This coming week we celebrate President’s Day. It is always profitable to look back in history and to remember those ancestors who formed our country and created the important values that we so take for granted in our daily lives. As we look around the world you have to wonder where we would be today without that leadership in the past. Our country isn’t perfect but we have much to be grateful to these people in our past.

It is also a day to remember our present president in our prayers. Many may disagree with him or his policies but it nevertheless takes courage and stamina to put oneself forth and to stand up for what he believes is right.

Whenever we honor our ancestors I am always reminded of our ancestors in the faith. All those who have gone before us, from the earliest Old Testament figures to the canonized saints, and all the everyday people have not only lived their faith but passed it along from generation to generation. What we so often take for granted many times survived by struggle and even martyrdom. Yes we celebrate All Saints Day once a year; however,every day we have these people to look up to and to see as models for us.

Some of you may have noticed that we have finally been able to move the St. Michael the Archangel statue from the former grammar school to the church yard on Cross Street. Along with two benches that were donated in memory of Maureen Gorman, we plan to make a prayer garden in the spring (when all the snow is gone!). We’ll have a special dedication ceremony where all will be welcome.