July 4th, indenpence day

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Prayers for Our Nation

Prayer for the Protection of Religious Liberty

O God our Creator,

Through the power and working of your Holy Spirit,
you call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world,
bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel
to every corner of society.

We ask you to bless us
in our vigilance for the gift of religious liberty.
Give us the strength of mind and heart
to readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened;
give us courage in making our voices heard
on behalf of the rights of your Church
and the freedom of conscience of all people of faith.

Grant, we pray, O heavenly Father,
a clear and united voice to all your sons and daughters
gathered in your Church
in this decisive hour in the history of our nation,
so that, with every trial withstood
and every danger overcome--
for the sake of our children, our grandchildren,
and all who come after us--
this great land will always be "one nation, under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas, pray for us.


Prayer for the Nation

Almighty God, You have given us this good land for our heritage. We humbly ask You that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Your favor and glad to do Your will. Bless our land with honorable endeavor, sound learning and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties and fashion into one united people the multitude brought here out of many nations and tongues. Endow with the Spirit of wisdom those to whom in Your Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that through obedience to Your law we may show forth Your praise among the nations on earth. In time of prosperity fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble do not allow our trust in You to fail. Amen.

~~ by Thomas Jefferson, taken from "Prayers for Today," published by Leaflet Missal Company
If you haven't done anything for the Fortnight for Freedom, consider starting July 1st. (You can think "4 nights for freedom"  :) as a countdown to the 4th.)

 Go to the Website FortnightforFreedom.org for suggestions from our Bishops for prayer, meditations, and events. 

Since most folks have this day off, it is a great day to attend Mass together in the morning as a family to pray for our great nation.

Making a flag cake is as easy at it looks.  You can use anything under the whip cream and fruit.  I've used Jello, a cheesecake, or a simple box mix cake.  Enjoy a great picnic today with your family and take a few minutes to say one of these prayers: