first became intensely interested in the subject back in 2nd grade, probably in large part owing to my teacher Mrs. LoCoco's "Where is Waldo Game?", to add to the excitement of traveling the country with the computer game, Where in the USA is Carmen Sandiego? Amtrak version.  I enjoyed learning about the subject through lots of library reading, and I came to see it as a way for me to embrace the wider world.  I'm glad the National Geographic Bee offered an opportunity for young people like me to exhibit our appreciation for the world, its cultures, and its people.  Ultimately, I wasn't just having a good time filling my head with geographical knowledge through reading and other resources.  I came to understand our world better, including places far beyond home.  And I've been able to embrace new places I go with all the travels I've done.  Participating in the competition also allowed me to go in depth with the subject beyond what happened in class.  Indeed, the competition was a culmination point that helped me see this knowledge as something purposeful, and gave me an outlet to express it, as did other competitions.

And in some respects, geographic knowledge helped me appreciate the United States as a whole, just as much as watching Liberty's Kids throughout my 6th grade school year.  Appreciating my place in this society inspired me to get involved, and I'm glad that serving on Student Council for two years gave me that outlet.  Being on the staff of the Jayhawk Flyer newspaper was also an outlet for me to channel my creative energies in writing about current events from the perspective of Julian.

Over the course of time at Julian, I saw that it had so much to offer me, especially beyond the classroom, and I enriched my experience by embracing it.

I indeed had so much to celebrate on June 8 as I concluded my time as a Julian student.  And 20 years later, I still have so much to celebrate, with the anticipation building for some time when I recognized these occasions would share the date of June 8.  Similarly, there has been a buildup to Pentecost Sunday, especially since May 30:  Leading up to Pentecost is a 9-Day Novena period.  We hearken back to the days after the Risen Christ ascended and the apostles waited for Christ's promise to be manifested.

This year, the Pentecost Novena began on May 30, and it was so fitting that I returned to Julian Middle School that day as a presenter for Career Exploration Day.  After participating as a presenter last year, I was eager to do so again in anticipation of the 20th anniversary of my graduation.  So I quickly signed up when I got an email in April inviting me to return.

Fresh back from my East Coast vacation, I was eager to relive the experience of my Julian days by walking from beloved 1036 to Julian.

Right around 11 AM, I arrived at Julian's office.  After the sign-in process, I went to the Commons for lunch, just like in my days there.  The school and its PTO provided sub sandwiches along with drinks and other snacks.  I enjoyed the company of some other presenters before we got a welcome from the organizers, Ms. Court and Ms. Barlich, who then said we could go to our rooms for set-up.  During lunch, I was glad to see my 7th grade science teacher, Mr. Vincenti, who I also saw later as I left the school.

Between 11:45 and 12:00, I left the commons and walked with upstairs to room B408 to set up, and I got helpful assistance from Paul, an IT staffperson.  Presenting in that room was special because it was in the 4th floor B-wing, where I had my 8th grade core classes.

Here I am standing in the hallway of the 4th floor B-wing of Julian where I had my 8th grade classes.  Gina, a fellow presenter across the hall and a fellow parishioner, photographed me while we had a break between presentations.

I was really in my element as a presenter because I had the chance to interact with Julian students, and it is much in line with my experience teaching middle school Religious Education.  Opportunities like these presentations reinvigorate me in what I do as I take a step back to think about the nature of my work and then share it with others.

I started my presentations by showing photos of myself from my yearbooks and even some video footage of myself from the 2005 National Geographic Bee School Round.  Then I showed how my name still lives on at Julian in the plaque for my graduation class in the first floor hallway and in a tile I had inscribed in the Julian mural outside the school building as a way for me to offer tribute to my extraordinary Julian years.  I was eager to show how connected I feel to Julian by illustrating to the students how I was once in their place.

I then shared a little about my path into librarianship as a career before illustrating what I do at work behind the scenes with the catalog, revealing the "Staff View" button in the public Aspen catalog display of the SWAN libraries which shows a MARC record, the focus of my cataloging work, and describing the process.

As an activity, I had them consider different options for how to catalog the book Mellon vs. Churchill, a book I did at work and which I had to give much thought to when deciding how to classify it.

