Memorial Day Mass offered for military personnel and their families
CHARLOTTE — People must pray and act for God’s gift of peace in the world today, Bishop Peter Jugis told hundreds gathered for a Memorial Day Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral.
The May 28 Mass was offered for all men and women in the military – deceased, active and retired – and their families.
“It is important that everyone pray for peace, because in our modern world today, with the weapons of mass destruction which are so readily available, wars and conflicts anywhere in the world we know can escalate to the point of potentially enveloping the whole world. So any conflict, any war, anywhere in the world should be of concern for everyone in the world,” Bishop Jugis said.
“For that reason we cannot let up on our prayers – asking God for peace, asking God to change hearts and to bring conversion, and to grant the grace of reconciliation to those who are in conflict with each other, to remove hatred.”
“Peace is a gift from God,” he emphasized. “God has already placed a desire for peace in our hearts. That’s the way He made us as human beings. We have this innate desire for harmony with others.”
“Conflict is the result of sin,” he continued. “Conflict doesn’t come from God, it comes from sin, whether as the result of jealousy, envy, hatred, revenge or pride.”
“We must act on that gift that God has given to us,” Bishop Jugis said. “We must work and pray to bring it about in the world.”
In so doing, people should follow Jesus Christ’s example, he said, particularly keeping in mind the Beatitudes and His words, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they are called children of God.”
The Church must act “as a leaven in the world for peace, being a prophetic witness and challenging the world because of the message of Christ we carry and implement to bring peace and reconciliation into the world.”
The bishop concluded by asking for God’s mercy and kindness “for all those who have given their lives in service to our country, and for those who are currently serving, for our veterans, and for all the sick and disabled.”
— Patricia L. Guilfoyle, editor. Videography provided by James Sarkis.
Pictured at top: Retired Army Col. Rebecca Tomsyck and Army Reserve Lt. Col. Nicole French, both of Charlotte, greet Bishop Peter Jugis after the Mass for the Military offered May 28 at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte.
