Loretto wishes all a Happy Fourth and a Happy 250th USA!

Thanks to the leadership of George Washington and the combined efforts of the French Navy and Washington’s good friend and ally General Marquis de Lafayette, the British surrendered at Yorktown on October 19, 1781. The fight for independence was over. The Treaty of Paris, signed between the United States and Great Britain on September 3, 1783, made it official. The United States had become an independent nation after six years of heroes and sacrifice.

Since that war the United States has fought many wars to defend freedom; all have come at a terrible cost. When a person visits the World War II Memorial one finds the words “Here we mark the price of freedom” engraved in front of a wall of 4,048 gold stars. Each star represents one hundred Americans lost during World War ll. July 4th honors the sacrifice of those lost in defense of freedom.

Let us pray:

Christ proclaims peace to all nations.
Give everlasting peace to those who died in the service of our country.
Inspire collaboration among world leaders to keep the peace. And hold peaceful negotiations between places of conflict, especially the Middle East.
May God bless us with strength as all Americans strive to make our country a peaceful place. We make this prayer in Jesus’ name.
Amen