I was intrigued to see the variety of ideas the students had as a response for where to put the book. And, of course, I enjoyed the questions the students asked me.  I was particularly delighted when a 6th grader asked me what I like most about my work.  Other students decided to jump on my points of connection with Julian and Irving to ask me about my time as a student back in the day.  Speaking with the 6th graders reminded me of my cousin Ava, a 6th grader in this school year that's concluding.

I presented to one 8th grade group.  I was very glad at the end of my presentation to offer them, the class of 2025, my congratulations on behalf of the class of 2005, since they were just days away from their graduation on June 3, and I offered them high-fives at the end of our time period.

As that group entered the room, one student recognized me from my involvement in Religious Education and delightedly greeted me, which prompted a question from her classmate about how she knows me.  Not far behind her was one of the students from my RE class this past year, and it was a delight to see him, too.

Later in the afternoon, after I finished presenting to a group, another one of my students from RE class this year entered the room and greeted me, remarking that she heard me talking from out in the hallway.  There was much joy in these encounters.  Teaching RE has been such an extraordinary experience for me, and through it, I have developed such wonderful relationships with the students.  It is a joy that the students feel affirmed by what they experience in class and three of them were glad to see me present at Julian on that day.  Indeed, I'm in my element when I teach RE, and I felt so much of that energy when I was there on Career Exploration day.

Here I am in action during my presentation.  This photo was taken by the teacher of my final presentation group.

So much of this celebration today is illuminated by faith. As ironic as it might sound, being at Julian brought me alive in faith so powerfully.  And as I said in the previous paragraph, I'm in my element in RE because it has been an outlet for me to channel how I was enhanced during my Julian years.

What I experienced in the halls of Julian brought me in tune with what's most worthwhile in life that I experienced outside those halls.  It's a great irony that attending a public middle school helped me appreciate my faith more deeply.  Oak Park likes to tout its diversity, and I experienced its diversity in an enhanced way when I started 6th grade at Julian.  Getting to know so many Jewish people and their religion and culture helped me turn inwardly and reflect on myself more, and it enhanced my faith.  It reminds me of a Word on Fire program I listened to recently in which Bishop Barron reflects on multiculturalism.  He says that unity allows us to truly experience diversity in a way that is edifying.  I know that reality because of how my faith came alive in middle school.

I am so blessed the journey of my faith has led me back to the classroom to teach middle school Religious Education, where I am constantly reconnecting with what helped me appreciate faith at that time, as I hand it on.  Perhaps in that way, teaching RE has made middle school a living experience that persists.

To celebrate the end of my time at Julian, I wore red on Wednesday, June 8, 2005.  

I asked Mom to photograph me before I set off on the mile-long walk from 1036 Clarence to Julian for the final time as a Julian student.  Since then, I have walked the route many times as a way to reminisce.

Later, at the graduation ceremony, I wore a red cap and gown.  

Mom or Dad photographed me before we left for the graduation ceremony.

A few months later, on Saturday, October 15, 2005, I stood before Bishop Kane in red vestments, and he sealed me with the gift of the Holy Spirit in Confirmation.

Today, Sunday, June 8, 2025, I celebrate Pentecost by wearing red. As I celebrate this doubly special occasion, I reflect on the role of red in representing how the Holy Spirit was at work in me during my Julian years and how it continues to be so, marveling at these great works.

Here I am posing today, Pentecost Sunday 2025, at the pew where I sat at my Confirmation Mass. Thanks to parishioner Rosemarie Nowicki for getting this photo.

Paschal Mystery Version of 2025

Over the past couple of years, I've gone to Daily Mass more often at St. Leonard's Church in Berwyn.  On Holy Monday, the priest there, Father Bobby, gave a super insightful presentation about Holy Week and the Triduum, offering further information to build on a similar presentation the year before.  I discovered this year's presentation on YouTube and played it later when I had the time.  One major idea that stood out to me was that as Catholics, we hold to the idea that in our liturgy gatherings, including the Mass, we aren't simply remembering what Jesus did for us in His work of salvation: We are making it present again, and Jesus Christ continues to offer us His graces.  (Father Bobby used a word, and I'm uncertain how to spell it, but I think it's something like amenisis.)

