MAHANOY CITY — Being so wrapped up in ourselves enables us to take the sacrifices of others for granted.
That message was shared by Rev. Kevin Gallagher, pastor of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Roman Catholic Church, Mahanoy City, as the second outdoor Mass to commemorate Memorial Day was celebrated Saturday morning in St. Casimir Cemetery.
About 25 people participated in the 9 a.m. Mass to recognize veterans and family members who have passed away.
Deacon David Henninger and altar server Anthony Merchlinsky assisted at the altar. Donna DiCasimirro served as lector. Kathy Wufsus and Alice Moore began the Mass, playing guitar and singing as those gathered joined in to “Immaculate Mary.”
Henninger offered a Gospel reading, according to St. Matthew.
Gallagher thanked everyone who helped prepare the outdoor setting for the celebration as he began his message.
“Greater love hath no one but to lay down one’s life for one’s friend,” Gallagher said. “We don’t take it to heart anymore. We get comfortable with the life that we lead, and we forget what our fathers and forefathers sacrificed for us. We should not take for granted those that gave up their very lives for us. How many times do we complain when our taxes go up? But yet these men and women gave up their lives so that we have our freedom.”
He said there are places in our world where people are fearful of walking out their front door and going to market. That’s not the case here.
“We don’t have that fear. We can go where we want and do what we want. The reason we have it is because so many sacrificed so much,” he said.
Gallagher shared that he was the first generation in this country. His mother and father hailed from Ireland, and his father fought in the Korean War and Vietnam War.
“We were young when he was in Vietnam and I remember asking mother, ‘Why does dad have to be over there? Why can’t he be home with us?’ He was gone so long. My mother told us because of the freedoms we have in this country, this was a great country, and that our father was willing to fight for this country so that we could maintain our freedom.
“We seem to be losing that today because we take too much for granted. Today, as we honor those who sacrificed their lives for our freedoms, let us also think about sacrifices that we, too, can make. Not just honoring them, but supporting the military, people in our service today, because they offer so much for us.
You know, Memorial Day, more than the beginning of summer, more than picnics, more than a day off, (we should be) honoring so many,” Gallagher said.
He said he enjoyed listening to a former lector who was a World War II veteran.
“I loved to sit and listen to him talk about the different areas he was in during World War II — the fighting, the terror, the bombing. I have such respect for him for what he did, and the life he would have sacrificed for us. So, today, let us honor all veterans that made that ultimate sacrifice. Are you willing to sacrifice the way they sacrificed for our freedom? We complain about the littlest things. We’re all wrapped up in self today. They weren’t. It’s about giving your all for something that is noble and good. This country was founded on our Christian faith,” Gallagher said.
Many participants had family members who had served in the armed forces.
Moore, Mahanoy City, said there were three of her husband’s relatives buried nearby who were WWII and Vietnam veterans — Jerry Moore, Williams Michael Moore and Robert Moore.
“Fortunately, all of them came home,” she said. Her brother, Billy Faust, also served in the Navy.
John Ellis, Frackville, attended Saturday’s Mass. He served in the National Guard from 1963 to 1969.
“I want to give recognition to all who have died and to their families. I praise God for allowing us to be together to honor our loved ones,” Ellis, who also attended last year’s outdoor Mass, said.
Mary Joan Cauley said this was her first time at the outdoor Mass and she expressed her appreciation for the celebration. Her late husband, James Cauley, was a disabled Army veteran.
“I belonged to the DAV Auxiliary for years,” Cauley, Jim Thorpe, said.
Gallagher spoke of the veterans’ unselfish actions and their legacy of patriotism.
“It’s not about self. It’s about community. These people fought for their community, they fought for their families, they fought for their nation. They gave their lives for it. Let us in turn honor them today and throughout this weekend.”
“The first thing you should do is honor their memory. It’s not about pass the beer, pass the shot, give me the hamburger. First, celebrate their lives. That goes all the way back to our Founding Fathers. Show them the respect that they need. Honor their memory. If you have a loved one who served this country and died, honor them, especially today.”
The Mass concluded with Moore and Wufsus playing “God Bless America.”