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By Marlene Quaroni - Florida Catholic
Father Michael Davis, Little Flower Church pastor, preaches at the recent Patriotic Prayer Service at Little Flower Church in Coral Gables. He's holding a note containing a Bible quote that was in a box from the My Pillow Company.
Bernard Wolff, president of the Sons of American Revolution-Miami Chapter, and Dr. Robert Liebler, former president of the organization, at the altar for the recent Patriotic Prayer Service at Little Flower Church in Coral Gables.
Congregants take part in a candlelighting during the recent Patriotic Prayer Service at Little Flower Church in Coral Gables. From left are Marilyn Becerra, Frank Paredes and Jonathan Sanchez.
Dr. Felipe Vizcarrondo recites a quote from Benjamin Franklin as seminarian Andrew Faranato holds his microphone.
Teresa de Jesus Sepulveda sings God Bless America during the patriotic prayer service.
Matt and Maria Brophy sing the National Anthem at the recent Patriotic Prayer Service at Little Flower Church in Coral Gables.
Members of the Schola Cantorum choir sing the Battle Hymn of the Republic during the recent Patriotic Prayer Service.at Little Flower Church in Coral Gables.
Luke Getchell, 15, of Columbus High School, lights a candle during the Patriotic Prayer Service at Little Flower Church in Coral Gables.
Women of the Sonflowers, the hospitality committee at Little Flower Church in Coral Gables, take part in the recent Patriotic Prayer Service. From left are Carmen Ferrer, Aida Gonzalez and Yvonne Gomez.
Photography: MARLENE QUARONI | FC
CORAL GABLES | Two uniformed sons of American revolutionaries added a historic touch to the fifth annual Patriotic Prayer Service at Little Flower Church, as they followed the American flag in procession Friday night.
“Religious freedom was one of the main things our ancestors fought for,” said Bernard Wolff, who wore a Massachusetts officer’s uniform. He is the president of the Sons of the American Revolution, Miami chapter.
With him was Dr. Robert Liebler, a former president of the organization, who wore a Connecticut regiment uniform. About 250 attended the prayer service.
The event included patriotic hymns, parishioners reading quotes by famous patriots, a candlelight ceremony and remarks on religious freedom by Father Michael Davis,
Photographer: Marlene Quaroni
Be "warriors for the truth," Father Michael Davis said during the Patriotic Prayer Service at Little Flower Church in Coral Gables.
The fortnight began on June 21 this year, the vigil of the feast days of two 16th century martyrs for religious freedom,
“We’re here tonight in the spirit of our first and most cherished liberty, religious freedom,” said Father Davis. “We are here openly, proudly, with conviction, gathered in worship to praise and thank Almighty God for our great land and nation. We are praying in vigilance for the protection and conservation of our cherished religious freedom.”
Father Davis said Catholics need occasions like the prayer service to “strengthen our personal knowledge of the implications of religious freedom issues for Catholics, to strengthen our resolve to take action as our conscience dictates.”
He urged his listeners to be “warriors for the truth, not allowing anyone, especially the government, to tell us what to believe.”
Father Davis cited the example of a businessman, Mike Lindell, founder of the company My Pillow. He said he recently bought one of the company’s pillows and found a surprising message.
“I unpacked the box and enjoyed the fluffy feeling of my new pillows,” he said. “I was about to throw away the box when I noticed a little piece of paper at the bottom of the box. It read, ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
He found the gesture an impressive example of freedom to believe and how to use freedom to live one’s life in the light of one's beliefs.
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Photographer: Marlene Quaroni
Congregants take part in a candlelighting during the recent Patriotic Prayer Service at Little Flower Church in Coral Gables. From left are Marilyn Becerra, Frank Paredes and Jonathan Sanchez.