Indeed, Christ continually has something to offer us when we commemorate the central events of our salvation in the Triduum.

It's the culmination point of Lent.  I read somewhere a person reflecting on how he went to Mass with his family and on Laetare Sunday, the priest remarked they had reached the midpoint of Lent. His young daughter said, "We're only halfway through?"  This writer reflected on how Lent has a 40-day period because God has so much to offer us.  He desires to renew us so we are open to all that He has for us to experience in the Triduum.

Every Sunday is a special day to celebrate that Jesus rose from the dead, a Little Easter.  One week before Resurrection Sunday, Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion had a triumphal feel as we began Mass, as is typical, heralding Jesus's entry into Jerusalem.  One line from the prayers at the opening of Mass got my attention:  As we herald anew Jesus's entry into Jerusalem, we renew our hope to one day enter the Heavenly Jerusalem with Him.  After the Passion Narrative, Father Carl offered good thoughts in his homily.  He posed the question of whether we follow Jesus when it's popular, or stay the course even in difficult times.  We're reminded to be grounded in Christ our Savior.

Concurrent with Holy Week this year was the Jewish celebration of Passover, which has so many elements that speak to the Paschal Mystery, and so much of it fittingly comes alive on Maundy Thursday.  Once again, Mass started with a triumphant tone with the opening hymn "We Should Glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ".  He is the reason we live with great purpose and mission because of the work He accomplished on the Cross.

Indeed, He offered the sacrifice of Himself as the perfect Passover Lamb of God, offering His Body and Blood.  In so doing, He sends us forth to live out His command to love one another, just like we hear at the end of Mass.

At the end of the Mass, the hymn "Pange Lingua" was so moving and mystical as the Eucharist was solemnly processed through the church to the side altar.  The mystical mood continued in the dimmed light of the church while I lingered to pray before the Blessed Sacrament as a way to keep watch with Christ.

The next day, Cross Friday, I departed work early and drove 7 minutes to Mary Queen of Heaven Parish in Elmhurst for 3 PM Stations of the Cross.  It was fitting to mark this holy hour by recounting Jesus's Passion in this long-held form of prayer.  There's so much to meditate upon as we recount the different stations in Jesus's way to His death on the Cross.

Later, at the Liturgy at Ascension Church, after hearing the Passion Narrative in the Gospel according to St. John, we venerated the Cross.  This day offers us a meaningful opportunity to behold this important symbol of our faith.  As scandalous as it was in its original context, we recognize God's power was at work in the Cross, and continues to be at work.  So we join our sufferings to Christ and venerate His Holy Cross.

The next morning on Holy Saturday, I went to Morning Prayer at St. Edmund, where we prayed for those preparing to receive the initiation sacraments that night.  There's a hymn sung customarily on Holy Saturday morning that speaks to how we are waiting for the great victory Christ brings when He rises from the dead.

I spent the next few hours doing various things to make ready for the great celebration.  Per an idea I got from Catholic Vote's lifestyle guide, I bought some fresh-cut flowers to add a touch of Easter celebration.  I also helped with some decorations at Ascension.

Shortly before 7 PM, I was at St. Giles for the Holy Saturday Easter Vigil Mass.  So much of our liturgical experience focuses on natural elements, and it was fitting to walk past a bonfire outside the main entrance of the church.  We then gathered around that fire to light the Paschal Candle.  It's a powerful symbol to see the light of the Paschal Candle, along with all the other smaller candles lit from it in the darkened church as we turn our attention toward the victory of Christ we celebrate on this night.  The Exultet sets the tone so well for the celebration at hand, from the first words of "Exult, let them exult".  It's not a word we use typically, yet it is so eloquent in lifting us up to the new reality we enter in the Resurrection of Christ.  There's another phrase that stood out to me, "Be glad, let Earth be glad".  We can be glad in a profound way because of the work God has done to save us.

Then we hear a series of readings that show how God has been at work throughout history to save us.  Little by little, His purposes have been unfolding.  Just as Lent was a 40-day period in which God has been at work in us, so we see that salvation history has been a process in which God has worked in His own timing.  Then, the reading from Romans 6 is a great explanation for how what we celebrate is not just rejoicing in what happened to Jesus, but to be open to how it transforms us, too, so that we may walk in newness of Life.

That passage provides a great backdrop as we joyfully reach the Gospel proclamation, singing an extended Alleluia to proclaim the marvelous deeds God has done, which is crowned by the Resurrection of Christ, because, again, His Resurrection transforms us gloriously.

Father Carl emphasized it well in his homily when he said that because He lives, we carry His Spirit with us, and he even had us repeat that phrase aloud for emphasis.

To celebrate how God is alive among us, it was very special that soon after the homily came the Baptisms of three youths, followed by their Confirmations and the Confirmations of two others.  The joyful spirit persisted into the Liturgy of the Eucharist and then the gathering of food and drink afterwards.

The next morning felt so alive, as is typical for Easter/Resurrection Sunday.  The physical space and its decorations inside Ascension Church set the tone so well as the sanctuary filled, nearly bursting at the seams with those gathered for this glorious celebration.  I was glad to see so many students I know from my many years of teaching Religious Education.  Part of the Mass included the renewal of baptismal vows and then sprinkling with holy water.  As I mentioned to my students in RE class, all of Lent was focused on growing in our relationship with God so we could renew our baptismal vows on Easter/Resurrection Sunday with great fervor.  As an added touch, it was raining at the end of Mass to emphasize the newness of life that water brings to the Earth, just as baptism brings new life to the faithful.  There was exuberant music throughout Mass that set the tone so well for this glorious occasion.  And in teh spirit of the Colossians 3 passage of the 2nd reading, it was a time to lift ourselves up and focus our gaze on what is of Heaven.

Later that day, as I drove to my Uncle Bernie's place for our family meal, I played selections from The Messiah as a way to enter into the joyful celebration of Christ's Resurrection.  The oratorio is based on Scripture, and there's not necessarily a specific selection from the Gospel narratives of the Resurrection accounts.  However, there are several verses from 1 Corinthians 15, in which St. Paul writes about the Resurrection and what it means for us who confess faith in Christ, which I see as an example of making the Resurrection present to us, and furthermore, a reality in us.

The joyful mood shifted to a sobering reality the next morning. I awoke, and upon checking my e-mail inbox, saw the news about the passing of Pope Francis.  It was sorrowful, yet spoke to what we celebrated the day before as we acknowledge Christ has provided a way for us to experience Eternal Life after death, and how Pope Francis had entered into that life beyond this life just a day after celebrating the Resurrection, when he movingly made the effort to appear to the crowds in St. Peter's Square and offer his blessing.

Then, on May 8, it was so powerful to hear the newly-elected Pope Leo XIV speak the words of the Risen Christ in his first remarks to the world.

Indeed, the Resurrection is an awesome reality that continues to be present to us.  We are invited to present to the Risen Christ as He manifests Himself so we can be transformed and that the Resurrection and its joy can dwell deep within us that we may live anew.

Throughout the days of the Easter Season, I've enjoyed focusing in a new way on the many wonderful Easter hymns.  While Christmastime is known for its many carols, this year, I've come to marvel at Easter hymns, and I realize how many wonderful statements set to music are included in these hymns.  They spoke to the marvelous song that all the Earth sings because we are renewed by the reality of the Resurrection.  Like Pope St. John Paul II said, we the faithful, while acknowledging difficult realities in the world, are an Easter people, and Alleluia is our song.  We sing it ceaselly in our hearts and by our lives as we testify to how the Resurrection has transformed us and is in us.

Alleluia!

At Ascension Church, the lighted Paschal Candle is flanked by flowers that add to the sense of triumph on Easter/Resurrection Sunday.

The altar at St. Giles is flanked with flowers and other symbols to illustrate the sense of triumph we had just celebrated at the Holy Saturday Easter Vigil Mass.

At St. Leonard Church in Berwyn, the Paschal Candle is adorned with a white cloth, and along with the flowers, evokes a sense of exultation and triumph in the Easter Season celebration of the Resurrection.